First round of Toastmasters Officers' Training held in Cagayan de Oro City

First round of Toastmasters International Officers' training is going on at Marco Hotel, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City today. After the training, there will be a handover ceremony for the incoming officers of Division F.

It was facilitated by the District 75 Officers led by District Governor Wilson Lee, Lt. Gov. for Educ & Training Vic Navales, Lt. Gov for Marketing Grace Paras.

Said seminar was participated by the different Toastmasters Club officers here in Division F namely: Iligan Toastmasters Club, Cagayan de Oro Toastmasters Club, Macajalar Bay Toastmasters Club, Golden Friendship Toastmasters Club, Butuan Toastmasters Club, Butuan Downtown Toastmasters Club, CARAGA Educators Toastmasters Club, Highlander Toastmasters Club and Koronadal City Toastmasters Club.

Its good to see and network with other Toastmasters club and Toastmaster Officers in the region and at the same time renew the vows to be a better speaker and better leader.

Toastmasters Tips on Toasting Well

... an article by Michael Varma, ATMG, ALB

Two summers ago I witnessed a truly tragic toast – and as a professional entertainer with more than 25 years of experience, I know a train wreck when I see one.

The best man at a wedding, seemingly sober, grabbed the microphone and with a booming voice launched into a notably naughty limerick: “There once was a groom from Nantucket….” The guests were not amused. The newlyweds, their parents and grandparents were mortified by the off-color verse. This soon-to-be ex-friend thought his humor would be enjoyed by all, or perhaps he crumbled under the pressure of public speaking. Whatever the case, his major faux pas reinforced my resolve to provide practical tips on toasting etiquette.

Toasting Advice
The purpose of a toast is to shine a gentle spotlight and pay tribute to the honored guest or event. Toasts typically proffer well wishes, good fortune, long life, health, happiness, sage advice or other positive thoughts. Composing a toast that is eloquent, poignant, whimsical and witty can be a challenge but worth every effort.

Begin by introducing yourself, state your first and last name for non-family members, explain how you’re related to the guest of honor, then present the toast. Follow the three Bs for delivering a successful toast – be brief, be bold, be done:

• Be Brief. “No toast except his own should last longer than 60 seconds” was Mark Twain’s golden rule. Keeping your remarks short gives your toast a greater impact and gets you on and off the stage more quickly. Well-crafted words and a succinct delivery will be appreciated by your audience and make your tribute more likely remembered for years to come.

• Be Bold. Stand proud and speak loud. Ensure that everyone in the room, including folks sitting in the back row, can hear your tasteful toast. Belting it out to the rafters may not be needed; a quick run-through before the crowd assembles in the room will help you gauge how far to project your voice. It can also help calm your frayed nerves and provide valuable practice time.

• Be Done. When finished, sit down. Resist the urge to take a bow or return for an encore. Smile, nod and accept any applause or acknowledgements, then refocus the spotlight on the guest of honor.

A well-presented wedding toast will have every father of the bride raising his glass with glee and every mother dabbing her eyes – a true “tissue moment.” The following toast, which I wrote for my brother’s wedding, is simple yet heartfelt:

Your marriage makes a perfect start
For every life is a work of art
Paint a picture filled with bliss
Treasured in your lover’s kiss
Wedding vows are truly strong
May yours last forever long

Advanced speakers can add a humorous story about the guest of honor after they explain how they know the honoree and before the actual toast. I recommend avoiding dirty jokes and risqué stories. Veer toward the white wedding light with words that praise and inspire, and you’ll never be seen in the Toasting Hall of Shame.


Michael Varma, ATMG, ALB, is a member of BergenMeisters Toastmasters club in Orange, California. He can be reached at www.michaelvarma.com.

Cagayan de Oro Toastmasters Induction and Turnover of Post

All Toastmasters and Toastmasters club in Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Malaybalay City including Butuan and CARAGA will have their first round of Officers Training and Installation of Division F Officers as well as Club Officers. This will be held this coming Sunday - July 11, 2010 at Marco Hotel, Cugman Cagayan de Oro City.

District 75 Officers and Leaders headed by District Governor Wilson Lee, LGET - Vic Navales and LGM Grace Paras will conduct the said officers training. Expert speakers will also share their knowledge on topics assigned to them.

Here are the newly elected Division F Governor and Area Governors of Iligan, Malaybalay, Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City and CARAGA Toastmasters Club.

Division F Governor: Atty. Maning Ravanera
Area 51 Governor: Joji Macabodbod
Area 52 Governor: Jaja Gaston
Area 53 Governor: Julie Aguilar

Division F comprises the following Toastmasters Clubs:

Area 51
1. Iligan Toastmasters Club
2. Cagayan de Oro Macajalar Bay Toastmasters Club
3. Highlander Toastmasters Club

Area 52
1. Cagayan de Oro Toastmasters Club
2. Golden Friendship Toastmasters Club
3. Koronadal City Toastmasters Club

Area 53
1. Butuan City Toastmasters Club
2. Butuan Downtown Toastmasters Club
3. CARAGA Educators Toastmasters Club

With the new officers, more and more Toastmasters Club for Division F will be formed in the following months.

New Set of Officers for Cagayan de Oro Toastmasters and Division F

This coming July 1 , like the Philippine Government, there will be a change of officers from the different clubs, area and division of Toastmasters International all over the Philippines.

Here in Division F which is composed of the different Toastmasters clubs from Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Bukidnon, Butuan City and CARAGA - will be headed by Atty. Maning Ravanera as the new Division Governor.

By the way, for first timers, Toastmasters International is a worldwide leading organization which is aimed to promote and make effective communication skills and leadership skills a worldwide reality. Founded in 1924 by Dr. Ralph Smedly,now it has grown to more than 12500 clubs in 108 countries worldwide. It is a proof that this organization has helped thousands of people around the world develop their own potential.

For more info about Toastmasters, please visit the website at www.toastmasters.org

Thanks to all Toastmasters who viewed my speech

The District Convention 2010 in Bohol is a memorable one for me. This is because, i was back again to a place of my ancestors which remains so great - i.e. the beaches, the people, the tourist attractions and all. On the discon side, even if i didn't get the top prize - i still gained a lot of friends who commented positively on the speech i delivered in the Humorous Speech category.

So to all who have seen and put their comments and praises - thank you very much. It inspires me to improve and do better, whether in our club meetings or in contests.

If there's one thing i can share about the experience,it is that being humorous can be learned. And for that, if given the chance, i would be willing to help others write their "humorous" speeches.

Toastmasters Updates

In our commitment to become a Distinguished District this year and to help our District Governor realize that goal - we at Division F will do our part by reviving old clubs and also chartering new clubs.

So here's an update for Division F.

1. There will be a demo and reactivation meeting for the Cagayan de Oro Educators club this coming Dec. 9, 2009 at VIP Hotel (6 PM)

2. We will also build the Malaybalay Toastmasters and Aboitiz club on Dec. 20 & 21, 2009 respectively.

So if you're from Cagayan de Oro, please mark your calendar on these dates because as our theme says: Communication and Leadership Excellence starts now.

Toastmasters Speech Contest at SM CDO

This coming November 15, 2009 is another first for the Division F (this is Northern Mindanao) of Toastmasters International District 75.

First, because this is a contest that can be viewed by the Public because the venue will be at SM Cagayan de Oro (after the fight of Manny Pacquiao). Here the different speakers representing the different clubs will also fight - by delivering speeches in this challenging but engaging competition.

So mark you calendar and don't miss this opportunity to find out what Toastmasters is all about.