Happy New Year, fellow Toastmasters!
I am really excited and nervous to be heading into the new year. Yes, I admit it, nervous. There is something hopeful about having a new slate and something a little overwhelming about it too. However, it is with excitement that I would like to welcome you all back in 2014.
First, I am very happy to be your president this term. It means a lot to me. As many of you know, I helped bring Toastmasters to the North Course campus almost 7 years ago. It was M-I SWACO's first time chartering a corporate Toastmaster club. Over this 7 years, the club has gone through many growth spurts and growing pains. In fact, you could see the events of the company in the reflection of the club. When the company is in good times, the club has the same energy. When the company is going through a rough spell, well our club has carried that energy, too. Strong leadership has helped to sustain the club over the past few years and I hope to help continue that trend as I follow in James Stark's successful presidency.
Secondly, I am very excited to be apart of the club again! When you look around our group,you see a beautiful array of different nationalities being represented. I have said it before and I will state it here again: We put the International in Toastmasters International. It is this diversity that keeps us interesting, not just in regard of nationality, but of gender, personalities, backgrounds, and experiences as well. Week after week, we realize as a club that no two speeches are the same, and neither are the speakers. How awesome is that? I look foward to our fellowship and seeing all the members grow from speech or role number one to speech or role number five. The transition of each members is wonderful to see.
When we look back on the past year, we see just how many members we said goodbye to, but at the same time we see new faces among us. The First Term 2014 officers reflect the integration of long-standing members with new ones, as can be evidenced by the list below:
President Carolina Little
VP of Education Kathy Leu
VP of Membership Sandeep Kodakkattumana
VP of Public Relations Ingrid Velasco
Secretary/ Treasurer Meghan Riley
Sergeant of Arms
Ken Slater
Lastly, for me (and many of you) being apart of something like Toastmasters puts a spring in my step and inspires good things to happen, especially when taken on with enthusiasm and dedication. I would like for you to know that I really enjoy coming to our meetings on Thursdays. It is hard to beat our fellowship and the entertainment provided during that one lunch hour. I really hope you all feel this way too. It is proof positive that we can have fun while working on our communication and leadership skills. However, the officers and I have an open-door policy and want to welcome any suggestions or comments that will help make Toastmasters a positive experience for each member.
The best of luck to everyone this year. Together, we all make a very close-knit and unique group ready to take another 7 years of corporate Toastmastering on!
