 |
|
Jeff Cash, CC |
|
2009 - 2010 President |
Chardon Toastmasters began as an idea in the minds of John Eltzroth & Sam Ritondaro for the Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce to sponsor a Toastmasters club. They arranged a series of introductory sessions at Chamber meetings to garner interest. On August 15, 2002 nine Chamber members met to discuss starting a club. They were John Eltzroth, Gary & Nancy Temple, Luigi DiCarlo, Sam & Theresa Ritondaro, Erna Leagan-Mabel, Tad Roediger and Todd Donnelly. At this initial meeting they chose the club's founding officrs and decided who would give the first speeches at the meeting the following week. Tad and Luigi became the first official presenters on August 22, 2002.
The club continued to meet and attract interested members throughout the fall. By the end of 2002 the club had gained David Saggio, Kip Hoover, Melissa Dahlhausen, and Tom McGuinness. A festive "Table Topics" holiday party at Maxx Doogans ended the year on a high note.
The early winter months yielded several new members, including Ed Brice, Kimberly Clos, Mike Fabian, Stefanie Rose and Joe Dahlhausen. One particular evening will forever stand out in the history of Chardon Toastmasters: March 22, 2003. Nancy Temple gave her 10th speech that night, becoming our first Competent Toastmaster, and Jeanne Kubrin & Juel Leonard decided to join the club giving us the necessary 20 members for our Toastmasters Charter!
Rounding out the first year were other memorable events, such as the "Night of the Three Tens" when John, Tad & Todd all gave their 10th speeches to earn their CTM, the theater event to benefit WomenSafe, the stirring Debate meeting, and many deck parties on Ed Brice's office porch to celebrate our successes. Christy Hyland and Tony Lignetta had joined the group by its one year anniversary.
Chardon Toastmasters has continued to improve as a group, fostering the ongoing development of its members. The group continues to be well known for it's fun-loving members, interesting speeches, entertaining meetings and motivated speakers! We've developed the ability to make learning fun.
We're justifiably proud of having earned the prestigious President's Distinguished Club Award 2003-2004; 2004-2005; 2005-2006; 2006-2007; 2008-2009; 2009-2010, and Select Distinguished 2007-2008.
Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization which gives its members the
opportunity to develop and improve their public speaking & leadership abilities through local club meetings, training seminars and speech contests. Toastmasters International includes more than 199,000 men and women in more than 9,300 clubs in more than 70 countries.
Experienced professionals and beginning speakers alike can benefit from our practical, face-to-face learning program. Whether you're speaking to the board of directors, your customers, your co-workers or your kids, Toastmasters can help you do it better. You'll learn and practice in a friendly, comfortable environment with people who are there for the same reason you areto become better communicators.
At Chardon Toastmasters, members learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. A typical Toastmasters club is made up of 20 to 30 people who meet once a week for about an hour. Each meeting gives everyone an opportunity to practice conducting meetings, give impromptu speeches, present prepared speeches, as well as give and receive constructive evaluation.
Chardon Chamber of Commerce
111 South Street
Chardon, Ohio 44024
Every Thursday
6:30- 7:45 p.m.
