Note: This conference was in the past.
District 23 Toastmasters is proud to welcome two keynote and four educational speakers to the Fall 2014 Conference in Amarillo, TX.
Keynotes
- David Brooks – 1990 World Champion of Public Speaking
- Karen Blake – International Director for Toastmasters International
Education Sessions
David Brooks
Friday – “Magic Moments”
Watch and learn from some of Toastmasters best speakers in their best moments. David Brooks reviews some of the most outstanding moments from speakers in the finals and semi-finals of Toastmasters’ World Championship of Public Speaking and discusses what made those moments outstanding – so you can add to your talk.
Saturday – “A Failure to Communicate”
A Very Funny Look At Times We Don’t Communicate What We Thought We Did
“What we have here is a failure to communicate.” That’s a classic line from an old movie, but it’s also a situation we encounter daily. How many times have you been sure you were communicating clearly…only to find that the other person didn’t have a clue what you said or meant?
It happens all the time, often with amusing consequences. That’s the focus of this highly entertaining program, which is filled with hilarious headlines, strange signs, puzzling performance reviews, and curious conversations.
Bio
David Brooks is an award-winning professional speaker and trainer who has taught nearly 100,000 business professionals to speak and write clearly, concisely, and confidently.
For three consecutive years David was the top-rated trainer with an international seminar company, and he has spoken extensively across the U.S. and Canada, and in Puerto Rico, Ireland, Sweden, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Bahrain, Oman, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, India and Sri Lanka.
In addition to his teaching, writing, and training skills, his skill as a public speaker has been even more prominently recognized. In 1990 he emerged from a field of more than 25,000 competitors to become the Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking.
Since then, he has taught, coached, and mentored seven subsequent World Champions and dozens of finalists. He has been published in national magazines, and has appeared on nationwide television and radio broadcasts in the U.S., Canada, Taiwan, Oman, Australia and Sri Lanka. He was also once featured in a segment on National Public Radio.
He is the co-author of The Seven Strategies of Master Presenters, and he has also produced three audio CD learning programs: Elements of Eloquence, Speaking Secrets of the Champions, and Connect With Any Audience, and two DVDs to teach better speaking skills.
To find out more about David, please visit http://www.DavidBrooksTexas.com.
Karen Blake
Keynote – “The Toastmasters Experience”
What makes Toastmasters International tick? What keeps it going after 89 years?
In her keynote address, Karen will share with you her reflections and personal stories about the heart and soul of the Toastmasters experience.
Educational Session – “Enriching the Toastmasters Experience”
Why do individuals join Toastmasters? What makes them stay?
In this session, you will learn what you can do to enrich the Toastmasters experience for the members in your club, area, division and district. You will also hear about what Toastmasters International is doing to enrich the Toastmasters experience for members around the world.
Bio
Karen G. Blake, DTM, of Spring, Texas, is a director at Deloitte in Houston, Texas, where she has worked since 2002. Blake is instrumental in recruiting and developing professionals and in managing the financial results of her team’s operations. Her team provides tax consulting services and specializes in U.S. tax matters as they relate to foreign investments. She chaired the United Way campaign for the Houston tax department, whose employees voted her 2010 Coach of the Year.
Blake holds a master’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant, and is a member of the American Institute of Public Accountants, and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
A dedicated Toastmaster since 2000, Blake is a charter member of her home club, Heritage Plaza Toastmasters, in Houston. She has held a number of high-profile leadership positions within Toastmasters, and has attained the Distinguished Toastmaster designation—the highest level of educational achievement in the organization.
She says, “Toastmasters taught me how to plan for success, communicate my vision, overcome obstacles, inspire and encourage others and lead a team.”
As a member of the Toastmasters International Board of Directors, Blake is a “working ambassador” for the organization. She works with the Board to develop, support and modify the policies and procedures that guide Toastmasters International in fulfilling its mission.
Lezlie Davis
“Beyond Toastmasters – Using Your Toastmaster Skills to Fulfill Your Dreams”
In this session, you will:
- Identify the dream that caused you to become a Toastmaster
- Understand how to apply what you’ve learned as a Toastmaster to fulfilling your dream
Bio
Lezlie Davis is a creative communication visionary. Her passion is communication in all forms. Fascinated with communication as a foundation of all relationships, Lezlie has successfully led projects in diverse areas, from marketing and advertising to cultural transformation in a large healthcare system.
As a Volunteer Coordinator, then Executive Director of BSA Hospice & Home Care, the program was awarded as one of the 1000 Points of Light by U.S. President George H. Bush.
Lezlie owns Sweet Communication, an internet marketing, video and social media group, specializing in unique and creative strategies.
Lezlie is a happily married mother to four grown children and “Cake” to her two grandsons.
Jody Holland
“Live Out Loud”
“The key to success is not to learn to be like someone else. It is to truly understand yourself and be the best you possible.”
What The Training Covers…
- How to create a culture that thrives in tough times
- How To Stay Motivated and Motivate Others
- How To Integrate Fun Into Your Work
- How To Inspire Your Vision In Others
- How To Live A Life Inside and Outside of Work That Leaves A Mark
Bio
Jody Holland received his B.A. in Communications from Angelo State University in 1994. He has received specialized training and certifications in team-building, leadership, management, and psychometric testing. A strong advocate for helping people discover and utilize their strengths to the fullest, Jody has founded several companies with a focus on enhancing the Human Resource processes. Jody has had the opportunity to train and do business in 14 countries and all across the United States. Jody has worked with the Fortune 50 as well as small businesses from all industries. Jody has served on the faculty of UNT, teaching Human Resources to Retirement Home Professionals. He has been the keynote speaker more than 200 times at conferences and has trained more than 150,000 leaders.
Jody is the author of 10 books, which can be found on Amazon.com, including books on leadership, time management, sales, personal development, and organizational development.
Jody has been in business since 1999. His two companies are iWorkZone.com and CloudInterview.com.
Leticia Zarate
“A Story of Courage – Changing Your Daily Life by Focusing on Success”
After attending this session, you will have numerous ideas of how to change your daily habits for the better. Life has a way of throwing interesting curves and tweaks along the way. Everyday is a day which is provided for you to enjoy!
However some days you feel like you will drown and die and you want to give up. Writing has given me an opportunity to get through the major events in my life which have made me feel like giving up. Instead of giving up I learned to focus on the important details for right now and learned to create new habits which empowered me through a divorce after 20 years, the death of a 20 year old son, and a major illness. But victory is always at the end of the tunnel if we know how to FOCUS and reinvent ourselves to be successful.
Bio
Leticia Zarate is a Professional Speaker and Photographer. As a photographer and a speaker, her skills are called for at Events such as Cultural Ethnic Fair, United Way special events and Matt 25 for Event Photography.
As a speaker, Leticia has given inspirational speeches at United Way Annual Event, Christian Believers 35th Anniversary Event and Cannon Air Force Base for the Hispanic Heritage Month. In addition, Leticia works for GBX Consultants helping Military personnel transition to Civilian Lifestyle by facilitating three day TAPS Seminars all over the country.
In her professional career Leticia has represented Goodwill as an Employment Specialist where she helped 605 people with barriers to employment find jobs in four years. At itsQuest as a Branch Manager, she worked to increase the billed hours from 115 to 5800 per week within 18 months.
As the owner of her own Business, Leticia Zarate Inc, Leticia works as a photographer on an appointment basis. Contracts her Event photography for the local community and Volunteers to help market Successful You Closet for United Way. In addition, Leticia is working on a series of Empower Seminars addressing the issues of families dealing with Bipolar Adult Children and resources available. The motivation which inspires Leticia to keep giving back and going is a deep love of working in the areas of Speaking, Writing and Photography.
Melanie Fatuesi
“Goal Setting”
In this session you will learn:
- how to be self-driven
- how to create a vision
- how to set goals
- how to reach those goals (Sooner or Later!)
- how to find the key teammates to help you and cheer you on (life is a team sport)
Melanie’s Goal Setting Success Story:
- Improved important relationships
- Trained for and completed a marathon in 18 weeks
- Achieved DTM in 20 months
- VP Membership Northeast Toastmasters President Distinguished Club
- 2013-2014 Area Governor President Distinguished Area
- Son attends Stanford University
- Biggest cheerleader to many as they work and reach dreams and goals that truly have a positive impact on their lives!
Melanie’s Life Motto
Team Work Makes the Dream Work, alone we can accomplish some
Together we can accomplish MUCH!! Be More join -Toastmasters!
Bio
Melanie is a leader and achievement coach at Nerium International and Vice President/Speaker with Dr. Bill Mitchell Enterprises. Her past experience as a member of the US Army coupled with her leadership roles today and history of successfully accomplishing goals provides Melanie with a diverse background to discuss how you can set reach your goals.
