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The Toastmasters Communication
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Friday Evening General Session

David Brooks, 1990 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking

David joined Toastmasters in 1986 as a rank beginner. Four years later he was the World Champion of Public Speaking. How did that happen? That’s what this program is about. David tells his inspiring story, from his first Toastmasters meeting to the World Championship.

He explains the blunders he made along the way, and shows how each one of them turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to him at the time. It is proof that speakers are not born, but made. His story is entertaining, inspiring, and motivating. As David says, “If I went from a rank beginner to World Champion in four years, in the next four years what can you do?”

About the Speaker: David Brooks is an award-winning professional speaker and trainer who has taught more than 10,000 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 around the world. He has been published in national magazines, and has appeared on television and radio broadcasts.

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 six subsequent World Champions and dozens of finalists. To find out more about David, please visit www.DavidBrooksTexas.com.

Lunch General Session

Personal growth and success are important to each of us. Take charge of your future and make your life a “Do It Myself Project.” No one can make your dreams and aspirations a reality like you can.

About the Speaker: Scott Huse is NOT perfect, which means he is full of experience! It was gaining these life lessons that caused the headaches for his parents, teachers, and authority figures alike. Though Scott barely made it through high school, he went on to graduate from college and began pursuing his goals in corporate life through sales and marketing. As a regional sales manager, Scott was responsible for over $300 million in annual revenues. Scott is a loving son, husband, father, leader, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker. Scott devotes time as a Boy Scout leader and he participates in musical and drama worship in his church. He serves as the executive director for Watch D.O.G.S. Across America, a national organization that engages fathers to help create a safer, stronger school setting, and provide positive male role models for students.

Afternoon General Session

Presentation and communication expert Kerry Robertson will be your host for the day and will present her popular keynote program on the main stage — Live It Up at Work! This former Oklahoma talk show host, reporter, and news anchor ignites a room with her sparky, call-it-like-it-is, Southern style. Let’s face it, communication is a key life skill and Kerry will serve up a generous serving of ideas to help us  learn to Live It Up at Work!

What? Live it up at work? Work is work. You can’t “live it up” at work. Yes, you can! It all boils down to a few simple F.A.C.T.S. that can actually help you have more fun at work and consequently create an upbeat and positive work environment. It is about rethinking how you choose to act when you walk in the door! It’s about choosing how you communicate and interact with your coworkers and your customers. The results of “living it up” at work can raise the level of your company’s customer service and ultimately increase the company’s bottom line! Sound like a good idea? YOU BET! You'll discover valuable tools for creating a better workplace. Again, it all boils down to a few simple F.A.C.T.S.!

About Kerry: Kerry Robertson’s unique experience as a television news anchor and talk show host combined with her background as an award-winning educator distinguishes her as a leader in her field. Kerry’s high energy and contagious enthusiasm are trademarks that make her a favorite with her clients who range from Olympic champions and CEOs to leading government agencies and  universities.

Session 1

Creating an Atmosphere of Innovation™

Program Description: Does your organization need to create an Atmosphere of Innovation™? This session will equip you with practical tools and valuable resources to begin the process. In this interactive, engaging innovation experience, you’ll be challenged, inspired, and equipped to uncover the buried treasure of the mind.

About the Speaker: John Storm is the founder of the BrainStorm Network. His mission is to bring your ideas to LIFE through innovation resources including seminars, workshops, retreats, keynote speaking, facilitation, and consulting. John wrote The Book on BrainStorming and learned about innovation through his former career as Marketing Director for Storm Lures.

Workforce Diversity: Leveraging the Difference Dividend

Program Description: Diversity can be a painful subject – and a costly prospect. It is possible to leverage the difference in your workforce and make it an asset rather than a perceived liability. This insightful, engaging and fun session provides basic steps to remove barriers and make difference pay off in your workplace.

About the Speaker: Cathy Harris specializes in diversity, leadership and dialogue skill-building for corporations, associations and government organizations, including Chevron, Shell, Monsanto, LSU, and others. She guides them in improving morale, performance, team and personal effectiveness. Cathy is masterful at helping people deal easily with sensitive issues. Her impact is positive and long-lasting.

Session 2

Building a Mont Blanc Team — God’s Way

Program Description: When something is valuable, you will go out of your way to keep it safe. This seminar discusses ways to protect our most valuable assets — people. Learn to recognize undeveloped talent and encourage its growth. Create a team that’s highly motivated and feels greatly valued, leading greater success.

About the Speaker: Stan Tyra is a business professional, author, teacher, and speaker in corporate and faith-based arenas specializing in team building and people management. Stan helps companies understand how to lead, motivate, and value employees. He is also author of The Way to the Top is Down, a book about servant-leadership. Click here to learn more about the book.

Do What Black Belts Do
Learn How to Succeed by Quitting!

Program Description: Find out the three words used by West Point cadets to propel their careers. Learn how to approach a challenge you’ve never done before. Discover three steps to breaking through obstacles plus the critical fourth step (with a live board-breaking exercise!) — find out if you’re Black Belt material!

About the speaker: Kyle Eastham, The Black Belt Speaker, trains Black Belts in judo and in business. Kyle uses the principles learned in martial arts to train people to be the very best — the Black Belts — in their industry. He is also the author of Life is a Bowl of Choices.

Session 3

BOUNCE BACK! with a Winning Attitude!™ Overcoming Negativity in Yourself and in Others

Program Description: This fun, interactive, and educational program is based on the body of science known as “attitude enrichment.” Participants are actively involved and interact in activities and discussion that help us explore and develop vital issues of leadership, attitude, vision, and achieving your full potential! In this powerful program of self-discovery, participants are guided through a five-step model of attitude enrichment.

About the Speaker: John Irvin holds his degree from the University of Tulsa and has been active in creating opportunities for personal and professional development for over 25 years. In 2000, he earned Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) status from the National Speakers Association, which is National Speakers Association’s highest earned recognition.

Giving Feedback That Motivates People to Succeed

Program Description: This program will provide you with a practical framework called RUSS for giving both positive and negative feedback that may be received in the spirit of useful information. You will see instant improvement in your relationships and more positive performance by using feedback effectively.

About the Speaker: Vicki Anderson helps people develop top-notch leadership skills for achieving peak performance in their teams. She brings a combined 16 years experience as a department manager and a consultant to her practical approach to leadership that works. She is a co-author of three books.

Session 4

Turning Failure Rocks Into Stepping Stones

Program Description: Keep your organization’s employees or volunteers focused on learning from rather than drowning in their mistakes! Cooksey firmly believes that every “failure” is an opportunity to learn. Participants in this session will leave with tools they can immediately use to lead with purpose, overcome external challenges, and achieve success in the face of adversity.

About the Speaker: Scott Cooksey speaks to audiences about leadership through authenticity, clear communication, and purpose. By sharing stories of success and failure from his own life as well as the lives of others, Cooksey paints audiences a clear picture of the power of resilience. Cooksey is co-author of the forthcoming book Powerful People Overcome Powerful Failures.

Understanding and Relating to the Individuals on Your Team

Program Description: Unless applied, human behavior/personality training does not work. Scott will take you to the next level of understanding so you can put into practice the ability to recognize your own style and effectively communicate with others. To know and not to do, is not to know. You will be prepared to apply the knowledge.

About the Speaker: Scott Huse is a passionate communicator. He combines this gift with his experience as a committed husband and father, business owner, regional sales manager, and as the National Director for the WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) organization. Scott inspires and motivates individuals and teams across the country to seek growth through personal development and business strategies.