Home About Us Officers Resources Directions Tribute Members

Remesh Kuruppath: Current VP Public Relations

Why did you join toastmasters and how long have you been involved in toastmasters? I joined toastmasters to improve speaking skills while enjoying a friendly and fun environment. I have been involved for about 8 years!

What Board positions have you held? VP Public Relations, VP Membership and President.

What has been your favorite role IE time keeper, evaluation, etc. and give a brief explanation why it is your favorite. Speaking - It allows me to ask myself what I'm passionate about to speak next! It allows me to go through a process of introspection and self-discovery.

What do you feel is special or unique about the Statement Makers Chapter? Members are very loving, friendly and flexible.

What has been your most beneficial experience of being a toastmaster? Meeting a lot of good people with big hearts!

What are your future goals as a toastmaster? Continue bettermyself on all levels andalsohelp othersdo the same.

State your business/personal title Business title-Software Engineer.

Steve Watkins: Current VP Education

Why did you join toastmasters and how long have you been involved in toastmasters? I joined Toastmasters (in 1991) because I worked in the Training Department at an aerospace company, and would sometimes be asked to teach classes to the employees. I had a couple of bad experiences, where my thoughts and words just wouldn’t come together in the classroom setting. I hoped Toastmasters would give me more confidence in the classroom.

What Board positions have you held? I’ve held every office at the club level. I’ve been President of three clubs through the years (Gavel Club 11, Hang town Toastmasters, and Packard Bell NEC Toastmasters). I’ve been VP Education, VP Membership, VP Public Relations, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sgt @ Arms. I’ve also served as an Area Governor (Area 74) over the clubs in the Sacramento foothills.

What has been your favorite role IE time keeper, evaluation, etc. and give a brief explanation why it is your favorite. I think I enjoy being an evaluator best, because it’s challenging to pay attention, evaluate from different perspectives, and then diplomatically share my observations with the speaker/presenter. And, in most cases my feedback is appreciated, so this is rewarding.

What do you feel is special or unique about the Statement Makers Chapter? The Statement Makers club is diverse in its membership. We share and learn from so many backgrounds and points of view.

What has been your most beneficial experience of being a toastmaster? The most rewarding one-time experiences: Winning the District level Evaluation Contest. A most memorable evening, where my fellow club member also won the International Speech Contest and our friends were there to share this with us. - Placing third at the District-level Humorous Speech Contest in the Southern California area. This was especially memorable because my parents were there, and they got a lot of attention because of their “talented” son. Overall, I think Toastmasters has given me a self confidence, and a comfort in speaking situations that I would have not otherwise had. I have also enjoyed immensely the good feeling that comes from helping others become better communicators and leaders.

What are your future goals as a toastmaster? I have achieved the top Toastmaster designation (DTM), but remain involved mostly for the social aspect (friends) and because I enjoy helping others.

State yourboard position and your business/personal title I am presently Secretary of the Statement Makers Toastmasters club. I am a Senior Technical Writer at a software company.

Keola Roberts: Former Secretary

Why did you join toastmasters and how long have you been involved in toastmasters? I’ve been in Toastmaster’s for about 6 years, and I joined to improve my communication skills.

What Board positions have you held?I’ve been Sgt. @ Arms for three terms, and I’ve been VP of Education one term.

What has been your favorite role IE time keeper, evaluation, etc. and give a brief explanation why it is your favorite.I like to be the Toastmaster, as it has helped me in a lot of other areas besides just speaking (i.e. leadership and planning skills).

What do you feel is special or unique about the Statement Makers Chapter?I love the diversity in our group. We have so many different people from different areas of the world that enhances the types of speeches that are presented. The support structure is so uplifting, as well. We have a very positive group that genuinely supports each other.

What has been your most beneficial experience of being a toastmaster? I enjoy the relationships that have been built with the group members over the years, and even short months with new members.

What are your future goals as a toastmaster? I do want to be a DTM (or is that DCM, now) some time. I have complete ATM-B and am probably a third through ATM-S, so I just want to keep moving forward on a long-term goal of DTM. I would hope that my goals would help in our club goals as I move along.

State yourboard position and your business/personal title. I am currently the VP of Membership, and I’m a Release Engineer with Amdocs.

Cindy Kirchubel-Toastmasters- Former Member

Why did you join toastmasters and how long have you been involved in toastmasters? I joined toast masters because I want perfect my public speaking skills. I just joined toastmasters in July 06 and am very excited to be serving on the board.

What Board positions have you held? This is my 2nd term to hold a board position. I have been in marketing and advertising for several years so I felt very comfortable assuming the role.

What has been your favorite role IE; time keeper, evaluation, etc. and gives a brief explanation why it is your favorite. Other than being speaker my favorite role has been the thought of the day. I like the idea that with just a few well chosen words one could change a persons day as well as there life.

What do you feel is special or unique about the Statement Makers Chapter? I would say Statement Makers is unique in the fact that we have a broad spectrum of occupations, cultures, and ideas. I really like the diversity that we all bring to the table and the authenticity and genuineness that is shown at every meeting. I invite everyone I know to come to one of the meetings because it is such a stimulating and exciting hour.

What has been your most beneficial experience as being a toastmaster? I have done quite a bit of public speaking in the past, but the most challenging has been the table topics portion. To be able to think on your feet and speak unprepared in the allotted time is a great skill and Great Fun!

What are your future goals as a toastmaster? I want to continue getting my CTM certification and I really enjoy being on the board as VP of Public Relations. I look forward to each week’s meetings as they are always a new exciting and wonderful learning experience. Such a nice little lunch treat!