What's the history of the Club?
Demosthenes Wannabees chartered and became an official Toastmasters club in June, 1986. The club meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12-1pm on the American Honda campus and is open for anyone to join. The club prides itself on achieving DCP (Distinguished Club Program) goals year after year and is actively working towards keeping the President's Distinguished streak going. The culture of Demosthenes Wannabees is one of friendliness, positive encouragement and support. Guests are always welcome to visit.
what's a typical meeting like?
Because our club meets during lunch on Wednesdays and most people have to get back to work, our meetings are run very efficiently. The first 5 minutes is reserved for set up and greeting each other and any guests. The meeting starts promptly at 12:05 pm and has the following elements:
- Call to order - Sergeant at Arms
- Welcome - Club President
- Opening thoughts related to the theme of the week - Toastmaster
- Explanation of functionary roles - Grammarian and Timer
- 1st Prepared Speech - Speaker #1
- 2nd Prepared Speech - Speaker #2
- Table Topics - Table Topics Master (a fun opportunity for members and guests to give a 1-2 minute impromptu response to a question related to the theme of the week)
- 1st Speech Evaluation - Speech Evaluator #1
- 2nd Speech Evaluation - Speech Evaluator #2
- Grammarian's Report - Grammarian
- Timer's Report - Timer
- Overall Meeting Evaluation - General Evaluator
- Closing remarks and announcements - Club President
- Adjournment
do i need to work at honda?
No, the club is open to all interested parties. Although if you drive a Honda or Acura product, you might receive a little more love from some of the members. 😁
do i need to do anything before visiting?
No, you are welcome to visit our club as a guest anytime. No need to contact us before you come. Just show up. Dress at American Honda is business casual, but there is no dress code for guests. You do not need to bring anything with you.
how do i find the meeting room?
The building and meeting room as well as a campus map will always be listed here: SCHEDULE
Be sure to refer to the campus map before coming so you know the closest place to park. You can park in any unmarked parking space, but be sure to park head in. It's against American Honda campus policy to back your vehicle in. Whether you enter building 100, 300 or 500, you will need to check in with the lobby receptionist. Your ID will be scanned and you will be given a visitor sticker. In building 100, look for signs on the wall in either of 2 hallways to the right of the lobby Starbucks. In building 300 or 500 a member will be there to escort you to the meeting room.
Be sure to refer to the campus map before coming so you know the closest place to park. You can park in any unmarked parking space, but be sure to park head in. It's against American Honda campus policy to back your vehicle in. Whether you enter building 100, 300 or 500, you will need to check in with the lobby receptionist. Your ID will be scanned and you will be given a visitor sticker. In building 100, look for signs on the wall in either of 2 hallways to the right of the lobby Starbucks. In building 300 or 500 a member will be there to escort you to the meeting room.
Who WAs demosthenes?
Demosthenes was a prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide an insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century BC. Demosthenes learned rhetoric by studying the speeches of previous great orators. He delivered his first judicial speeches at the age of 20, in which he argued effectively to gain from his guardians what was left of his inheritance. For a time, Demosthenes made his living as a professional speech-writer (logographer) and a lawyer, writing speeches for use in private legal suits.
WHAT do the acronyms mean?
Member personal growth is a key component of the Toastmasters International Mission Statement. There are many designations that members can earn or have earned in the past. With the transition to Pathways, some of them can no longer be earned, but seasoned members who have earned legacy designations are still recognized for their achievements. See below for acronym definitions:
Current Designations
DTM - Distinguished Toastmaster
Pathways Designations
DL# - Dynamic Leadership
EC# - Effective Coaching
EH# - Engaging Humor
IP# - Innovative Planning
LD# - Leadership Development
MS# - Motivational Strategies
PI# - Persuasive Influence
PM# - Presentation Mastery
SR# - Strategic Relationships
TC# - Team Collaboration
VC# - Visionary Communication
# = level completed (5 being the highest)
Legacy Designations (earned before July 1, 2020)
CC - Competent Communicator
CL - Competent Leader
ACB - Advanced Communicator Bronze
ACS - Advanced Communicator Silver
ACG - Advanced Communicator Gold
ALB - Advanced Leader Bronze
ALS - Advanced Leader Silver
DTM - Distinguished Toastmaster
Pathways Designations
DL# - Dynamic Leadership
EC# - Effective Coaching
EH# - Engaging Humor
IP# - Innovative Planning
LD# - Leadership Development
MS# - Motivational Strategies
PI# - Persuasive Influence
PM# - Presentation Mastery
SR# - Strategic Relationships
TC# - Team Collaboration
VC# - Visionary Communication
# = level completed (5 being the highest)
Legacy Designations (earned before July 1, 2020)
CC - Competent Communicator
CL - Competent Leader
ACB - Advanced Communicator Bronze
ACS - Advanced Communicator Silver
ACG - Advanced Communicator Gold
ALB - Advanced Leader Bronze
ALS - Advanced Leader Silver
I'm ready to join, what next?
Click HERE to download the Toastmasters International application. Upon completion, turn in the application and payment to any club officer for processing. Soon you will be on your exciting Pathways journey towards game changing communication and leadership growth.
CLUB officers
President
Ashwini Rahate, IP1
Ashwini Rahate, IP1
VP Education
Rafael Alvarez, CC,CL
Rafael Alvarez, CC,CL
VP Membership
Lars Schneider, PM3
Lars Schneider, PM3
VP Public Relations
TBD
TBD
Secretary
Heather Epstein, PM3
Heather Epstein, PM3
Treasurer
Oraetta Minor, DTM
Oraetta Minor, DTM
Sergeant at Arms
Avner Uzan
Avner Uzan
Immediate Past President
Rafael Alvarez, CC,CL
Rafael Alvarez, CC,CL