To commemorate 90 years of Toastmasters International
PHILIPSBURG:--- Toastmasters on St Maarten will be commemorating the 90th anniversary of Toastmasters International with a special meeting for the public on Saturday October 25th at the Asha Stevens School in Cayhill.
The evening will feature as its theme "Men Empowerment night". The program will feature presentations and all roles being played by the male Toastmasters of St Maarten. The idea was conceived as a means of getting more men to take up an active role in the Toastmasters organization.
The evening's presentation is the brainchild of Philipsburg Toastmasters Club President Juan Richardson who wanted to host a club event specifically to bring attention to the role of men in the organization. Founded in 1924 by Doctor Ralph Smedley, the original intention was for a setting that allowed young men to be able to confidently improve in their communication skills. For close to 50 years, Toastmasters clubs consisted only of men until 1973 when women were allowed to join the organization. Within a short 40 years, women have surpassed men as members in the organization. With the anniversary, we want to bring focus on empowering men to step up their involvement in the organization and for that reason, the meeting is themed "Men Empowerment Night" explained Juan Richardson.
Several of the island's top Toastmasters will be presenting speeches including, Rolando Tobias, Clayton Felix and Ted Richards, while Elroy Hughes will facilitate a panel discussion on men's issues. Juan Richardson will serve as Toastmaster of the meeting and several other male Toastmasters including Malcolm Jacques, Kareem Rombley, Raymond Romeo, Glendon Wilson, Kenneth Hall and others will be part of the cast. The intention is for the evening's presentations to highlight men issues as a central theme; Juan Richardson concluded.
While Toastmasters Day is officially celebrated on Wednesday October 22nd, the actual event will be held on Saturday October 25th and the general public is invited. The female Toastmasters will be in attendance and the men have promised a treat for all female Toastmasters. There are 5 Toastmasters Clubs on St Maarten and 1 club on the island of Anguilla; together these clubs form Areas 26 & 27 of District 81, which comprises all clubs throughout the Caribbean. There are 313.000 Toastmasters members, 14.650 clubs in 126 countries around the world, making Toastmasters International the world's leading Communication & Leadership organization.
