PHILIPSBURG:--- Philipsburg Toastmasters club (PTMC) celebrated the Club’s longevity and achievements as a pioneer club during its final meeting for 2022. The event, which saw a great turnout of past and present members, was held on December 15th at the Carl & Sons hall on the Pondfill. Under the theme, Toastmasters Seasons of gratitude, the club celebrated 23 years of being registered at Toastmasters.
The evening featured a demonstration meeting on the caliber of skills developed by PTMC members over the years. Toastmasters of the Evening and Committee Chair, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Valerie Brazier, led the evening proceedings by explaining the educational meeting while introducing the various presenters. Several Distinguished Toastmasters were featured along with relatively new & returning members. Presentations were done by Toastmaster Michael James, a relatively young, but very dynamic Toastmaster who presented on the topic “gratitude for research”, while veteran member DTM Leona Arnell took the members and guests on a journey back to the good ole days of celebrating Christmas on Sint Maarten in the early sixties (1960). But the presentation carried a powerful message on the importance of this Christmas Season, which attendees thoroughly enjoyed. During the Table topic session, DTM Glendon Wilson challenged members to display their impromptu speaking skills as they addressed a variety of topics around knowledge, wisdom and the importance of education.
As a special presentation and toast for the evening, the Co-founder of the club, DTM Rolando Tobias outlined the history of Philipsburg Toastmasters since its official inception in 1994. With his presentation entitled “pioneer gratitude”, he explained the challenges and successes marked by PTMC as the first and longest active club on Sint Maarten. DTM Tobias took the members and guests on a journey explaining how the club has served as a pioneer for many other clubs and Toastmasters on Sint Maarten. As a pioneer club, PTMC set the stage for all other clubs on the island today as its members achieved great things in Toastmasters. He used the examples of himself and DTM Valerie Brazier, who have made a mark on Toastmasters worldwide by functioning on all levels from Club up to District Governor; the highest ranking position with major accomplishments. He specifically gave tribute to other Toastmasters such as DTM John Hodge, Miguel Arrindell, Dennis Jeoffrey, Benson Pompier, Ted Richards, Nick Hemrajani, Sinatra Rouse and so many others PTMC members who served as pioneers and for whom the club is grateful. The presentation by DTM Tobias was followed by a toast and a social gathering.
Committee Chair, DTM Valerie Brazier was very pleased with the evening’s proceedings and thanked the members and guests who came out, participated, and enjoyed the event. She specifically thanked her Committee members for assisting her in coordinating the evening. Using her rise to prominence as a communicator and leader, DTM Valerie Brazier encouraged all those who would like to improve their communication and leadership skills to join the Toastmasters Club.
