Conference Education Session Presenters 2020

Learning from Children: The Ten Traits of Highly Successful Toddlers

Feeling burned out? Light your inner fire with a multitude of activities designed to recapture those childlike traits we wish we’d never lost. In this workshop, you’ll participate in exercises that revitalize all those innocent childhood traits you wish you’d never lost. You’ll receive a takeaway list of activities to keep the glow of your inner child shining year-round. Join Toastmaster alum Laurie Gabriel for this fun kickoff to the conference.

Bio:

Laurie Gabriel has been teaching middle schoolers for three decades and has been entertaining senior citizens since she was 13. She has traveled to 49 countries and plans to get to 60 before she is 60.  Laurie’s experiences have helped her see things from a variety of perspectives. She is the author of the book Eyes of Wonder, producer of the documentary Heal Our Schools, and winner of multiple Toastmasters competitions. She recently presented a Tedx Talk on the subject of recaputuring our childlike sense of wonder.

I’m a Leader! Now What? — From Accidental to Intentional

Many people accidentally fall into leadership roles. They did not actively pursue those roles, but through various circumstances find themselves thrust to the forefront. Now what? How do they succeed? How do they retain that role? This session will explore three reasons people accidentally become leaders and three strategies that will ensure success and allow them to continue in that role.

Bio:

Robi Ley is an author, freelance editor, and professional speaker. She is an 11-year veteran of Toastmasters and has served as Area and Division Director, as well as all three trio positions. As an author, she writes fantasy and suspense, and also has one non-fiction book on leadership. As an editor, she helps clients develop and refine their written communications. She has spoken to many different audiences, and spent nearly 4 years as a contract trainer, presenting in over 150 cities a year.

IMPACT Storytelling

Gene worked tirelessly on his storytelling gift and because of it, today he is now an Author and Professional Speaker and he gets paid to use his storytelling skills to help youth and adults build their self-worth. During this education session you will 1) discover your core story, 2) identify IMPACT Storytelling Skills That Get You Paid, and 3) learn to build your IMPACT Storytelling Vault.

Bio:

Gene Mosley became a Toastmaster in 2012 after being denied a management position at his former employer because his manager felt he didn’t speak well for the position. An executive at the company encouraged him to join Toastmasters but he originally refused because of his fear of public speaking. He decided 6 months later to try Toastmasters and it became one of the greatest decisions of his life.

The Present of Stage Presence

You’ve heard the phrase “Own the stage.” You can’t own the stage until you know the stage. Nikki is an expert on stage presence and understands the psychology behind stage movement and gesturing. You’ll walk away with the knowledge and tools of how to use your body, the stage and why point of view (POV) and consistency help your audience retain information.

Bio:

Nikki holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Acting from California Institute of the Arts. For over thirty years she has had an eclectic career in theatre, film and television. From working in locations on the CBS television series Walker, Texas Ranger; holding the hand of the great Ella Fitzgerald; to building a business. Nikki has been called a “fireball of inspiration” and brings that insight and energy to the speaking stage with her. Nikki helps companies, organizations and individuals understand that no matter who you work with or what you do, it’s all about connection.

As a stage presence expert, Nikki has coached, TEDx speakers, lawyers, NFL players, pastors and aspiring professional speakers. Helping them connect with their audience.

Nikki is a professional member of National Speakers Association (NSA), NSA – North Texas and also holds the designation of Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM).

Emotional Intelligence

The concept and value of Emotional Intelligence often referred to as EI or EQ has gained recognition and momentum in recent years. To truly understand and control our own emotions, as well as gain the ability to recognize, empathize, and influence the emotions of others is one of THE most important skills one can possess. Developing this awareness, understanding the processes, and applying the EI skills are invaluable to every successful relationship. The workplace is the focus of this workshop, but the skills learned here reach far beyond the office.

Bio:

Clint Reese is a Professional Development Trainer, Keynote Speaker, stand-up comedian, blogger, husband and father. He is a former Toastmasters club President and was a founding member of Panther City Toastmasters in Fort Worth. Clint travels the country speaking to and training business leaders on how to create company cultures that give their employees a sense of fulfillment and pride that is far too uncommon in the workplace today. Clint starts 90+% of his leadership training sessions by discussing the topic of Emotional Intelligence, and it is that topic he brings to us today.

Beyond the Words:
Drama Techniques for Voice, Gestures, and Movement

In this interactive session, members will engage in training exercises used by professional actors which will hone their public speaking and presentation skills. Want to spice up your speeches? Sara will teach you to taste your words. Feel like your arms hang off your shoulders or flail wildly? You’ll learn how getting your gestures into shape leaves your whole speech trim and fit. Lastly, let the pacing tiger out of its cage and find your true comfort zones.

Bio:

A member of Toastmasters since 2008, Sara channels almost two decades of experience touring with a professional Christian theater company whenever she prepares a speech or presentation.  She works in IT for an Arlington agency that manages student loans, but her passion is communication. As a result, she is building a second career as a writer, having penned short stories and novellas for publication, written and occasionally directed plays and skits for churches throughout the country, and completed the drafts of two full-length novels she’s currently revising and hoping will land her a literary agent and publishing contract. She also provides freelance professional editing for jobseekers as well as both fiction and non-fiction authors. . . and in her spare time she serves as President of her Toastmasters club and Secretary of the local chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers.

The Trust Playbook:
How to Become Even More Trusted

How important is it for you to be trusted? Now that you know the 7 laws of trust and 6 components of trustworthiness, Dr. Solomon will share a 7-step game plan that will make you even more trusted than you currently are. It is based on identifying one relationship and one old habit you must stop. Even the process itself is based on research. This workshop will be interactive and involve self-assessment and development of your personalized game plan on a provided worksheet.

Bio:

Dr. Yoram Solomon is the author of The Book of Trust and founder of the Trust Building Institute. He published 13 books, 22 patents, more than 300 articles, and was named one of the Top 40 Innovation Bloggers and one of the Top 20 Global Thought Leaders on Corporate Culture. Yoram is a professional member of the National Speakers Association and was a TEDx speaker. He is an adjunct professor at SMU, UTD, and Hadassah College in Israel. His trust-building model is based on years of original research and service at the IDF 35th Airborne Brigade.

The Cheetah, The Chihuahua, and Barry White

Have you already asked everyone you know to join Toastmasters? Have you ever gotten the feeling that people avoid you at the office coffee pot because they’re afraid you’re going to ask them again? With a dash of sales psychology, a pinch of irreverent humor, and some high energy examples, you’ll learn subtle but effective ways to market your Toastmasters club as well as any service or product you might be trying to sell.

Bio:

An engineer and extreme introvert, Tracy joined Toastmasters in 2005 after he was asked to give a presentation at work, said yes, but then called in sick the day of the presentation. At Toastmasters, he found his voice and confidence. He now speaks to groups across the country ranging on topics about engineering, entrepreneurship, and servant leadership. From 2017 to 2019, he served Toastmasters International as a member of our Board of Directors.