Other than the fact that Labor Day falls on the first Monday in September, what do you know about this holiday?  For me, this is one of the only holidays where I'm not obligated to visit family across state, purchase expensive gifts or dress for an uncomfortable photo session.  Yes, Labor Day is the ultimate chillax day. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties.  Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess.  I'm … [Read more...]

Happy New Toastmasters Year! As part of gearing up for another year of learning, leadership and fun, it's time for some changes to this site. Please be patient this weekend, and return on Monday to see what's new. (Or, you are welcome to keep browsing but be prepared for something to be totally different the next time you refresh!) … [Read more...]

A wise man once said, “There is not enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the important things.”  Catching the “redeye” from California to see your 7-year-old daughter perform as a snowflake in the Christmas play, seeing your son start on his high school’s varsity basketball team for the first time, or painting that room your wife has been asking you to paint for three years all fit into the “important things” category. But be careful! We can fall … [Read more...]

If you attended TASC Toastmasters last week, you heard three great prepared speech presentations and several very creative Tabletopic responses.  Among the speakers was Mrs. Kathy Craft, who presented an inspiring and pursuasive message regarding how we can support our deployed military heroes.  Technology issues prevented Kathy's slides from being projected onto the conference room screens, but in true Toastmaster fashion, Kathy turned the problen into a realtime learning opportunity by … [Read more...]

I recently heard a speech by a 15-year-old young lady named Hannah.  The point to Hannah’s 5-7 minute speech was two-fold: 1) to challenge her peers to embrace responsibility and, 2) to persuade adults to help teens develop by trusting them with increasing responsibility.  If you had been in the audience that evening you would have heard an organized and captivating message delivered with passion; a message that was both a wake-up call to the generation of adults and a call to action to the … [Read more...]

Click here to download the flyer You are invited to join TASC Toastmasters on 2 June 2010 as we host our next Open House.  The event will be held 11:30AM - 12:30PM at the club's regular meeting location in the Independence Center building (Rm W1213), 15036 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly, Virginia, 20151.  The agenda includes the presentation and evaluation of prepared speeches by Toastmaster' members working through the Toastmasters International (TI) curriculum, a challenging round … [Read more...]

from Frank DiBartolomeo, TASC TM President: Due to Spring Break weeks and other scheduling conflicts, The TASC Exec Comm meeting is postponed from Mon, 5 Apr 10 to Mon, 19 Apr 10. Please review the minutes and action items from the last meeting in Mar 10 and have agenda item inputs proviced to Frank DiBartolomeo NLT Fri, 16 Apr 10. (The monthly TASC TM Exec Comm meeting is held to provide club officers an opportunity to coordinate club business and is always open to ALL members!) … [Read more...]

From Wendy Daunheimer, VP-Education: Thanks to all who attended this week's 2010 International Speech and Speech Evaluation club contests! We appreciate your support and participation. An announcement of the first place winners: International Speech Contest 1st Place: Tanya Masiello Speech Evaluation Contest 1st Place: Frank DiBartolomeo Congratulations, Tanya and Frank! You can view these results and results from other club contests (i.e. our club winners' competition at the Area … [Read more...]

For TASC Toastmasters that haven’t yet made a decision, please consider competing in the TASC Toastmasters 2010 Spring International Speech & Evaluation Contest scheduled for Wednesday, 17 March 2010, 1130-1300. International Speech contestants need to have completed six projects from the basic manual (you have this week and next, and you can reuse a previous speech for the contest!) AND be a member in good standing. Evaluation contestants need only be a member in good standing – … [Read more...]

Fellow Toastmasters, It seems that there is some early St. Patrick’s Irish magic afoot: our March 17 Open House has been mysteriously turned into a club speech and evaluation contest! While we investigate this trickery, we are left with no choice but to announce that TASC Toastmasters will host the 2010 Spring International Speech & Evaluation Contest on Wednesday, 17 March 2010, 1130-1300. Contests are fun, entertaining and provide a friendly competitive environment, and are a … [Read more...]