Being Unified at Laurel Highlands Toastmasters

It’s been a while but I do have some great content coming to Stylish and Trendy and, it’s a special anniversary this weekend for me as well. Plus, it’s time for me to use that Old Navy Super Cash.

Let’s kick it off with my first Laurel Highlands Toastmasters meeting since I joined last Saturday. The club meets in the Carnegie Free Library in Connellsville on the second and fourth Tuesday at 6pm. The library is just a few minutes from US 119 and near the Amtrak station.

I was here before for the Red Carpet Event back in November and what a beautiful night that was. It was memorable in so many ways watching these officers and members get recognized as part of a great new Toastmasters chapter. I’m so blessed to be the newest member of the Laurel Highlands Toastmasters family.

I first learned about the club at our DTM Gala this past summer held at Westmoreland County Community College. I met Sharon Joseph, the club president and a Toastmaster from New York City now in the Connellsville area. I also learned many of my District 13 Toastmasters friends had a part in getting this chapter off the ground, including Dana Mitnik and the Vornbrocks. The club charted in June of 2021. Dana gave a great talk on the history of Toastmasters in Fayette County at the Red Carpet Event in November.

Last weekend the club had an opportunity to host the Area 23/24 Evaluation and International Speech. Two of its members represented the area in the speech contest, Shawna Little and Sharon Joseph. It was fun to be part of a great event. I hope to make it up to Punxsutawney for the Division contest on March 26 but if not I’ll be there in spirit.

As for the actual meeting itself on Tuesday night, it was really good. We had a guest speaker at the meeting. Mary Dreliszak is a motivational speaker, author, show host and podcaster. During her speech we learned about the power of gestures and we even did a little exercise to get us moving. We danced to Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”.

Overall the meeting was well planning. For my first meeting, I stepped in as timer and next meeting I will give my Ice Breaker. What should I talk about since my college years are well past me now? I’m thinking about highlighting the more recent things that have brought me joy like this blog, my gender nonconformity, and some of wonderful Toastmasters experiences.

I learned that Mary is involved with St. Anne’s home and knows some of Rocco’s family very well, like his mother and grandma (the latter is a resident of St. Anne’s). Small world isn’t it? I mentioned my blog to her and plan to check out her podcasts and learn more about her. I think I’m going to enjoy being part of Laurel Highlands Toastmasters.

The Laurel Highlands are definitely a beautiful part of Pennsylvania and Laurel Highlands Toastmasters is a great addition to District 13.