GCC Toastmasters Earn Accolades

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GCC’s Club, includes from L to R: Keith Compton; Sue Smith; Jackie DiBella; Maki Kojiro; and Patrick Reichard

BATAVIA, NY (02/13/2013)(readMedia)-- The Genesee Community College Multicultural Communications Club, a Toastmasters International Club, is generating a lot of buzz for its significant accomplishments. Five members of the mostly student group have received Toastmasters International certification in communication and four of those five earned leadership certification as well.

Earning the communication certification is no small feat. Members must give ten presentations from the Toastmasters International Competent Communication Manual. Each one focuses on a specific area. Among them:

* Introducing oneself

* Getting to the point

* Organizing a speech

* Using body language

* Using visual aids

* Giving a persuasive speech

* Giving an inspirational speech

In addition, the Leadership Certification involves ten projects completed at meetings. Members may act as Toastmaster, timer, grammarian or may bring someone new to the club. Serving in different club roles gives them practical leadership experience in using people skills, being decisive and authentic, and moving the club forward.

"Earning the certifications takes a high level of commitment from both the students and the faculty advisors," said Club Co-advisor Jacqueline Di Bella, adjunct professor of Humanities at GCC. "The students we have are so motivated and committed to the discipline of communication and leadership. We are happy to support their efforts." Di Bella also serves as the Club's Vice President of Education.

The Toastmasters Club started in March 2011 and currently has 22 members. Toastmasters International is a non-profit education organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. At meetings, members act as evaluators, offering feedback on speeches to help other members improve. "It's known as the 'feedback sandwich'," Di Bella said. "First you praise, then you recommend how the speaker can improve and you finish with praise. It's a very supportive environment that generates great results."

"To have these students achieve this designation so early in their academic and professional lives is amazing," said Di Bella. "It will open many doors for them in the future."

For more information about the Club or the awards contact Di Bella at jedibella@genesee.edu or (585) 278-8851.

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Editor's Note:

A photo of GCC Toastmaster's Club certification award winners can be found here:

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/Toastmasters_group_2013

Photo Caption:

GCC's Multicultural Communications Club, a Toastmasters International club, includes from L to R:

Keith Compton; Sue Smith, vice president of Marketing; Jackie DiBella, co-advisor and vice president of Education; Maki Kojiro, president; and Patrick Reichard, sergeant-at-arms