Genesee Community College Toastmasters International Club Hosts East Meets West Event

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BATAVIA, NY (04/19/2011)(readMedia)-- Genesee Community College's Student Activities Department has added an exciting new club to its roster. The GCC Toastmasters Club is designed to help individuals gain the confidence needed to become great speakers and leaders, and ultimately, to find their "voice." The club's mission is to provide a mutually safe, supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills that foster self-confidence and personal growth.

"We help members become confident, charismatic individuals and to gain practice to become the leaders, speakers and negotiators the global employment marketplace is looking for," said Jacqueline Di Bella, GCC adjunct professor at the college and Club advisor.

Those curious about the Toastmasters are invited to attend a dinner event called East Meets West on Wednesday, April 27 in the Conable Technology Building in room T119. Patrick Ho, founder and CEO of Rochester Optical will be featured as the keynote speaker. He plans to speak about how vision involves risk and growth.

In addition to sushi and American cuisine, there will be a 50/50 raffle and speaking contests with prizes for the best impromptu speech, best speaker and best evaluator. There is no charge for members of GCC Toastmasters, but $5 for students and $10 for adults will be collected from non members for the event.

The GCC Toastmasters Club aims to open a whole new world of career possibilities for members by helping them to become more persuasive and confident when giving presentations. Members learn to relax, plan and present great speeches. The club also helps individuals become more effective listeners, think on their feet and speak confidently in a wide range of situations.

GCC is taking a leading position by responding to employers' growing interest in soft skills such as communicating, team-building, leadership and interpersonal relationships. The Toastmasters International Club also focuses on popular techniques such as mentoring and peer feedback evaluations.

"Public speaking expertise is one of the most valuable assets a business professional can have. Good verbal skills are essential to success in every component of the work environment,"Ms. Di Bella said.

After only three meetings, the club's membership is 45 students, faculty, staff and members of the surrounding Batavia community. The following officers have been appointed as the Founding Charter executives: Khilna Samat and Caleb Nicodemus are Co-Presidents; Thao Hoang, Vice President of Education; Elizabeth Downie, Vice President of Membership; Robert Rono and Aoi Kitagawa, Sargent-At-Arms; Katie Clemm, Vice President of Publicity; Caleb Nicodemus, Treasurer, and Anna Trickler, Secretary. Club Advisors are Jackie DiBella, Public Speaking Instructor and John McGowan, Career Development Coordinator.

The best part of the club is that members will practice in a friendly, safe, supportive environment with members who are there for the same reason – to become better communicators and leaders. The club will operate during summer semester and international students are also encouraged to join as diversity adds great dimension to the organization. For more information contact Jackie DiBella at jedibella@genesee.edu or John McGowan at jmmcgowan@genesee.edu.

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