Southern Dutchess Toastmasters

06/16/2026

Congratulations to our latest Pace Award winners! 🏆

The Pace Award is our club’s friendly way of recognizing members who step up and get involved. Members earn points by taking on meeting roles, delivering speeches, and supporting the success of each meeting.

From Toastmaster and Timer to Table Topics and Evaluator, every role helps our meetings run smoothly while giving members valuable opportunities to build communication and leadership skills.

At Southern Dutchess Toastmasters, growth happens when we participate—and these members are setting the pace! 👏

06/11/2026

Could AI build a real application? My Toastmasters experiment says yes—with a few important lessons along the way.

Lessons learned from building and launching a working application without writing most of the code myself.

06/10/2026

Great presenters aren’t born—they’re built through practice and technique. Stanford lecturer Matt Abrahams shares practical methods for reducing anxiety, increasing audience engagement, and delivering presentations people remember.

https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/matt-abrahams-tips-techniques-more-confident-compelling-presentations

A Stanford lecturer explains key ways you can better plan, practice, and present your next talk.

06/08/2026

Join us for Southern Dutchess Toastmasters on Monday, June 15 at 7:00 PM at Immanuel Reformed Church, 253 Myers Corners Road, Wappingers Falls, NY. Our Toastmaster for the evening, Wanda, will guide us through the theme “Introspection – The Art of Looking Inward,” an exploration of self-reflection, personal growth, and the insights we gain when we take time to look within. The evening will feature prepared speeches by Janice, Kevin, and Miriam, along with opportunities for impromptu speaking, constructive feedback, and supportive fellowship. Whether you’re looking to improve your communication skills, build confidence, or simply enjoy an engaging evening of learning and inspiration, guests are always welcome.

06/01/2026

As AI reshapes the workplace, one skill keeps rising in value: storytelling. Scott Galloway argues that communication and relationship-building are among the most durable career advantages—a message that sounds very familiar to Toastmasters members.

Parents should tell their kids to prioritize storytelling skills in the AI era, Scott Galloway told Steven Bartlett on "The Diary of a CEO."

05/31/2026

Gemini just crossed an important line: AI is no longer only generating text—it’s generating finished files. During a real-world Toastmasters test, one unexpected trick (“prompt compression”) turned into the biggest productivity lesson of all. Read more on how AI workflows are evolving.

AI is moving from chatbot to creator. Gemini’s new file tools may change how speeches, slides, and ideas come together.

05/26/2026

☀️🌴 Ready for a summer getaway—with no passport required? Join us for our Summer Vacation–themed Toastmasters meeting on Monday, June 1 at 7:00 PM! We’ll be sharing travel adventures, favorite vacation memories, dream destinations, hilarious detours, and the stories that make every journey unforgettable. Whether you’re an experienced speaker, a first-time guest, or simply curious about Toastmasters, you’re invited to join the fun. Come enjoy engaging Table Topics, inspiring conversations, and a welcoming atmosphere at Immanuel Church, 253 Myers Corners Rd, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. Bring your sense of adventure—we’d love to have you there! ✈️🌞

05/24/2026

☀️ Pack your bags and join us for a special Summer Vacation–themed Southern Dutchess Toastmasters meeting! Whether your favorite memories involve beach trips, road adventures, family vacations, or simply great conversations, this evening promises fun, inspiration, and connection. Guests are always welcome—come discover how Toastmasters can help build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and introduce you to a supportive community. Join us Monday, June 1 at 7:00 PM at Immanuel Church, 253 Myers Corners Road, Wappingers Falls and bring your vacation stories with you! ✈️🏖️🌴

05/22/2026

AI didn’t just help write a newsletter—it helped solve design problems, Gmail image failures, and mobile formatting headaches. If your club emails still feel stuck in the past, this process might change how you build them.

How I Used AI to Build a Professional Toastmasters Newsletter

05/20/2026

As AI makes content creation easier, authentic communication may become even more valuable. This article argues that public speaking could become one of the most important leadership skills of the AI era.

AI has made content easy but standing out harder. Here is why public speaking is now the most powerful way to build thought leadership.