Johnstown Toastmasters

10/21/2026

Maybe you have a wedding toast coming up. Maybe you are preparing for a job interview or want to feel less nervous speaking at a community meeting.

Toastmasters gives you a friendly place to practice. Members work on prepared speeches, speaking without preparation, listening and giving helpful feedback. You can take part at your own pace.

Visit Johnstown Toastmasters on Tuesday, October 27, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Church of the Brethren, 1201 Erickson Drive in Johnstown.

Guests are welcome to watch. If you want to try Table Topics, you may volunteer, but there is no pressure to speak. Send us a message if you have questions.

10/15/2026

Could you explain what you do to a room full of people who know nothing about your field?

Katie Belis practiced exactly that at a recent Johnstown Toastmasters meeting.

Her speech, “Oh, So You Do Social Media?” used her work in medical device marketing to practice organizing a presentation, explaining technical information, using a visual aid and adjusting her message for an unfamiliar audience.

That is one way Toastmasters works. Members bring real situations from work and life into the meeting room, practice in a supportive setting and receive feedback before the stakes are high.

You might be preparing for a presentation, interview, pitch, board meeting or wedding toast. You might simply want to feel less nervous speaking in front of other people.

Guests are welcome to watch, and you only participate if you choose. We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Send us a message if you would like to visit.

10/11/2026

Have you been curious about Toastmasters but unsure what would happen if you walked into a meeting?

You can simply visit, meet the group and watch. Guests do not have to give a prepared speech. If you would like to try Table Topics, you may volunteer to speak for one to two minutes with no time to prepare, but participating is entirely up to you.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 13, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Church of the Brethren, 1201 Erickson Drive in Johnstown.

Come see what the club is like. If you have questions before visiting, send us a message.

10/06/2026

Running a business involves more public speaking than people might expect.

Entrepreneurs explain ideas to customers, introduce themselves at networking events, talk with lenders, lead employees and make the case for their businesses.

On Thursday, October 8, Dave Jones will speak with participants in Seton Hill University’s STEPP Forward program about communication and leadership for entrepreneurs.

Dave also serves as Vice President of Education for Johnstown Toastmasters, helping our members become more comfortable speaking and leading.

This is one of the reasons we practice: so we’re ready when an opportunity to speak comes along.

Good luck, Dave!

10/02/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Johnstown Toastmasters is remembering Sandi Chobany, our longtime president, mentor and friend.

Sandi passed away earlier this year after her breast cancer returned. During her years with our club, she encouraged members, shared her experience and helped people become stronger, more confident communicators.

Her support also helped members prepare for Toastmasters speech competitions and brought our club closer to other organizations in the Johnstown community.

Sandi looked for the best in people and believed that keeping your eyes and heart open would help you see signs of love all around you. We continue to feel her influence in our meetings and in the members she mentored.

This October, we remember Sandi and everyone affected by breast cancer.

10/01/2026

If public speaking makes you nervous, you will not be the only person who has felt that way.

Toastmasters is a place to practice. You do not need any speaking experience before you visit, and you do not have to speak during your first meeting.

You may be preparing for a job interview, a presentation, a board meeting, a business pitch or a wedding toast. You may simply want to feel more comfortable speaking when people are listening.

Your first visit can be as simple as coming in, finding a seat and watching the meeting. Speak only if you volunteer, and feel free to bring a friend.

Johnstown Toastmasters meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Church of the Brethren, 1201 Erickson Drive in Johnstown.

Guests are always welcome. Send us a message if you would like to learn more before visiting.

09/28/2026

Congratulations to Joe Silva on completing Level 1 in the Presentation Mastery path!

Joe completed speech projects focused on organization, vocal variety, body language, evaluation and feedback. He also continued building his skills through different roles at our club meetings.

Dave Jones presented Joe with his certificate at our latest meeting. Please help us congratulate Joe on his accomplishment!

09/25/2026

An important reminder for Toastmasters.

⏰ September 30 is quickly approaching!

Don't forget these important club deadlines:
• Club Dues - $72
• Club Success Plan Submission

Special Incentives for Club Success Plans visit https://d219tm.org/incentives/ to learn more.

Completing both by September 30 helps ensure your club is ready for a successful year of growth, leadership, and achievement.

Have questions? Reach out. We're here to help!

09/25/2026

We have some big news to celebrate!

Tina Dallape and Matthew Knepper took the top two spots in the Area 60 Table Topics Contest on September 19.

🥇 1st place: Tina Dallape
🥈 2nd place: Matthew Knepper

Table Topics means speaking with no time to prepare. Each contestant received the same question and had just one to two minutes to respond.

Tina earned a place in the next round. She will represent Johnstown Toastmasters at the District 219 Division Contest on October 17 in Blairsville.

We are so proud of them! Help us congratulate Tina and Matthew!

Want to see how Table Topics works? Guests are always welcome at our meetings. You can simply watch or volunteer to give it a try.

09/22/2026

Another big win for Johnstown Toastmasters!

Kurtis Pierce and Carole VanMeter took first and second place in the Area 60 Humorous Speech Contest on September 19.

🥇 1st place: Kurtis Pierce
“Donders, Lukes and Mulligans”

🥈 2nd place: Carole VanMeter
“Thanksgiving Gauntlet”

In a Humorous Speech Contest, speakers prepare an original speech that runs five to seven minutes. It takes a strong story, good timing and a real connection with the audience.

Kurtis will advance to the District 219 Division Contest on October 17 in Blairsville.

Congratulations, Kurtis and Carole!