Johnstown Toastmasters

05/16/2026

Congratulations to Toastmasters member TJ Rose, DTM, on earning 2nd Place in the District 13 International Speech Contest.

This advanced-level competition featured some of the finest speakers representing nearly 60 Toastmasters clubs across western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and western Maryland. Reaching this level reflects exceptional dedication, preparation, and skill.

TJ delivered a deeply personal and inspiring speech about his journey from childhood into adulthood while navigating life on the autism spectrum. His message highlighted the perseverance and determination that helped him overcome challenges, along with the lasting impact of a caring mother, supportive teachers, counselors, and mentors who believed in his potential and encouraged him to keep moving forward.

Equally impressive was the discipline and commitment behind the speech itself. Advanced-level competition speeches require extensive preparation, refinement, rehearsal, feedback, and continuous improvement. TJ’s performance reflected not only an impactful story, but also a tremendous investment in mastering the craft of communication.

Johnstown Toastmasters has a proud tradition of excellence in high-level competition, and TJ’s achievement continues that legacy in outstanding fashion. We are incredibly proud of how he represented our club, his message, and the spirit of perseverance that inspires others to push beyond perceived limitations.

Congratulations, TJ, on an extraordinary accomplishment and for sharing a message that truly mattered.

05/16/2026

There’s something powerful about sitting in a room full of people committed to becoming better leaders, better communicators, and frankly… better humans.

Attending the Toastmasters International District 13 Spring Conference in Pittsburgh and finding tremendous value in Richard Peck, DTM, Past International Director’s keynote, “The Future Is in Your Hands.”

One reminder hit especially hard: the future rarely belongs to the most talented person in the room. It belongs to the person willing to keep growing after everyone else gets comfortable.

That’s the magic of Toastmasters. Ordinary people making extraordinary decisions to improve themselves one speech, one evaluation, and one uncomfortable stretch at a time.

Also, let’s be honest. Any conference where people voluntarily stand up to speak in front of strangers before coffee deserves respect.

Grateful for the lessons, the leadership, and the people who continue to inspire growth.

04/30/2026

🌟 Johnstown Toastmasters Club Meeting Recap 4/28/2026 🌟

We had another great meeting that truly reflected who we are. A welcoming space where guests feel comfortable, members lift each other up, and real growth happens every time we meet.

👏 Leadership Roles:
Sergeant at Arms: Amy Shaffer
President: Dave Jones, DTM
Toastmaster of the Day: Melvin Fees
Club Success Moment: Katie Belis-Lowry
Word Master and Joke Master: Amy Shaffer
Word of the Day: Bamboozled
Timer: Dave Jones, DTM
Grammarian: Katie Belis-Lowry
General Evaluator: Rachel Gorzelsky

🎤 Prepared Speeches:
Tina Dallape delivered our first project speech
Amy Shaffer delivered our second project speech
Luke Ream gave his Icebreaker speech and kicked off his Toastmasters journey

🗣️ Evaluations:
Evaluator for Tina: Tony Utnik, DTM
Evaluator for Amy: Joe Silva
Evaluator for Luke: Dave Jones, DTM

💬 Table Topics:
Table Topics Master: TJ Rose, DTM
Speakers: Tina Dallape, Joe Silva, and our guest Mickayla

🌟 Buy Some Time:
Introduced by Barb Zablotny
Tony Utnik, DTM delivered a 5 to 7 minute speech during this time
As always, we continue to grow together through encouragement, constructive feedback, and a lot of fun along the way.
Guests are always welcome to join us!

📍 We meet at Arbutus Church, 1201 Erickson Drive
🕡 6:30 PM
📅 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month
Our next meeting will be on May 12, 2026. Come see what Toastmasters is all about!

✨ Rise, Speak and Lead the Johnstown Way! ✨

04/30/2026

04/25/2026

You keep saying, “someday I’ll check out Toastmasters.”

Here’s the uncomfortable truth… someday is just procrastination dressed up in a tuxedo. Really? Come on… put that aside.

Confidence isn’t built in the future. It’s built on a Tuesday night when you decide to show up anyway…and put your anxiety on hold for an hour and a half.

Join us at Johnstown Toastmasters:
• Tuesday, April 28, 2026
• 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
• Social Hall, Arbutus Church of the Brethren
• 1201 Erickson Drive, Johnstown, PA

No pressure. No cost. No one handing you a microphone the second you walk in. Just real people, getting better one conversation at a time.

The only thing standing between you and stronger communication skills isn’t talent. It’s . And hesitation has a terrible track record of improving lives.

So here’s the deal: stop negotiating with “someday” and show up this Tuesday instead.

Because the version of you that speaks with clarity and confidence?
It doesn’t live in the future… it shows up at 6:30.

04/18/2026

From nonverbal to speech champion!

Celebrate Autism Awareness Month with Episode 178 of The L Podcast.

T.J. Rose shares his journey from a 1991 diagnosis to winning a February 2026 speech contest, proving that Autism doesn’t have to be a limit.

🎧 Listen to the episode now for inspiration and advice!



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KRXBGqukv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Picture it, November 1991, a young nonverbal T.J. Rose is diagnosed with Autism. Fast forward to February 2026, he just won a speech contest!

April is Autism Awareness Month and today's returning guest T.J. Rose shares his diagnosis story and life lessons of living with Autism.

For anyone who knows and loves someone with Autism, T.J. has some great advice at the end on how you can best support them.

Hear T.J.'s story: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Z0JUUqmSAR3ubxs5OnW7O?si=Bzxq4keiQ3OcUK0zwPr1AQ

04/15/2026

🌟 Johnstown Toastmasters Club Meeting Recap 04/14/2026 🌟

We had another engaging and inspiring meeting last night filled with strong speeches, thoughtful evaluations, and plenty of opportunities to grow together!

🎤 Toastmaster of the Day
Dave Jones, DTM kept the meeting running smoothly and set a great tone for the evening.
🌟 Club Success Moment
Tony Utnik, DTM shared an encouraging Club Success Moment with the group.
😂 Joke Master & 📖 Word Master
Bea Jodon brought humor to the meeting and introduced our Word of the Day: Meticulous
⏱️ Timer
Carol Vanmeter
📝 Grammarian & Er/Ah Counter
Rachel Gorzelsky
🎯 General Evaluator
Carol Vanmeter provided thoughtful feedback to help everyone continue improving.
🎤 Prepared Speeches
Katie Betis-Lowery presented her “Evaluation and Feedback” speech from the Presentation Pathway Level 1 titled Quitters Never Win (6:52), evaluated by Tina Dallape (2:52).
Carol Vanmeter delivered her “Vocal Variety and Body Language” speech from Presentation Pathway Level 1 titled Thanksgiving Gauntlet (8:09), evaluated by TJ Rose, DTM (3:18).
Joe Silva gave a Level 3 speech from the Presentation Pathway titled What Gives? (9:20), evaluated by Katie Betis-Lowery (2:17).
💬 Table Topics
Table Topics Master Melvin Fees led an engaging session. Speakers included:
TJ (0:45)
Katie Ream (1:00)
Tina (1:20)
🏆 Special Congratulations
A big congratulations to TJ Rose, DTM and Katie Betis-Lowery who will be representing us at the District 13 Contests on May 16 at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott in Coraopolis.
TJ will compete in the International Speech Contest and Katie will compete in the Evaluation Contest. We are cheering you on!
📣 Next Meeting
Join us on April 28th at 6:30 PM at Arbutus Church!
Guests are always welcome. Come grow with us and see what Toastmasters is all about! 🎉

04/10/2026

Speaking it aloud turns your elegant inner monologue into actual conversation. Suddenly the awkward pauses and tongue twisters reveal themselves like typos.

Want to learn more? Come check out our club at our next meeting, Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 pm at the Social Hall of the Arbutus Church of the Brethren, 1201 Erickson Drive, Johnstown. Pa 15904. Hope to see you there!

Reading a speech in your head is not the same as saying it out loud. Practice speaking your words so you can hear your pacing, pauses, and clarity. 🎤

04/03/2026

It is with heavy hearts but profound gratitude that we honor the memory of a cornerstone of the Johnstown Toastmasters club, our past president, Sandi Chobany.

Sandi was the heartbeat of our club. Under her dedicated leadership, we achieved Distinguished status twice, and she was recently awarded the Toastmasters Core Values Medallion. But Sandi's true legacy is not in the awards. It is in the countless hours she spent mentoring speakers, calming nerves, and cheering on members as they found their voices and went on to win District competitions. She was a leader who led with compassion, a quick wit, and a genuinely giving spirit.

To Sandi's family and loved ones, we offer our deepest condolences. Sandi taught us so much about communication, but even more about how to live. She believed deeply in looking for the good and the love in the world around us.

As we remember her, we are reminded of her own wise words. If you keep your eyes open and your heart open, you will see the signs of love from others all around you.

Thank you for everything, Sandi. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.