New Beginnings Toastmasters #5069647

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, while everyone else is manning the grill, New Beginnings Toastmasters will be in session. Monday, September 7, 6:30 PM, on Zoom. No cookout required.

Come heckle a Table Topics question, cheer on a speech, or just watch how it's done. First-time guests get the easiest job in the room: show up and listen.

Join us:
https://bit.ly/3JtahnE
Meeting ID: 824 1715 6608
Passcode: 620299

Members, bring someone who could use a reason to get off the couch that day.

09/02/2026

You just sat down after your Table Topics answer. Your brain is already replaying every "um," every pause, every sentence that didn't come out right.

This month's Toastmaster Magazine has a name for that inner voice: the opposite of self-compassion. Writer Katie Stoddart argues that high achievers are often the hardest on themselves after a mistake, and her fix is simple: talk to yourself the way you'd talk to a good friend who just did the same thing.

That's the whole point of a Toastmasters evaluation. It's there to catch what you did well, name one thing to work on, and send you back to your seat in one piece.

If your inner critic is louder than your evaluator, come practice being kinder to yourself with us at New Beginnings.

Read the full article here:

Strengthen your self-compassion so your mistakes and missteps don’t derail you.

08/26/2026

A teenage Craig Valentine walked onto a car lot ready to buy. The first salesman rattled off specs: windows, engine, tires. Valentine walked away. At the next dealership, a different salesman skipped the specs entirely: "You're going to look good in that one, wind blowing through your hair." Valentine bought the car.

That's the opening story in this month's Toastmaster Magazine piece, "The Power of Storytelling in Sales." The story is what people remember. Craig Valentine, the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking, put it this way: "Don't sell the product, don't sell the service. Always sell the result."

The article's advice for building that skill is simple: practice at a Toastmasters meeting, where the stakes are low and the feedback is real.

That's exactly what we do at New Beginnings. Whether you're prepping a sales pitch, a work presentation, or you just want people to remember what you say, come tell a story with us.

How storytelling helps you engage audiences and make sales.

08/19/2026

A paratrooper's mother once told her son: if you jump out of that plane, I'll jump off the roof with an umbrella. That's the story that opens this month's Toastmaster Magazine piece, "The Heart of Family Storytelling," by Caren S. Neile, PhD.

The article cites research out of Emory University showing that people who know their family history report higher self-esteem and lower rates of anxiety and depression. Those stories aren't just entertainment — they're part of what holds a family together.

At New Beginnings, we help people find the words for stories like that one: a family legend, a hard lesson, a memory worth keeping. If you've got a story to tell, come try it out loud with us.

Read the full article here:

Telling our tales keeps our histories alive and enlightens others.

08/11/2026

New Beginnings Toastmasters spent Monday night looking at what it takes to build a stronger club.

Hazel C. gave an educational speech from the Successful Club Series, “How to Become a Distinguished Club.” She walked through the goals New Beginnings is working toward this year, including education completions, membership growth, officer training, and staying current with club administration.

Naomi L. led Table Topics with more “Moments of Truth” questions, including how members want to be recognized, how they prefer to be contacted, and what would help guests feel ready to join. Dr. Ashley M. shared that after four visits, she is ready to become a member.

The club also elected Loreta L. as Secretary by acclamation. It was a practical meeting, with a lot of focus on where the club goes next.

08/10/2026

New Beginnings Toastmasters meets tonight from 6:30 to 7:30 PM CT on Zoom.

Tonight's theme is "Begin with the End in Mind," and the Word of the Day is "Bumfuzzled." Hazel C. is scheduled to speak on "How to Become a Distinguished Club."

Guests are welcome to visit, listen in, and see how the meeting works. You do not have to speak when you visit.

Join us on Zoom:
Meeting ID: 824 1715 6608
Passcode: 620299
https://bit.ly/3JtahnE

Members, please join us if you can, and invite someone who could benefit from Toastmasters.

07/07/2026

"Who's CSK?" Lue asked the room, working through initials like JFK and LBJ before finally revealing the answer: Coretta Scott King. It made for a fitting second half of the night, with America's 250th birthday as our theme.

Brenda opened the evening with a play-by-play of the real Declaration of Independence timeline — the votes, the printing, the signing, and George Washington's troops toppling a statue of King George III in New York. Lue followed with Coretta Scott King's story, from her early life through the fifteen years she spent fighting to make MLK Day a federal holiday.

Naomi pulled double duty as Timer and Table Topics Master, tossing out questions about patriotism, the Mayflower, and Benjamin Franklin's complicated history. Nancy kept the whole meeting on track as Toastmaster, stepping in to cover when Naomi had to leave early. Hazel and David handled evaluations, and Rochelle helped track filler words for the night.

Word of the Day was "enduring" — and by the end, just about everyone had used it.

Come see what we're up to next week. Bring a friend, ask a question, or just come listen:
https://bit.ly/NewBeginningsTM1

05/07/2026

🎤 Last Monday at New Beginnings Toastmasters, Nancy Manning showed us what a 34-year Toastmasters journey looks like — and it is INSPIRING.

In her speech "My Club Officer Journey," Nancy walked us through every club officer role she's held since 1992: VP Membership, Club President, Area Director, Secretary, Treasurer, VP Public Relations, and Sergeant at Arms. Her takeaway? Every single role teaches you something about yourself.

"I've learned so much from every one of those tasks. I hope some of you will be excited to join me on that journey."
— Nancy Manning

And speaking of joining — we inducted a brand-new member, Vanity Johnson, who is already a published children's book author with big goals for 2026! 🙌

This is what New Beginnings is all about: real people, real growth, real community.

🗓️ Next meeting: Monday, May 11th | 6:30 PM
🔗 Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82417156608?pwd=FxZTyVjuCdCE1HMrN0nBHJrqP89lGI.1

Guests are ALWAYS welcome. Come check us out — no pressure, no experience required. Just bring your curiosity. 👋

01/06/2026

We had a fantastic meeting at New Beginnings Toastmasters on Monday night.

Our speakers delivered two engaging presentations that showed both the practical and fun sides of public speaking.

Our first speech focused on a critical skill for every communicator: knowing your audience. From understanding who you are speaking to, to scanning the environment, timing your message, and anticipating distractions, this presentation was packed with practical advice for anyone who speaks in public, on Zoom, or in the workplace. The first infographic highlights these key takeaways.

Our second speech took us on a humorous journey to the tennis courts in Sydney, complete with a shocking forty-dollar sandwich, a budget-friendly escape, and an unexpected career opportunity. The second infographic captures the fun, the frugality, and the reminder that great stories often come from everyday experiences.

A special thank you to Speak 2 Lead for joining us tonight. We always appreciate the opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together with fellow Toastmasters.

If you are interested in building confidence, improving your communication skills, or just enjoying great stories in a supportive environment, we would love to have you join us.

📅 Next Meeting: Monday, January 12
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM CST
💻 Where: Zoom
🔗 Join us here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82417156608?pwd=FxZTyVjuCdCE1HMrN0nBHJrqP89lGI.1

Guests are always welcome, and there is no pressure to speak. Come check us out and see what Toastmasters is all about.

11/04/2025

We had a great New Beginnings Toastmasters meeting tonight! 🎉
Word of the Day: discern
Speaker: Naomi — Better Speaker Series: “Controlling Your Fear (and Anxiety)”
Table Topics: Daylight Saving Time, rituals, and time well spent—everyone qualified!

Big welcome to Dawn for jumping in as Timer and sharing in Table Topics. 🙌

Want to build confidence, think on your feet, and have fun doing it? Join us at our next meeting:

🗓 Monday, Nov 10, 2025
🕡 6:30 PM Central (Zoom)
🔗 Join link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82417156608?pwd=FxZTyVjuCdCE1HMrN0nBHJrqP89lGI.1

Featured session next week: Better Speaker Series — “Organizing Your Speech.”
Guests are always welcome. Come observe or participate—your choice!

Questions? Comment below and we’ll get you set up. 💬