The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Toastmasters Club 1437860 held its Charter Ceremony on September 8, 2010. The club chartered on April 19, 2010. In attendance at the chartering ceremony were Immediate Past District Governor Maira Pineda, ACS/ALS, and Immediate Past Division E Governor Kris Krishna, DTM. The club meets weekly at lunchtime at RR/CC headquarters in Norwalk.

A new community club is starting in the Pasadena area, open to both current club members and new Toastmasters - this is not an "advanced" club.  This will be a once-a-month dining club, similar to Le Gourmet in Orange County (check their website at http://legourmet.freetoasthost.org/).  We will be dining in a different restaurant every month; prices for a dinner will range from $25-$35.

The demo/kick-off meeting will be on Tuesday, September 14, 2010, at El Cholo Cafe at 958 South Fair Oaks in Pasadena, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  The simplest directions are:  Take I-210 to the Long Beach Freeway (SOUTH) and exit on Del Mar; go EAST on Del Mar to Fair Oaks, then SOUTH on Fair Oaks to the restaurant.

We'll have all the necessary paperwork there to charter the club and start taking applications of anyone interested in joining the club.  Since this initial invitation is for current members of clubs, we will forego the normal demo meeting agenda and discuss the following:  (1) meeting dates and time; (2) restaurant locations (how to pick a restaurant); (3) a "fitting" name for the club; (4) program format; (5) restaurant contracts and pricing; and, if we get enough interest, (6) we'll start looking at locations for a meeting on October 12; and (7) election of club officers.

If you enjoy a good Toastmasters program, yummy food, and great friends, then this club is for you!!! Division B Governor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , DTM, is accepting RSVPs until Tuesday morning (no later than noon, please).

“My Momma always said ‘Life is like a box of fortune cookies. You never know what you’re gonna get.’” What a riveting intro! Actually the entire speech was in this flavor. Kwong Yue Yang’s “Fortune Cookie” speech, Saturday morning Aug 7^th, left us in the audience of Division F’s Woodbridge Toastmasters Club meeting inspired. It reminded us that Toastmasters goes beyond our Founder’s District backyard.

Kwong is a visitor to Founder's District; coming all the way from Guangzhou province of China, Toastmasters' District 85.  He chose Woodbridge Club #2234 to practice his speech. The President, John Bulman, along with the club members were grateful to hear such a captivating presentation. We heard and knew Kwong was ready to present at the semi-finals of Toastmasters International World Public Championship Speaking contest.

Kwong started his Toastmaster journey with a membership at Flying Toasters club (Qantas Airways corporate club) in Australia and is now a member of GEM Toastmaster club, China. His drive to win the coveted #1 International Speaker will certainly facilitate achievement of his goals – To become a professional speaker/trainer and also start a business in China.

Besides his Toastmaster focus, Kwong is also a trained Barista. A barista is someone who prepares and serves espresso-based coffee drinks. He shares that there’s an art to it. You need to juggle these three things at the same time – Remember the orders correctly, listen and process customer needs, and provide a memorable experience.

Kwong is also an avid Ultimate Disc game player (in the US we call it Frisbee). His skill level qualifies him to compete in the regional at Singapore and last year made it all the way to Seattle for international competition.

This year Founders District theme is “Inspiring Communicators and Leaders”. Kwong Yue Yang, visitor a long way from home, you certainly fit that bill!