Kim Taylor Winner in Toastmasters' Speech Contest
Kim Taylor won over 12 other contestants with a Table Topics speech about what New York City laws she would change if she were mayor when the Roosevelt Island chapter of Toastmasters International held a contest late in September. Table Topics requires the contestant to speak extemporaneously for up to two minutes on a subject that is not revealed to the contestant until he or she is called to speak.
Elena Como’s advice to newlyweds got her second place. Woodrow Deas and Anna Falth tied for third. Deas shared his dream of crossing the Bering Strait, while Falth talked about what she likes to read first in a newspaper.
Doris Chernik was the Toastmaster of the Meeting. Kim Taylor and Anna Falth were Table Topic Masters. Malcolm Cohen was the Timer. Arlene Stock and Anna Doumnova were Ballot Counters.
As September ended, the Island chapter hosted the Area 57 Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contest. Kim Taylor represented the Island chapter, while other members – Sue Brown, Doris Chernik, Malcolm Cohen, Elena Como, Woodrow Deas, and Anna Doumnova – assisted Area Governor Kilrak Chung in preparing and running the event. Area 57 is the Toastmasters jurisdiction covering five local clubs (the Island club and four others in Manhattan).
Roosevelt Island Toastmasters was one of the first groups formed on this Island when it was opened for residents in the early ’70s. Since then, RITM has continuously provided members with the opportunity to hone their leadership skills and speaking abilities in a supportive setting.
Guests are invited to attend RITM’s meetings, which are scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, September through June. For more information, call 917-691-8836.