Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer
Essie Gardner (left), president of the Advanced Toastmasters Club, has the ear of Minister of Information, Senator Burchell Whiteman, at Saturday night's Charter Ceremony, held at the Life of Jamaica Building, Barbados Avenue, New Kingston. - PHOTOS BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
LITTLE KNOWN to the motorists zipping by on Knutsford Boulevard on the evening of Saturday, October 5, as they went about their business history was being made some 17 floors above, in the Life of Jamaica Building. There, the charter ceremony of the Advanced Toastmasters Club was taking place.
The formalities of the evening were led by Toastmaster Godfrey McAllister. In this particular setting, Mr. McAllister was identified as the 'Toastmaster' rather than the Master of Ceremonies, which seemed quite fitting. Call him what you may, but his well-timed and clever comments made the ceremony very
entertaining.
SPEECH PRESENTATION
As is customary, a man of the church, Pastor Dennis Kerr, blessed the proceedings. Following that Mrs. Brigette Levy made a speech, after which the audience was treated to a musical rendition by Fitzgerald Gayle, who was cheerfully dubbed the 'singing policeman.'
The actual charter ceremony was led by Eileen Wolfe, who is a past international Director of Toastmasters Club. Before introducing the executive of the club, she thanked and congratulated all those who contributed to the cause, including the members of the Toastmasters Club and also the mentors and sponsors. She singled out Essie Gardner, Collette Sharp and Shirley Daley, who she described as the godparents of the club. She then installed the officers of the club who will form the inaugural executive body of the Advanced Toastmasters Club.
Essie Gardner was appointed the president, while Ms. Sharp, Ms. Daley, and Paulette Ulett were appointed vice-presidents of education, membership and public relations respectively. Wolfe told the appointees that they had "the most important job" in the organisation. After the inauguration, the new president gave her first address as the head of the Advanced Toastmasters Club.
"It is an honour and a privilege," she said. She continued to describe the Toastmasters Club as an opportunity to learn of and cope with one's weaknesses, and also to shine when the time comes to demonstrate the skills one has learnt. "We intend to serve as a strong force in Jamaica, and not to compete with other clubs here."
She expressed her personal dedication to the club's mission statement: "To transform Toastmasters from competence to excellence developing consummate communicators and leaders who demonstrate advanced skills in public speaking, meeting management and handling social situations."
SHINING LIGHT
Guest speaker Senator Burchell Whiteman, Minister of Information, challenged the members of this newly installed club to continue to make an input in Jamaica, in keeping with the tradition of toastmasters across the island and the world.
"I expect the club will be a shining light for all who fall within the sphere of its operation. Go forth in service to the Toastmasters Club but also to Jamaica. Continue to make that indelible mark on the Caribbean and the region." He was followed by Mary Dick, a member of the newly chartered Advanced Toastmasters Club, who expressed gratitude on behalf of the club to a number of contributors, including but not limited to, Senator Whiteman, Life of Jamaica Limited, Mrs. Elsie Barnes and Mrs. Brigette Levy.
