- I was in 2nd place to win the annual Chats "Best Attendance" award in 2010!  Unfortunately, Mark Woulle beat me!

Personal and Career Goals:
-- I Love spending time with my daughter Lindsay (6 yrs. old) and husband John (12 years).  Oops, that didn't sound right.  He's not 12.  I meant, we've been married for 12 yrs.

- I love traveling, exercising, spending time with family/friends, and people watching at the DMV, ya know, the usual stuff.

Name of Mentor:
Joel Weldon (my amazing Dad)

Communication and Leadership Goals

What objectives do you hope to accomplish as a member of Chats Toastmasters?
When I was a new member, I so badly wanted to be experienced.  I wanted to have the confidence to walk in the door and not sit in my car and suck my thumb while holding my blankee.  I appreciated all the experienced members that reached out to me and helped me.  I now look forward to coming to Chats, seeing the smiling faces, and learning from all our amazing speeches.  Now, as an experienced member, I so badly want to help the new members.  We need them as much as they need our help.  Hearing an Icebreaker or seeing a new member win the Table Topics award after so many struggles is so inspiring and exciting.  I love seeing the growth of new members and that's what keeps me coming back!

Is public speaking a requirement of your job or profession?
Yes!

How would you describe your current skill level as a speaker?
When I deliver a table topics response in the privacy of my car on the way home from Chats I'm about a 9.76.  Seriously, you would be really impressed.  However, when I'm actually at the meeting and I give an impromptu answer to a Table Topics question I'm about a 6.2 depending on whether or not I know what the word is.  It's always a 50/50 chance.

Do you have any specific fears relative to public speaking?
Fear of crying! When I'm nervous, excited, happy, proud, frustrated, flattered, scared, in love, overwhelmed, and pretty much any other emotion, I cry! I really hope to overcome my “cry baby” reputation!  Just talking about it makes me tear up.  Hold on, I need to get a tissue.  Ah, ok, I'm back. 

Why did you choose to join Chats Toastmasters?
That's an easy question.  I drive a suburban and I live in Chandler.  I wanted to find the farthest most inconvenient club so that I could waste more gas and more money.  So far, it's worked out really well!   In all honesty, I visited 13 other Toastmaster clubs before I joined Chats.  I realized the energy and structure of the meeting and the quality of dynamic people was well worth the drive!    


What can Chats Toastmasters do to help you accomplish your goals?
Fill out evaluation forms by putting your name and any constructive criticism you can think of.  Being brutally honest about my ridiculous crying or the fact that I wear really high shoes just so the audience can see me.  Receiving those valuable feedback forms has made all the difference in allowing me to know what I should keep doing and what I need to improve on.       

Anything else?
I love Chats and I love our members!  Monday's are the highlight of my week!