Toastmasters International bestows highest award on three Oregon Toastmasters

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- District 7 Toastmasters announces that Carrie Henderson, Allison Bennett, and Chapin Zakrzewski were awarded Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) recognition by Toastmasters International during July.

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The DTM recognizes a superior level of achievement in both communication and leadership.  Since 2003, less than 1% worldwide have earned this award. To gain this recognition, recipients must serve one year in district management, complete a high performance leadership project, contribute to district growth through club building or club recovery initiatives, conduct training programs, and present over 40 prepared speeches.

July's recipients share a common characteristic. Each is using their knowledge and experience to empower others to grow more confident and skilled in developing their communication and leadership skills.

Henderson is a professional project manager with Bonneville Power Administration. When asked Why Toastmasters, she stated "I joined Toastmasters to keep my presentation muscles exercised. I am now in a position where I facilitate meetings regularly with a wide variety of participants. I've vastly improved because of the welcoming and supportive atmosphere of Toastmasters."

"I came to Toastmasters out of curiosity," says Bennett, principal at Allison Innovates, "which soon turned into a direction and a mission. I wanted to get as much out of this opportunity as I could so I chose to work quickly and vigorously to learn and experience as much as possible. Even though it was daunting to take on some of the responsibilities and speaking projects, I chose to walk through that fear and found phenomenal personal and professional growth, laughter, friends, and empowerment!"

Zakrzewski, purchasing agent for Daimler Trucks North America, credits Toastmasters with helping her overcome her shyness and giving her the confidence to present to upper management on a regular basis. "I joined Toastmasters because I was a shy introvert," she states, "and knew I had to be able to communicate comfortably both in individual conversations as well as in meetings and presentations. The feedback and support that I received gave me so much confidence that going to the meetings became addictive to me."

About District 7 Toastmasters

District 7 membership exceeds 3300 in more than 170 Toastmasters clubs in Oregon, Southwest Washington and Northern California. For more information, please visit d7toastmasters.org.

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, the organization's membership exceeds 345,000 in more than 15,900 clubs in 142 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience. To find a club near you, please visit toastmasters.org.

Media Contact:
Phyllis Harmon
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SOURCE District 7 Toastmasters

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