Westlake Toastmasters #497 Named President’s Distinguished Club

Westlake Toastmasters #497 walked away from the Toastmasters International District 10 2017-18 Awards with a boatload of winnings in 2018.

One of 104 clubs in District 10, Westlake Toastmasters #497 club members won 20 awards this year. District 10 named the club itself a President’s Distinguished Club.

2017-18 Vice President of Education Alicia Smith-Kirk won District Director and Triple Crown awards. She also earned a Competent Leader, Dynamic Leadership 1, Competent Communicator, Dynamic Leadership 2, Persuasive Influence 1, Advanced Leader Bronze, Advanced Communicator Bronze, Dynamic Leadership 3 and Persuasive Influence 2 educational awards.

2017-18 Club President Christian Giardini won a Triple Crown Award, and earned Advanced Communicator Bronze, Advanced Leader Bronze and Leadership Excellence educational awards. 2018-19 VP of Membership Crystal Muscatello earned Competent Leader and Competent Communicator educational awards; and 2018-19 Club VP of Public Relations Marilyn Mongeon Quill and Sergeant-at-Arms Joan Therese Szczepanik earned Competent Leader educational awards.

Alicia Smith-Kirk and Club Treasurer Loren H. Dill were named Triple-Crown New Member Sponsors.

“2017-18 Club President Christian Giardini, VP of Education Alicia Smith-Kirk and their team did an extraordinary job in distinguishing our club,” says 2018-19 Club President Danielle Ross. “They have set a high bar for next year!”

Westlake Toastmasters #497 meets Wednesdays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at the Westlake Porter Public Library, with an informal meet and greet starting at noon. Toastmasters is designed to help increase self-confidence, leadership, extemporaneous and public speaking skills. The club welcomes guests of all ages and backgrounds. For more information, go to https://497.toastmastersclubs.org, email westlaketoastmasters497@gmail.com or call 216.849.1200.

Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., the organization's membership exceeds 357,000 in more than 16,600 clubs in 143 countries.