Plainsboro’s Asha Thomas Mathai Earns Top Toastmasters Award for Speaking and Leadership Expertise

PRINCETON, N.J. - June 26, 2013 - PRLog -- Asha Thomas Mathai of Plainsboro has completed the requirements for the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation--an accomplishment earned by less than one percent of the greater than 260,000 Toastmasters International members worldwide. Mathai was presented with the DTM medallion at the District 83 Toastmasters Spring Conference on May 18.

“The Distinguished Toastmaster designation is given only to those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and communication skills and have used these skills to mentor others in their self-development efforts,” said Daniel Rex, Executive Director of Toastmasters International. “Asha has met all of our rigorous requirements to become a Distinguished Toastmaster. I congratulate her for achieving this honor.”

To earn the Distinguished Toastmaster designation, a member must demonstrate excellence in public speaking and leadership by completing a series of steps, which include oral presentations, district leadership roles, mentoring new members and advising new and/or troubled clubs. To become a Distinguished Toastmaster, Mathai presented 40 speeches at the club and community level and also performed 27 leadership projects.

“Giving speeches or taking the next step still gives me butterflies. Before every speaking or leadership endeavor, I would ask God for His help.  With the continued practice of speaking and with the supporting encouragement of the members, the fear minimizes and you gain confidence along the way,” said Mathai.  “For me, that was a surprising benefit of Toastmasters, who knew you can increase your confidence by speaking! Who knew!  Throughout my eight-year journey to DTM, I have met many mentors who helped me to get to this level. You truly cannot do this alone.  My sincere thanks go to IEEE for this opportunity to be part of this wonderful program.”

Mathai is a member of IEEE Live Wireless and Aces Toastmasters clubs, where she also holds the office of President at the IEEE Live Wireless club.  She also serves as Division D Governor and has been a member of Toastmasters for eight years.

Pam Winter, DTM, District Governor, mentions, “Asha is the most incredibly organized and thorough achiever I have ever known. I have watched her grow into her accepted leadership roles and she consistently inspires those around her to reach for the stars.

“Asha encouraged me to join IEEE Live Wires Toastmasters club in 2011.  Although scared to death, I joined after witnessing Asha’s passion for it”, said Janice Conway, CL, and Secretary of IEEE Live Wires.

“Having Asha as my mentor for the past 2 years, I recently completed my CL & am half way through my CC (and she is already talking about my next step - ALB!).  I never would have had the courage to chair a speech contest without Asha’s guidance.  Her unending support has increased my confidence tremendously.

Asha gives me the space to grow while constantly encouraging me to advance.  She is a true leader.  She empowers our club members to set goals & motivates us to work towards them.  Asha lives & breathes Toastmasters.  Her enthusiasm is infectious!  IEEE Live Wires & Live Wireless are so PROUD of Asha’s DTM!!”

Lovely Arora, PMP and Senior Manager at IEEE, says “Asha has been actively engaged with Toastmasters for the last 8 years.  As Asha's manager I see her applying her communication and leadership skills effectively to her job. I am amazed at the balance she is able to strike between her job and Toastmasters while still being able to fulfill both responsibilities just fine.  She has been a great inspiration to not only the Toastmasters but to all IEEE employees and specifically me.  Congratulations Asha on receiving this distinguished award.”

Earning the Distinguished Toastmasters award typically requires five to eight years of service to the organization in order to develop the proficiency needed in such skills as vocal variety, gestures, extemporaneous speaking, management and organization.  

About Asha Thomas Mathai

Asha Mathai is currently an IT Manager at IEEE in Piscataway, NJ where she has worked for 14 years. She is sponsor and founding member of the second corporate club, IEEE Live Wireless. She is currently completing her term as President of IEEE Live Wireless. The club has achieved President’s distinguished status in its first year. District 83 recognized Asha for her leadership and communication skills with the Toastmaster of the Year for 2010-2011 year and Area Governor of the Year for 2011-2012 year. Asha has served in many roles as an Officer. She is currently serving as Division D Governor 2012-2013 that became a President’s Distinguished Division. Asha volunteers by training Sunday School students at St. Peter’s Syriac Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia.

About District 83

District 83 of Toastmasters International proudly serves over 4,000 members in 155 clubs throughout the metropolitan area of New Jersey and includes Staten Island and Rockland County, New York.  For information about local Toastmasters in District 83 visit http://www.toastmasters83.org.

About Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Founded in October 1924, the organization currently has more than 280,000 members in 13,500-plus clubs in 116 countries. Each week, Toastmasters helps more than a quarter million people of every ethnicity, education level and profession build their competence in communication so they can gain the confidence to lead others. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit http://www.toastmasters.org.   Follow @Toastmasters International on Twitter