Scotch Plains Resident Mamadou Fofana Earns Top Award for Speaking and Leadership from Toastmasters

SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J. - June 28, 2013 - PRLog -- Mamadou Fofana of Scotch Plains 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. Fofana was presented with the DTM medallion at the District 83 Toastmasters Spring Conference on May 18, 2013.

“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. “Fofana has met all of our rigorous requirements to become a Distinguished Toastmaster. I congratulate him 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, Fofana presented 40 speeches at the club and community level and also performed 27 leadership projects.

“I am excited to complete the fulfilling yet hard work required to become a DTM,” said Mamadou Fofana. “Through Toastmasters, I have achieved confidence and knowledge as I have improved my speaking and leadership skills. I look forward to continuing to develop skills and helping other Toastmasters achieves their goals.”

Fofana is a member of Wayne Speak-UPS, where he is also the Vice President of Public Relations.  He also served as District 83 Division (E and B) Governor, Area 53 Governor and has been a member of Toastmasters for 8 years.

“I am constantly humbled by the quality of leadership that originates from District 83. New DTM Mamadou Fofana is no exception.  Mamadou and I served in many similar roles through his leadership path and I am so proud to see this achievement for him.  He provides his best in all he does,” said Pamela Winter, DTM and 2012-2013 Toastmasters District 83 Governor.  “Mamadou has shown himself exceptionally worthy of the highest member award Toastmasters International bestows.  I am proud to welcome him to this level and am honored to call him my friend.”

“Mamadou has always been a great contributor and leader in our Toastmaster’s club. It’s been a pleasure watching him progress over the years towards his DTM,” said Allen Pender, President of Wayne SpeakUPS Toastmasters.  “This is great accomplishment and I’m happy he’s sharing it with our club. On behalf of Wayne Speak-UPS, congratulations Mamadou.”

“Wayne SpeakUPS of Toastmasters International is proud of Mamadou Fofana’s finest achievement.  Our club has produced great speakers and leaders, but Mamadou is our first member to obtain the pinnacle of Toastmasters International, Distinguished Toastmaster,” said Deane B Donnelley ACB, ALB, Wayne SpeakUPS.  “Mamadou, who is from the Ivory Coast of Africa, has a passion of mastering the ways of the people and countries wherever he is residing.  Wayne SpeakUPS Toastmasters has enjoyed and benefitted from Mamadou’s insight, representation and experience.  We believe his accomplishments will inspire our members, both new & accomplished, to set their goals as high as he did.”

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.  

In addition to Toastmasters, Mamadou Fofana is employed by UPS as a Sr. Programmer.

About Mamadou Fofana

Mamadou Fofana is from the Ivory Coast in West Africa. He came here in early 1996 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and pursued additional education in Computer science. He currently lives in Scotch Plains NJ, and is married with one beautiful child. He likes playing and watching soccer, and enjoys reggae and Latino Music. Swimming is his favorite pass time.

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.