Seth Williams works at Test Advantage in Tempe, Az and is the Technical Program Manager for two software products that are used by large semiconductor manufacturing companies all over the world. 

On May 13th during our 6th Anniversary meeting Seth (shown left) achieved his Competent Communicator Award!  During the 14 months he worked to achieve the Competent Communicator award he gave speeches that covered a wide range of topics from music, golf, social networking sites, and even the legacy left by his mother.  As he continues on to achieve his Advanced Communicator Bronze Award he will be working out of the Technical Presentations and Story Telling manuals. 

Seth's award allowed our club to achieve the 10th and final Distinguished Club Program goal.  We need two more members to be a President's Distinguished club for the 5th year in a row!

Steven Martindale and Mike Trier have been members of Rio Copa Toastmasters since we were founded in May 2003.  On May 13th on the 6th Anniversary of our club's founding we presented Steven and Mike with Distinguished Service Awards in appreciation of their support of our club over the years.

    Since Steven Martindale helped found our club he has served as Vice President of Publc Relations, President (2 terms), Vice President Education (2 terms), Secretary (2 terms), Vice President Membership, and Sergeant at Arms (2 terms).  He has competed several times in Toastmasters Area contest; he won the R4 Tall Tales contest in 2007 and took 2nd place in the R4 AreaTable Topics contest in 2009.

Mike Trier was Rio Copa's first President and has served as Vice President Membership (twice).  Outside of Rio Copa Mike has been a United Way Chairman Coordinator and Management Administration and Technology President (an employee organization).

Six years ago on May 13th, 2003 Rio Copa Toastmasters officially chartered and became a part of Toastmasters International.  Since the average life span of a Toastmasters club is five years and we'll have offically beaten that milestone we're having a celebration during our normal meeting!

Of the 20 charter members two original members remain active in our club.  Steven Martindale and Mike Trier both achieved their Advanced Communicator Bronze awards during this last year and have each served in various club leadership roles over the years.  

We have invited former members, Toastmasters District Leaders that helped charter our club, and other district officers that helped shape our club to help us celebrate Rio Copa's history to date and the achievements of our members.

The picture above shows the Officer Induction in July 2004 which was the third officer election.  From left to right: Barbara Traines (immed past President), Glenda Humes (President), Nick Orlando (VP Education) , Beth McNally (VP Public Relations), Sandia Hayes (Secretary), Tita Taylor (Treasurer),and JD Austin (Sergeant at Arms).

Rose Beeson was the G4 Area Governor and performed the officer induction Ceremony.  Rose went on to become the Gila Division Governor and is the current incoming Lt. Governor of Marketing for District 3 Toastmasters.

Rose is last on the right below.

The R4 Area Table Topics and International Speech Contest was on Saturday February 28th at the Univerisity of Phoenix near 32nd St. and I10.  The first contest was the Table Topics contest.  Each contestant was asked the same question and judged on specific criteria.  The winner of the contest was a veteran contestant Michael Desiderio.  Rio Copa's Steven Martindale took 2nd place!  Steven previously competed in the R4 Area Tall Tales contest and WON!  This is his first time competing in Table Topics.   Steven Martindale is picutred above with the R4 Area Governor Conney Weiss.   The second contest was the R4 International Speech Contest.  The winner of the contest was veteran contestant Paul Prunoforte.  Rio Copa's Dave Endres took 2nd place!  This is Dave's first contest; he did well!    Dave Endres is pictured above with R4 Area Governor Connie Weiss.