Wow! What an experience with Brasov Toastmasters and the Romania Conference 2011! Steve and Genie Hansen flew in from Athens, Greece and coordinated times into Bucharest, Romania. Catalina Ivan, from the Brasov club, was there to warmly welcome us to their country. From Bucharest it was approximately a three-hour drive through winding mountains and scenery that words cannot describe. We soon were in Brasov, Romania pulling up on the cobblestone road of Rinda’s Room(s) for a warm welcome and dinner at her 450 year old home that was redone to reflect impeccable taste in décor and hand-carved woodcraft from around Romania. It was easy to see that Rinda had an eye for art and brought the modern world to meet the old world of the Brasov City Center. Having no idea what we were in for, Rinda’s Room(s) are about two blocks walking distance from the Old City Center where they have symphonic sounds and nightlife of outdoor cafés lining the interior. The Brasov natives are kind and welcoming and the Toastmasters spoke English almost better than we did as Americans!
The conference was sponsored by the Brasov Toastmasters club that only chartered as of July 2010! The team included all of their members, but especially the head “Visionary” and Club Coach…Rinda Reiss!
Rinda spent countless hours from 6 a.m.-1 a.m. for weeks in preparation for this event along with help from other team members from Brasov Toastmasters. I have never seen so many Toastmasters so enthusiastic about the Toastmasters program and really striving to be the best that they can be. Rinda Reiss is to the Brasov club what Pauline Shirley is to TNT. I cannot wait to see what a mark all of the Romania clubs make on the handprint of Toastmasters International!
This club did such an amazing job at the conference of about 50 attendees from Brasov, Timisoara, Bucharest, and Kulge. Some attendees rode a train as far as ten hours to attend this conference! Rinda attended these clubs to build rapport and Rinda was the initial “visionary” that started discussing this conference in 2010. Her vision was a pure SUCCESS!!! The attendees were engaged, enthusiastic and were so excited to have Americans/Toastmasters that were solely there for them. When discussing this with RInda in Texas earlier in 2011, her enthusiasm and commitment to the Brasov club was apparent. When I committed to attend the conference, I had no idea how emotionally rewarding it would be! I learned so much from the Romanian clubs and the individuals and was so happy that I was able to share areas that I have learned while a Toastmaster.
Friday had a lineup of speechwriting workshops as well as beginner Toastmaster classes followed by a Saturday packed with workshops, and a Table Topics interactive session that the participants LOVED! Officer Training, Judges Training, Tips for Delivering a Speech from the successful club series, as well as the International Speech Contest were a blast! All contestants were professional, had great content and truly delivered! The winning contestants were just the beginning of a wonderful final night of sharing Toastmasters experiences, tips on growing the clubs in Romania, and getting connected on an international level. (We have videos available on Vimeo for the TNT club to view.)
Sunday morning, Rinda held a brunch for the officers and broke them up into study groups according to position: President, VP – Education, VP – Membership, VP – PR, Secretary, Treasurer and Sergeant of Arms. This was interactive and informal, yet was so valuable in sharing what works, does not work and how to make your club better. We shared successful social media outlets as well as advanced manual “tips” in the communication tracks as well as leadership tracks. Imagine this discussion all in the courtyard of Rinda’s home with a Synagogue in the backdrop (literally behind the yard) as well as the picturesque mountains with the e “BRASOV” sign appearing just like the “Hollywood” sign in California. What an event!
I am looking forward to what city and club will be hosting the next Romanian Conference! Be on the lookout if you may be interested in attending a future international toastmasters conference.
