Steve Chen, a director for Toastmasters International, will visit the Buffalo area Thursday through April 30 to promote the nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills.
While in Buffalo, Chen will recognize two local businesses, Lawley Insurance and the Buffalo Psychiatric Center (BPC) by presenting each a Corporate Recognition award. This award is presented to corporations that not only support Toastmasters clubs for their employees and/or community members, but also extend that reach by hosting speech contests and training events for the district. Chen will also be speaking to local business leaders about the Toastmasters program and how it can positively impact their company and improve employee satisfaction.
Chen will give a key-note speech while attending the District 65 Spring Conference, being held at the Buffalo Hyatt Hotel on April 30. The conference is for Toastmasters and guests to attend speech contests, educational sessions and to participate in the business meeting and elections for the district. The conference is also the site of the District 65 International Speech Championship, where the winner will be moving to compete with Toastmasters from 135 countries, in August in Washington, DC.
Buffalo, with over 30 clubs and approximately 500 members, has sent several people in the community to compete at the International contest level. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, visit www.toastmasters.org.
Chen, a practicing attorney from Holbrook, is a Director of the County Voters Association and the Immigrant Social Services in New York City. He specializes in corporate law, real properties and criminal defense, and he has led several nonprofit organizations in areas of voting rights, educational opportunities and public safety. He is past director and chairman of General Human Outreach in the Community, a homecare provider for special needs patients.
A dedicated Toastmaster for 14 years, Chen is a member of three clubs. He has been a member of his home club, True Potential club in Kew Gardens, Queens County, since 2001. He has held a number of high-profile leadership positions within Toastmasters and has attained the Distinguished Toastmaster designation—the highest level of achievement in the organization.
“My association with Toastmasters has allowed me to become a much more comfortable public speaker and an effective leader,” Chen said.
As a member of the Toastmasters International Board of Directors, Chen is a “working ambassador” for the organization. He works with the Board to develop, support and modify the policies and procedures that guide Toastmasters International in fulfilling its mission.
