From the Toastmasters website:
Rochelle Rice, ACS, President of Bryant Park Toastmasters in New York City, Area 33, Club 2895, became only the 59th Accredited Speaker in the world at the Toastmasters International Convention in Palm Desert, California.
The event was held on Friday, August 13, 2010. Rochelle presented her 25 minute speech “’Til Breath Do Us Part.” The speech focused on the anatomy of the body and why it is powerful for Toastmasters to listen to the wisdom of their bodies in order to deliver their best speeches. There were five anonymous judges in the audience and four out of five of the judges had to pass her in order for her to attain the Accreditation.
Toastmasters International’s Accredited Speaker Program acknowledges members who already possess and regularly demonstrate expert public speaking skills. Many Toastmasters give acceptable presentations inside and outside their Toastmasters clubs. But Accredited Speaker applicants must meet a higher standard. Such a speaker has mastered professional speaking techniques and is better able to attract and hold the attention of any audience.
The Accredited Speaker is the highest earned designation from Toastmasters International for outstanding professional platform speaking, held by only 60 members from the current 260,000 membership in 113 countries.
Rochelle Rice has been a member of Toastmasters for nearly 10 years and credits her professional speaking career directly to the skills she learned through Toastmasters.
