August 18th. Portland resident wins Toastmasters’ 2012 World Championship of Public Speaking! Rising above 30,000 participants, 25-year-old Ryan Avery is youngest ever to win world’s largest speech contest!
With an inspiring speech that shared insights on pushing past one’s fears to succeed in life, Ryan Avery, a Toastmaster from Portland, WON in the final round of the Toastmasters 2012 World Championship of Public Speaking.
Ryan Avery at the 2012 Semi Finals of Toastmasters in Orlando,FL
In the finals competition, Avery delivered a speech titled “Trust is a Must,” a story about growing up and keeping one’s promise. Avery, a Director of Marketing for Special Olympics Oregon and a member of the Portland Toastmasters club (District 7), impressed and entertained the crowd at the Toastmasters International Speech Contest Semifinals a day earlier. “It took lots of practice to get to this point!” says Avery. “In my bedroom I have a sign that says, ‘What would Michael Phelps do?’ If he could get up early to practice every day and eat healthy, so could I. I also have lots of mentors, and my wife was incredibly supportive. The process has helped me grow as a person and realize that Toastmasters is an amazingly supportive organization: It’s where friendships are made!”
Avery progressed through a six-month process of elimination in the world’s largest speech contest, reaching the top nine finalists from a pool of 30,000 competitors.
A panel of 14 Toastmasters judges evaluate the finalists on a range of criteria, including speech content, organization, voice quality and gestures. The five- to seven-minute speeches cover wide-ranging topics.
The speech contest highlights the annual four-day Toastmasters International Convention, which draws a capacity audience of some 1,500 people from around the world.Contenders in Toastmasters clubs from 116countries enter the contest on a local level, progressing through club, area, division and district competitions.
Congratulations to Ryan!
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About District 7
District 7 is one of 88 districts around the world. It comprises more than 170 corporate and community clubs in Western Oregon and Southern Washington. To learn more, please visit www.d7toastmasters.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 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 www.toastmasters.org. Follow Toastmasters International on Twitter @Toastmasters.
Portland, August 11th. The Bite of Oregon is a celebration of Oregon, its food, its people and quality of life. With hundreds of restaurant and dozens of breweries and wineries represented, the Special Olympics Oregon benefit attracts food fans by the thousands.
Sizzling seafood paella was a hit.
“The Usual Suspects” entertain the crowd. It’s the band of Police Chief, Mike Reed.
Viewed as a foodie’s dream come true, the Gerry Frank’s Oregon Chef’s table is an opportunity to experience small gourmet bites from some of the top chefs from around the state.
Eddy Gonzales, Chef Shyam Dausoa from Chez Dodo and Sala Kannan were serving Dholl Puri and Portobello Bury – a Mushroom Curry with Lentil Fritters served Chutney & Pickled Vegetables.
Chef Chris Carriker from the Gilt Club served up Grilled Pork Belly Skewer with Kohlrabi Slaw, Fried Peanuts and Cilantro and Lamb Meatballs with Fresh Chickpea Relish, Goat Cheese & Herbs.
Lilie Boni, Henry Car and Elizabeth Kennedy from Brix Tavern served Smoked Grilled Local Salmon Brochettes with Heirloom Tomatoes & Rocket Pesto.
B. O’Shea, Chef Aaron Gerra, Pamela McConnell, Chef Aaron Guerra CEC, DM – ACF Portland Culinary Team Member with the Oregon Blueberry Commission served Fresh Oregon Blueberries Foster w/ Hand Dipped Ice Cream, Balsamic Reduction.
At the popular Iron Chef Oregon competitions, presented by NW Natural, talented Oregon Chefs battled it out to see whose cuisine reigned supreme.
Lucy Willis from Lucy’s Tropical Juice sold fruit smoothies.
Volunteers Isabel Klein and PJ Hummelt were two of hundreds who pitched in at the benefit for Oregon Special Olympics.
Oregon Brewers were out in force.
Ice cream served up by volunteers, including members of the National Charity League Genevieve and Mariel Klein, was a hit with the kids.
Soul Vaccination, the popular fund and soul band, performed for music lovers.
About Special Olympics Oregon
Here in Oregon, while Special Olympics Oregon serves more than 10,000 participants throughout the state, nearly 70,000 people with intellectual disabilities could benefit from participating in Special Olympics. Still growing, Special Olympics Oregon is efficiently expanding programs to get closer and closer to serving every individual with intellectual disabilities that qualifies to participate in Special Olympics.
Special Olympics Oregon offers training and competition opportunities in 14 different Olympic-style sports. There are three sports seasons throughout the year, with statewide competitions and training in winter, summer and fall.
The nonprofit is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a bang!
Newberg, July 14th and 15th. The 2012 Summer State Games showcased the best of athleticism, sportsmanship and fun. Special Olympics athletes in Oregon competed in: track & field, bocce, golf, and softball. All participants trained in their hometowns for eight weeks prior to the Summer Games and have qualified to compete at the Summer Games at a regional level competition.
Here in Oregon, while Special Olympics Oregon serves more than 10,000 participants throughout the state, nearly 70,000 people with intellectual disabilities could benefit from participating in Special Olympics. Still growing, Special Olympics Oregon is efficiently expanding programs to get closer and closer to serving every individual with intellectual disabilities that qualifies to participate in Special Olympics.
Special Olympics Oregon offers training and competition opportunities in 14 different Olympic-style sports. There are three sports seasons throughout the year, with statewide competitions and training in winter, summer and fall.
Special Olympics Oregon holds events in every region of the state, every month of the year, providing athletes the opportunity to be competing and training as often as they choose.
Special Olympics athletes train intensely for eight weeks prior to each State Games event. Volunteer coaches are responsible for training the athletes. Volunteers must complete a certification program prior to becoming Special Olympics coaches and must attend training schools before each season.
Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization incorporated in the state of Oregon to provide sports training and athletic competition for persons with intellectual disabilities. SOOR is accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. (SOI) and responsible for following the policies and rules established by SOI in the delivery of services in Oregon. It is known as a Program of SOI. A volunteer Board of Directors provides policy decisions and long-range planning for SOOR. The Board employs a staff of people to implement the day-to-day operations.
Thanks to the generous support of A-dec and the amazing city of Newberg, these games will be held annually in Newberg, Oregon. Thanks to the generous support of Ken and Joan Austin of A-dec and the amazing city and community of Newberg, for making these games happen .
Portland, May 16th. State Senator Betsy Johnson and other civic leaders were honored at the Global Business Awards Luncheon. The evet organizer, former Hilton executive Serge D’Rovencourt, earned high marks from Special Olympics Oregon athletes like Jen Darris. Other awards were given to Dick Alexander, Clayton Hering, Dr. Cheryl Roberts and Dr. Herbert Semler.
Global Business Luncheon
Best-selling author and philanthropist Gerry Frank emceed the luncheon, which recognized Oregon’s outstanding individuals in international business and honored the legacy of past civic and business leaders. State Treasurer Ted Wheeler accepted a memorial tribute on behalf of his father, Samuel C. Wheeler. Other tributes memorialized C. M. “Mort” Bishop, Jr., John Perry Bledsoe, Roger S. Meier, Warne H. Nunn, Carol Brooks Rawlinson, Stanley M. Samuels, Harold J. Schnitzer and U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield.
Ken and Joan Austin, Herb Semler, M.D. and Gerry Frank,
The luncheon was held at the Portland Hilton and Tower and featured special guests Ken and Joan Austin, founders of A-dec, Inc., and Kerry Tymchuk, Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society and Board Chair of Special Olympics Oregon.
“The Global Business Awards has become a tradition where some of Oregon’s truly great individuals are honored. Special Olympics Oregon is very thankful to benefit from this luncheon, and will use any and all donations to further our mission of providing training for life for children and adults with intellectual disability and serving the largest disability population in the state,” said Mr. Tymchuk.
Year-End update: “Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.” The unknown author of this quote must know something about an organization driven by an important mission. Thanks to the horse sense, persistence and the flaming enthusiasm of athletes, volunteers, donors, staff, and Board of Directors, Special Olympics Oregon had an exciting year of success!
Special Olympics Oregon Summer State Games 2011
Special Olympics Oregon 2011
From Special Olympics Oregon:
Our number of individuals with intellectual disability served increased statewide by 17%.
Our grand Summer State Games returned after a two-year economy-triggered suspension.
Our 30 volunteer-driven Local Programs serving our participants year-round in every county stayed strong.
Our major fundraising events – The Governors’ Gold Awards, The Bite of Oregon, Polar Plunge – exceeded expected revenue.
Our quota of volunteer Special Olympics Oregon coaches increased from 35 newly-trained in 2010 to 227 in 2011.
Our number of great friends increased – more companies, individuals and organizations caught the vision of Special Olympics Oregon’s momentous impact on the lives of thousands with intellectual disabilities, their families and their communities. Over and over again, we heard those magnificent words: I want to help.
Special Olympics Oregon Polar Plunge 2011
Special Olympics Oregon Governors' Gold Awards 2011
More from Special Olympics Oregon:
To all of you, we say with full hearts, “Thank you.” You have helped in ways you may not even imagine. You have changed lives, changed hearts, changed the world. We are most grateful. Hear first hand from athletes and coaches what Special Olympics Oregon has meant to them this year:
What does Special Olympics Oregon mean to you?
Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR) has given my son a chance to be included and accepted just the way he is. They have provided priceless and endless resources for us as parents. Most importantly SOOR has filled our hearts with joy. My son has a chance to actually be on a team, playing a sport that he loves right at his own school! I am thankful for a way to fulfill his dreams and wishes! Thank you SOOR, without you it would not be possible! (Kristy Minor,Special Olympics Oregon Parent)
How did you get your start in Special Olympics Oregon?
I started participating in Special Olympics Oregon back in the 1992 softball season. It was one of the best moves that I ever made for myself. It has been 17 seasons that I have been a Special Olympics Oregon Athlete and I can tell you from personal experience that I have enjoyed each and every game that I have played over the years. I never think of just myself. It is very important to me that I get my teammates involved with the games that we all play as a team. We all win and lose as one team and NOT individual players. Playing games in all sports for Special Olympics Oregon is a lot of fun. I just never want it to end. (Nathan LaMarche,Special Olympics Oregon Athlete)
What has Special Olympics Oregon done for you this year?
Special Olympics is one of those rare and amazing opportunities to be a part of something bigger than myself. As a coach I get to look into each athlete and see endless possibilities that they may not even know they have. I can set goals and see the athletes far surpass them. As a parent of an athlete, I get to see my daughter make friends that are unconditionally loving and accepting. We all get to treat each other as precious, valuable, gifted and strong! There is always encouragement and recognition available to everyone. I have seen over the last 21 years so many lives changed for the better, and relationships built that last a lifetime. With every challenge is a miracle getting ready to happen! (Cindy Miguel,Special Olympics Oregon Coach)
Help us reach one more athlete this holiday season by contributing a tax-deductable gift to Special Olympics Oregon. Volunteer this year with Special Olympics Oregon and help us continue to serve the largest disability population in the state.
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