Sub & Surface Toastmasters Reaches 65 Years of Shaping Lives

by Navy Yard Philadelphia
June 5, 2024

Categories: Community, Events,

A celebratory meeting will be held to mark the club’s anniversary on June 12

Sub & Surface Toastmasters will mark its 65th anniversary on June 12, announced the club’s President, Grisel Velazquez.

In honor of the occasion, a celebratory meeting will be held that day at the Chapel of Four Chaplains (1201 Constitution Ave). Members of the public are invited to learn more about Toastmasters or may attend the event by contacting the club’s Vice President of Public Relations, Sue Kralle. Since 1959, the club has been dedicated to helping people become better speakers and leaders.

“Sub & Surface Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to overcome their fear of public speaking and sharpen their presentation skills,” Velazquez said. “Other benefits include the opportunity to increase one’s confidence, build critical thinking skills, and become an effective listener.”

Additional current club officers include Vice President of Education Emmie Huff, Vice President of Membership Margaret A. Kenyon, Vice President of Public Relations Sue Kralle, Treasurer Brigid Falasca, Secretary Tracy Nguyen, and Sergeant-at-Arms Thea Chrupcala.

The Sub & Surface Club continues to grow with new members joining in recent past months, enhancing their public speaking skills almost immediately.

“I was on a trip last week for a meeting and was reminded of why I joined Toastmasters. It is critically important that I develop these speaking skills and get comfortable being in front of people,” said Josh Lipson, one of the club’s newest members on his reason and benefits of joining the club. 

On the other hand, the club’s longest serving member is Toastmaster Jeff Craighead with a 44-year relationship with Sub & Surface. Seasoned Toastmaster Craighead shares his wisdom in public speaking with newer Toastmasters during each meeting.   

Chartered in 1959, Toastmasters Sub & Surface club is located in Toastmasters District 38. The club meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Building 100 Innovation Center, Suite 200, Impact Room. For more information about the club, please visit 2886.toastmastersclubs.org.

About District 38

District 38 comprises more than 135 corporate and community clubs in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern and Central New Jersey. To learn more about District 38 please visit: tmdistrict38.org/

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person. In a supportive community or corporate environment, members prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback. It is through this regular practice that members are empowered to meet personal and professional communication goals. Founded in 1924, the organization is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado with approximately 270,000 members in more than 14,200 clubs in 148 countries. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters on X.