Palo Alto Early Risers Toastmasters Club 2117

Big congratulations to our Early Risers Toastmasters Club contest winners!

🏆 Galen Hancock – 1st Place, Tall Tales Contest
🏆 John McGowan – 1st Place, International Speech Contest

Both delivered outstanding performances and represented the spirit of our club with skill, preparation, and confidence. These contests take real courage — stepping up, competing, and delivering under pressure is no small thing.

Well done, Galen and John. We’re proud of you and excited to see you move forward to the next level!

Early Risers will hold a speech contest at our regular meeting on February 10th. It’s an opportunity to take your speaking to a higher level. The winners in the two categories of speeches will compete against winners from other clubs in District 4’s Area 1 on February 21.

There are two categories you can compete in: International and Tall Tales.

Tall Tale speeches are 3 to 5 minutes long and must be at least two minutes and 30 seconds long. These speeches must be a creative, highly exaggerated, improbable story often using humor and props.

International contest speeches are 5 to 7 minutes long and can be on any topic of the contestant's choosing. International contestants must have completed any Pathways Level One and Level Two in order to be eligible. Winners in this category can advance ultimately to the World Championship competition, which will be held in Vancouver, B.C.

Please join us to advance your speech to the next level!

We're thrilled to welcome three inspiring new members to Early Risers Toastmasters! Malcolm is an accomplished attorney. Chris, a postdoc at Stanford, and Adrienne, a Stanford student, bring academic insight and curiosity to the mic.

All three join us with a shared goal: to become more confident communicators and dynamic public speakers.

At Early Risers, we're proud to support people from all walks of life in a welcoming, diverse community. Whether you're a student, a professional, or anywhere in between, there's a seat for you at our 6:30 am Tuesday meetings (yes, we really are early risers ☀️).

Welcome, Malcolm, Chris, and Adrienne — we're so glad you're here!

Another fun-filled morning with the Early Risers Toastmasters!

This week’s theme was “Under the Same Full Moon,” and we had 20 enthusiastic attendees, 3 curious guests, and one charming Table Topics Master dressed as an English gentleman 🎩 - a classy nod to the theme!

Looking to start your Tuesdays with inspiration, laughter, and a spark of creativity? Come join us - everyone’s welcome!

📍 Tuesday mornings | 6:30–8:00 AM
📍 Unity Palo Alto, 3391 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306
💻 In-person & online hybrid

🏆 It’s Official! 🏆

The Early Risers Toastmasters Club has once again earned the President’s Distinguished Club Award for the 2024–2025 Toastmasters year — our 14th consecutive win since 2012! 🎉

This remarkable streak reflects our club’s ongoing commitment to excellence in communication and leadership.

Whether you're a seasoned speaker or just starting your journey, Early Risers offers a warm, energizing space to grow, learn, and thrive. Join us any Tuesday morning from 6:30–8:00 AM — in person or online — and experience the momentum that sets us apart.

📍 Unity Palo Alto, 3391 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306
💻 Hybrid meetings available — contact us to join online (https://toastmasters2117.toastmastersclubs.org/)!

Come for the coffee, stay for the transformation!

🎉 Happy 67th Anniversary to Early Risers Toastmasters! 🎉

Founded in 1958, Early Risers is one of the oldest and most vibrant Toastmasters clubs in the Bay Area. For 67 years, we've supported each other in becoming confident communicators and inspiring leaders — all before 8 a.m. every Tuesday! 🌅✨

From the heart of Silicon Valley, we've welcomed professionals, students, and lifelong learners from all walks of life. Our hybrid meetings (in-person and online) make it easier than ever to join our fun, fast-paced, and supportive community.

Whether you’re striving for personal growth, professional excellence, or just looking for a friendly place to start your Tuesdays — we’ve got a seat for you.

📍 Where: Unity Palo Alto, 3391 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306 & Online
🕡 When: Tuesdays | 6:30 – 8:00 a.m.

Come celebrate our journey — and maybe start your own.
Learn more at https://toastmasters2117.toastmastersclubs.org/.

🎉 Please join us in giving a warm welcome to the newest members of Early Risers Toastmasters: Richard, Twain, and Imju! 🎉

We’re thrilled to have these passionate communicators join our vibrant community of early birds who are committed to growing their speaking and leadership skills.

Welcome aboard, Richard, Twain, and Imju — we can’t wait to hear your voices and see your journey unfold!

We’ve Moved!
Early Risers Toastmasters now meets at 3391 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306 (Unity Palo Alto) every Tuesday morning.

Our meetings are hybrid – join us in person or online and kickstart your day with inspiration, learning, and fun!

📅 When: Tuesdays, 6:30 am – 8:00 am
📍 Where: Unity Palo Alto, 3391 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA
💻 Online option available – contact us for details.

For more information, visit our website at https://toastmasters2117.toastmastersclubs.org/.

🎉 Welcome to our newest Early Risers Toastmasters members – John Smith and Yuhui Chen! 🎉

We're thrilled to have you both join our dynamic and supportive community, where communicators and leaders grow stronger every Tuesday morning. With your addition, we've now welcomed 9 new members in the 2024-2025 Toastmasters year – a milestone that helped us achieve all 10 goals for this year's President's Distinguished Club award! 🏆

Early Risers has been a part of the Bay Area since 1958, and we’re proud to keep building on this legacy with passionate, purpose-driven members like you.

Here’s to a year of growth, connection, and early-morning inspiration!

https://dashboards.toastmasters.org/ClubReport.aspx?id=00002117&_=2EnxPv

We’re Proud to Announce…
Early Risers Toastmasters just received a “Far Exceeds Expectations” rating in every category during our latest Area Director visit!

From warm guest welcomes and creative, well-run meetings to a dynamic educational program and strong member support, our club continues to shine. We’ve already achieved President’s Distinguished status—and we’re not slowing down.

Thank you to Joy Feng, DTM, District 4 Program Quality Director, for the thoughtful and encouraging report!

Come see what makes us special! Join us any Tuesday morning at 6:30 AM, online or in person in Palo Alto.

Let’s rise early, speak boldly, and grow together!

🎉 Big congratulations to two of our amazing Early Risers Toastmasters members on their recent achievements! 🎉

👏 Pete has officially leveled up and is diving into Level 3 of the Persuasive Influence pathway. Pete’s journey through Toastmasters continues to inspire with his thoughtful speeches and compelling delivery. Can’t wait to see what he tackles next!

👏 And a huge shoutout to Galen for completing the entire Visionary Communication pathway! Finishing a full pathway is a major milestone that reflects commitment, growth, and a lot of early mornings. What an incredible achievement!

At Early Risers Toastmasters, we celebrate wins big and small - together. If you're looking to grow your communication and leadership skills in a supportive and fun environment (with coffee in hand by 6:30 a.m.!), come visit us!