Member Profiles (alphabetical order)

*Note: This is not a complete list of our members, just some of them!

Name: Akiyo
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Name: Andre
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Name: Aniruddha
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Name: Gareth
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Name: Harish
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Name: Heip
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Name: Janice
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Name: Kai
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Name: Lynette
What I do in the day: I'm an Optician and a Performance Coach
Hobbies: Reading, Walking, Health
When I joined Foster City Toastmasters: Feb 2006
Why I joined:To improve my speaking skills for a series of workshops that I'll be presenting with a team of 5 other Coaches to begin in July 2006
What I've learned:  it's exciting and rewarding and nerve racking all at the same time.  I've learned that it's of great assistance to speak of that which you know and are passionate about
What I like most about the Foster City club: The support, diversity and commoraderie. 

Name: Mike (President 2006-2007, VPPR 2005-2006, VPM, 2004-2005)
What I do in the day: I am an Electrical Engineer who works as an independent contractor writing software for various clients.
Hobbies: Exploring San Francisco, I love cities. Walking and taking care of my dog. Trying to add more to life than I take away.
When I joined Foster City Toastmasters: March, 2004
Why I joined: To develop and improve my public speaking skills for professional benefit and personal enjoyment. To identify the main points in a topic and present them in an orderly, clear, and concise manner. Because of the encouraging and positive support Toastmasters provides.
What I'm learning: How to speak better, write better, and listen better. That one can overcome those initial fears, doubts, anxieties about public speaking. That being with a group of people who are all learning the same thing makes it easier. That this is a very rewarding experience and there are more benefits than I could have ever imagined. That this can be a lot of fun.
What I like most about the Foster City club: It's a well run and friendly club where everyone feels welcome. I especially like Table Topics and the snacks.

Name: Ming-Li (just Ming is fine) (Treasurer)
What I do in the day: Software Engineer
Hobbies: traveling, doing cool stuff with my Zaurus and T616, playing guitar and piano, listening to OTR, playing PS2.
When I joined Foster City Toastmasters: January 2004
Why I joined: to overcome anxiety and to become a better speaker.
Things I have learned from being in Toastmasters: Seeing the other speakers perform provides inspiration for me to speak well. I have learned that even though I feel nervous during my speech, it is not that noticable to the audience, therefore I should not worry too much about it.
What I like most about the Foster City club: The people there are really supportive. The club consists of speakers of different skill levels. Even though I am just a beginner, I still feel comfortable.
Other comments: Joining Toastmasters is the best thing I can do to help myself.

Name: Murugesh
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Name: Pat
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Name: Raymond
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Name: Robert (2005-2006 Area H5 Governor, AC Bronze / AL Silver)
What I do in the day:  Working to grow a start-up company that I and a partner formed last year, including looking for investors.
Hobbies: Lots, where do I start?  Working out, racquetball, skiing, driving fast (and safely) on race tracks, photography, salsa dancing, making DVDs from videos I have recorded, and Toastmasters!
When I joined Foster City Toastmasters:  July 2005?
Why I joined:  Lost access to a company sponsored Toastmaster club due to job change.
What I've learned:  Learned to expand my comfort zone to include speaking and being in front of a group of people, small or large group.  Every opportunity to speak is like an opportunity to perform - "It's Showtime Folks!"
What I like most about the Foster City club:  Foster City Toastmasters club, being a community club that meets for two hours on the first and third Wednesday of every month, offers more time to relax, get together, and enjoy that day's program.  (My former company club met EVERY week for one hour; it is not as relaxing.)

Name: Sheldon 
What I do in the day: Sell eyeglass frames wholesale to optometrists & opticians
Hobbies: M&M's candy characters collector, dogs, art, museums and Toastmasters
When I joined Foster City Toastmasters: September 2004
Why I joined:  Just for fun, and cheap entertainment!
What I've learned:  Speak slower, listen more carefully, and make speeches fun and entertaining.
What I like most about the Foster City club: Quality of membership and leadership (officers)

Name: Soechgen

Name: Susan - President 2007 - 2008
What I do in the day: Project Manager
Hobbies: Bicycling, Martial Arts, Reading, Learning
When I joined Foster City Toastmasters: October, 2005
Why I joined: To begin the first phase of a career change. 
What I've learned: That speaking is like performing. That making yourself vulnerable by trying new things to reach your audience can be nerve-wracking and thrilling at the same time.  It's kind of like your own personal petrie dish... figuring our what does and doesn't work.
What I like most about the Foster City club:  Everyone in this group wants everyone in this group to be successful. It is a positive-spirited group and the varied backgrounds bring an incredible richness to the experience.

Name: Thomas C. H.
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Name: Thomas H.
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Name: Tolstoy
What I do in the day:  Account Manager with HP. Responsible for sales of  HP's technology/services to select corporate customers.
Hobbies: reading, travel
When I joined Foster City Toastmasters: April 2006
Why I joined: To be a more effective speaker, especially when addressing groups.
What I've learned: That non-verbal communications and being relaxed can make speeches so much more effective.
What I like most about the Foster City club: Timing and meeting format, diverse and friendly group.

Name: Vinod
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Name: Yukai
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