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Michael, along with his wife Bette, joined American Express Toastmasters in August, 2003. Six months later he received his CTM and entered his first speech competition. Michael won his Club, Area and Division contests, and was one of ten competitors on stage at the 2004 District 46 International Speech Competition. Two years later he entered his club contest again, and again made the finals, appearing as a 2006 District 46 finalist in the International Speech Competition.
In July, 2004, Michael started along the leadership track when he became president of American Express Toastmasters, receiving the gavel from outgoing president, and future District 46 Governor, Bibi Haddad. Bibi inspired the club to achieve, and they had, with a President’s Distinguished Award. Michael had a hard act to follow, but the membership came through and again achieved President’s Distinguished. The following year, with DiAnne Arbour as president and Michael as VP Education, the club met ten of ten DCP goals, and again was awarded President’s Distinguished.
In additional to his other club duties, Michael served alongside Bette as co-editor of Express, the American Express Club’s newsletter. Bette was the club’s VP-PR 2004-2006, and designed Express from scratch in her first term in office. Express won First Place in the 2004-2005 District 46 Newsletter Contest and the Grand Prize in the 2005-2006 District Contest. Michael and Bette also teamed up as the program designers and production team for four District 46 Conference Programs: Fall 2005, Spring 2006, Fall 2006, and Spring 2007. Michael and Bette brought the program up to the level of professionalism it deserved, and Bette’s original design continued to be used at the two succeeding District Conferences.
Michael delivered educational presentations at three District Conferences, with two workshops focused on teaching the differences in communication between men and women and another on newsletter design. The source of information behind the gender difference sessions comes from the work Michael and Bette have done with PAX Programs. They are currently completing their second year of training as workshop leaders, and lead a weekend workshop for women entitled Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women. More information is available at www.InSyncWithOppositeSex.com.
Michael served as 2007-2008 Area 44 Governor, working with AXA-Equitable Toastmasters, Genesis Toastmasters, Metro New York Club, and the newly formed, M5. Because of the hard work of his clubs, Area 44 achieved Distinguished.
As District Governor Bibi Haddad’s Webmaster, Michael created a totally new District 46 website in July, 2006. He continued as District Webmaster under Radhi Spear during 2007-2008. On July 1, 2008, Michael unveiled a pair of second-generation website designs for the newly created District 83 and for District 46.
Michael and Bette continue to team up on a daily basis, working together in Bette’s graphic design and marketing business. Michael serves as copywriter, photographer and photo-editor, marketing advisor, production supervisor, and web programmer. Their work can be viewed at www.CowlesGraphicDesign.com. |
District Leadership 
