Dr. Violet Cuffy leads Making Connection Round Table Show

Dominican Rotarians and Toastmasters Team Up to establish "International Orators" (Professional Leaders) Toastmaster organisation (with online attendance) and The Making Connections Round Table Show.

This initiative is in direct response to an agreement to form a strategic alliance between the two international organisations. According to Lark Doley, 2018-19 International President of Toastmasters, "The unique missions of Rotary and Toastmasters contribute to a beneficial partnership. Rotary International is a global organization that brings together (over 1.2 million) business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world; [while] Toastmasters International empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders through personal and professional growth." In the words of Mark Daniel Maloney International Rotary President (2019-20), "Our greatest asset is our ability to unit people and create lasting change, aligning with Toastmasters; I am excited about the new opportunities our members will have to make connections locally and learn new skills".

Establishing a new Toastmaster/Rotary Alliance "The Making Connections Round Table Show", the brainchild of Dr Violet Cuffy was launched on Saturday June 27th, between Luton Someries Rotary Club and the International Orators in response to COVID-19. The Live Show is structured around a series of six episodes with each series centred on a core theme. Series 1 is developed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first of a series of six shows which was held virtually via Zoom and broadcast through YouTube and Facebook platforms focused on Frontline Health Carers. According to the show's host Dr Cuffy, a Distinguished Toastmaster and Rotarian, a key highlight of the inaugural show was recognition of Maria Collins of Home Instead Senior Care, recently awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship, the prestigious Rotary International award for exceptional community service.

The newly chartered organisation, International Orators, the Toastmaster partner in this innovative collaboration boasts of an international membership including several Dominican professionals both at home and from the diaspora. The charter Executive committee are:

President - Dr Violet Cuffy, Distinguished Toastmaster

Rotarian, Luton Someries (Dominican - UK based)

Immediate Past President, Cornerstone Communicators

Area Director 32 District 71, Division H (2019-20)

Senior lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire