Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Toastmasters Mainline President, Phillip Hagerty and Officer PJ Cline, discussed how the international organization helps people gain confidence and become better communicators.  Founded by Ralph Smedley in 1924 to assist troubled youth in gaining self-confidence by public speaking, Toastmasters, a non-profit, community-based, volunteer organization, is now found in 143 countries, with nearly 17,000 chapters and over half-a-million members. Famous members included talk host Chris Matthews, astronaut James Lovell and Leonard Nimoy.

Toastmasters tackles the number one fear of most people, the fear of speaking in public and provides tools and tricks to bolster self-confidence and ability.  PJ described building a talk like a sandwich, repeating the question or topic – for clarity and time – at the beginning and repeating as a summation at the end, then using the content you’re conveying as the ‘meat’ of the speech.  She noted that Toastmasters can help with vocal speech tics and unnecessary hand gestures, using them instead for emphasis or to make a point.  Phil and PJ encouraged anyone who needs to work on their presentation skills, build self-confidence and leadership try Toastmaster, it provides a safe, supportive, and fun environment to practice and improve public speaking skills.  It is also good for non-native speakers to polish their language skills and learn local speech and mannerisms.  Toastmesters embraces diversity, anyone, from any background, young and old are welcome to attend.   Membership fees are considerably less than a public speaking course, about $100 a year, and are offered at various times and locations.   A typical meeting allows for everyone to speak in a variety of formats such as impromptu or prepared speeches, and members gain leadership skills by emceeing the meetings and being a mentor. For business professionals Phil especially recommended Pathways, an organized step-by-step path allowing members to discover their strengths and weaknesses and proceed at their own pace.

Meetings are typically held twice-per-month at a location decided by the chapter members, some are maintained by corporations as a professional development resource, some are hosted by religious groups, others by colleges.  Whether the group meets in a board room or a local tavern, Phil and PJ say it’s a great opportunity to learn about other’s interests and to network.  They recommend visiting a meetings to see if the chapter is good fit for you.

Find a chapter that fits your personality and location at toastmasters.org

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Kim Andrews, Executive Director of the Japan America Society discussed the groups programming supporting cultural, educational and economic relations between Japan and the US.  

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Dr. John Swanson, Chief of Transplantation Surgery at ChristianaCare discussed kidney health, the National Kidney Foundation and their big fundraiser, the Wilmington Kidney Walk, October 27 at the Delaware Riverfront.  We began with a discussion of the role a healthy kidney plays in overall good health, regulating fluids and removing salts, proteins and calcium impacting our blood pressure and other systems.   He told us the best way to protect our kidney health is to maintain a good weight, exercise, treat any underlying conditions as your doctor prescribes and drink two liters of fluid per day.  Next he described what can go wrong, including diabetes, chronic heart disease, hypertension and autoimmune disease, as well as congenital defects and family-passed disease such as polycystitus, and the symptoms that present, including weight gain, swelling and higher blood pressure.   He recommended to start seeing an endocrinologist for diabetes management to prevent further damage and to discuss future kidney disease treatment options – dialysis and transplant – as soon as possible with your doctor.  He noted that the rules have changed, time spent on dialysis applies to wait time on the transplant list, decisions can be delayed.  Dr. Swanson talked about his program at ChistianaCare and the types of transplants they perform – describing the kidney transplant process.  Noting that a living donor transplant has a better chance of success over a cadaver, he encouraged anyone considering becoming a donor to reach out to christianacare.org.   He spoke of ‘chain’ donation, where someone gives to a stranger, whose family or friends donate to another, until as many 16 or more transplants have taken place.

We discussed the work of the National Kidney Foundation, they fund research, education and advocacy for health care and coverage for kidney diseases.  They offer support and referrals through kidney.org.  Their biggest fundraiser, the Kidney Walk takes place in cities all across the country, for the location nearest you visit kidneywalk.org.

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Anne John, President of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, discussed the services the organization offers to its attorney members and the general public.  She described it mission, including to advance the science of jurisprudence, to see that no one is denied justice on account of poverty, that no one is denied their legal rights, to promote a thorough legal education and to promote diversity and cordial intercourse within the profession.  The bar, while not mandatory, is a valuable resource to attorneys, she referred to it as 'your other partner' as it offers a management coordinator, payment and records management software, human resources support and more.  There is also career counseling and a job bank.  The PBA offers a CLE Leadership Institute for continuing education and oversees the required ethics education; they offer an 'ethics hotline' and will also give non-binding opinion on ethical issues facing an attorney.  Toward ensuring a strong legal education it hosts opportunities for law students to work with the public in legal clinics, as well as moot court competitions for high school students.

The PBA is also the advocacy arm of the profession, offering opinions on the legal ramifications of legislation.  They work with lawmakers on new legislation and give PBA's positions on issues before the General Assembly.

To the public, the PBA works not just through pro bono cases and lawyer referral services, but also with programs such as 'My Clean Slate,' a state program that can erase a prior criminal record, including some first degree misdemeanors, and even second and third degree convictions after years of subsequent charges.  The 'Clean Slate' allows the recipient a better chance at jobs and housing.  She notes that the prior record is still available to law enforcement as needed. The PBA is also involved with reform in incarceration and parole supervision.  For veterans, Ms John spoke about the PBA's Legal Needs Clinics for veterans and others, they also work to help first responders and military obtain wills.  Ms John recommended the PBA's pamphlet series, consumer information pieces on a variety of topics, including material for grandparents charged with raising young grandchildren, she notes that the legislature has made changes to custody.

Finally, a discussion of the PBA Judicial Evaluation Commission, an independent review board that serves to inform the public of the qualifications and merits of judicial candidates.  After a brief overview of the judicial system that explained the importance of the Superior Court, Ms John explained how the commission interviews candidates and rates them based on their education, writing skills, tempemaent and fitness for the bench, candidates voluntarily appear before the commission and are rated Highly Recommended, Recommended and Not Recommended. Candidates who do not appear receive a rating of Not Recommended for Failure to Participate, it is not a judgement of their qualifications.

To learn more about the PBA, request legal information pamphlets, get a lawyer referral, info on Wills for Heroes or a schedule of the veteran's legal clinics, visit PABAR.ORG.

To review the PBA's recommendations for upcoming elections go to PAVOTESMART.COM.  For more information about sealing criminal records go to MYCLEANSLATEPA.COM.

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Nick McAllister, Executive Director of the Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery and West Laurel Hill Cemetery, discussed Laurel Hill, the second rural cemetery and first cemetery to receive National Landmark status. Overlooking the Schuylkill River the cemetery was founded in 1836 as a final resting place to famous - and not so famous Philadelphians, and a arboretum retreat.   He discussed its founding by John Jay Smith, then four miles outside of the city, and its goals of recognizing the accomplishments of its great men and women, and by default, the history of the city.  He discussed Victorian attitudes toward death and the notables found there with their magnificent memorials and then the slow decline of the cemetery's fortunes as attitudes changed and the city, and Fairmount Park, enclosed it.  
We talked about the Friends founding in 1978 and their efforts to restore the 85 acres to their former glory.  Nick told us of the many events held there each year.  Tours, concerts, circuses and dramas are offered to raise funds for restoration.  Tickets are now available for the annual Gravediggers Ball coming October 18.  The black tie/costume ball will be held this year at the Mutter Museum.  
We talked about the 11th annual REST IN PEACE 5k, October 5th, a timed, costume optional run through the cemetery.  Register now at rip5k.org/
Today visitors are invited to walk, bike or walk dogs through the grounds.  A downloadable app is available to create your own tour or you can get info and a map at the gatehouse.  The cemetery is open every day.   For more information about the cemetery and its residents visit thelaurelhillcemetery.org.   You can also learn about Friend memberships that include members-only events and tour and gift shop discounts.  

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