EQ Leadership Toastmasters

05/05/2026

🎙️ Join Us This Wednesday! — EQ Leadership Toastmasters

📅 Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 7:00 PM Central Time
💻 Online via Zoom
🔗 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81248199472?pwd=AnndOhxTIhGmZACZ81v6vP1POqXyp1.1

🌟 This Week's Theme: "Perspective"

What is perspective? It's "the way a person understands, interprets, and makes meaning of a situation, shaped by their experiences, beliefs, role, emotions, and goals."

Or, put simply — perspective is where you're standing when you look at something.

Why does it matter?
✅ It explains why reasonable people disagree
✅ It builds empathy and understanding
✅ It improves decision-making and conflict resolution
✅ It reminds us that our view is not the only valid one

Think about a student who turns in homework late. The facts don't change — but how the student, teacher, classmate, and administrator each experience the situation is entirely different. When we look at this through an Emotional Intelligence lens, something interesting happens:

🔹 Self-Awareness — The teacher notices frustration; the student recognizes their stress or anxiety.
🔹 Empathy — The teacher seeks to understand why; the student reflects on how their actions affect others.
🔹 Emotional Regulation — Instead of reacting, both pause. The situation becomes a problem to solve, not a conflict to escalate.
🔹 Relationship Management — Boundaries are maintained while preserving mutual respect.

The result? A teachable moment — and a reminder that managing our emotions leads to better outcomes than reacting on autopilot.

At this week's meeting, we'll practice viewing situations from multiple perspectives and learn from each other to find a different place to stand.

Come ready to grow. 👟 New perspectives start here.

Send a message to learn more

01/08/2026

Have you considered what Nourishment has to do with Emotional Intelligence? That was the theme of our meeting last night. It was enlightening to hear the different ways our members and guests plan to nourish themselves and their EQ in 2026.

Feel free to inspire us with how you are or will be nourishing your EQ in the comments below...

Thank you Yuriy Ksenidi, our VP Education for this great introduction to the meeting: As defined in the dictionary nourishment is food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition. Examples are water, fruits and vegetables, protein, and whole grains. Together. these elements contribute to a person feeling their best. None of these elements alone will result in someone running a marathon or hiking a 5-mile-long trail. Likewise, focusing only on one element will likely not help a person meet a goal, such as decreasing body fat, remaining energetic throughout the day, or living a longer life. It is important to recognize the role each element plays in overall health and give attention to each one. For example, making a habit out of drinking at least 8 glasses of water can lead to better digestion, healthy blood pressure, and minimizing sugary drinks from one’s diet.

In the context of emotional intelligence, nourishment works similarly. If we want to become better at recognizing, managing, and using emotions, both our own and those of others, to reach the desired outcome, there are several elements involved. Here are examples of skills needed to build up our emotional intelligence and what we can do to nourish or increase them. The skills, then, become higher emotional intelligence others see in us. The outcome is fewer unhealthy conflicts, more understanding of each other and stronger relationships with those in our lives.

Practice Self-Awareness: foundation of emotional intelligence

Notice triggers: Pay attention to situations or people that evoke strong emotional reactions. Understanding what sets you off is the first step to managing your emotions constructively.
Build Empathy: ability to understand and share the feelings of others

Listen actively: Focus on truly hearing what others are saying without interrupting or judging. Use open-ended questions to encourage people to share more.
Develop Emotional Regulation: Managing your emotions in healthy ways is vital for emotional intelligence

Reframe negative thoughts: Challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and try to view situations from a more positive or neutral perspective.
Foster Positive Relationships: Strong relationships are both a result of and a catalyst for emotional intelligence

Offer support: Be available for others when they need encouragement or help.
Commit to Continuous Learning: emotional intelligence can be developed with consistent practice and learning.

Practice self-compassion: Recognize that growth takes time and be kind to yourself during setbacks or challenges.

Check out our website for more information: https://eqleadership.toastmastersclubs.org/

Consider participating in our next meeting on January 21st. Our meeting theme is, "Treat Yo' Self". Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81658799356?pwd=TkFnclJnVUcxTC9aQ0R0UExwK1Izdz09

EQ Leadership is a specialty Toastmasters club that focuses on emotional intelligence (EQ), health and wellness, and personal/professional development. Sponsored by the Center for Creative Learning.

11/27/2025

11/21/2025

What If People Were Actually Sad to Miss Your Meetings? 🌟
Imagine this: A meeting where people leave energized, not drained. Where they count down the days until the next one. Where missing it feels like missing out on something special.
Sound impossible? It's not.
At EQ Leadership Toastmasters, we've cracked the code on creating meetings people genuinely look forward to. Every session is a blend of growth, connection, and that rare thing most meetings lack—actual joy.
What Makes the Difference?
💬 "We love the energy of this club!" – Guest feedback says it all
🤝 A comfortable space to develop communication and leadership skills
✨ Positive, supportive people who genuinely lift each other up
🎯 World-class Toastmasters International training we practice together
Some members come to sharpen their public speaking. Others come to build leadership confidence. And some? They come simply for the camaraderie—because being around people who celebrate your wins and support your growth just feels good.
The Secret Ingredient
Great meetings don't happen by accident. They're built on:

Purpose: Everyone knows why they're there and what they'll gain
Connection: Real relationships, not just networking
Energy: Enthusiasm is contagious when the environment is right
Growth: People leave better than they arrived

This is what Toastmasters training brings to life at every meeting.

Ready to Experience It Yourself?
Whether you want to become a more confident speaker, a stronger leader, or simply be part of a community that uplifts you—you're invited.
Come see why our guests keep coming back.
Come see why our members actually miss the meetings they can't attend.
Visit us at EQ Leadership Toastmasters and discover what meetings can be when they're done right. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DBTewRKlR-2hyTceDoLpNA
Because life's too short for meetings that drain you. Join one that fills you up instead. ☀️

11/19/2025

Hello everyone,

Our meeting is TONIGHT Wednesday, November 19, at 7pm Central Time. We are meeting in person, at The Center for Creative Learning, 10919 W. Bluemound Rd., Suite #50, Wauwatosa, WI 53226. You can also join us online and here is the registration link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DBTewRKlR-2hyTceDoLpNA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The zoom meeting link will be the same for all future meetings. If, in the future, you cannot attend the meeting in person, you can join virtually.

Our theme is "Be Interested, Not Interesting." I asked Microsoft Copilot to give me a fun prompt for the difference between "interested" and "interesting". It gave me an answer that has to do with conversations we have every day. There are times when we listen to the other person and say little or nothing. There are other times when we say more than necessary, and the other person does not get a chance to say much. "Interested" means we are asking questions, learning, and connecting. On the other side is "interesting," sharing stories or opinions and making others laugh.

Often, the situation asks us to decide whether to be interesting or interested. it takes practice to recognize the right time for each. Both traits contribute to emotional intelligence and build strong interpersonal relationships.

At our meeting, let's practice being both interested and interesting. Perhaps through crafting a scene, for example, and trying to be both interested and interesting, we can better understand the value each one brings.

Yuriy

VP Education

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: EQ Leadership Toastmasters. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

11/11/2025

Did you know Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I in 1918?

Today, it honors all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on this history and its meaning.

10/02/2025

Happy 101st Birthday, Toastmasters! It's Toastmasters Month in Wisconsin!

09/11/2025

Please take a moment of silence and sadness, recall the events of 9/11/2001. May it be a reminder to offer prayers for peace for our planet. May you walk each day with peace in your heart, your thoughts, and your actions. - Patricia Clason, Founder, Healing Warrior Hearts

08/29/2025

The nonprofit is going through a digital transformation, spurred by the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the demands of an increasingly global enrollment.

08/20/2025

🌟 Improve Your Skills with Toastmasters 🌟
Come and share your dreams and help us leap into the final month of the first quarter of the Toastmasters year in style! Best yet, bring a friend who dreams about crushing their next presentation (or maybe a first date).
Join us tonight for our Toastmasters meeting focused on the Importance of Dreams
📅 When: Wednesday (TONIGHT), August 20, 2025
⏰ Time: 7-8 PM Central Time
📍 Where: Online via Zoom or in Person
Click this link to Zoom with us: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81658799356?pwd=TkFnclJnVUcxTC9aQ0R0UExwK1Izdz09
This session will also help you build confidence, enhance your public speaking skills, and develop emotional intelligence.
Don’t miss out on this chance to learn, grow, and connect with a welcoming community! 🙌 See you on Zoom! 💻 or comment to attend in person.
Find the complete agenda at https://eqleadership.toastmastersclubs.org/agenda-2289546.html

08/17/2025

Today is National Non-Profit Day https://nationaltoday.com/national-nonprofit-day/ Many non-profit employees receive pay that is less than similar jobs in for-profit organizations. There are millions of people who volunteer for non-profits to help make the world a better place.

We are sending GREAT GRATITUDE to them all for caring about others!

Be sure to say thank you to everyone you know who volunteers or works for a non-profit. They are our unsung heroes!!!

It’s time to celebrate the unsung heroes who fight for those who can’t!

07/28/2025

Loving this newsletter - https://newsletter.thedailywellness.com/p/caring-vs-carrying-c25c09275401ed2c?utm_source=newsletter.thedailywellness.com
The tools are great, its a quick daily read, and supports what we teach in our retreats!! Check out the feelings scale chart!! If you haven't already, consider joining us at a Taking It Lightly https://centerforcreativelearning.com/lightly.php or Healing Warrior Hearts retreat https://www.healingwarriorhearts.org
Looking forward to connecting with you! Patricia Clason, Founder

Discover why feeling drained after listening to loved ones shows your emotional cup is full, not that you don’t care...