Interview Prep New York

Winterfat Writing Circle #2: Deconstructing Fate

An intuitive writing group for writers and readers to enter into their body and re-imagine their self-experience. Winterfat Writing Circle is a subset of [Winterfat Presse](https://winterfatpresse.blogspot.com/ "https://winterfatpresse.blogspot.com/"). Our goal is to create spaces where writers and readers can enter into their body and re-imagine their self-experience, particularly through dissident ethics our editorial team draws from authors like Audre Lorde, Gwendolyn Brooks, and June Jordan. **This writing circle's theme is: 'Deconstructing Fate,' based on the above June Jordan poem,** *I Must Become a Menace to My Enemies*. Each writing circle uses the same format, but addresses a different theme. We begin with brief introductions, and then collectively read a relevant piece of writing to the prompt, which our team crafts uniquely for each group. We review and discuss the prompt, then have individual writing time. This is followed by an optional open mic and shared reflection portion. Please bring a writing utensil, paper, and an open mind. The event will last around two hours, and includes sharing at the end. **We will meet in the side room at Fiction.** * **THERE IS NO ATTENDANCE LIMIT BUT MEETUP DOES NOT ALLOW US TO LIST MORE AVAILABLE SPACES. YOU CAN JUST SHOW UP!** If you have any questions, please contact [winterfatpresse@gmail.com.](http://winterfatpresse@gmail.com.*)

*In Person* Practice and improve your public speaking skills!

Note - we are on the 5th floor for this meeting. New location! Meeting at Berkeley College, 3 E. 43 St. in room 502. We are moving the start up up a bit to avoid running up against the building close time (21:00) and potentially allow for more socializing. We are one of few Toastmasters clubs in NYC offering in-person meetings and we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity for in-person communication and networking. Interested in improving your public speaking skills? Want to meet new people and engage in interesting discussions? Hoping to make new business and life connections? If so we welcome you to attend the next Greenspeakers meeting. Greenspeakers is a Toastmasters club that was founded by Green Party members to provide a forum for engaged progressive activists and professionals to improve their public speaking skills. Guests of all political persuasions are welcome and we have no official connection to any political party. All attendees will have a chance to practice public speaking and will learn helpful tricks to become a more confident public speaker and communicator. Hope to see you there! Please note that our meetings require active listening and it's expected all in attendance will be respectful to each speaker by giving them your attention and refrain from making noise during speaking roles. Any who are disruptive or do not follow the behavioral guidelines of Toastmasters may be asked not to return.

Paint In Central Park - A Bucket List Event

Get tickets at: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/878650696887](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/878650696887) You're invited to this fun, creative, social, and fun event! We will be painting in Central Park under the guidance of a master artist! Please bring something to sit on (towel is fine). IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICKING THE "RSVP AND PAY ORGANIZER DIRECTLY BUTTON" ON MEETUP DOES NOT GET YOU A TICKET/SPOT. YOU HAVE TO CLICK THE LINK TO THE EVENTBRITE PAGE AND PURCHASE A TICKET THERE. PRICE GOES UP AS EVENT TIME APPROACHES AND MAY SELL OUT SO GET YOUR TICKET ON EVENTBRITE ASAP. Included: a pre-sketched canvas, unlimited painting materials (brushes, acrylic paints etc.) and a take home bag. We do not give out smocks so please dress appropriately. Come on out, make new friends and paint a great canvas under the guidance of a master artist! Bring your own food and/or wine or whatever cocktails you'd like. This is a BYOB so bring your drinks & snacks - have yourself a picnic while getting instruction for painting! If you are bringing certain types of "drinks", please be discreet in Central Park 🙂 *DIRECTIONS TO FIND THE GROUP:* *We are located in a cul-de-sac at PINETUM EAST. We will be behind this row of benches (right under the trees). If you are coming from the east side you can find us by entering Central Park on East 84th street. Walk up the ramp, cross over the road and head west. If you are traveling from the west side we are east of the basketball courts. We will email you with more precise instructions after you sign up.* What to expect: • Step-by-step, group-oriented painting instruction, which is designed to simultaneously entertain and enlighten our members. • We'll have a professional artist guide you through a featured painting that is yours to keep and proudly display. And don’t worry — no experience is necessary. • 2 hour course lead that teaches you the art of mixing colors, blending and painting techniques. • All supplies provided - 12x16 pre-sketched canvas, unlimited acrylic paint (water based), brushes, and aprons. This is going to be a fun time!!!!!! FAQs: What if it rains? We will email attendees a rain date. How many are attending? Up to 20 people. Can I still attend If I don't know how to paint? Yes, there's no experience necessary. Can I come alone? Yes, about 80% come on their own. Is this age specific? No, all are welcome. THIS IS A MULTI-MEETUP GROUP EVENT. 15 OTHER GROUPS HAVE ALSO BEEN INVITED SO WE'LL BE SURE TO HAVE A GOOD SIZE TURNOUT. THE RSVP LIST ON MEETUP REFLECTS ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF ATTENDEES. ***\*\*\*\* SEE MORE UPCOMING NYC AREA EVENTS AT [WWW.FRIENDZYEVENTS.COM](http://www.friendzyevents.com) \*\*\*\**** Get tickets at: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/878650696887](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/878650696887)

Improve Your Public Speaking Skills — Columbia University Toastmasters

The Venture Garden, Jersey City (Entrepreneurs Welcome!)

Build ideas. Share tea. Turn conversations into real businesses. Join us every other week in Jersey City for a relaxed but intentional gathering of entrepreneurs, builders, and curious minds. This is not a pitch event. This is not a lecture. This is a space to think, connect, and actually move forward. We bring together people who are: * Starting or growing a business * Exploring new ideas or income streams * Looking to connect with other serious, thoughtful builders * Interested in tea, wellness, and intentional living Over tea, we create space for: * Real conversations about business and life * Sharing ideas, challenges, and opportunities * Meeting potential collaborators, partners, and friends * Gaining clarity on your next step What to Expect Each session is lightly structured: 1\. Welcome \+ Tea \(10–15 min\) Settle in, pour tea, meet the group 2\. Introductions \(15–20 min\) Who you are, what you're building (or thinking about), and what you need 3\. Open Discussion/Brainstorm \(30–45 min\) What's working & what's not Pricing and positioning Finding customers Turning ideas into action 4\. Connections \+ Next Steps \(15–20 min\) Connect, exchange info, and identify opportunities to collaborate Who This Is For Early-stage founders. Side hustlers. Creatives and operators. People serious about building something real. Anyone who values thoughtful conversation and community A Note on the Community This meetup is the foundation of a growing local network supporting entrepreneurship in Jersey City. For those who want to go deeper, there are opportunities to: * Join smaller working groups * Get hands-on support building your business * Access a broader venture support network * No pressure—just come, connect, and see where it leads. What to Bring: An idea, a business, or just curiosity. A willingness to share and listen. Come for the tea. Stay for the ideas. Leave with momentum.

Public Speaking Workshop: Hands-on Training for Professionals

### Overview Stop just **talking** about soft skills and start **doing** them! This fun, activity-based workshop focuses on practical skills for assertive communication, active listening, negotiation, and navigating the social landscape of the modern workplace. Ideal for engineers, product managers, and other tech professionals. ### Details Join a lively, hands-on communication workshop designed for software engineers, product managers, and other tech professionals who want to build real-time communication fluency and confidence in a low-pressure setting. ### What this event is This is a peer-to-peer, activity-based learning night where you won't just *hear* about best practices—you will immediately *practice* them in a variety of fast-paced games and guided role-playing scenarios. The focus is on building confidence, developing muscle memory for tough conversations, and supporting each other as a community while having a good time. ### How it works You will participate in a rotating series of structured, interactive activities focused on key workplace communication challenges. You will work in pairs and small groups, taking turns as the 'communicator' and the 'listener/feedback giver' in short, focused rounds. **We will be playing games and running scenarios to practice:** * **Assertive Communication:** Expressing ideas clearly and standing up for yourself without being aggressive. * **Active Listening:** Understanding and responding effectively to a colleague's needs or concerns. * **Negotiation & Compromise:** Finding mutually beneficial solutions in decision-making and project debates. * **Workplace Navigation:** Handling office politics, giving constructive feedback, and advocating for your team/ideas. After each activity, you and your partners will give each other specific, actionable feedback to help refine your technique, clarity, and overall presence. ### Who should attend This workshop is ideal for: * **Engineers and Technical Experts** who want to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling workplace communication. * **Product Managers and Tech Leads** needing to improve negotiation and difficult conversation skills. * **Professionals** feeling out of practice or intimidated by presenting, advocating, or workplace dynamics. All experience levels are welcome; the only requirement is a willingness to practice, give feedback, and treat others with respect. **This is a workshop for developing skills, not a lecture.** ### About the facilitator (Nick Cernek) The session will be facilitated by Nick Cernek, a seasoned **Tech Lead and Manager** who has successfully led high-performing engineering teams. Nick’s experience is rooted in understanding how to move projects forward and secure resources by **effectively navigating the political and social realities of a large organization.** Nick will share proven strategies for managing challenging stakeholders, advocating for team needs, and using **strategic communication** to drive professional and organizational success. ### Vibe and expectations Expect a **highly interactive, lighthearted, and encouraging atmosphere** where making mistakes is the best way to learn and feedback is always constructive. The goal is to walk away with more confidence, a toolkit of practical communication strategies, and the muscle memory to use them when it counts—while meeting other local tech folks working to enhance their soft skills.

Venture Garden for Entrepreneurs

A biweekly gathering in Jersey City where founders, creatives, and operators connect over tea to share ideas, solve problems, and turn conversations into real businesses.

PRACTICE PUBLIC SPEAKING - Hybrid Meeting

**🎤**🌟 **Speak Up, Stand Out: Conquer Your Fear with Us!** 💪**🎤** Are you ready to kick those public speaking jitters to the curb? Join us at Graybar Toastmasters for an interactive meeting designed to improve your public speaking and leadership skills. We offer a safe and supportive space to: ✨ Boost your confidence ✨ Improve your communication skills ✨ Manage social anxiety ✨ Deliver impactful presentations with ease ✨ Ace your next interview With help from our members, you'll unlock your full potential and become a skilled and confident communicator. It's also a great way to practice your English and network with a dynamic and diverse group of professionals. The Graybar Toastmasters family is here to support you every step of the way on your journey to become a confident public speaker, and the leader you were meant to be. See you there!

recurring event

recurring event

Master the Art of Public Speaking & Leadership while having fun!

Bergen Toastmasters has been active for more than 25 years. With over 25 members, there is a solid base of experienced speakers and new members joining each month. You can also network with fellow communicators and leaders at regional Toastmasters conferences and training events. Stop by and join one of our meetings, We'd love to meet you and have you as a guest! Please give us your email in the comments so we can contact you. Thank you.

Friday Improv Jam 6:30-8:30pm ($10)

**Improv NOW! Jam: A Performance-Driven Lab** Ready for a night of unscripted discovery? Join us for the Improv NOW! Jam—an electric, collaborative performance space where improvisers and audience members alike come together to create something brand new. **This is a performance-driven event.** We are a community of performers taking risks, developing characters, and crafting stories in real-time. Whether you are hitting the stage to sharpen your instincts or sitting in the audience to enjoy the magic, you are an essential part of the night. **The Experience** We keep the format fluid to match the energy in the room, creating a fast-paced and engaging experience: * **The Scenework Hour:** We dive into grounded scenes. Expect everything from tight, 2-person beats to larger group dynamics that explore relationships and comedic character work. * **The Ensemble Hour:** We shift into longer, collaborative sets. We work together as an ensemble to weave characters and situations into cohesive, story-driven comedy. **Who Should Come?** * **Performers:** If you want to practice your craft, take risks, and perform for a live, supportive crowd, this is your lab. * **Audience:** If you love live, unscripted comedy, come watch the magic unfold! If you feel inspired, you're welcome to switch roles at any time. **Details** * **Time:** 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM * **Cost:** $10. Please pre-arrange electronic payment (Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, CashApp) with the host or handle it on-site when you arrive. * **The Vibe:** We play to the height of our intelligence. We bring the focus and intensity of a show to an intimate, supportive environment. **After the Jam:** For anyone interested in hanging out afterward, we’ll meet downstairs on the sidewalk right outside the venue. Feel free to stick around and socialize with the group! **Questions?** Reach us at [nycimprovnow@gmail.com](http://nycimprovnow@gmail.com%2A%2A/) *Note: Photos may be taken for promotional purposes.*

The Friday Improv Jam ($10 IN PERSON)

At this improv jam, ALL who show up are welcome to take the stage and perform improv... or you can watch in a fun and supportive environment! The jam will consist of 2-person scenes, group scenes, and either short sets as a group or a fun game to end the jam. You'll have a chance to randomly play with different people and even some veteran improvisers! Participate as much or as little as you would like. Or simply come and watch! If you're think you're ready, you're ready! All scenes will be inspired by a suggestion of a random word from the audience. There is a improv show afterwards from 730-830pm that's free for those who attend this event. This event is hosted by the Improv NOW meetup group and to participate you must RSVP there. The site is at: [https://www.meetup.com/improvnow](https://www.meetup.com/improvnow) for the details of this event, and also other improv events!