Doreen Pendgracs Email & Phone Number

I am the author of "Chocolatour: A Quest for the World's Best Chocolate." Volume I won an international Readers Favorite book award in 2014. I am currently working on volume II. I travel the world in search of the best chocolate experiences and adventures. My work takes me to any destination that has a chocolate angle to promote, whether it is a chocolate festival, a chocolate spa, award-winning chocolate makers, the growing of cacao, cocoa cuisine, or any chocolate angle that catches my attention.

It was my dream to launch a Toastmasters club specifically for members of the local arts community in the Interlake region of Manitoba, Canada. It took one full year to acquire 20 members to become a fully chartered club of Toastmasters International, but we achieved that goal on September 25, 2013 and are working collectively to make our club stronger by attracting new members to the fold.

Chocolatour has evolved from the concept of a chocolate travel book to a series of chocolate travel books, a comprehensive website, an online Chocolatour Newspaper, chocolate articles, chocolate tasting events and chocolate-focused dinners, as well as chocolate group tours to various parts of the world. Full details of all at http://chocolatour.net.

This book is a guide for any current or prospective director on a non-profit or volunteer board. It provides advice and real-life examples from the author's own experience as well as the insights of 20 board veterans from across Canada.

I started this li-paper on July 12, 2011 and it is steadily gaining an audience. It is a forum for chocolate lovers, chocolate makers, and chocolate industry reps (including chocolate spas, chocolate festivals, chocolate hotels, chocolate competitions and events) to share info.Chocolatour News is a wonderful mechanism for me to promote my new book, "Chocolatour: A Quest for the World's Best Chocolate", and keeps me abreast of all new developments in the chocolate world.

I primarily write magazine articles about chocolate, travel and lifestyle, but am able to write about any topic put before me. I also take great photos and give writing workshops.

In August, 2019, I was elected national president of PWAC, Canada's premiere organization for freelance writers of every genre and skill set. It was my pleasure to previously serve as vice president and regional director for the Prairies and North region. As of April, 2020, PWAC has amalgamated with the Canadian Media Guild Freelance Branch to form the new Canadian Freelance Guild and we have now dissolved PWAC.

Effective, July 1, 2011, I took on the role of vice president, Membership for the Lord Selkirk Toastmasters Club. I served the previous year as the VPPR of the club. We are located in Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada. I joined this club in November, 2007 and was a charter member of the Prairie Voices Club in Oakbank, Manitoba before moving to Matlock.I was elected president of the Lord Selkirk Club in May/08, after having served as Vice President of Membership. Became past pres on July 1, 2009 and took on the role of VPPR effective July 1, 2010. It's a vibrant club with a diverse membership.

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ca

From July 1, 2010 until June 30th, 2011, I was responsible for publicizing events of District 64 Toastmasters, which encompasses all of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario, Canada. The focus during my term was on increasing District 64's online presence and launching our Twitter and Linked In accounts.District 64 is a Distinguished District in Region 4 of Toastmasters International.

As board members, we run the recreation program at the Matlock Community Hall and also host a blog at: http://matlockrecclub.blogspot.com/.I chose not to run for re-election in May, 2011 due to other commitments, but still maintain the blog for the MRC.

I was on the board of directors for six years and served in several capacities including Chair of the Communications and Membership Committee, and member of the Executive and IT committees.

I was Regional Director for the Prairies/North Region of this association for four years. I have taken this position on once again on an interim basis beginning December, 2016 until May, 2017.

Distinguished Toastmaster, Communication, Public Speaking, And Leadership

Creative Communications Program

Education record