January 2018 Newsletter
In this issue…
- Right out of the gate, D35 is far down its Pathway!
- Reserve your place – REGISTER!
- Celebrate accomplishments by sharing
- Step up your web, newsletter and PR game! it’s ON!
- Far healthier than a lot of 65 year olds: Waukesha Celebrates an Anniversary
- Get Social with D35!
- Check out some great Toastmasters reflections and FREE PRESENTS!
Pathways Progress and Upcoming Virtual Support Sessions
It’s never too soon to express appreciation! Thank you to all the members, officers, and clubs in District 35 for allowing our team of Pathways Guides and Ambassadors to schedule – and present – the required “Pathways Learning Experience”. Our goal is to complete as many club visits as possible by January 31st with the anticipated launch of Pathways in February 2018.
There are 16 districts in Regions 3 and 5. Because of your support, District 35 is leading the way in scheduled visits (as indicated by the burgundy bar in the dashboard). As our team delivers the presentation and distributes the Navigator Kit, we’ll see a significant increase in club visits completed (indicated by the gray bar). Our goal is to visit every club our district!
- Open the link: https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/klshine9
- Dial in: 1-515-739-1276, access code: 795029.
- Optional: submit questions at least one day in advance to KLshine@yahoo.com
Regstration is open!
Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? District 35 Winter Toastmasters Leadership Institute (“TLI”) is the jump start to get you on your way! The keynote speaker is Gary Schmidt, DTM, former International President of Toastmasters. You will learn the three Secrets of Successful Leaders and how these secrets can help you achieve success in your personal and professional journeys.
Mark your calendars for the Winter TLI – Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703. Check in is at 8:30 AM with Educational Sessions 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Please register in advance for the TLI on the District 35 TLI Webpage.
Celebrate achievement before contest season ends!
The calendar says January, the thermometer says “winter” but here in District 35 it’s International Contest Season! Clubs are encouraged to hold tryouts, contests and nominations for eligible members to step up and represent at Area contests, which start in late February. For all Area, Division and District contests, all rules in the 2017 Contest Rulebook are in play. Clubs, however, have more flexibility in how they determine representation. Tom Carlson, Central 03 Area Director, has some great suggestions to combine the best of Toastmasters with stepping outside comfort zones in a speaking arena.
“I have a dislike for the word ‘contest’,” he said. “When the event is promoted as a contest, all but one volunteer to be losers, and there are no losers in Toastmasters! Everyone is a winner by participating.”
He encourages an event that showcases all members’ progress and achievements and publicizes the club. “At the club level, call it a Celebration of Achievement. Every member of the club would participate, and it would be a Special Club Event. Club members would invite spouses, children, neighbors, parents, so you have a sizeable audience — it’s no fun speaking to ten people. It’s a lot of fun speaking to 100.”
“The theory I have is that participation is the key to growth, and when every member is encouraged to grow, because they’re not afraid of losing, they’re going to be better members, member retention is going to be better, and it’s going to be a lot healthier for the organization,” he said.
At the “Celebration of Achievement,” the period of membership, six speech minimum, the 5-7 minute time, etc. wouldn’t apply. The club members nominate a qualifying speaker to represent the club at the Area Level. Then all the Contest Rules apply.
Newer members would showcase their new skills, present to a larger audience and show the audience that even newer members are developing these new abilities.
As with other determinants of representation, the club would agree ahead of time to the framework — just like clubs now agree to nominations, volunteers or various contest incarnations.
Carlson’s enthusiasm for contest and event participation comes from experience — he has represented District 35 at the international a couple times in his almost 40 years of Toastmasters experience. In 1992, he placed 3rd in region, putting him around the top 24 in the world.
In 1982, however, his regional experience gave him advice to share. “I didn’t place at region. I previewed the meeting room, but I didn’t give a thorough inspection of the venue and the stage.”
When he took the stage for his presentation, he was surprised by a large light fixture and the filled seating area, and compensating his posture caused his nonverbal confidence/physical presence to decrease — “I had my hand on my knee at times and it didn’t tie in with the speech. I’m sure that’s what knocked me down, but not out because it was a learning experience.”
Brew up some excellent public relations channels!
Time to caffeinate your Toastmasters club’s public relations tools! Is your club newsletter, website, or social media presence top notch? Let’s show other clubs how it is done by entering into the District 35 Public Relations Contest. This fun and friendly competition will give your club some exposure and the opportunity to win awards in the categories of
- Best club website (layout, presentation, content, promotion of Toastmasters)
- Best social media (channel presence, quality, and relevance)
- Best club newsletter (layout, content, promotion of Toastmasters)
Watch the District 35 website for more details about the qualifying criteria and judging criteria for each award. The deadline for submission into the contest is April 21, 2018. A panel of contest judges will determine the winners with first and second place awards being presented at the District Convention in May.
If you are interested in being on the contest judging panel contact Jackie Breezer, District 35 Public Relations Manager.
Waukesha Toastmasters Celebrate 65th Anniversary
On Thursday, December 14th, 2017, Waukesha Toastmasters Club #1173 celebrated its 65th Anniversary. Waukesha was chartered just months after the District was founded, making it one of the first clubs to originate in District 35!
Not content with mere longevity, Waukesha has received multiple awards over the years, including the Governors Award, Best Newsletter (at least four times) and Best Club Website.
Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly declared December as Toastmasters Month in the City of Waukesha.
Event coordinator Laurie Baker, DTM, planned a fun and lively event, which included Past International Speech Contest Winner Morgan McArthur as Emcee. Morgan had the group in stitches with his wit and funny stories while guests enjoyed the buffet dinner and delicious cake.
The Humorist for the evening provided much laughter, and we stepped out of our comfort zone during our Improv Skits. Finally, a few folks treated the group to a chorus of “Toastmasters Twelve Days of Christmas!”
Dignitaries from throughout the District and beyond celebrated with the club members:
Two club members, Martha Purnell and Sunita Mehrotra, were recognized for their involvement in and outside of the club. 2016-17 Club Officers were also thanked and Rozaline Janci received the Past President award.
Get Social!
Get social with your fellow Toastmasters in District 35! Did you know there are multiple ways to connect with members in the district? There is the newly redesigned website District35.org. We also have social media accounts as follows:
- Facebook D35 Toastmasters Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/158492128125393/
- Twitter at Dst. 35 Toastmasters@tm35 https://twitter.com/tm35
- LinkedIn group District 35 Toastmasters
Today less than 30% of our Toastmasters members have connected to the District on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These social media forums are a good way to hear about events in the district, but the biggest opportunity is to learn from each other. WE WANT MORE online community! If you have found a great article, podcast, or quote we want you to share it. Ask other Toastmasters to weigh in on a poll or tell a feel good story about an everyday act of kindness or “pay it forward” gesture you witnessed. Post a link to an inspirational video, interesting factoid, or funny story. Comment, like it, and share – We can help each other on our journey to become the leaders we want to be.
It all starts with connecting. Choose whatever method you prefer – join our Facebook group, follow us on Twitter, or join our LinkedIn group today!