In this issue:
- Keep up the enthusiasm!
- See you at the Spring Convention!
- Membership Update
- Save the Dates!
KEEP THE ENTHUSIASM STRONG!
Ed Thelen, DTM
District Director
I have seen a lot of excitement in Toastmasters lately. Officers and members were empowered to make their clubs better from our well-run Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) sessions. We are in the midst of speech contest season which may be a bit nerve-wracking for the contestants, but very enjoyable for the audience. I have been quite pleased with the quality of the speakers moving up through the levels this year. Our District 35 Convention, “Get in the Game”, is just about a month away. From the hard work Convention Chair, Gina Glover, and her team are putting in to prepare a first-class event, I have never been more excited about a Convention.
Unfortunately, many Toastmasters get energized by all of these events and set many individual and club goals based upon information learned from these events. We come into mid-May either in an extreme funk because we no longer have those networking opportunities and are near the end of the Toastmasters year or are like the Tasmanian devil trying to work hard to get new members and earn educational award to work toward their club earning recognition in the Distinguished Club Program (DCP).
In order to put ourselves, our clubs, and the District in the best position possible, I ask that you take a measured approach to keep the enthusiasm strong. Here are some recommendations in order to use that enthusiasm appropriately.
Make one or two realistic goals for yourself to accomplish before June 30. I know I come away from training wanting to implement about 10 different things for my club or our District depending on the type of training I am attending. This is unrealistic given we all have time constraints and are volunteers in Toastmasters. Set one or two goals for yourself between now and the end of the Toastmasters year that you can reach.
Elect your officers early in order to allow more time for transition. The Toastmasters Club Leadership Handbook prescribes that the officer elections should take place the first meeting in May. Make sure your club is working now to determine future leaders to guide the club in the coming year. We can all agree that having more hands “on deck” makes it easier to spread and complete the workload and perhaps your club will accomplish even more than you expected in these last three months.
Support your fellow club members. There are many ways we can support club members and generally do it within our crowded schedules. Carve a few hours out to attend a speech contest or TLI. Attend part of the Spring Convention if you cannot make a commitment for two full days. Encourage a club member to finish an additional speech or two to allow them to reach their goals. Support your club officers when they are planning events to strengthen membership and/or create harmony with the existing members and help out where you can. The adage “a little effort can go a long way” certainly applies in this case.
I wish all District 35 members success as they navigate through these final months of the Toastmasters year. Let us use the excitement and energy that we have gained from all the bustling activity to put ourselves, our clubs and District 35 in the best position possible at June 30, 2019 and for the 2019-2020 Toastmasters year. Together we can make it happen!
WILL I SEE YOU AT THE SPRING CONVENTION?
Rozaline Janci, DTM
Program Quality Director
Let’s all “Get in the Game”, When : May 10th and May 11th 2019
At the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center/Casino in Green Bay, WI
Register now at : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/toastmasters-district-35-2019-spring-convention-registration-45961344619
“Get in the Game” is our 2019 Convention theme, don’t miss out on the fun.
It all starts on Friday May 10th, 2019
6pm – 7pm – Opening Night Networking Reception
7:15pm – Humorous Speech Contest
9pm – Friday Fun Night Festivities
Saturday May 11th, 2019
5:30am – 6:15am – Morning Walk/Run – Meet in hotel lobby
8:15am – Opening Ceremonies
11am – 1pm – International Director Keynote, Luncheon and Awards Ceremony
4pm – International Speech Contest
7:15pm -11pm – Dinner Banquet Hall of Fame Awards and Entertainment
Saturday throughout the day we have awesome educational sessions to keep you on your game both personally and professionally.
Our Guest keynote presenters are:
Pres Vasilev : We are fortunate to have the 2013 World Champion of Public Speaking, masterful storyteller and sales trainer as our keynote speaker presenting after opening ceremonies.
Don Bittick : We are also excited to have our International Director doing a session on “Building Leadership Pipelines” during the luncheon.
Further educational sessions include:
John Scott: How to Write a Great Speech (finding the fun in the dysfunctional)
Cindy Laatsch: Making Things Happen – The Art of Bluefishing.
Tina Boyle Whyte: Know Your Hand, Play Your Cards, Get in the Game
Cassie Schuh: Balance Over Burnout
Betsy Rozelle: Affinity-Building: the 101 of Relationship-building Communication
Tom Swartwood: The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth – Get in the Game by Improving Yourself.
Come learn and have fun with your fellow Toastmasters at our Spring Convention.
For more details please visit our district 35 website: https://district35.org/2019-spring-convention/
Can’t wait to see you there!
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
Kris Pool, DTM
Club Growth Director
I want to personally thank every member that has submitted their membership renewal dues for April through September 2019. It is because of you – our members – that we continue to succeed as Toastmasters, as clubs, as areas, as divisions, and as a district.
If you missed the March 31 deadline, don’t worry. Late payments are accepted and will put you back to an eligible status. This is especially important for anyone planning to participate in a contest as a contestant or functionary role. You must be a paid member in a club in good standing (minimum payment of 8 membership dues paid).
I encourage you to continue inviting your friends, colleagues, and family to attend your club meetings. Inspire them with why you joined Toastmasters and why you continue to stay. Ask them to join Toastmasters. Even if they join a different club, they will begin to receive the benefits of membership with Toastmasters.
I can’t believe that there is less than three months left in the Toastmasters year. In less than a month, we begin the “Beat the Clock” membership campaign. If your club gains five (5) new, dual, or reinstated members during May and June, you will earn a ribbon for your club banner and 10% off an order from the Toastmasters International store. In addition, for several clubs, these five members may just help put you in Distinguished Club status. Can you Beat the Clock?
If your club is struggling at 12 or fewer members, reach out to me at Kris.Pool.DTM@gmail.com to request a club coach. I’ll work with Judy Bauer, Club Coach Chair, to find one or two club coaches to work with you and help bring you to distinguished club status.
SAVE THE DATES
Kris Pool, DTM
Club Growth Director
Planning for Winter TLI and 2020 Spring Convention
As mentioned above, club officer training will be available this summer for incoming officers. Even if you have been an officer in the past, I encourage you to attend the TLI sessions – volunteer to be a presenter, mentor a new officer, and share your experiences and best practices.
Planning ahead, mark your calendars for Saturday, December 7, 2019. We will again offer a district-wide TLI session. The location is still to be determined. Volunteers are needed to help coordinate this event, including a TLI Chairperson. You could even use this as an HPL (High Performance Leadership) project.
And even though we are just coming up to the 2019 Spring Convention next month – which is going to be AWESOME!! – planning needs to begin for 2020 too. If you are interested in being the Convention Chair, a committee chair, or a volunteer for the event, let me know. This will be held the first weekend of May 2020 at the Milwaukee Marriott West in Waukesha. Please email me at Kris.Pool.DTM@gmail.com if interested.