August 2019 Newsletter
Welcome to the first newsletter of this Toastmaster 2019-2020 year. In this issue:
- We will meet our District Director, Program Quality Director and Club Growth Director
- Hear about what we need to know about the International Convention
- A member honor
- Information about a new club
First Article from District Director
Rozaline Janci , DTM- District Director– District 35
Hello District 35 members,
What a privilege it is for me to submit an article in our newsletter as your District Director. Things are set and on course for a stellar year ahead.
I feel blessed to be working alongside with the wonderful leaders of District 35. Our Program Quality Director, Kris Pool, has done a fantastic job with training and so have our Division Directors who coordinated and planned all of their respective TLI’s throughout the district. Also our Club Growth Director, Teri Mcgregor, is working diligently on her responsibilities and I am happy to have her on my team.
The Trio is currently working on the district budget along with our Finance Manager, Spring Sun. The budget will be voted on at our District Council meeting in September. Just a heads up, this district council meeting will be a virtual meeting on Saturday September 14, 2019 from 09:00 a.m. to – 11:00 a.m. Additional information about the webinar and login information is forthcoming.
Our District Council meetings are open to all members; however, all Club Presidents and Vice Presidents Education, along with the members of the District Executive Committee (DEC) are to be present virtually at this meeting.
Please join me in congratulating three of our District 35 members:
1. Jim Kohli, DTM, PDG, PID
2. Andy Little, DTM, PDG, PID
3. Herman Noronha
Both Jim and Andy will receive a presidential citation from Toastmasters International at the International Convention in Denver later this month. The presidential citation is the highest honor a member can achieve in Toastmasters.
I am also super excited that the winner of the Region 5 Quarter Finals is our very own, Herman Noronha, from Platteville, Wisconsin.
There is an old saying, “Many Hands Make Light Work” and a great quote by Henry Ford, “Coming together is beginning. Keeping together is progress.” What we can do together: help each other individually progress through their toastmaster’s journey. If we all do this together the district will benefit with increased district leadership, gaining dynamic new clubs, and continuing to offer an amazing experience to new members.
I appreciate and thank all members who continually commit to the Toastmaster promise and the core values of Toastmasters.
Looking forward to a great year,
Yours in Toastmasters,
Rozaline Janci , DTM
District Director– District 35
Are You Receiving Our Emails?
Some club members are not receiving any communication and/or notifications from District 35 or from Toastmasters International.
If you or another member are not receiving communications, please CHECK YOUR PRIVACY AND CONSENT SETTINGS OF YOUR PROFILE.
Here is how you do it. It is easy. Check your profile on toastmasters.org (must use your login and password) to ensure your settings allow you to get all the communication being sent. Click this link for instructions:
CHECK YOUR TI PRIVACY CONSENT SETTING
https://files.constantcontact.com/2c57f4f9001/8d306bce-01ab-419b-b5ce-2805439e4b6b.pdf
Most of the communication you will receive is through email. Please check with your fellow club members that they are up-to-date in knowing what is happening here in the District and what is new and exciting at Toastmasters International. Last year with the new privacy protocols, Toastmasters added a feature where you can opt in or out of. I encourage everyone to “OPT IN” for email communications.
And while you’re in your profile at toastmasters.org, please confirm your address, phone number, and email address are correct. Thank you.
Rozaline Janci , DTM
District Director– District 35
Seek, Learn, Grow – Education & Training Updates
Kris Pool, DTM – Program Quality Director
Seek, Learn, Grow. This is the theme for our TLI sessions this year. In order to grow as a leader and as an individual, you must first seek out knowledge. Next you need to take the appropriate steps to learn the information and put it into action. Only then will you be able to grow into the leader and person you can be.
Our Summer TLI (Toastmasters Leadership Institute) started off extra early this year with four training sessions in June and three in July. Right now, at least three are scheduled for August. There have been a few questions regarding the timing of the early training this year. The intention behind this was to help set our club officers up for success as early as possible as they begin their year. If we wait until August, you’re almost two months into your role and then you’re playing catch up.
The presentations from the summer TLI sessions have been posted to the district website located at https://district35.org/?page_id=310&catid=101 Additional resources for each role will continue to be added in the coming months. I encourage you to take advantage of the information available to you and use what makes the best sense in your club. Not all ideas and suggestions will work for each club, but don’t be afraid to try something new and different just because you’ve never done it before. You may need to do something different to achieve different results. And a reminder that just because the presentations are available online, this does not replace in-person training. For your club to receive credit for officers trained (which counts toward a Distinguished Club Program goal), in-person training must be done. Online training is not allowed per Toastmasters International. I know, I’ve asked. This would be helpful in many situations due to the distances some of us may need to travel, but the networking and sharing of ideas and learning new material cannot be beat when done in person! If you’re an experienced officer, plan to attend and share your wisdom, insights, and offer to mentor our new officers or volunteer to be a presenter.
I encourage you to visit the district calendar on a regular basis. Weekly and monthly Pathways sessions, monthly PR and VP Education calls, monthly Club Growth and Club Coach calls, contest dates, summer and winter TLI, and various due dates are all listed. For easy reference, here is the link: https://district35.org/events/
Mark your calendars for the upcoming district wide TLI on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at the Red Lion Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton. Registration will be open by mid-October. TLI training is open to all members interested in leadership development, including our current and future leaders. Watch the District 35 Facebook page and district website for updates on this great event. You don’t want to miss out!
NEW THIS YEAR!
Something new this year that District 35 will do is apply for a raffle license. We plan to hold 50/50 raffles at the district-wide Winter TLI on December 7 and the Spring Convention on May 1-2, 2020. Also, there will be raffle bucket baskets. We will be reaching out to clubs and individuals if they would like to donate a basket (think themed baskets – Gardening, Tail Gate Party, Movie Night – be creative!). More information will be coming over the new few months about the baskets.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
If you are interested in assisting at the district-wide Winter TLI in Appleton, please contact Kris Pool at Kris.Pool.DTM@gmail.com.
If you are interested in assisting at the Spring Convention in May in Brookfield, also contact Kris Pool. There are plenty of opportunities for you! Use your talents or develop new skills.
Teri McGregor, VC3- Club Growth Director
Greetings Fellow Toastmasters,
I can hardly believe that one month has passed and I’m starting month #2 as your Club Growth Director. I have been learning so much from so many and keeping very busy. Like the club officers who have attending summer TLI, I am learning the nuts and bolts of my role.
As the saying goes, there is no I in TEAM and I want to first introduce you to the Club Growth Team.
Club Extension Chair is Laurie Baker. She will be taking the lead on managing new club leads to the district. Part of her responsibilities include working with the leads to start new clubs, schedule and host demo meetings, and helping to find club sponsors and mentors.
Club Retention Chair (aka Club Coach Chair) is David Reed. David is tasked with helping clubs both attract and retain members. He is also responsible for managing and strengthening the club coach program.
Pathways Committee Chair is Steve Wittmann. This new committee has been formed to support our newest clubs learn how to use Pathways. He and his team will help newly chartered clubs learn about Pathways and how to implement Pathways education into their program. We have also talked about expanding the role of this committee to be a resource for existing clubs who want additional Pathways support for their members.
Next, let me share three of the goals I have set for myself and my team:
1. Increase marketing reach. We need to put the value of Toastmasters in front of as many people as we can. To do that, we must meet people where they are. You are all part of the marketing team for District 35. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to spread the word and I will be counting on each of you to do your part! For my part, I will be working closely with Public Relations Manager, Kamal Soan, to get the word out. We have a real opportunity to increase our social media presence by increasing our LinkedIn and Twitter presence. We are also looking to expand Meet Up throughout the district.
2. Charter 9 new clubs. I’m very lucky to have followed Kris this year. She and her team started 6 clubs last year. We are currently working many solid new club leads! What is a solid new club lead? I consider a solid club lead one in which sponsors are working with the club lead from the beginning and demo meetings have either already happened (4) or are in the process of being planned (3).
3. Strengthen the Club Coach Program and decrease the number of clubs that need a club coach by 5%. Right now, 49 club qualify for a Club Coach. That is 40% of the clubs in the district. To qualify for a club coach, a club must have 12 or less members and they must make the request a coach to either David Reed or myself. Of those 49 clubs, 10 have coaches assigned. As you can see, there is a real need for improvement in this area. Consider this your tap on the shoulder to volunteer to support a club in your area as a coach.
In the coming months, I will share my plans for meeting these goals and how you can help.
At the spring convention in May, Rozaline challenged all of us to reach for the stars. I thought I knew what she meant. I never thought that my reach would feel like I’m traveling thousands of miles per hour like a rocket heading into space!
Teri McGregor, VC3
Club Growth Director
Ed Thelen, DTM- Immediate Past District Director
CLUB PROXIES AT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
Did you know that your club has a voice in the policies and procedures being considered by the Toastmasters Board of Directors? Each club has a vote (in fact, two votes) at the Annual Business Meeting being held at the International Convention on the evening of Friday, August 23, 2019.
The information on the candidates running for office can be found here (https://www.toastmasters.org/about/board-of-directors under International Officer Candidates and International Director candidates) and the proposals being voted upon can be found here:(https://www.toastmasters.org/about/board-of-directors/2019proposals).
Given that the number of individuals from District 35 that will be in Denver will be relatively low, it is more important than ever to submit your club’s proxy for the meeting. I have been tasked to facilitate this task. The club proxies need to be assigned by the Club President or the Club Secretary. I have sent instructions to these officers. The instructions are also posted on the District website.
Some of you may be familiar with the proxies for our District 35 Spring Convention. The rules for the proxies for the International Convention Business Meeting work slightly differently for your club. The club’s proxy can be assigned to 1) a member of your Toastmasters club, 2) District Director Rozaline Janci or 3) any active Toastmaster. It is recommended to delegate your proxy to the District Director, as she, along with Program Quality Director Kris Pool and Club Growth Director Teri McGregor, are arriving early in Denver to conduct interviews with all the candidates. They will have additional information to discuss and allow Rozaline to make the best decision on behalf of our District clubs.
There are also two types of proxies. An instructed proxy has choices for the candidates and proposals being voted upon. The proxy holder must vote as instructed on the proxy. An uninstructed proxy leaves all choices blank and the proxy holder can vote as they see fit based upon the best interests of the organization. Unless your club conducts detailed discussions on the candidates and proposals, again it is recommended to assign your club’s uninstructed proxy to the District Director.
District 35 has a proud legacy of having a very high percentage of proxies submitted for the business meeting. Let’s keep this tradition intact! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Ed Thelen, DTM
Immediate Past District Director
DISTRICT 35 FALL VIRTUAL DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING
District Council Members: Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 14, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for our virtual Fall District Council meeting. Plan to log in by 8:50 a.m.
The District Council consists of the District Executive Committee (DEC) comprises all of the District leaders along with the Club Presidents and Vice Presidents Education.
A digital platform will be selected for both conducting the meeting itself and for the voting platform for items that need to be voted upon. Information about these items will be sent sufficiently in advance of the meeting. The agenda and any supporting documents must be published at least 14 days in advance of the meeting. (Please note: This is different than the Spring District Council meeting where information is published four weeks in advance.)
In addition to a different notification period, the other important difference is that no proxies are allowed. Therefore, we need as many members to attend at this time.
The agenda also differs slightly from the Spring business meeting. We do not have any elections or realignment. The most important item for the Fall virtual meeting is to approve the District budget (which needs to be submitted by September 30 to Toastmasters International), and, if applicable, any officers for elected positions that were filled by the District Director by appointment. We will also approve the May District Council minutes, and hear the year-end audit report and reports from our Division Directors and top District leaders.
As you can see, this is an important event to get District 35 off on the right foot for the Toastmasters year. Block off the time to attend this event today!
Ed Thelen, DTM
Immediate Past District Director
Meet the Newest Presidential Citation Recipient
Andrew Little, DTM PID
Andy Little, DTM PID will be presented with a Presidential Citation from the International Toastmasters President, Lark Doley, DTM in August 2019 at the Toastmasters International Convention in Denver. This incredible honor is given for outstanding contributions to Toastmasters International’s organizational growth and excellence.
I sat down with Andy earlier this year to interview him for our District 35 newsletter. I didn’t tell him that I would be submitting his name and achievements to Lark Doley to be considered for a Presidential Citation. Here are the highlights of my interview.
I met Andrew Little in 2003 when he walked into the Waukesha Toastmasters Club meeting. I greeted him at the door, smiled, and introduced myself to him. He was very shy and told me it took every ounce of courage to get out of his car and walk into our meeting. That was the old Andy.
Andy started out like most Toastmasters. He attended meetings and gave speeches, but quickly figured out there were many more opportunities than that. He asked, “How do I become a Club Officer.” Oooh, that was music to our ears. He quickly came up through the ranks and became the Club President of the Waukesha Toastmasters Club. He learned what the Distinguished Club Program was all about. He asked when the last time our club was distinguished. No one knew. Andy mapped out what the club needed to do to become not just Distinguished or Select Distinguished, but Presidents Distinguished. Believe it or not, that was the start of our run of being Presidents Distinguished for 15 years in a row!
Andy started attending the District 35 Fall Conferences and Spring Conventions. In 2005, he became an Area Governor. In 2006, he ran and was elected as Lieutenant Governor of Marketing. In that role he chartered new clubs. Within a few years Andy chartered 12 new clubs in District 35. In 2007, he was elected as our Lieutenant Governor or Education and Training. In 2008 he was elected as our District Governor and led District 35 to Distinguished status. (Many of you will remember these old District Officer titles. We know now that the term “Governor” has been changed to “Director.”)
Andy continued to seek out leadership opportunities. He ran for International Director and was elected in 2011 for the two year term. He was responsible for upholding the mission of Toastmasters International and serving as its ambassador, as well as developing organizational strategy and policies and ensuring their implementation.
While Andy was an International Director and on the District 35 Trio, he made over 100 corporate visits! He’s been a part of so many new Club Demonstration meetings, we’ve lost count.
Outside Toastmasters, Andy spent years as a board member for Yonn Ede Lot (One Helping Another in Haiti.) He provided technical and financial support to Haitian Associations who were working their way out of extreme poverty. He also mentored many speakers at The United Way. Andy helped them prepare for their speeches to the donors.
Andy Little was given the highest honor in District 35 in 2012, the T-Award. The T-Award is given to a Toastmaster for their Devotion, Service, Loyalty, and Leadership. He has also received Toastmaster or the Year and was honored with the Kurzer Prospecting Award for building membership in District 35. Andy lives the Toastmasters core values: Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence.
The next time you see Andy, thank him for all that he’s done. Congratulations to Andrew Little, DTM, PID, PDG, and District 35’s newest Presidential Citation recipient!
Laurie Baker, DTM
Kohl’s Corporate Charter Party
On Wednesday, June 5, 2019, it was a pleasure welcoming another brand new Toastmasters Club to District 35! That is the purpose of a Charter Party.
Speak Up! Toastmasters Club at Kohl’s Corporate in Menomonee Falls, chartered on September 17, 2018. The Charter Party is planned and conducted after the new club is up and running. That is the last responsibility of the New Club Sponsor.
In attendance was District 35 Director, Ed Thelen, DTM; Quality Program Director, Rozaline Janci, DTM; Division A Director, Carl Ervin, DTM; Area A1 Director, Dmitry Lapan, ACB/ALB; Incoming Area A1 Director, Jaqueline Fowlkes, VC1; New Club Extension Chair, Tommy Gust, EC1; Club Mentors, Laurie Baker, DTM, and Gail Rust, ACS/ALS; and New Club Sponsor, Jason Feucht, DTM.
Members of the Speak Up! club planned and conducted an awesome Toastmasters meeting that included a fun Table Topics Session. VP Education, Stephanie Copeland, was called on to be a Table Topic Speaker. She surprised everyone in attendance, announcing the great news that she will be having her 2nd baby! That was so special!
District 35 Director, Ed Thelen did an nice job with the Charter Presentation. First he delivered a speech, welcoming the new club to District 35. Then Ed presented Club President, Katilyn Wardell, with the club charter and their club banner. Ed and Laurie Baker welcomed each charter member and new members up to the front of the room to receive their special certificate from Toastmasters International.
During the meeting, the members and guests enjoyed a wonderful taco bar, a delicious cake, and beverages. I want to congratulate Club President Katilyn Wardell and her amazing Club Officers who planned this Charter Party. These seven Club Officers just completed their first year. Best of luck to the newly elected Club Officers.
Congratulations to all of the members of the Speak Up! Toastmasters Club!
Laurie Baker, DTM