Table of Contents
District Success Plan = Our Roadmap to Success
Greetings fellow Toastmasters! When we last met at the Summer TLI, I spoke of the importance of the club success plan. That plan is a roadmap to your club goals. We do the same thing at the district level. The trio team works with the entire DEC team to map out our path to success by creating our District Success Plan. This year’s plan addresses what we have identified as our biggest opportunities for our District in this program year and lays out our plan to thrive in 35!
We address the three district goals as well as a couple of stretch goals. Highlights from the plan include:
Membership Payments Growth
- PR training for clubs to help attract guests
- Incentives to support membership growth in clubs
- Build a “Toastamonial” video library that clubs can use in PR efforts
Club Growth
- Build & Mentor a Club Retention and Growth Team
- Incentives to support Club Growth
- Execute on Facebook, LinkedIn, MeetUp, PSAs and other marketing and PR Opportunities to help create brand awareness of Toastmasters in Wisconsin & the UP of Michigan
Distinguished Clubs
- 80% of club officers trained
- Incentives to support participation in the Distinguished Club Program
- Ongoing Pathways training to supplement members’ learning and development
Stretch Goals
- Develop a 3-year strategic plan for our district
- Increase number of clubs participating in speech contest
Look for updates in each newsletter on our progress towards these goals. If you have ideas on how we can achieve success, I’d love to hear them!
D35 Incentive Program Supports District Success Plan
The District 35 Incentive Program has been developed with our goals and success plan in mind. Each incentive ties directly back to one of the 3 goals for the district – Membership Payments Growth, Club Growth, and Distinguished Clubs.
Clubs and members can earn District Dollars! District Dollars are earned by meeting specific goals. District dollars is an account that the district runs for your club. Every time your club earns an incentive, the money goes into the club’s District Dollars account. When you have a purchase that you want to make, all you have to do is submit a receipt via Concur for reimbursement. You can save your dollars to make larger purchases on items that will support your own club’s goals and the club mission.
This adds some flexibility in how you can spend your dollars. You can spend these dollars on items like a web cam or microphone to support hybrid meetings, reimbursement for your zoom account to support your online meetings, food reimbursement for a special event, or even reimbursement for money you spent on advertising your club. For more information, including a list of all incentives and FAQ about District Dollars, visit the Incentive page on our website: https://district35.org/resources/incentives/
Celebrate Toastmasters in October
Maybe you read this article in the Toastmasters October Newsletter where Toastmasters International reminds us of the importance of celebrating all that we have accomplished in the recent challenging months. https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2021/oct/day-of-celebration
With so much to do, it can be hard to remember to take time to reflect and recognize our successes. Plus, celebrating is FUN! Let’s have fun this month by celebrating and applauding each other for all of our hard work.
If your club plans a fun meeting or gathering to honor the organization’s 97th Anniversary in October, share photos of the event on social media. Post with #CelebrateTI; #TalkingToastmasters; #district35tm; #thrivein35 to share the fun with your Toastmasters friends across D35 and the world.
October 22 is the official anniversary of Toastmasters International. Celebrate that day by wearing your Toastmasters swag out and about. Snap a photo and share that on social media with #distrct35tm and #thrivein35 for your chance to win a Toastmasters International Laptop Backpack filled with surprises from your District Director. One winner will be chosen at random and announced on the district’s social media sites on October 23!
Path To Distinguished
We are excited that 66 of 94 clubs in Good Standing in our District have earned at least 1 DCP three months into the new Toastmasters year. A hearty congratulations goes to the following 2 clubs that are charter strength (have 20+ active members and have achieved 4 DCP goals as of October 7, 2021) and are on track to be Distinguished:
- DJAB (Area B2)
- Royal Toastmasters (Area N4)
The following 4 clubs are also on track to being Distinguished, having earned 3 DCP goals to date:
- Brookfield Toastmasters (Area B1)
- Cream City Communicators (Area D1)
- Reedsburg Area Club (Area C4)
- ROK the Talk (Area A2)
Education Awards (as of October 7, 2021)
Congratulations to DJAB with 6 Education Awards submitted. Brookfield and Cream City Communicators each have 5 Education Awards.
Triple Crown Winners
Congratulations to the following 3 Toastmasters for earning a Triple Crown:
- Kris Pool, DTM
- Liz Pollock, DTM
- Lucas Roberts
Pathways Path Completions:
Congratulations to the following:
Name | Club | Pathways Path |
Jennifer Riley | Thriving Communicators | Dynamic Leadership |
Craig Mosey | ROK the Talk | Dynamic Leadership |
Jennifer Liedl | Royal Toastmasters | Innovative Planning |
Bonniejean Alford | The Breakfast Club | Leadership Development |
Tracy Rothman | Cream City Communicators | Leadership Development |
Annemarie Braun | Spectacle City Club | Pathways Mentor Program |
Keith Cumiskey | Rockwell Automation A-B Club | Pathways Mentor Program |
Lucas Roberts | Red Cedar Toastmasters | Persuasive Influence |
Philip Rechek | Heart Of Eau Claire | Presentation Mastery |
Eric Wunder | Brookfield Toastmasters | Strategic Relationships |
Kathy Shine | SpeakEasy Toastmasters | Team Collaboration |
Education Sessions
Speaker’s Workshop
- Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2021 @ 6-7 P.M. CST.
- Presenter: David Letkiewicz, District 35 two-time 2016 & 2017 International Speech Contest winner will present on the fundamentals of speech development in the framework of a contest; how to select a topic; storytelling; tips/tricks for audience engagement.
- Register here
Club Officer Training—Winter Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI)
Registration is now open for three scheduled Winter TLIs. All TLI options are free.
Hybrid (In-person and virtual) District-wide Winter TLI
- Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 8:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. CST
- In-person location: Franklin High School, 8222 S 51st Street, Franklin, WI 53132
- Masks will be required to attend the event.
- Attendance restricted to 100 people
- Refreshments will be served
- Click here for in-person registration
- Click here for virtual registration
Virtual Only District-wide Winter TLI
- Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2021 from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
- Register here
Virtual Only District-wide Winter TLI
- Date: Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 8:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. CST
- Register here
Attention Club Officers: please check your club’s dashboard to ensure that the Summer TLI Club Officer Training Record is accurate. If you find that the number of officers trained in your club is inaccurate, reach out to me at kibichodtm@gmail.com right away and certainly by October 31, 2021 to have that corrected.
2021-2022 Speech Contests
We are nearing the start of the 2021-2022 speech contest season. Please note that because our District voted that all Area, Division, and District Contests will be held in-person, we need to plan accordingly. However, club Contests can be held in-person or virtually. Please note that we might need to move speech contests online if the Covid-19 pandemic persists and restrictions are re-imposed.
Our District is sponsoring two contests:
- Table Topics Contest—final contest will be at the District Level
- International Speech Contest—winner will advance to the International Semi-Finals Speech Contest
Here is the link to the 2021-2022 Speech Contest Rule Book.
Important! Speech Contest Timeline:
- December 1, 2021 – January 31, 2022: Club-level Table Topics and International Speech Contests (clubs have the option to conduct their contests in person or on-line)
- February 1, 2022 – March 26, 2022: Area-level Table Topics and International Speech Contests (in-person contest)
- March 31, 2022 – May 1, 2022: Division-level Table Topics and International Speech Contests (in-person contest)
- May 13, 2022 – May 14, 2022: District-level Table Topics and International Speech Contest (in-person contest)
Please visit the District Calendar on District35.org for details on the training.
Last Word: About that $0.25/Day Investment
Are you on track to complete a Pathway Education Level by end of year? If not, reach out to your Vice President of Education (VPE) and schedule to give a Pathways speech soon. If you give a speech every 3 months, you will complete a Level by end of year!
The Math of Toastmasters: October Dues Renewals
Have you and the others in your club renewed your Toastmasters membership? In case you missed it, our Toastmasters International Semi-Annual Dues were due on October 1st.
It’s not too late to renew membership. Work with your club treasurer today to renew and continue the investment you are making in your personal development as a speaker and leader through Toastmasters. Being a member of Toastmasters and participating in your Toastmasters Club is one of the most cost-effective ways to invest in yourself.
Have you ever thought about how your financial investment in Toastmasters breaks down?
- $45 (Every Six Months) x 2 (1 year) / 365 days = $0.246 per day. What else can you only spend less than 25 cents per day on to get so much?
When was the last time you spent 25 cents on anything?
Maybe you have friend or colleague that could benefit from spending 25 Cents a day on their personal development as a speaker and leader. Take a moment to talk with them about Toastmasters and ask them to come to your next meeting.
Leap Into a Full Year of Membership: The District also has an incentive for encouraging members in the October / Fall renewal period to commit to a full year of membership. This incentive has been extended through October 31, 2021.
- Every member that pays a full year of membership by September 30, 2021 October 31, 2021, will earn a gold pin
- The first 5 Clubs that have 8 or more members pay for a full year of dues by September 30, 2021 October 31, 2021 earn $30 District Dollars.
District 35 Kicks off Social Media Advertising Campaign
On September 1, 2021, District 35 kicked of a yearlong Social Media Advertising Campaign with advertisements on Facebook.
We are excited to kick off this program for the District, which is focused on building brand awareness of Toastmasters as an organization across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Our ads are targeted to help build membership in existing clubs by targeting the counties in Wisconsin and Michigan where there are existing District 35 clubs. The ads give some basic information about Toastmasters and direct the individual to “Learn More” and “Find A Club.”
September’s Facebook campaign has shown promise. The Ad was seen across Facebook, Instagram, and their advertising partners, and reached 14,863 individuals. There were a total of 26,129 ad impressions, resulting in each individual receiving the ad running across the ad on average 1.75 times over the course of the month.
September Facebook Ad:
For October, we have published a new ad to Facebook and their related networks as well as expanded the program over to LinkedIn.
October Facebook Ad:
October LinkedIn Ad:
We plan to continue running the ads on Facebook and LinkedIn, as planned and budgeted for the remainder of the Toastmasters year. We are hopeful that this effort will increase awareness of Toastmasters as well as drive some interested individuals to clubs.
Remember to ask guests and new members where they heard about Toastmasters. The only way we know the ads are working is through feedback from guests and members. If guests or new members share that they saw an Ad on Facebook, LinkedIn or elsewhere, please ask where and email me at jfeucht.tm@gmail.com.
Let’s all grow our clubs!
Pathway’s Minute
Congratulations to District 35! We have started our year off with an 82% Pathways adoption rate!
The adoption rate is the number of members from within our total district membership who have selected a Learning Path.
Also, good news is out of 74 clubs we have 56 clubs at a 75% rate or better. The top 5 clubs in the district are:
- Direct Supply Champion Chatters Club (96)
- Brookfield Toastmasters (95)
- CNH Industrial Toast Team (95)
- Fiserv Brookfield (95)
- Toastmaster in Control (95)
Great success to all of you!
What can you do to help your club achieve 100%?
There are two things to consider:
What’s your vision?
What is it you see yourself achieving this year? Is it completing levels 1, 2, and 3; participating in a Speech Contest (we just finished the World Championship of Public Speaking); helping your fellow members use Pathways comfortably?
What’s your plan?
Whatever your vision may be, set your roadmap on how you will get there. Meet with your VP of Education and create your plan on achieving that vision. Pathways usually has a project that is related to what you will want to achieve in the year ahead.
What can clubs do to help achieve 100% adoption?
Here are a few suggestions
- Have new members enroll in Pathways within the first two weeks of membership (or by their second meeting after joining)
- Hold a Pathways education session. Have everyone bring their device and register and select a Learning Path
- Create an office of “PI” (Pathway’s Intelligence) and have members that are proficient in Pathways
Each thing we do always adds up to the achievement of the District.
Maximize your Pathway experience, maximize you.
Keith Hardy, DTM – 2021 Presidential Citation Award Recipient
The Thrill of Receiving
I have spent much of my 32-year journey in Toastmasters giving to my fellow club members and district leaders. Giving of my time, my evaluations, my advice, my hard work ethic, my dependability, and my passion for helping each youth and adult who cross my path be a little bit better because of something I did or said.
Imagine my immense surprise when I read an e-mail that I received from Toastmasters International headquarters stating that I would be one of the recipients of the 2021 Presidential Citation award. I was thrilled and humbled! The giver is receiving something truly honorable. I can’t thank Toastmasters International President Richard Peck for choosing me.
You may be wondering: What in the world is a Presidential Citation? I wondered the first time I heard about the award at the 1992 Toastmasters international convention in Las Vegas. I heard that members who do a lot of service for other club and district members get nominated from someone in their district to receive this prestigious recognition.
I don’t know who nominated me. I have MUCH appreciation for whoever did!
The award shows me that many people are appreciative of the servant leadership that I’ve aimed to display each day. They appreciate my attention to quality meetings, quality evaluations and quality speeches. I’ve had the blessed opportunity to serve in club, area, division and district leadership roles. I’ve conducted more than 25 Youth Leadership programs and more than 25 speechcraft programs in the communities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota where I live. I have had so many opportunities to help fellow Toastmasters and people in general have a better life because of increased confidence and competence gained through their involvement in a Toastmasters program or club.
To learn more about the Presidential Citation, go to this page on the Toastmasters International Web site:
Toastmasters International – Presidential Citation Award
I encourage each of you to enjoy your Toastmasters journey to give to others a supportive hand up to a better life. That is truly the reason that Ralph Smedely started this wonderful organization in 1924. Then you never know–you may also someday receive the thrill of receiving a Presidential Citation award!
Cindy Laatsch, DTM – 2021 Presidential Citation Award Recipient
The Gift of Lifelong Learning
I wanted to find a like-minded, positive group of lifelong learners. Realizing I was putting too much focus on the workplace – and not enough on my development – I created a plan to try new things and grow. I found District 35 Toastmasters in 2009 – and have had the opportunity to meet with and learn from positive, uplifting, and supportive people in the organization since that day. I learned so much at my community club – Southwest Toastmasters – I knew my work would only benefit from Toastmasters. Again – as a team – we were able to bring Toastmasters to Harley-Davidson Motor Company. And we are still growing.
Receiving the Presidential Citation from Past International President Richard E. Peck, DTM, was incredible. The Citation says – “For outstanding and continued contributions to Toastmasters International’s organizational growth and excellence.” To me – that has meant leaning into what Toastmasters offers each of us, relying on fellow members for support, and looking at this experience as a lifetime investment. Because all along the journey – I was the person who was receiving the gift by serving our Toastmaster members, Toastmasters International, while growing as a member.
Theodore Roosevelt said it best – “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” And the Toastmasters experience is work worth doing.
The Toastmasters Promise – As a member of Toastmasters International and my club, I promise:
- To attend club meetings regularly
- To prepare all of my projects to the best of my ability, basing them on the Toastmasters education program
- To prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments
- To provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations
- To help the club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all members to learn and grow
- To serve my club as an officer when called upon to do so
- To treat my fellow club members and our guests with respect and courtesy
- To bring guests to club meetings so they can see the benefits Toastmasters membership offers
- To adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters education and recognition programs
- To act within Toastmasters’ core values of integrity, respect, service and excellence during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities
Sales Skills Workshop
Looking for something to do this weekend? Pick up some new sales skills at this fun event hosted by the Sales Masters Toastmasters club! RSVP here.
