District 36 Toastmasters - District 36 Home

Freetoasthost 1.0 Sites will be unavailable after Feb 17, 2012

Along with the Toastmasters International rebranding, TI is changing the freetoasthost websites. They have created a new version 2.0 (the old version was 1.0). All sites must be migrated to version 2.0, and the bad news is that there is no conversion utility. There is no way to transition your current 1.0 site to the new 2.0 site; the sites must be completely rebuilt. All 1.0 sites will be unavailable after Feb 17, 2012. You must convert to the new 2.0 site before that date if you want your club to continue to have a freetoasthost website. To request your new site, you can go to this link. This is a guide on how to request your new 2.0 site and how to begin building it. There are also support forums available that answer questions, allow you to request enhancements, and provide FAQs. The FAQs are very useful and you can reach them and join the support forum here. One forum user prepared a powerpoint presentation on her experience building a new site, you can view that here.

DISTRICT 36 TLI SESSION IS SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

- SPECIAL URGENCY THIS SEASON

With the February 17 deadline looming and fast approaching for clubs to switch their FreeToastHost websites to the new 2.0 system, winter Toastmaster Leadership Institute sessions have taken on a special urgency this year. This Saturday’s TLI session, scheduled for Holy Cross Hospital, 1500 Forest Glen Road in Silver Spring, will feature a special session on how clubs can convert their FreeToastHost sites, or put one up for the first time.

Making the transition is critical as FreeToastHost 1.0 simply disappears on February 17, as the new 2.0 system goes up. FreeToastHost has emerged as a popular, easy and effective way for clubs to communicate with each other, schedule and track meeting roles, and attract new members.

The FreeToastHost session is just one of an especially rich offering of classes for club officers and all Toastmasters at the mid-year TLI training sessions.

TLI dates, venues and details are listed on the District 36 web site. Click here to see them.

This winter’s TLI sessions will feature interactive officer training classes where participants draw on their experiences in the offices so far to share best practices and challenges. "Many club officers find Winter TLI sessions to be the most valuable of all," said Mike Rilee, DTM, Lt. Governor – Education and Training. "It’s an opportunity to share and learn from your colleagues about what works best and how other clubs are meeting challenges all clubs face."

Beth Stinson, DTM, will conduct elective classes at TLIs throughout January and February on how to transition to the new system. "It is vital that club officers, webmasters, and anyone else who works with a club’s FreeToastHost site attend TLI this season," she said.

Keeping a FreeToastHoast web presence is essential. Most visitors to clubs now find local Toastmasters clubs on the Internet. The FreeToastHost system has also proven invaluable to many clubs as a way to streamline communication among members outside the meeting and for building agendas for club meetings.

If a club does not have a FreeToastHost site yet, the TLI classes also present a terrific opportunity to find out how to get started.

Lt. Governor – Education and Training Rilee urged all Toastmasters to attend this winter’s TLI events. "They are open to all Toastmasters, not just officers. The rich line up of electives this season has something for everybody. They are a great opportunity to learn even more about how to be a better speaker, leader and Toastmaster. They are also a lot of fun!"

District 36 Governor Barry Piatt, DTM notes another important reason for attending Winter TLI: "There is no single, better or more reliable indicator of whether a club is going to have a successful year than whether its officers are trained. "Trained officers are equipped to lead their club to excellence, and that means an even more valuable Toastmaster experience for every Toastmaster. Nothing equips you better to "Be the Spark!" in your club and beyond than attending TLI."

Toastmasters Leadership Training

District 29 is sponsoring Toastmasters leadership training on February 12. If you know someone interested in a Toastmasters Leadership position next year.....this is the session they will not want to miss! Past International Director, Annelie Weber, from District 18 will share her experience and knowledge regarding Toastmasters Leadership. Please take full advantage of this unique and great opportunity!! There will be food ($5.00), incredible hand-outs and great discussion on leadership! See the flyer for registration information.

Spiffing Up Club Award Ribbons

(LAUREL, MD) -- Crown of Laurel Toastmasters Vice President of Education Hank Suarez-Murias uses a hand held steamer to take the folding wrinkles out of the club's award ribbons just before the club's meeting began November 15. The ribbons were proudly displayed during District Governor Barry Piatt's visit to the club to celebrate its Dream Team status, awarded for getting all seven officers trained at last summer's TLI. The club hosted an open house to recruit new members in conjunction with the visit.