Challenge Your Imagination
Excellence in Leadership: a Distinguished District SIX years in a row: 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08!
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District 36 Toastmasters Challenge Your Imagination |
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| Excellence in Leadership: a Distinguished District SIX years in a row: 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08! | |||
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News ArchiveMay 08 | Jun 08 | Jul 08 | Aug 08 | Sep 08 | Oct 08 | Nov 08 | Dec 08 | Jan 09 | Feb 09 | Mar 09 | Apr 09 | May 09 | Jun 09 Toastmasters is No Secret at the US Secret ServiceOn Thursday October 9th the US Secret Service (USSS) Toastmasters Club held an open house to showcase the skills and leadership abilities of its members and to help build membership. Club president Nancy Olds worked very hard planning the event months in advance. Her attention to detail, follow through, and team work created a fun lunch-time meeting that displayed exactly what Toastmasters can bring to an individual and an organization. Hospitality and public relations at the US Secret Service are exemplary. Colorful posters were prominently displayed throughout the first floor of the Secret Service Building. Email announcements were sent to the agency reminding people to attend the open house. A table was set up just outside the meeting room door displaying Toastmasters flyers, Toastmasters Magazines, and membership forms. The meeting room itself was large and comfortable. Lunch was plentiful and delicious. The open house program was slightly different than a regular club meeting. President Nancy Olds, in the role of Toastmaster of the Day, welcomed everyone, introduced her club officers, and explained about the Toastmasters Club at the Secret Service. She went over the program and introduced the first speaker. Deborah Leben, Supervisory Forensic Scientist and CTM gave the first speech entitled "Keeping the Momentum: Planning Success". Deborah spoke of why she joined Toastmasters and the skills she learned in the program that have helped her with her career at the Secret Service. She described how having a structure and a plan helps her stay on track and helps her get back on track when those inevitable road blocks pop up. Deborah told us how learning to speak clearly and in an organized way helps her be more effective with her team and when she gives evidence in court. Many heads were bobbing in the crowd as they listened to her detail all the ways Toastmasters has directly helped her The second speaker was Beth Stinson, District 36 Public Relations Officer and DTM. Beth gave a speech entitled "Stranger in a Strange Land" all about her adventures with exotic wildlife and odd native customs while living in South Florida for a decade. Beth gave an example of a speech to entertain. This speech was also an example of a typical manual speech that members give and receive feedback on in a club environment. It was also meant to provide a bit of comic relief and fun to people who have to be serious most of the day. The final speaker was Sylvia Henderson, Speaker Bureau Chief for District 36 and ACG. Sylvia began her speech, entitled "Operation Evaluation", with an ear piece and dark glasses as she tried to blend in with the crowd. Sylvia spoke about why a large part of the Toastmasters program is centered around providing members with feedback in the form of a structured evaluation. Sylvia explained how to give detailed feedback that addresses the behavior of the speaker and the format of the material. Sylvia then gave an example of an evaluation by giving Beth feedback on her speech. The "live" example made the point as nothing else could. To sum up the value of evaluations, Sylvia told the audience how learning how to give a solid evaluation on a speech in Toastmasters can become the foundation for learning how to give feedback to team members, subordinates, and even family members. The open house at USSS Toastmasters concluded with lunch and networking with potential new members. The event was very successful due to the leadership of club president Nancy Olds and her officers who planned, publicized, and coordinated in true Toastmasters fashion. Read all about Toastmasters in the George Washington University Student Newspaper. Division F Contest ReportDivision F hosted its Fall Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contests on Sunday October 5 at the Montgomery County Executive Office
Building Auditorium in Rockville, MD. Immediate Past District Governor Mary Ann Guerra served as Contest Master and Kim Brown, District Chief Judge was the Contest Chief Judge. Despite the beautiful weather outside and the Red Skins game on TV, the room was filled to capacity to with The Table Topics contest was held first. Contests were Ann Christian, Tamar Clarke, Liz Porter, Clayton Dutton, and Carlene Drakes. Each answered the question (paraphrasing) "District 36 boasts a Toastmasters club dedicated to humor. How important is laughter and humor in your life." Answers were lively and personal. Clayton Dutton came in first place and Liz Porter came in second. The Humorous Speech contest was held second. The audience was driven to chuckles, giggles, squeals, tears, hot flashes, and yes, loads of just plain laughter when we heard about about deer fear, test tube babies and golf lessons, practical jokes that back fire (all pun intended), animal and police disasters after a wedding, and how a mom tries to keep one step ahead of her learning girl's language, swimming, and music lessons. Contestants were Vonnya Pettigrew, Bryan Rachlin, Karin Francis, Merlyn Kettering and Hannah Tang. Division F is the first division to finish up its contest season, but there are five more hilarious fun filled contests coming up. Division B Friday October 10, Division E Sunday October 19, Division A Thursday October 23, Division D Friday October 25 and Division C Saturday October 25. Don't miss them! A Toastmaster's View: The 2008 International Convention in CalgaryBy Deidra L. McGee, ACB
I was not disappointed. The 2008 Convention has been the ultimate highlight so far this year for me. After I arrived, I attended the Board of Directors Briefing and Convention Opening Ceremonies with celebrated mountain climber Laurie Skreslet, the first Canadian to summit Mount Everest. He inspired us with “Overcoming Adversity Through Teamwork.” I learned that evening that over 1200 Toastmasters from the Americas to Australia, representing six continents of the world, were at the convention. Sadly, the seventh, Antarctica was a no show. Ironically, the Olympics were taking place the same week as the TI Convention and how symbolic is that? The TI Convention and the International Speech Contest are like the Olympics of public speaking. The Toastmasters International Speech Contest should be entered into the Olympics as a sport. Heck, the National Spelling Bee is considered a competition and sport and it is shown on ESPN every year. And at the AC level, we do have to get a bronze, silver or gold award, don’t we? How do I start a petition? The International Speech CompetitionThe highlight of the convention was the International Speech Competition. Each year, over 230,000 members in over 11,000 clubs in 92 countries around the world have the opportunity to participate in this contest where competitors deliver 7-minute speeches judged on core message, speech development, language, and delivery techniques. I was here that I witnessed the first woman in over 20 years, LaShunda Rundles from Dallas, Texas, win first place! Her first place speech was titled "Speak". Note: I am pictured above wearing the gold gown with Katherine Morrison from Region 7th, Third Place Winner in the International Speech Contest. 
Region 3: LaShunda Rundles (Dallas, Texas) Region-winning speech title: Dirty Little Secrets Home club: Town North Trendsetters (4533), District 50
Outside Regions - A: Loghandran Krishnasmy (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) His Second Place Speech was titled "Finding the Rhythm" Tough Love: Advice from K Loghandran on speech contest success Home club: Speakers’ Dream (220), District 51 
Region 7: Katherine Morrison (Massachusetts) Her Third PLace speech was titled "Baby Don't Believe Them" In the News Curry College Professor Recognized as the Best Public Speaker on the Eastern Seaboard (Curry College website, July 15, 2008) Region-winning speech title: Stand Up Again District-winning speech title: The Challenge Home club: Boston West Toastmasters (4735), District 31
The 2008-2009 ElectionThe process for electing international officers and directors was like a presidential election – counting and recounting, and recess after recess. However, it was very organized and the delegates were very patient through it all. The results are as follows:
*Elected at the August 2008 Annual Business Meeting WorkshopsNo convention report would be complete without listing all the incredible workshops that were available. Here they are:
For information on the International Speech Competition see http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/2008/08/15/world-championship-public-speaking/ In the future, perhaps I will see you at one or all of the upcoming Conventions:
August 2008
Redistricting ReportCongratulations to the 2007-08 District 36 Team! It was true passion, pride and eloquence that inspired District 36 to become a Distinguished District for the SIXTH year in a row! In that year, 14 clubs were chartered and now the new growth has to be realigned so that it can be serviced efficiently and effectively by the 2008-09 District 36 Team. The following clubs have been realigned.
July 2008 Toastmasters of the Year and Club President of the Year Name for 2007-2008Mary Ann Guerra, Immediate Past District Governor, DTM, announced the winner of Toastmasters of the Year and Club President of the Year, of two of the most prestigious awards given out to yearly. Congratulations go to Jaci Pasley, DTM from the GEICO Club #4493 as the Toastmaster of the Year for 2007-2008. Congratulations go to Mary E. Garofalo, CC/CL from the Bethesda Community Club #2529 as the Club President of the Year for 2007-2008.
June 2008
SIX YEARS in a ROWDisitrct 36 has been names a distinguished district six years in a row. Of all the distinguished districts in the world, D-36 is ranked 16th! Way to go D-36. Congratulations to Mary Ann and her team for such a terrific achievement!
May 2008
50 Metropolitan Police Officers Attend Toastmasters Workshop50 Metropolitan Police Officers from the Patrol Services and School Security Bureau participated in a two hour interactive training session on public speaking skills led by four Toastmasters from District 36 on Friday May 23, 2008 at the Mount Zion Baptist Church 602 N Street NW. As part of Chief Lanier’s initiative to change the culture of the Metropolitan Police Department from one of reaction to crime to one of building relationships with the community and sustaining safe neighborhoods, Assistant Chief Groomes approached the Toastmasters of District 36 for strategies she could provide officers to help them with this department-wide goal. The officers Beth Stinson, Senior Technical Writer at Blackboard, Area 31 Governor for District 36 and Vice President for Public Relations for Blackboard’s Toastmaster Club, Bbuzz, organized the training session. She recruited fellow Toastmasters to give presentations and edited the materials for the session. Beth presented an interactive session on the topic of authoring concise and organized speeches. She handed out cards with pictures on them and asked groups of officers to construct a short story based on the information she provided. Bonnie Maidak, Dean of Toastmasters Training in District 36, presented two topics, analyzing your audience and extemporaneous speaking techniques. Bonnie’s session prepared the participants for presenting in different venues and how to answer those tough questions like, “Did you ever shoot anyone?” Sylvia Henderson, Area 54 Governor and Vice President for Public Relations for Greater Olney Toastmasters, presented on how to deliver a speech. Sylvia covered how to present your material using voice control, body language and visual aides. Sylvia covered how to be authoritative yet approachable, how to use humor, and how to handle nervousness. The program was a huge success. The Metropolitan Police Department will charter a new Toastmasters Club in the coming months. Officers will be encouraged to join and be supported as they progress through the program. This club will bring positive change to the culture of the department, making our city safer and a better place to live and work because officers and detectives will communicate more effectively with the community and with each other. |
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career.
people watching the funniest and quickest speaking Toastmasters in Division F compete for the top prize - chance to challenge other division champions at the District Conference on Saturday November 8th.
I attended the 77th Annual Toastmasters International Conventions held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada August 12-16, 2008. If you’ve never been to an international convention, I encourage you to attend one in the future. It was my first convention since I joined Toastmasters in the Spring of 2004 and I was determined that it would be great!
and detectives who attended the training had all volunteered to be spokespersons for their units and for the department, visiting schools, companies, and community groups to answer questions, provide information and give educational programs. Assistant Chief Groomes began the program by outlining the importance of strong communication skills for all Metropolitan Police and then introduced Sandra Coles-Bell, Lt. Governor for Education and Training for District 36, who emceed the program.