Page 1
In This Issue
SMART Goals for
Toastmasters 1
Club Growth Tip 2
Letters to the Editor 2
Interview with Carl
Duivenvoorden 3
Repeating Designations 4
Contest Winners 4
Evaluating for Success 5
Educational Modules and
Club Success 6
Choosing an Advanced
Manual 7
A Toast-imonial 7
Around the District 8
Spring Conference Promo 9
Awards 10
New DTM 11
Anniversaries 11
District Calendar 12
Things to Remember 12
Crossword Puzzle 13
Newsletter Contest 13
SMART GOALS FOR TOASTMASTERS
2016 – 2017 PROGRAM QUALITY DIRECTOR, MALINDA REGIMBAL, ACG, ALB
December 31, New Year’s
Eve, the end of another
year. However you
choose to ring in the New
Year, there is no denying
that January 1st
is a day
for new beginnings – the
day we make resolutions to be better, do more,
and achieve greatness in the year ahead.
The awesome thing about being a Toastmaster
on New Years Eve, besides the obvious ability to
make a great toast over champagne, is that
December 31 marks the half-way point in our
Toastmasters year. When we set out in July with
goals for ourselves, our clubs and the District, we
now have a half-way yard-stick on which to
measure our success to date!
With all the talk about goals and resolutions, it
makes me think about SMART goals. I am sure
you are familiar with this acronym, but I want to
put a special spin on it as we resolve to Reach for
the Top for the second half of our Toastmasters
year.
Share your goals. Let your VP Education know
what you want to accomplish before the end of
June. Tell your spouse, co-workers, friends and
fellow members. By sharing your goals with
others, they can help keep you accountable.
Mentor. If you aren’t already mentoring
someone, find someone in your club or
another to whom you can provide additional
support. Already mentoring someone or
don’t feel ready? Ask for a mentor to help
you grow.
Attend another club meeting. By stretching
outside the comfort zone of your own club,
you benefit from speaking in front of a new
group of people as well as have the
opportunity to learn how others may
approach a goal or task.
Run for office. If you haven’t filled a club
executive role before or haven’t tried a
different one, it is time to step up. If you
have served on your club executive and
haven’t yet served in District Leadership,
you should consider it. The growth you can
experience in these roles will increase your
potential!
Talk, Toast and Tell everyone when you
achieve your goal! Don’t forget to celebrate
the same when a fellow club member
achieves, too.
Happy New Year!
January 2017
District 45 Toastmasters Newsletter
CAN-AM LINK
Volume 61 ISSUE 7
Page 2
January 2017
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
.
I joined the Speak-Easy Toastmasters 3948 in September
of this year to improve my speaking and leadership skills. I
don’t join many organizations but the very welcoming and
encouraging environment at the bi-monthly meetings
encouraged me to jump in with both feet. In doing so I
decided to attend the District 45 Fall Conference held in
November at St Andrews, NB. What a rewarding
experience! Everyone, and I mean everyone, was so
friendly and inclusive each step of the way. I discovered
that Toastmasters members are enthusiastic clappers. My
palms grew tender while enjoying the energy it created. I
received valuable information during sessions as well as
during the many relaxed conversations I enjoyed during
mix-and-mingle times. The schedule was organized,
variety of events well rounded, timing was punctual—a
must for all Toastmasters I’ve learned, and the venue was
stellar. Would I recommend it to others? I guess the
answer is a most definite yes as I am planning to attend
the spring conference!
Debbie Brady
Speak-Easy Toastmasters 3948
Just a note to say “Thank You” for the informative articles
that are being published in the monthly CanAm Link. The
December edition was particularly of interest to me as it
focused on the Distinguished Club Program and goals,
both for individual members and for clubs. Most
especially, thank you for the article encouraging folks to
take the time, now at midyear, to re-examine our club
goals and not wait until May or June. I challenge clubs to
be Distinguished by April 30 and then use May and June to
reach for Select and President’s Distinguished!
Wendy Harding, DTM, PID
President, Fredericton Toastmasters 2204
If you have a comment or opinion that you like to send to
the editor, send it to [email protected] with letter
to the editor in the subject line.
Club Growth Tip – Spread the Word
WE MAKE TOASTMASTERS A SECRET
when we don't talk about our activities. You
don't need to wait for a special event. Of
course, when you have an event, be sure to
mention it. Here are a few ideas on how to
invite others to your club.
Oh, TM is great. You should come.
Come to our next TM meeting, John
is speaking about bubble gum in art.
He always gives funny and
informative speeches.
TM is holding an open house next
week, I'd like you to be my guest.
TM is having a social, I'd like you to
meet some of the people who have
been a positive influence on me.
TM is conducting leadership training,
come and learn about leading a
volunteer organization.
TM is holding the largest public
speaking contest in the world, it
starts with club contests, come to
our club and see where it all starts.
January is a great time to spread the word.
Talk up Toastmasters is an annual
membership promotion in Feb and March.
Our district awards a Spring Conference
registration to clubs that earn the Talk up
Toastmasters award. Start spreading the
word now and together our clubs will grow.
mailto:[email protected]
Page 3
January 2017
AN INTERVIEW WITH CARL DUIVENVOORDEN, DTM, D45 PATHWAYS CHIEF AMBASSADOR
Why were you interested in becoming
Chief Ambassador?
I was interested in the changes to the
program. I saw it as a new
opportunity. I thought it would be
interesting to hear about the changes
as they happened. Since my term as
District Governor, I’ve continued to
try to serve both the District and the organization in various
ways so this was another opportunity to serve.
Why have you stayed as Chief Ambassador since it’s been a
lot longer than you first thought?
I think it’s very important for the organization. There are
good reasons for doing it right rather than doing it quickly.
It’s been a huge project that has been needed.
What would you say to members when they ask “Why
Pathways”?
It’s a tailored program that will be in line with the members’
needs. It’s a huge change from where everyone received the
same program. The change will be awesome. Also, there are
more learning opportunities and more skills that will be
learned. We’ll learn skills that don’t exist in the current
program. As well, the accessibility of the program is a big
factor. Any member can access the program from anywhere.
Everything will be available instantly.
What is your response to those who express concern about
starting all over again?
It’s important to remember that the current program is not
broken. Newer members can still aspire to achieving a
Competent Communicator designation. The CC manual is an
awesome program. There is also a two year overlap for
members to finish off designations if they so choose. You’re
still developing skills with the current program. If members
are aspiring to DTM, those who are part way there should
have enough time to achieve their DTM. It’s up to the
members during the overlap when to switch to the new
program.
Is there something in Pathways for those who are no longer
in the workforce?
Pathways will incorporate all the best of the current
program. All elements of the club meeting will stay the same.
I think it will provide something for everyone.
Do you think it’s good or bad that our District will be at the
end of the rollout?
At first I was disappointed when I realized we would be at
the end of the rollout. However, all bumps should be ironed
out so the rollout should be routine. Our Pathway Guides will
be the best equipped because they’ll the benefit of the
experience of other Guides in other Regions.
What would you say to get members excited about
Pathways?
Customization, real world application, instantly available –
these are all exciting aspects of Pathways. I think it’s a very
versatile, agile program that can be updated readily because
of the infrastructure that has been developed. There’s an
opportunity for members to upload their own videos which
can become part of the education resources for all. As a
veteran member, it will be nice to see new elements. It’s also
important to remember that all elements will be available on
paper for those who choose that option. I think it will help
engage all members and provide new challenges for the
more experienced member.
Carl Duivenvoorden, DTM is a Past Distinguished District
Governor.
“Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the
action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and
eventually the confidence will follow.”
Carrie Fisher
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/90150.Carrie_Fisher
Page 4
January 2017
REPEATING DESIGNATIONS
Many Toastmasters achieve multiples of the same
designations, and members often question why. There
are a number of benefits to you and your club for doing
this.
Every speech you give should be a manual speech
because working towards specific objectives is what
helps you improve your presentation skills. If you
always have a Competent Communication (CC) manual
on the go, it is easier for you to fill in as a speaker with
little notice while still ensuring your speech is a manual
speech.
Repeating the CC manual forces you to focus on the
fundamentals of speaking. It also encourages your
evaluator to focus on those fundamentals. Far too
often, basic errors such as poor eye contact or
ineffective body language are overlooked when
someone is speaking from an advanced manual because
these fundamentals are not one of the project
objectives. There is also a tendency for an evaluator of
an experienced speaker to think “I know she knows she
should have vocal variety – I don’t really need to
mention it.”
A benefit to the club is that having experienced
members present speech from the CC manual gives
newer members the opportunity to see
different approaches to the various projects in the that
manual. As well, you act as a role model. Demonstrating
your willingness to speak and to ensure that all your
speeches are manual speeches makes it easier for you to
encourage others to complete their manuals. Another
benefit to the club is that it makes it easier to fill
speaking roles at the last minute, if needed. If you’ve
completed your CC and are working on an advanced
manual, consider working on another CC at the same
time.
Lance Miller, 2005 World Champion of Public Speaking,
strongly believes in the value of repeating designations
to strengthen your spreaking skills. Lance has completed
almost 20 CCs, 5 on an impromptu basis. You might want
to consider this challenge. Have another Toastmaster
give you the topic just before the meeting starts which
will give you some time to organize your thoughts. Or, if
you’re feeling really adventurous, have the Toastmaster
give you your topic as you’re being introduced. Treat it as
a longer table topic. It will give you additional practice in
quickly organizing your thoughts into an opening, a body
and conclusion and it will have the added benefit of
making you more proficient in regular table topics.
Take the challenge of repeating designations and you and
your club will Reach for the Top.
NEWSLETTER CONTEST WINNERS
August contest – Sherry MacDonald, Provincially Speaking Toastmasters, Halifax, NS
September Contest – Dahlia Ghosh, Saint John Toastmasters, Saint John, NB
October Contest – Heather Drope, Creatively Speaking Toastmasters and Schooner Toastmasters, Halifax, NS
November Contest – Jeanne Mance Cormier, Hub City Toastmasters, Moncton, NB and Spotlight Toastmasters, Summerside,
PEI
December Contest – Rosemary Drisdelle, Creatively Speaking, Halifax, NS and Gracefully Speaking, Bedford, NS
January Contest – will your name be next? Check on this months’ contest on the last page of the newsletter.
Page 5
January 2017
EVALUATING FOR SUCCESS
Evaluation is what makes Toastmasters unique. Not
only do we get evaluations of our speeches, we also
get the meeting as a whole evaluated. Effective
evaluations can be a determinant of club success.
How can you ensure that your club members give
effective evaluations? To help with this, periodically
present the Successful Club Series module Evaluate to
Motivate. An even better tool for improving
evaluations is the Success/Communication program
The Art of Effective Evaluation. This module will
require a full two-hour meeting or could be split into
two one hour sessions. You normally see an
immediate improvement in evaluations after a club
conducts this module. Each club should conduct this
once every two years. It is valuable information for
new members and a good refresher for experienced
members.
You can also improve your evaluations by keeping the
following suggestions in mind:
Always give a recommendation for improvement,
regardless of the experience level of the speaker.
However, you should not overwhelm a speaker with
suggestions but rather give one or two
recommendations that the speaker can incorporate
into the next speech.
Base your speech evaluation on the objectives for
the particular project. You’ve probably seen
speeches where the speaker had great presentation
skills but did not meet most, or any, of the project
objectives. The evaluation focused on the great
presentation and not on the failure to achieve the
objectives. Conversely, a speaker meets all the
objectives but the evaluation focuses on the
deficiencies in presentation skills.
Address the evaluation to the speaker. Some
evaluators never look at the speaker or mention the
speaker’s name. You can sometimes be left
wondering which speaker was being evaluated.
Do not evaluate based on “assumptions” about what
makes a good presentation. Too often evaluators criticize
a speaker for using notes when using notes may have been
appropriate. Rather, it’s better to comment on how
effectively the speaker used notes. Again, too many
evaluators criticize the speaker for using the lectern. There
is nothing wrong, per se, with using the lectern. If a
speaker feels more comfortable using a lectern, comment
on how well they used the lectern – could they be seen, did
they have appropriate body language, etc.?
Remember that an evaluation is your opinion. Use
phrases such as “I feel”, “I would like to see”, etc. As a
speaker, remember that if you don’t agree with your
evaluation, ask another member to give you another
evaluation.
Encourage all members to provide an evaluation. Use the
space on the voting ballot (or on a separate piece of paper
if you don’t use the voting ballot) to provide additional
feedback to speakers or to a member fulfilling another
meeting role. The more feedback we receive, the better
our chances of improving.
Use these suggestions and your club and its members can
Reach for the Top through effective evaluations.
Build someone up.
Put their insecurities to
sleep.
Remind them they are
worthy.
Tell them they are
magical.
Be a light in a too often
dim world.
Page 6
January 2017
EDUCATIONAL MODULES AND CLUB SUCCESS
There are many ways to ensure that clubs achieve
success. Clubs that have well-organized, quality meetings
are generally successful. This means their members set
goals for themselves and they give manual speeches. The
club focuses on both member retention as well as
membership growth. Roles are generally scheduled in
advance and the club uses the additional educational
material that is available to them from Toastmasters
International.
The additional educational material available to clubs is
often a very under-utilized resource. Clubs should be
scheduling formal educational presentations on a regular
basis with a minimum of two of these presentations each
club year. Conducting these presentations provides
ongoing learning for members focused on specific aspects
of member and club success. It gives members practice in
using PowerPoint slides and practice in giving “workshop”
type presentations. You can have a member give one of
these modules with little notice in the event that you have
a speaker cancel. As well, members working toward their
Advanced Leader Bronze or various levels of the Advanced
Communicator designations need to give some of the
presentations to fulfill their requirements for the
designation.
What are these educational resources and how can they
help your club? The main educational resources are:
Success/Communication Modules – these are
generally two-hour modules and include How to
Listen Effectively, the Art of Effective Evaluation,
Building your Thinking Power (Parts 1 and 2) and
from Speaker to Trainer. These can be given at
club meetings or can be used with community
groups as a way of raising funds for the club. Also
included in this group is the Speechcraft program
which is used with outside groups.
• Success/Leadership Modules – these are also
generally two hour modules and include How to
Conduct Productive Meetings, Parliamentary
Procedure in Action, Leadership (three parts) and
Improving Your Management Skills. Again, these
can be given at club meetings or can be used with
community groups as a way of raising funds for the
club.
• Better Speaker Series – this is a series of 10 minute
modules that give practice tips that can be of
benefit to all members. Some of the 11 modules
are Beginning Your Speech, Selecting Your Topic,
Creating an Introduction and Using Body Language.
• Successful Club Series – this series of 11 modules
addresses the subject of quality club meetings and
offers tips on attracting and maintaining members.
Included among the modules are Creating the Best
Club Climate, Finding New Members for Your Club,
Mentoring and How to Be a Distinguished Club.
• Leadership Excellence Series – these modules help
members learn the skills they need to be successful
leaders inside and outside Toastmasters. There are
11 modules including Developing a Mission, Goal
Setting and Planning, Building a Team, and
Resolving Conflict.
Plan for regular educational presentations. They are
informative for members and the presentations provide
yet another learning experience for those members who
present the modules. Use these resources to help your
club and members achieve success.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=district%2045%20toastmastersmailto:@d45tmhttps://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=district%2045%20toastmastersmailto:@d45tmhttps://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=district%2045%20toastmastersmailto:@d45tmhttps://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=district%2045%20toastmastersmailto:@d45tmhttps://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=district%2045%20toastmastersmailto:@d45tm
Page 7
January 2017
CHOOSING AN ADVANCED MANUAL A TOAST IMONIAL
Congratulations! You’ve just completed your Competent
Communicator designation. Now you’re facing an
important decision. Which advanced manuals are right for
you?
There are 15 advanced manuals to choose from. You can
select areas that are of greatest relevance to you in your
work or areas that are just of interest to you. One thing
you should keep in mind is the length of the projects in
any particular manual. The projects in the Special
Occasion manual are five to seven minutes or less.
Projects in the Discussion Leader may take 40 minutes.
Can your club accommodate a presentation that long? Do
you have time to prepare a presentation that will take
that long? Another consideration is that some projects in
the Discussion Leader, Communicating on Video and
Interpersonal Communication manuals require you to
involve one or more other members in your presentation.
You need to ensure there are members you can count on
to help you with these projects.
You may find that you are drawn to certain manuals. For
example, you may chose manuals such as Speeches by
Management, Technical Presentations and Speaking to
Inform because you are comfortable with the types of
speeches they require. You may avoid manuals such as
Storytelling and Interpretive Reading because they
require you to step outside your comfort zone. By trying a
manual that seems outside your comfort zone, you will
learn a lot from doing those speeches, you will try new
things and you will become a better speaker.
When you choose advanced manuals, consider those that
will take you outside your comfort zone. You may be
surprised how much you might enjoy the projects. Accept
the challenge of stepping outside your speaking comfort
zone and you will continue to Reach for the Top.
When I was a lot younger I took modelling and public
speaking and throughout the years I have had many
opportunities to model but always shied away from the
public speaking part. I worked as a fundraising coordinator
for 7 years and worked with many businesses to put on
successful events , but again I left the speeches for someone
else .This past year I decided to start my own company and
buy the branding fab@50 to host events for New Brunswick
that are of interest to the baby boomer demographic. As this
will require a lot of public presentations, speeches etc, I
started attending Toastmasters last spring .The difference it
has made for me is phenomenal.
I have done 7 speeches, 2 public presentations of my
company and I feel I am so much more confident in the
public now. In fact, I was asked to speak at a Celiac group
meeting and had a lady come up to me afterwards and ask if
I was a professional speaker. I told her I attend Toastmasters
and that is where I get my confidence from. I have many
goals that I will reach with Toastmasters: one is to compete
in speech contests; and to obtain my bronze and silver
certificates. I wholeheartedly recommend Toastmasters to
all my friends. I am now newly elected to the executive as VP
of Membership and will do everything I can to bring in new
members.
Juanita Wilson is the Vice President of Membership of this
new bilingual club for women in Moncton.
Page 8
January 2017
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Division C News
Golden Toastmasters Club generously hosted the Division C
Holiday Potluck Party on December 7th. Natalie Smith was
an outstanding Chair for the event. May Burrell led the carol
singing with great gusto! and Robert VanOostwaard amused
us with a seasonal theme of Interpretive reading. Division C
Members and guests enjoyed three rousing rounds of table
topics, topics were all food bank items that would be
donated after the party. The evening ended with a speak off
between top TT speakers Gary Belding and Jeremy
DeMerchant. The winner was Gary Belding selected by
thundering applause. One of the most excellent things
about Toastmasters is that we like to celebrate each other's
success; Marven Grant was presented with his CC Award by
Club President John Combaluzier.
The 45th anniversary of Fredericton Toastmasters 473 King
Street was celebrated on Monday December 5/16 during
the regular meeting. The Club's achievement was
celebrated with a full house of members, guests AND
cake! Congratulations Club 2204.
Division G News
Area 8 in Division G held a Holiday Meeting on
December 14th
. The meeting was hosted by
Toastmasters of Greater Burlington. Not only were
there a number of guests, there were members from
all 6 clubs in Area 8. The meeting was a huge success
with 5 speakers, evaluations, Table Topics and humor.
Toastmaster Kathi Tynan from Toastmasters of
Greater Burlington stepped up as the Toastmaster
(her first time in the role) and she received kudos for
her masterful facilitation of the meeting. Member
feedback from the event suggests that there is
significant value to members when they meet jointly
with other clubs.
Division G News
The Traveling Gavel has been claimed once again!
Three members of Faithfully Speaking Toastmasters
visited Gracefully Speaking Toastmasters on
Wednesday, November 23rd. Congratulations to
Faithfully Speaking for putting a team together and
helping the gavel travel!
The gavel is now approaching the time period where
it is eligible to travel again. I encourage you to talk up
your club members and build up a group ready to hit
the road and claim the gavel. Please keep in mind that
the host club should be given at least a week's notice
to allow for assigning roles and logistics. Let me know
if you have a group and I'd be happy to connect you
with Faithfully Speaking.
Below is the information on Faithfully Speaking's
meetings:
Location: St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 320 Flying Cloud
Dr., Dartmouth
Meeting Time: Mondays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
First potential date for claiming: December 12, 2016
Page 9
January 2017
The Grand Summit Hotel combines the best of both worlds,
offering all the amenities you would expect from a full-service
hotel with all the convenience of a true conference facility.
Located at the entrance to the resort, the Grand Summit Hotel is a
landmark at Sunday River and provides easy access to the resort's
core winter and summer activities. The hotel's 20,000 square feet
of function space including the 6,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom
make it popular for conferences, weddings and events of all types.
Accommodations include 230 well-appointed guest rooms ranging
from standard hotel rooms to suites with kitchens. Check out this
link for views of the different types of rooms available:
http://www.sundayriver.com/lodging/grand-summit
Our next communication will include the opportunity to benefit from pricing discounts for your hotel stay. Free
internet access is available from every room on every floor of this beautiful hotel.
Conference co-chairs, Melinda McCormack and Marion Taylor, are working hard to form a committee of chairs to
make this the best conference ever. At this time, they are actively looking for volunteers to chair the following
exciting positions:
Publicity - Make sure every Club member is aware of
the conference, knows how to register, and is
motivated to attend.
Bookstore - Provide and sell Toastmaster materials
relevant to Club and District goals.
Signage - Create and display signs for attendees to
understand and locate Conference events, a few signs
are already created and available from the district.
Entertainment - Provide evening amusement for
attendees.
Printing / Program - Design and produce Conference
program that clearly identifies, explains, and shows
Conference events and principal personnel.
Opening Ceremonies/Banner Parade - Provide an
opportunity to recognize attending Clubs by displaying
their banner and ribbons to the general assembly.
Donations/Sponsorship - Acquire door prizes for both
attendee and donor benefit.
Hospitality Room - To provide a comfortable place for
attendees to gather in between or in lieu of Conference
activities.
Details / Protocol - Assist Conference Chairs with
protocol, details, and unexpected situations. May be
responsible for visiting dignitaries.
Media - Support individuals to record conference
events and attendees for website display, individual
recognition, and eventual distribution.
Sergeant at Arms - Keep conference on time, keep
individual sessions organized, and keep crowd under
control.
Stage Manager - Make sure general sessions run
smoothly
Silent Auction - Acquire items from clubs for auction,
manage auction, collect funds.
** Please note any chair responsibilities not list above have been filled but please inquire about a role not listed,
please feel free to reach out to Melinda and/or Marion.
D45 SPRING CONFERENCE, MAY 19 – 21, 2017
http://www.sundayriver.com/lodging/grand-summitmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
Page 10
January 2017
Competent Communicator Awards – December 2016
Name Club Date Rec’d
Cornelia Buhrmann Manulife High Tide Talkers December 8, 2016
Thomas Dowd Kennebec Valley Toastmasters December 7, 2016
Grant Drmaj Manulife High Tide Talkers December 9, 2016
Joseph Grondin Bagtown Babblers December 15, 2016
Rhea Katherine Hamlin Wolfville Toastmasters December 5, 2016
Sharon Joseph Rise and Shine Advanced Toastmasters December 10, 2016
Ashlee Laroche Granite Place Club December 1, 2016
Cynthia Ravinski TD Legendary Leaders Toastmasters December 8, 2016
Leadership Awards– December 2016
Designation Name Club Date Rec’d
CL Kerra Aucoin Successfully Speaking Women December 18, 2016
CL Andy Buyting Fredericton Toastmasters December 10, 2016
CL Owen David Karner Blue Toastmasters December 5, 2016
CL Sharon Forbrigger Faithfully Speaking Toastmasters December 5, 2016
CL Wendy Harding Rise and Shine Advanced December 6, 2016
CL Mason Landry Dal Toastmasters December 11, 2016
CL Polly-Anne Rhuland Successfully Speaking Women December 18, 2016
ALB Chang Lin Portland Harborside Toastmasters December 18, 2016
ALB Marian Zaichkowski Riverview Canusa Toastmasters December 6, 2016
Advanced Communicator Awards– December 2016
Designation Name Club Date Rec’d
ACB Norma Pasatieri Speak-Easy Toastmasters December 13, 2016
ACS Dawna-Jean Turchon Kennebec Valley Toastmasters December 7, 2016
ACG Angela Dunn Schooner Toastmasters December 6, 2016
Triple Crown Awards – December 2016
Name Club Date Rec’d
Dawna-Jean Turchon Kennebec Valley Toastmasters December 7, 2016
Angela Dunn Schooner Toastmasters December 6, 2016
Page 11
January 2017
DISTINGUISHED TOASTMASTERS FOR DECEMBER 2016
The Distinguished Toastmaster award is the highest our organization bestows. The DTM
recognizes a superior level of achievement in both communication and leadership.
Distinguished Toastmasters are a rare breed. Less than one percent of all Toastmasters ever
achieve that designation.
Angela Dunn joined Schooner Toastmasters in November 1, 2005. Angela helped start Xstatically
Speaking and was a member of that club for several years. Angela served as Area 1 Governor
and Division D Governor. Angela says she did 1.5 HPL’s. The initial HPL was around organizing
the Division D TLI. She did everything except the final speech! To finish the requirement she
started over and organized a very successful Spring Contest for the Schooner club. Angela says
that one thing she learned on her journey to her DTM was that finishing what you start is so
important. She was very close to finishing her DTM and then took a break from Toastmasters
but not finishing her DTM haunted her! She renewed her membership with Schooner and
pursued her DTM.
Of almost 2,000 members in our District, only 29% have been a member for at least 5 years, 14%
have been a member for at least 10 years and only 7% have been a member for 15 years or
more. Each month we will celebrate those members who celebrating an anniversary in that
month. 5th
, 10th
, 15th
etc anniversaries will be recognized.
Name Clubs(s) # of Years
Donald Winn Nashua-Hudson Club 35
Scott McDonald Millyard Toastmasters 15
Robert Adsett Club AcadiUM 10
Amy Donald Savvy Speakers 10
Jennifer McClare Speakeasy Toastmasters 10
Jill Ripley Portsmouth Toastmasters 10
Jack Wimme Nashua-Hudson Club 10
Murielle Gaudet Civil Speakers Club, Rise and Shine Advanced,
Electrically Speaking Toastmasters
5
Eric Higley Toastmasters of Greater Burlington 5
Sharon LeBlanc Yarmouth Toastmasters 5
Ravikant Patil Bangor Toastmasters 5
Patrick Peick Karner Blue Toastmasters 5
Every 5th anniversary of a club is recognized. Once a club has reached the half-century mark,
every anniversary is included and celebrated. The following clubs are celebrating significant
anniversaries in the month of September:
Lewiston-Auburn #1741 chartered 60 years ago on January 1st, 1957.
Page 12
January 2017
Dis
tric
t C
ale
nd
ar
JANUARY EVENTS
7th
– Division E – Makeup TLI in Summerside PEI at
Community Connections on Water Street.
11th
– Division A, TLI 5 p.m. at Dept. of Environmental
Services, Hazen Drive, Concord
14th
– Division "C" Winter TLI at Holy Family Parish
Church Hall 1500 Hanwell Road Fredericton NB
21st
– Divisions D and F TLI, St. Vincent de Paul Church
Hall, Cole Harbour, NS
28th
– Divisions D and F Greenwood TLI, Burchell
Training Centre, Greenwood, NS
Area Director visits begin.
FEBRUARY EVENTS
4th
– Division C make-up TLI in Saint John, 1 – 5 pm at
the Saint John Free Public Library (Room 3), 1 Market
Square, Saint John, NB E2L 4Z6.
MARCH EVENTS
31st
Club contests should be completed.
APRIL EVENTS
29TH
– Division A, Speech Contests, 8:30 a.m. at Dept.
of Environmental Services, Hazen Drive; the doors
open and contests begin at 9:30 a.m.
22nd
- Division C Contests, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers
Hospital Conference Rooms A and B with briefing
at 12:30 pm. Contests will begin at 1:00pm.
MAY EVENTS
6th
– Divisions D and F Spring Contests
19th
– 21st
District 45 Spring Conference, Sunday River,
Newry, ME
31st
– Area Director visits MUST be completed.
JUNE EVENTS
3rd
– Divisions D and F Greenwood TLI, Burchell
Training Centre, Greenwood, NS
17th
– Divisions D and F TLI, St. Vincent de Paul Church
Hall, Cole Harbour, NS
17th
– Division C Summer TLI at the Northside Senior
Center 112 Johnson Avenue, Fredericton NB
Things to Remember
How quickly does a new member give their
IceBreaker speech in your club? You should
encourage a new member to give the speech
as soon as possible. The earlier they give the
speech, the more likely they are to continue
speaking and assume other roles in the
meeting. As a club officer, are you ensuring
that all members are participating in all roles
in the meeting? If you use a sign-up sheet,
members may not sign up for roles with which
they don’t feel comfortable. However, if they
don’t do the role, they will never get
comfortable doing the role. Evaluation is one
in particular that members often feel
uncomfortable with. Members should not be
earning a Competent Communicator
designation without ever having given a
speech evaluation. Some clubs have a rule
that a member must give five speeches
before giving an evaluation. Why? That only
reinforces to the member that evaluation is
difficult and makes them less likely to
attempt it. Many of our members give
evaluations in their workplace. They can use
the skills from that in giving a speech
evaluation. The more that you encourage
members to participate in all roles, the more
the member will gain from their membership
and the more likely they are to stay with the
club because they can see the benefits to
them. Monitor what roles members are
assuming and encourage everyone to be an
active participant in every meeting.
Page 13
January 2017
1 2 3
4 5 6
7
8 9
10 11
12
13
This little guy is still searching for your articles. He knows they must be out there somewhere
but for some reason, they’re not being sent to the newsletter article. This is YOUR newsletter
and it needs YOUR content. Turn one of your speeches into an article. It doesn’t have to be
long – even half a page would be great. We all have great ideas on how to be successful
ourselves and how to make our clubs successful. Share those ideas with others! Tell us about
your first experience with Toastmasters. What have you learned? Tell about your conference
experience. What about tips on speech ideas? The possibilities are limitless. Send your articles to the newsletter
editor along with a photo of yourself. Let’s fill the newsletter with articles by, and about, our District 45 members.
Conference Crossword
Newsletter Contest
Prizes are a choice of a large portfolio and pen or a tablet cover. Your entry should be sent to the
newsletter editor, Heather Perkins.
This month’s question, based on the December newsletter is:
What is Joe Grondin’s favourite food?
To qualify for the draw, you must give the answer and the page number where it appeared. Entries
must be received by January10th, 12:00 pm EDT.
Across
1. resort for spring conference
4. what you attend if you're a President or
VPE or carrying a proxy
8. there will be two of these
10. you can help by serving on one of
these
11. what you'll experience from the time
you arrive at the conference
12. the educational portion of the
conference
13. what your club needs to achieve by
April 30th to be recognized
Down
1. you can help by finding one of these
2. the conference theme
3. you might serve as one of these
5. location of resort
6. the name of the trophy given to the
club whose members travel the longest
distance to the conference
7. when accomplishments are recognized
9. the month of the conference
Newsletter Editor – Heather Perkins, DTM
902-860-0523
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]Top Related