 Enthusiasm
by Cyndra Melville, DTM
District Governor
Enthusiasm is contagious....Pass it on. This is our theme for the 2008-2009 Toastmaster year.
Enthusiasm is being excited about what you are doing. In Toastmasters, we have a lot to be excited about. We are working to help people improve their lives! This is exciting! We not only help people build their communication and leadership skills, we help them with self confidence and self esteem. This helps people in all aspects of their lives, business, family, friends, and other organizations.
Enthusiasm is like laughter, you become enthusiastic because others around you are enthusiastic. If you feel a little down one day, the enthusiasm that you passed on to someone else will come back and make you feel enthusiastic again. It is a never ending circle.
Let's all let our enthusiasm for Toastmasters shine. |
 District 22 Jazzed It Up!
By Lois Harger, DTM
Past District Governor District 22 proudly hosted the Region V Conference June 20-21, 2008, at the Kansas City Airport Marriott Hotel. Around 190 Toastmasters and guests enjoyed education, training, jazz, humorous speeches, BBQ Queens, delicious food, camaraderie, business meeting, silent auction, and the International Speech Contest.
My most sincere thanks to the "Dream Team" of District 22 Toastmasters who worked through the 16-month planning process, and coordinated their committees at the conference, so that all attendees would have an enjoyable and productive conference. You and your committees wonderfully executed the conference plans! Thank you, one and all!
Many of the silent auction donations were acknowledged in the conference program. I apologize for the omission of a few individual and club names. The complete list of donors follows. Collectively, the auction receipts totaled an amazing $1515! The auction will help pay conference expenses. A special "thank you" to all donors.
Clubs Toastmasters
Agmasters Lois Harger
Avionics Masters Peggy Lancaster
Bluejacket Jerry Lanese
Capgemini Toastmasters Laura Linstra
Catpoint Rolland Love
Cerner Innovative Ken McClendon
Don't Stop Talking @ DST Dale McCurley
Energizing Voices Cyndra Melville
Fountain Head Tawanda Nicholson
Marathon Masters Leslie Russel
Masters Sally Smart
Network Masters Mike Walden
Northern Nights Larry Wilson
Professionally Speaking
Pro-MO
Pure Energy Companies
Security Benefit Banner Electric
Sit, Stay, Speak Robin's Massage
S'MartMasters
Spielers
Spirit of Liberty
Suburban
Toastmasters Unlimited
Tower Talkers
It was my honor to serve as the Host District Chair of the Conference on behalf of District 22.
Captions: Top - Lois Harger, DTM, Region V conference coordinator, and her husband Ron Harger (right), Past Intrenational Director. Lois is a member of Blue Jackets, Olathe Sunrise and Masters Toastmasters. Right - Devon Pierre Jackson won 2nd Place in the Region 5 International Speech Contest with his speech "Songs of Life" on June 21 (right) Pat Johnson, Toastmasters Third Vice President presented his trophy along with (left) International Directors Dietmar Wagenknect and Michael Smith. Devon is currently a member of Meadowlark Toastmasters in Topeka and began his Toastmasters competing experience in Security Benefit Club. (Photographer Ryan Hartwich)
Find your favorite picture from the Region V conference at http://flickr.com/photos/fusiondb. Find out more about the winners at the Region V conference at http://www.region5tm.org. |
 Be A Goal Getter
By Annette Rude, DTM
Lt. Govenor Education & Training
Congratulations to the 380 Toastmasters who achieved educational awards in 2007-2008 in District 22.
The good news is that 100 members submitted Toastmasters awards in June, with 380 awards in all earned during the 2007-2008 year.
Our challenge is that over a quarter of all awards are submitted in the last month of the Toastmasters year. Only 1/3 of educational awards are submitted in the first six months, from July through December.
Did you know that in District 22, only one in three Toastmasters have completed any educational program?
To encourage you to double your expectation this year, especially during these first six months, we are offering an individual Goal Getter ribbon to Toastmasters who earn their educational applications by December 30, 2008.
In addition, we are continuing the Goal Getter Club ribbon to clubs that earn five Distinguished Club points by December 30.
Can you do it? As Henry Ford said, "whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right". So go ahead and think that you can achieve your next award by December. What is that award? Set a goal right now. Make a plan, mark your calendar, and notify your Vice President of Education.
To receive your award, attend the general session at our winter Toastmasters Leadership Institute.
Go-al get'em. |
 Setting Our Goals
By Cyndra Melville, DTM
District Govenor
July is the beginning of Our Toastmaster year. This is a perfect time to set our goals for the year ending June 30, 2009. What do you personally want to accomplish? Talk to the members of your club and combine all of these personal goals into club goals.
How distinguished can you be? I would like to see each club set a goal of Distinguished or better according to the Distinguished Club Program (DCP). This would mean that the club members are setting and completing their goals and the club is fulfilling its purpose.
We will be working with the Area Governors to help you reach whichever goal you set. They might ask you to help them achieve their goals, too. Their goals are met when the clubs in their Area are successful.
Let's all plan our achievements and together we will make a successful District. We already know that we are wonderful. Let's show the world! |
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DCP DCP DCP
Why DCP?
By Larry Wilson, DTM
What is the Distinguished Club Program (DCP)? Why do the district and the club officers talk about it so often? And, why should you care about it?
Some people feel that emphasis on the DCP focuses more on the club than the members. After all, a club's responsibility is to its members. That is definitely true - a club exists solely to allow the members to reach their communication and leadership goals. However, is your club effective enough to help you reach your goals? Could your club do better?
The DCP is a measuring stick to determine if the club is effective. It gauges that by marking milestones in the achievements of the club members, the club membership growth, and, handling its responsibilities to Toastmasters International such as paying membership dues and sending in the list of newly elected club officers.
The idea is that if the members are earning awards, then they are giving speeches and doing other activities within the club. This assumes that appropriate feedback is given to the members to help them improve their skills.
One of the main responsibilities of a district is to ensure that the clubs are strong. Again, one way to determine that is by the DCP. Do clubs have enough members to hold useful meetings? Are they paying their semi-annual dues? Are club members earning awards? Did the officers receive training for their respective office? What can the district officers, with their experience in Toastmasters, do to help clubs help their members? And, what type of activities can the district sponsor to help the members?
The bottom line is that each of us is responsible for doing what it takes to attain our goals. A Toastmasters club, backed by the district and by Toastmasters International, can assist. Your club is your vehicle to support you in your quest. Speak up if you have a suggestion for improving the club. Step up and be a club officer to improve your own skills all the while helping others to reach theirs. |
 Open House Challenge!
By Kim Myers, DTM
Lt. Governor Marketing
Have you ever wondered how to increase membership in your club? Have you wondered how you can complete the membership building campaign portions of your Competent Leadership Manual? It is easy! Hold an open house during your regular meeting time!
As Lt. Governor of Marketing, I am challenging each club to hold one open house during the Smedley Award period from August 1 to September 30. For each club that sends me a copy of their publicity flyer, the number of guests, and the number of guests that turned into Toastmasters the VP-Membership, VP-Public Relations and the Campaign Chair will be recognized and their clubs will receive an item for their banners at the January Toastmasters Leadership Institute.
In addition, we will have recognition of the best publicity flyer!
How do you plan an open house? Focus on Fun!
Get your executive committee together to plan a date for the meeting. You need to plan ahead! Plan the meeting - just like you would a new club demo meeting! One speaker working on the early speeches in their Competent Communication manual, a Toastmaster who can facilitate the question session, an evaluator, a general evaluator, and add the other functionaries that your club generally uses in a meeting. Bring food! Have a competition between members on who can bring and sponsor the most new members. Challenge each other - maybe men vs. women, officers vs. members - something fun. Reward the winning teams!
Don't forget the key pieces of information! A sign up form with a place for name, email address and phone number. A guest packet for every guest that includes:
· the membership form
· club contact information
· benefits of Toastmasters
· definition of roles that your club uses
· outline of the leadership and educational paths
· a copy of the ice breaker speech
Food is always good when fun is involved. Have each member bring a food item to share. I would suggest that after the meeting, take a break and share food and discussion with your guests. Make them feel welcome! Share your experiences in Toastmasters. After the food break, get back together to answer questions that your guests have. The Toastmaster should be prepared to call on other members if he/she cannot answer a question.
Lastly, do not forget to turn your guests into members. If they do not sign up that night, do not forget to personally invite them to the next meeting! |
Toastmasters Leadership Institute:
Embracing Enthusiasm
By Annette Rude, DTM
Lt. Governor Education & Training
Club officers from 76 clubs have attended District Training events so far in June and July.
Besides detailed instruction about their officer roles, attendees signed our Enthusiasm Pact to receive a gift of a mug inscribed with this year's theme: Enthusiasm is Contagious....Pass It On!
Attendees also received a TALKRS Tour card with their first sticker for attending the summer TLI.
One more District event is scheduled, rescheduled to a new date:
Saturday, July 26 - Springfield, Mo.
ANPAC, 1949 E Sunshine
9:00 am Registration begins
9:30 am General session and Officer Breakout sessions
12:30 pm Judges Training (bring a lunch)
1:30 Area S73 Council Meeting
Makeup Training is scheduled:
Saturday, August 16 - Kansas City, Mo.
KCMO Water Dept. Administration Building
4800 E 63rd St. Tfwy, KCMO
8:30 am Registration begins
9:00 am Training starts
Registration is $3 per person at the door or $15 club pre-registration for unlimited attendance by all club members.
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PROXIES: OUR VOICEBy Cyndra Melville, DTM
District 22 Governor Each club, large or small, has a voice in Toastmaster International polices. This is done at the International Conference in August. I will carry our proxies and receive a ballot for each proxy that I turn in. We will vote for candidates for International Directors and others as well as other issues brought before us. This is important to us as a District and as individual Toastmasters.
Please insure that we have a full voice during the voting by getting your club proxies to me.
Send to:
Cyndra Melville
3412 Birchwood Drive
Kansas City, MO 64137
Each Club President should have received them. If you have already sent them to Mike Tuttle, don't worry; I will get them from him. |
 Charter Challenge Winners
By Annette Rude, DTM
Lt. Governor Education & Training
I am delighted to recognize the following clubs that have earned the District 22 Charter Challenge Gold Star. These clubs increased their membership by five or more members in 2007-2008.
Our winners include small clubs and large clubs, corporate clubs and community clubs.
Club Increase
Blue Masters 22
Top Box Toasters Club 13
Ameristar Casino Kansas City 11
Emerald City Club 8
I'M A Toastmaster 6
Central Exchange Club 6
Federal Expressions Club 6
Insuring Success 6
Beechmasters Club 5
Power Speakers 5
Temple Club 5
Catpoint Club 5
Talk of the Town Club 5
Having 20 members or growing your club by five members is so important to club success that it is a critical feature of the Distinguished Club Plan.
A total of 36 clubs grew their clubs in 2007-2008 ending the year with at least one more member than they had on July 1, 2007.
We are sad to lose several clubs in 2007-2008: Real Professional Speakers, Lawrence, Vetcats, Neighborhood Toasters, Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Talk of the Block and, maybe, Hospital Hill, which has five members.
We are happy to say that all of our active clubs signed up at least one new member. The average number of new members per club was 7. |
Triple Crown Toastmasters:
How do you do that!
By Annette Rude, DTM
Lt. Governor Education & Training
You might be astounded to discover that there are Toastmasters who manage to achieve three or more educational awards in ONE year. They are unofficially known as "Triple Crown" Toastmasters.
Perhaps you know some of these amazing Toastmasters who achieved the following awards in 2007-2008:
Rhonda Green, CL, CC, CL, ACB, ACS, ACG, CL, ALB
Tawanda Nicholson-Robinson, ALB, ACB, ALS, CL, ACS
Paul McDonald, ACG, CL, ALB, CC
Teresa. Wallace, ALB, ACS, CL, CC
Wesley Cline, CC, ALS, CL
Kim Myers, ACB, ALB, CC
Kent Bryan, ACS, ALB, CL
Diane Cooley, CL, ALB, ACB
Julie Greig, CC, ACS, ACB
Rochelle. Lee, CC, CL, ALB
Cheri L Standiford, ACG, CL, CC
Carol Toland, CL, ACB, ALB
Larry Wilson, ALB, CL, CC
I noticed that most of these winners completed a Competent Leader award. Some Toastmasters get stuck when trying to complete CL project #8 (or #6) which requires organizing a Membership Contest or Public Relations Campaign in your club.
Here are their real world examples for completing this assignment.
Rhonda Green:
In the Boeing Achievers club, I chaired the membership campaign where we had informational meetings at Spirit Aerosystems and The Boeing Company.
Our purpose was to give Spirit and Boeing employees an introduction to what Toastmasters is about, and encourage them to visit our club. Our plans included
· Advance advertisement in company newspapers and on-
line communication notices to all employees
· A lunch meeting with pizza and soda as long as it would last
· One power point presentation with three presenters
· Group participation in Table Topics examples
· As a result of the two Informational meetings, we netted eight
new members!
Teresa Wallace:
In Beechmasters, our executive committee developed a Publications Relation Campaign to bring Beechmasters back to life. We met with Hawker Beechcraft Corp VP of Publication Relations, Jackie Berger, to explain what Toastmasters can do for the leadership within Beechmasters. We left the meeting with the backing from Senior Leadership within HBC. We held a kick off meeting that brought in six new members.
Larry Wilson:
For my first two CL's I did these projects:
· I chaired/coordinated our annual demo meeting. We always depend on this meeting to bring in 5 to 10 new members each year.
· We did a six-month "Invite-a-Guest Challenge." Our club records started a new section to track how many guests people brought to meetings. The "score" was shown each meeting. At the end, the "winner" was verbally recognized.
· For my third CL, I will challenge the club in August-September to earn the Smedley Award. Of the three, Beat the Clock, Talk Up Toastmasters and Smedley, our club has yet to earn Smedley. I will give each member 25 business cards with club meeting info on them to hand out to co-workers. Again, it'll be who can bring in the most guests.
Wes Cline:
Building Speakers Toastmasters Club worked the tables at a fund raiser. The purpose was to engage participants in a conversation about our Toastmasters Club to find how Toastmasters could help them. We prepared and displayed posters with testimonials about Toastmasters - which are currently posted in the room our club meets in. We have gotten several new visitors to our meetings.
What ideas do you have?
About 10% of Toastmasters in District 22 have completed a Competent Leader program, old or new. If you haven't completed it yet, let yourself to be inspired by these amazing Triple Crown Toastmasters. Set yourself a goal to complete your Competent Leader by December this year. |
 Education Awards
Congratulations to the following people for advancing through the Toastmasters education program!
Date Member Club Name
DTM
6/21/2008 Bennett, David S Heartland Club
Advanced Leader Silver
6/19/2008 Cline, Wesley Building Speakers Club
6/21/2008 Bennett, David S Heartland Club
6/30/2008 Nicholson, Tawanda Don't Stop Talking at DST Club
Advanced Leader Bronze
6/26/2008 Mann, Darla Jo S'MartMasters Toastmasters
6/26/2008 Bryan, Kent Cerner's PowerSpeak IT
6/30/2008 Lee, Rochelle D MoKan Talkers
6/30/2008 Nicholson, Tawanda Don't Stop Talking at DST Club
Competent Leader
6/17/2008 Mitchell, Kimberly R I'M A Toastmaster
6/17/2008 Siebert, Pamela S Big Blue Toastmasters
6/19/2008 Skahan, Patricia Elaine Grand Masters Club
6/23/2008 Boehm, Benjamin D McConnell Tanker Talkers
6/25/2008 Hunter, Jeffrey K Avionics Masters
6/27/2008 Eckhardt, Brenda L Network Masters
6/27/2008 Turner, Pamela Masters Club
6/30/2008 Hall, Wuanita Security Benefit Toastmasters
6/30/2008 Chapman, Jane M S'MartMasters Toastmasters
Old Competent Leader
6/23/2008 Kirk, Jane L Emerald City Club
6/24/2008 Nelson, Barbara A Network Masters Club
6/30/2008 Nevlon, Greg T Exact Expressions
6/30/2008 Berens, Regina M Metcalf Toastmasters
6/30/2008 Taber, Lawrence H State Liners Club
6/30/2008 Yother, Lucy T Leavenworth Club
Advanced Communicator Gold
6/23/2008 Duckworth, Terry J West Wichita Toastmasters
6/24/2008 Plain, Martha Ann Kansas City Word Weave Club
6/26/2008 Stannard, Nadine S West Wichita Toastmasters
Advanced Communicator Silver
6/17/2008 Conroy, William Fountain Head Toastmasters
6/24/2008 Mulroy, John Yes We Can Toast
6/25/2008 Statler, Andrew Cerner's PowerSpeak IT
6/27/2008 Christeson, Robert S McConnell Tanker Talkers
6/30/2008 Simons, Patti A Bluejacket Toastmasters
Advanced Communicator Bronze
6/18/2008 Schroeder, Kip Wichita Downtown Club
6/19/2008 Close, Sheila R Capgemini Toastmasters Club
6/25/2008 Myers, Kim Spirit of Liberty Toastmasters
6/29/2008 Zachritz, Rob E Power Speakers
6/30/2008 Hartwich, Ryan B Bluejacket Toastmasters
6/30/2008 Peck, Kim Plaza Toastmasters
Competent Communicator
6/17/2008 Bautista, Daniel E Sunrise Speakers Toastmasters
6/17/2008 Stephenson, Clint Speaking Eagles
6/17/2008 Ebert, Amanda Speaking Eagles
6/17/2008 Achoki, George Big Blue Toastmasters
6/19/2008 Fisher, JoAnn M Capgemini Toastmasters Club
6/19/2008 Payson, Kathy Jo Building Speakers Club
6/19/2008 Lopez, Iliana L T.G.I.F. Club
6/23/2008 Mansell, Michael G Building Speakers Club
6/24/2008 Meyers, Timothy P Plaza Toastmasters Club
6/24/2008 Hunter, Jeffrey K Avionics Masters
6/26/2008 Lovell, Theresa MoKan Toasters
6/26/2008 Petzoldt, Bridgett Pure Energy Club
6/26/2008 Cardador, Joe Top Box Toasters Club
6/26/2008 White, Ronald P Don't Stop Talking at DST Club
6/26/2008 Bailey, Matthew G Don't Stop Talking at DST Club
6/26/2008 Vosters, Ralph E Building Speakers Club
6/26/2008 Gray, Lee Wichita Downtown Club
6/26/2008 Cline, Wesley Building Speakers Club
6/26/2008 Kolb, Jennifer R Leavenworth Club
6/26/2008 Gaddis, Merle D S'MartMasters Toastmasters
6/26/2008 Kelley, D Maggie Heartland Club
6/27/2008 Nielsen, Megham A S'MartMasters Toastmasters
6/28/2008 Dunn, Darryl Que Masters Club
6/28/2008 Melville, Cyndra E Toastmasters Unlimited Club
6/28/2008 Stanzel, Susan Toastmasters Unlimited Club
6/29/2008 Zachritz, Rob Power Speakers
6/30/2008 Steele, Linda S Central Exchange Club
6/30/2008 Patton, Patricia C Exact Expressions
6/30/2008 Evans, Carol E Bayer Toastmasters | |
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Message
Board
Reach Out & Read Seeks Volunteers
Might you be interested in volunteering to serve as a speaker in a new Speakers Bureau committee over the next year? Or perhaps to chair the committee?
Reach Out & Read Kansas City (ROR-KC) is a medically-based, early childhood literacy program that provides free books to under-privileged children in 40 pediatric clinics around the KC metro area. We are in the process of forming a Speakers Bureau to talk with parenting groups and service organizations about early childhood literacy and ROR-KC.
You can find out more about ROR-KC at http://www.reachoutandreadkc.org
Or contact Laura Long, Volunteer Coordinator, at 913-588-2793. |
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Words For The Wise Toastmaster
This is a new feature for our brilliant Toastmasters. Learn new words, how to say them, and what they mean. Challenge yourself to use one or more of these words in your next speech.
litotes
\LYE-tuh-teez\
noun
: understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary
inanition
\in-uh-NISH-un\ noun
1: the exhausted condition that results from lack of food and water
2: the absence or loss of social, moral, or intellectual vitality or vigor
asperse
\uh-SPURSS\
verb
1: to sprinkle; especially: to sprinkle with holy water
2: to attack with evil reports or false or injurious charges
lionize
\LYE-uh-nyze\
verb
1: to treat as an object of great interest or importance
2 Brit: to show the sights of a place to
caustic
\KAWSS-tik\
adjective
1: capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action: corrosive
2: marked by incisive sarcasm
truculent
\TRUCK-yuh-lunt\
adjective
1: feeling or displaying ferocity: cruel, savage
2: deadly, destructive
3: scathingly harsh: vitriolic
4: aggressively self-assertive: belligerent
Try this:
We live in truculent times full of inanition. Caustic attitudes eat away at the fabric of human-kind. The time has come to asperse society with a new attitude, where humankind is appreciated and lionized.
(gracias Donna) |
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A Look Ahead
Membership Strategies
Smedley Award
DCP and Educational Goals
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The Gavel 
