 District 22 Honored
at 2008 International Convention By Cyndra Melville, DTM
District 22 Governor
I was so excited to go to Calgary, Canada in August to represent our District at the 77th Annual Convention! It is such an awesome experience to be among so many Toastmaster leaders from around the world. I had great conversations with people from China, New Zealand, Malaysia, Australia, and many other countries as well as all over the USA and Canada. I was also able to speak with Chris Ford, outgoing International President, and Jana Barnhill, incoming International President.
Each District Governor (me too) was able to set up appointments for an exchange of ideas with both candidates for 3rd Vice President and all of the candidates for International Director. What an incredible opportunity! They really listened to my concerns and offered advice when I asked.
Jack Mackey, Past District 22 Governor, was honored with the award of the Presidential Citation. The following is an excerpt from the Hall of Fame booklet: "Jack is a mentor to many and a role model to all. An expert club builder, he knows how to rally a team and get a demonstration meeting going, especially in the corporate environment. Jack has served the organization in many ways and continues to be an inspiration to others."
On behalf of District 22, I was honored with the award of Excellence in Education and Training. The Hall of Fame booklet states that this award ". . .signifies that a district has been successful in promoting outstanding educational programming in clubs. It is awarded to Lt. Governors Education and Training for achieving and exceeding Distinguished District Program goals in training and educational accomplishments."
So, all of you that earned an educational award last year, stretch out your right arm, reach over your left shoulder, and pat yourself on the back. You not only reached your own goals, you helped District 22 reach theirs.
Next year, the International Conference will be in Mashantucket, Connecticut at the MGM Grand; August 12-15. I am hoping that at least 22 District leaders will walk across stage with me to accept our Distinguished (or higher) District Award. Go ahead and mark your calendars. Start planning now for this incredible experience. |
 It Is Time for Renewal!
By Kim Myers, DTM
District 22 Lt. Governor - Marketing
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law defines renewal as "The act or process of renewing." In Toastmasters terms our summer consists of renewal. We have new club officers, new district officers, and we renew our club goals. Alas, as the summer comes to an end, our Vice President's - Membership need to begin contacting club members and gathering that $27. The Treasurers need to submit the dues to Toastmaster International.
It is best to begin the renewal process now. During the business portion of the meetings throughout September, remind members to pay their dues. A gentle reminder as you send out your club reminders is in order as well. Remind your membership to bring cash or checkbooks to the next meeting. Make time at the beginning and end of the meeting to personally talk to each member. Have receipts ready to give to your members when they pay their dues.
As contest season is now in full swing, it is important that your contest members are members in good standing of clubs in good standing. In simple terms - dues must be paid. Each club should turn in all of the dues that you have in hand by September 30. The best method to pay is online. Use www.toastmasters.org under the member section, club business to pay your dues with a debit card. TI records those renewal upon receipt. If your club does not have a debit card, you will need to get them submitted via snail mail as early as possible.
Make certain that you contact everyone on your membership roster. Renewal is actually the best time to do something fun for your club. Conducting a meeting with special member recognition and inviting family members is an easy way to remind members why they love Toastmasters.
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Take the TALKRS Tour: Mark Your Calendar for the Fall Season
By Annette Rude, DTM, Lt. Governor Education & Training
Sign up for the full Toastmasters experience: community, camaraderie, competition, fun, food, learning, laughter, inspiration, awards, rewards, prizes, appreciation.
I invite you to take the Fall Toastmasters Tour starting with your Area contests this month and your Division contest next month and culminating at the District 22 conference on November 14-15. At each event, pick up your sticker for your TALKRS Tour card.
Communication - Laugh and learn at the same time from competitors in our Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests. Be inspired by our guest speakers, Carl DiCapo, community volunteer extraordinaire, and Marilyn Strauss, founder of the Kansas City Shakespeare festival.
Camaraderie - Sign up for the complete experience: Carry your club banner in the opening parade. Visit with Toastmasters in the hospitality room and watch a DVD showing of the Toastmasters International Speech Contest. Join fellow Toastmasters at educational sessions on speaking, organizing, evaluating, leadership and humor. Represent your club at the District Council meeting.
Community - Join us at lunch and dinner banquets. Brag on your club at our Brag Breakfast. Be recognized in the Hall of Fame. Meet our Toastmasters International Director, Michael Smith.
So much more. Find out for yourself. Contest dates and registration forms are listed on our website www.toastmasters22.org. Just click on Calendar or Conference.
Join in!
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 Checking Your Distinguished Progress
By Mike Raffety, DTM,
Past District Governor District 30
International Director from Region V Ever wondered just what you need to do to be a Distinguished Area or Division (or District)? Hopefully, you've already discovered the district reports on the Toastmasters International web site. Just go to http://www.toastmasters.org/dpr, select your district from the menu, and you've got a whole bunch of numbers to look at. On the other hand, they're just numbers. It's hard to figure out what remains to be done for the year. I've developed my own web site, based entirely on what's published on the TI web site, to help you turn these numbers into information you can actually use to take action. Go to http://mikeraffety.com/Reports, click on your district number, then the "Area to-do's" link. Scroll down to your area or division, and you'll get an explanation in plain English of just what you have to do to be distinguished! There's quite a few other features, like the district directory, with several years of historical information about your clubs, and how to contact them, and a list of people who have earned three (or more) educational awards in your district to date. Explore and enjoy, make it a part of your roadmap to distinguished this year! |
 Twenty Enthusiastic Active Members --
T-E-A-M
By Kim Myers, DTM
District 22 Lt. Governor - Marketing
During the Toastmaster Leadership Institutes, club officers heard the mantra "Twenty Enthusiastic Active Members. A club that keeps their membership at twenty members or more has a greater ability to meet each Toastmaster's goals of education and leadership. Why? Because a club is more dynamic, meetings are more action packed, and members are not playing multiple roles.
Don't Stop Talking at DST is one of my home clubs. At DST, the Table Topic Master endeavors to call on club members who are not playing either speaking roles or functionary roles. It also means that we have excellent meeting attendance.
DST also assesses the club performance yearly. The assessment takes the form of a survey. They ask their members:
· Is the club meeting your educational goals?
· Is the club meeting your leadership goals?
· Are meetings enjoyable?
· Which roles do you most enjoy?
· Which roles do you least enjoy?
· Do you feel actively engaged in the meetings?
· Is the executive board effective?
· Do you feel welcome at each meeting?
· Are you greeting guests?
· Are you sponsoring new members?
· Are you willing to mentor new members?
· What is your next educational goal and when do
you plan to earn it?
· What is your next leadership goal and when do you
plan to earn it?
Another means of surveying your membership is to present "Moments of Truth" from the Successful Club Series of manuals. Whatever form those questions take, they are important to keeping members active.
As Toastmasters, we understand that members leave the club because they relocate, meet their own goals, or retire. We also know that on occasion we lose members because we are unable to meet our members' goals. Those members rarely, if ever, rejoin a Toastmasters Club. It is incumbent for each club to evaluate our membership. We constantly need to seek our new members and keep our existing members having fun and attaining goals.
Do not forget the power of sharing your club's Distinguished Club Plan with ALL of your members! This can be done by presenting a wall chart, in your newsletter, or in a PowerPoint that runs at the beginning of the meeting. Do not forget to recognize member accomplishments. Happy members stay members.
Keep at least Twenty Enthusiastic Active Members, they are your club's team!
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 Great!
By Annette Rude, DTM, LGET
We all love to use the word "great." Hardly a speech evaluation goes by without using it at least once. That was a great speech! You had great humor! That was a great story!
Check it out: During your next evaluation, ask the ah-counter to count how often you use the word "great."
Try using some synonyms for "great" listed below to add variety and nuance to your evaluations, as well as more precise feedback.
Perfect, Clean, Clear, Complete, Impeccable, Flawless, Ideal
Excellent, Outstanding, Extraordinary, Splendid, Superb, Superior, Terrific
Wonderful, Grand, Imposing, Magnificent, Sublime, Admirable
Elegant, Exquisite, Fine, Superior, Impressive, Inspiring, Moving, Poignant, Stirring, Touching
Fabulous, Amazing, Astonishing, Astounding, Fantastic, Incredible, Marvelous, Miraculous
Glorious, Sensational, Phenomenal, Stupendous
For an informal flavor, try one of these words:
Ace, Banner, Blue-Ribbon, Capital, Champion, First-Class, First-Rate
Bang-Up, Bully, Corking, Cracking, Dandy, Groovy, Keen, Neat, Nifty, Peachy, Swell, Smashing
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 Congratulations to Clubs With At Least 4 New Members
By Kim Myers, DTM
District 22 Lt. Governor - Marketing
We are now a month into the Smedley Award Period - August 1 through September 30. Interestingly enough, I cannot tell from the District Reports when our clubs had new members join, but I can tell everyone that we have several clubs in the district that have had at least four new members join between July 1 and August 28.
Those clubs are:
· Club 458, Farmers Insurance Group, 9 new members
· Club 1115808, Insuring Success, 6 new members
· Club 1729, Boeing Achievers, 5 new members
· Club 3990, Beechmasters, 5 new members
· Club 1009, Suburban Club, 5 new members
· Club 527, Springfield Toastmasters, 5 new members
· Club 953433, I'M A Toastmaster, 4 new members
· Club 8591, Professionally Speaking, 4 new members
· Club 902517, Security Benefit, 4 new members.
The District Leadership would like to congratulate each of these clubs and their Vice Presidents - Membership. You are each doing a wonderful job of gaining new members.
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'A Toast To Time'
By Anabelle Minniefield, CTM
Public Relations Officer
Many fascinating things occurred in the year 1958 . . . Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire" reached #1 on the billboard charts, Elvis Presley joined the army, 1st class postage increased to 4 cents, Alaska became the 49th state of the United States and Bootstraps Toastmasters Club was formed. Yes, if you did your math, these events occurred 50 years ago!
Congratulations to the following clubs who will be reaching milestone anniversaries during this Toastmasters year (July '08-June '09).
They are:
Club 2863 Bootstraps Toastmasters Club 50 years
Club 1439 St Joseph Toastmasters Club 50 years
Club 392 Tower Talkers Club 35 years
Club 1279 Beechmasters Club 35 years
Club 1928 Early Bird Toastmasters Club 35 years
Club 282 Leavenworth Daytime 30 years
Club 2210 Meadowlark Club 30 years
Club 3990 Boeing Achievers Club 30 years
Club 3860 State Liners Club 25 years
Club 7361 Bluejacket Toastmasters Club 20 years
Remember, there is history with Toastmasters!
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 Education Awards
Congratulations to the following people for advancing through the Toastmasters education program!
Date Member Club Name
Leadership Excellence
9/1/2008 Barr, Faron E Heartland Club
Advanced Leader Silver
9/9/2008 Barr, Faron E Heartland Club
Advanced Leader Bronze
9/8/2008 Mitchell, Kimberly R I'M A Toastmaster
Competent Leader
9/8/2008 Wilson, Larry M Tower Talkers Club
Advanced Communicator Gold
8/18/2008 Miller, Eldon MarathonMasters Club
Advanced Communicator Silver
8/22/2008 Jay, David Big Blue Toastmasters
Advanced Communicator Bronze
8/18/2008 Rahn, August William West Wichita Toastmasters
Competent Communicator
9/11/2008 Knopp, Milton T Meadowlark Club
9/11/2008 Knopp, Milton T Meadowlark Club
9/10/2008 Wallick, David Que Masters Club
9/5/2008 Nicolas, Marc G Talk of the Town Club
9/5/2008 Jaekel, Barbara A Talk of the Town Club
9/4/2008 Webb, Earline Leavenworth Daytime
9/2/2008 Bass, Albert R Energizing Voices
9/1/2008 MdHenry, Jane Pro-MO
8/28/2008 Oakes, Jon D Powercat Masters Club
8/20/2008 Hearn, Kimberly Early Bird Toastmasters
8/19/2008 Ozman, Madonna J Resource Masters Club
8/19/2008 Heyse, Ronald R Resource Masters Club
8/18/2008 Cosner, Gail Lenexa Toastmasters
8/17/2008 Porter, Janet Pro-MO
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| District 22 Newsletter Editor |
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Kim Mitchell, CC, ALB
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On The Calendar
September:
Club Treasurers:
Time to collect
renewal dues - Remit by 10/1
8/1-9/30:
Smedley Award Contest
9/15-9/27:
Club Fall Contests: Humorous
Speech and Evaluation
Area Fall Contests: Humorous
Speech and Evaluation
9/15:
Area R61 & R62
6:30 pm Registration
7:00 pm Contest
Barry Room,
North Kansas City Hospital,
2800 Clay Edwards Drive,
North Kansas City MO
9/20:
Area R63 & R64
9:00 am Registration
9:30 am Contest
KCMO Water Dept
Administration Bldg,
4800 E. 63rd St. Tfwy,
Kansas City MO
Registration $2.00
Area A21
8:00 am Registration
8:30 am Contest
LSI, 3718 N. Rock Road,
Wichita KS
Area A22
10:00 am Registration
10:30 am Contest
LSI, 3718 N. Rock Road,
Wichita KS
Area A23
11:30 am Registration
12:00 pm Contest
LSI, 3718 N. Rock Road,
Wichita KS
Areas K43, K44 & K45
8:30 am Registration
9:00 am Contest
IBM Building,
Thunder and Lightning
Conference Room,
16011 College Blvd,
Lenexa KS
Refreshments provided.
Registration $2.00
Area T12
8:30 am Registration
9:00 am Contest
Topeka/Shawnee County
Public Library
1515 SW Tenth St
Topeka KS
Perkins Room, Second Floor
9/27:
Areas L33 & R65
10:00 am Registration
10:30 am Contest
Plaza Public Library,
4801 Main St.,
Kansas City MO
Area K41 & K42
9:30 am Registration
10:00 am Contest
Blue Valley Library,
9000 W 151st St,
Overland Park KS 66221
Areas S71, S72 & S75
9:00 am Registration
9:30 am Contest
YRC Worldwide
Corporate Headquarters,
10990 Roe Ave.,
Overland Park KS
Area T11
9:00 am Registration
9:30 am Contest
2112 Learned Hall,
15th St and Naismith Dr,
Lawrence KS
Area T13
9:30 am Registration
10:00 am Contest
KS State University Campus,
1029 Durland Hall,
Manhattan KS 66506
October:
10/1:
Deadline for
International Dues
Division Fall Contests:
Humorous Speech
and Evaluation
10/4:
Division K
Doors Open 9:00 am
9:15 am Registration
9:45 am Contest
Lackman Library,
15345 87th St Parkway,
Lenexa KS
Division T
9:30 am Registration
10:00 am Contest
Leavenworth Public Library
in the Art and Lucille Jahn Rm,
417 Spruce St,
Leavenworth KS
10/11:
Areas L32, L34, and L35
8:30 am Registration
9:00 am Contest
DST Thayer Building,
816 Broadway,
rm THLL
Division R
9:00 am Registration
9:30 am Contest
KCMO Water Dept
Administration Bldg,
4800 E 63rd St Tfwy,
Kansas City MO
Snacks. Registration $2.00
Division A
8:30 am Education
Session
10 am Contest Registration
10:30 am Contest
LSI, 3718 N. Rock Road,
Wichita KS
Snacks. Registration
$3.00/pp or $15/Club
10/18:
Division S
11 am Registration
11:30 am Contest
YRC Worldwide
Corporate Headquarters,
10990 Roe Blvd,
Overland Park KS 67211
Snacks. Registration $3.00
10/25:
Division L
9:00 am Registration
9:30 am Contest
KCMO Water Dept
Administration Bldg,
4800 E 63rd St. Tfwy,
Kansas City MO
Snacks. Registration $2.00
November:
11/14-15:
District 22 Fall Conference
Doubletree Hotel
10100 College Blvd,
Overland Park KS
913-451-6100 or
800-222-8733
Guest room $79+tax
DEC meeting,
District Council meetings,
Humorous Speech
and Evaluation Contests
Registration Deadlines
Conference - 10/4
Hotel - 10/13
Meals - 11/5
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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
As a Toastmaster, it behooves us to continually improve our language skills.
I will provide six words every month; two nouns, two verbs, and two adjectives. One or two words may be a completely new for you.
I challenge you to take the following words and create one or two lines using as many words as possible. I just may print the best next month.
etymology
et-y-mol-o-gy
noun
1: the history of a linguistic form (as a word) shown by tracing its development since its earlierst recorded occurrence in the language where it is found
2: a branch of linguistics concerned with etymologies
nomenclature
\NOH-mun-klay-cher\
noun
1: name, designation
2: the act or process or an instance of naming
3 a*: a system or set of terms or symbols especially in a particular science, discipline, or art b: an international system of standardized New Latin names used in biology for kinds and groups of kinds of animals and plants
speak
\ˈspēk\
intransitive verb
1 a: to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice: talk b (1): to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally (2): to extend a greeting (3): to be friendly enough to engage in conversation c (1): to express oneself before a group (2): to address one's remarks 2 a: to make a written statement
converse
\ken-'vers\
intransitive verb
1 archaic a: to have acquaintance or familiarity b: to become occupied or engaged 2 a: to exchange thoughts and opinions in speech: talk b: to carry on an exchange similar to a conversation
articulate
\är-ˈti-kyə-lət\
adjective
1 a: divided into syllables or words meaningfully arranged: intelligible b: able to speak c: expressing oneself readily, clearly, or effectively; also: expressed in this manner 2 a: consisting of segments united by joints: jointed b: distinctly marked off
eponymous
\ih-PAH-nuh-mus\
adjective
:of, relating to, or being one for whom or which something is or is believed to be named
If you would like to receive a daily word of your own to increase your vocabulary, one site I have found is Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day. Link to it here...
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A Look Ahead
Special Conference Edition
Smedley Winners
DCP and Educational Goals
Goal Getter
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The Gavel 
