D47 Sunshiner - July 1977

The ^ Sunshinerj

Summer Convention In Jacksonville July 15-17

Where can you meet new friends, run into old friends, eat lots of good food, visit a carnival, and learn many useful tools which wil l edify you and your club?

The answer is easy — go to the Turtle Inn on Atlantic Beach in Jacksonville on Friday, July 15. Hosted by the Northern Division and chaired by Lance Ferrelli, this is the convention where you wil l witness the installation of District 47's next slate of officers

After attitude adjustment at 7:00 P.M Friday, precede to the bingo tabes, or involve yourselves in the crab racing, fortune telling, dart and balloon games or find out the true meaning of luck (as opposed to skill) at black jack and poker. Music by Mark Zeitland wil l be provided

Saturday morning wil l begin at 8:00 at the Area Governor's Workshop Then come the business sessions, followed by BRUNCH Then take your pick of over two dozen educational topics, ranging from Speechcraft, YLP, membership growth and retention, parliamentary procedure made simple, By Laws, Speech contests' rules, working wit h the media for news releases, bulletins, club reference files, debates, etc., etc., and more etc's

Floyd Sewell, DTM , and Sr Lt Governor of Education (i.e. our next District 47 Governor), has worked hard wit h the chairman to guarantee you that there is no way that you wil l leave Jacksonville empty handed.

Later Saturday night, after the installation of the officers of our district, and

after the awards are given out, you wil l have plenty of time to carouse wit h new and old friends, to pack, and still have plenty of time to sleep. The reason why? The banquet wil l be over at 9:00!

Triteness sometimes is appropos — especially when one is discussing the many reasons for going to conventions You wil l get more out of Toastmasters by going to Jacksonville There truly is much more that you wil l take home wit h you after leaving the exquisite Turtle Inn, than you can possibly believe. Go to the Turtle In n on July 15 and garner from Toastmasters and District 47 management its finest offerings for your stomaches and souls.

Thomas E Guth, CT M Sunshiner Editor

Toastmasters and Friends!

The SUNSHINE R is your magazine. Please endorse your District magazine, the SUNSHINER, wit h articles and contributions

Be listed as a Gold Sponsor by donating $100 or more Patrons and/or businesses are listed for $25 or more, or for $10

HOT FLASHES

ATTENTIO N AL L TOASTMASTERS

District Governor elect Floyd Sewell has appointed me "District Historian" for the 1977-78 Toastmaster year I n setting up the records, I need your help If you have any documents, announcements, minutes, papers, photos, or any kind which would help put together a History of District 47, please send them to me or bring them to the July Convention i n Jacksonville W e would like t o ascertain the Charter date of District 47, all past District Governors and International officers, all outstanding clubs, outstanding Toastmasters, President's Distinguished District awards and all other areas of interest

(Please, no artifacts, I drive a Volkswagen) Your hep would be appreciated Thank You

Emmett A Clary, Jr 6325 - 29th Ave N St Petersburg, Fla 33710

Home Ph 813-347-1000

Office Ph 813-224-4651

Letter Indirectly To The Editor

Dear Johnnie,

Thank you very much for the trophy I learned a lot from the Speaking Clinic Wit h your clinic, I , Thursday night at the 4- H Speaking Contest, won I wo n Best Junior Award and First Place!

One of the things I learned was how to write a good speech You taught me how to start a speech to make i t exciting and how to use gestures better I think everyone learned from your Speaking Clinic I enjoyed it

Sincerely,

Tammy Williams

Hams Abound At Region VIII Conference

Virginia hams abounded, both the real ones and the Toastmasters wh o acted that way, as the 1977 Region VII I Conference was held i n Norfolk, Virginia on June 3-4

District 66 rolled out the re d carpet to weary Toastmasters from all around the southeast, including eleven TMs from D-47 Gradually everyone found relaxation and enjoyment easy and was able to focus attention on the elections, educational sessions, and contests which were held

The election of a new International Director was held Saturday afternoon and was not necessarily a highlight for the Floridians who saw their candidate, Charlie Jones, DT M defeated by Butch Barney, DT M of District 37

Spirits were a little higher on Friday night, though, as Sonny Dixon, the D-47 contestant in the Humorous Speech Contest trounced all comers i n taking first place wit h his "No w a Wor d From Our Sponsor" speech The Saturday night International Contest was won by Michael Aun I I of D-58 (South Carolina) wit h Sonny Dixon, D-47's first contestant ever to represent i n both categories i n the same year, taking second and tallying only tw o less judging points than the winner

Announcement was made that next year's Conference wil l be held i n Brunswick, Georgia While there wil l be few Virginia hams, w e can count on ample Georgia peaches, both the real ones and the local folk wh o are called that because of ooks That should be reason enough to make plans t o attend!

CALENDAR

July 15-17 District Summer Executive Committee Meeting. by July 31 Clubs Complete Humorous Speech Contest by July 31 Areas

Area Governors complete staff assignments and hold Area Council Meetings

D-47's Sonny Dixon receiving 1st Place Trophy at Humorous Speech Contest

E Clary D-47 Historian

oCetter to the Editor

read wit h interest the letter in the August SUNSHIER by Chuck Rabaut, and as you know, have been following closely the evolution of the "Outstanding" or "Master Toastmaster" program

First and foremost, I am totally i n favor of George Waas' program I would like to relate to you my opinion regarding what we may name the program I t is m y feeling that the individual who completes this third program as outlined by Able Toastmaster Waas should be "Outstanding Toastmaster" rather than the "Master Toastmaster."

The masters in golf is the ultimate objective i n the golfing world The masters i n tennis or bridge is the same I n any area, the "master" is the individual who has accomplished the most in his field I t is my feeling that an individual who has an ATM , a DTM , and an OT M should take the test that past District Governor, Distinguished Toastmaster S R Runn suggests; and as the ultimate award, shoud be allowed to be named Master Toastmaster

Emmett Clary

A Better Management Tool

Good management uses key figures to show strong and weak parts of a business Toastmasters lacks the most important one: how many members in each club are actually particigating, eg a Club Executive Committee or an Area Governor sets up statistics on "active member attendance" charting a running fourweek average, you can see the drifts down or up in i n time i n order to do something effective about reducing the downs and enhancing the ups

The Club Constitution says that if a member misses a certain number of meetings without prior excuse, he or she becomes Inactive automatically This has three advantages:

1 You don't find yourself scheduling members who probably won't appear.

2 You have the trends that tell whether you're being effective or not

3 Inactive members can't vote I f they show up in a crucial meeting, until they have attended enough to wipe out their negative averages, or the Executive Committee specifically reinstates voting privilege, they are not qualified to speak or be heard from during business meetings

Thanks To All

A brief, but very sincere THANK S to everyone in District 47 for giving our family a year we wil l always remember wit h much happiness and pride (Ralph, The First Dog, says thanks, too!)

am so proud to have been your First Lady during 1976-77 and appreciate your patience and understanding all year — I tried extra hard to never disappoint you I t was an exciting, wild , hectic, wonderful year for us and especially thrilling because it was another outstanting year for the District I t can now be said: "i t was worth every single baked potato!"

The friendships we've made and strengthened this past year (not only in D-47, but throughout Region 8, as well) are very dear to our hearts We only ask that you won't forget us after our year is over — please keep i n touch!

First Lady Wilma Meeks

The last item has another real value I f you have sixteen paid members i n the club, but only eight are active, a quorum is five and a vote of three is a majority, four gives you the two-thirds (if the other members were properly notified) majority needed to, eg change your ByLaws to your Club Constitution

These limits don't preclude your putting Inactive members onto the speaking schedule if they show up and if there is space for them What's more important, the scheduled speakers are more apt to show up when you schedue only Actives

There are some future benefits Today, a club can suddenly disappear to the dismay of the District, even though the signs of evaporation would have been clear several months before if "active average attendance" had been reported

There are President's Fourty Clubs that have fifteen to twenty reguarly attending, or fewer, wit h fluffed membership paid for by older members who add little to the substance of the club

There have been District Officers who were not active members in their home clubs, and yet active membership should be a criterion of high office within X L When such officers get their kicks out of District politics while leaving their home

clubs i n the urch, our values are distorted T I is for the member, not for the ego trips of a heirarchy

To summarize, examine the ActiveInactive factors of your club, have the Secretary give you a weekly four-weekaverage active attendance to chart each week, and you can watch the trends go down or up i n time so that specific action may be taken

To m Booz, AT M

A Good Begining

What do these tw o people have in common? Gabe, the first grade child and Neil, the experienced Toastmaster?

They are saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag in exactly the same manner " I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic etc."

Some of us never outgrew the early school habit of saying the pledge in small phrases wit h unnecessary pauses and breaths The flow of words is interrupted and thoughts dangle uncompleted

Refer to the TOASTMASTERS article I t states that the pledge is to be said in two long phrases as follows:

1 " I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands,

2 One nation, under God, indivisible, wit h liberty and justice for all. "

Toastmasters set such high standards for our speeches A good beginning sets the tone for the meeting that follows Even our convention functions are not immune from the disease of "poorpledgitis."

Let's become self-conscious of our saying of the pledge Speak out Lead others who still say the pedge as little Gabe does.

Virginia Heddinger, AG-4 LGSD Elect

Gabe (left) and Neil

From The District Governor

While serving as District Governor this past year I was overwhelmed wit h the friendliness and cooperation shown by each of you I want to say thank you to each of the District officers and the District chairmen and all of the Toastmasters who worked wit h us I feel have been blessed wit h so many to call my friends.

It had been our goal all year to not only reach our goals but to surpass each of them I am proud to say we have done just that. W e have succeeded i n becoming another Distinguished District I know that the efforts of each of you made the difference I wil l always be proud to have been a part of that dedication to Toastmasters

I know each of you wil l join me i n helping the new administration reach their goals

I want to especially say thank you for my family; daughters Stephanie, Judy, Marybeth, Amanda and my wife Wilma

Thank you so much for such a warm wonderful year wit h the greatest people in the world — the people of District 47 God bless each of you

D G Dave Meeks, DT M

LGE Report Induction

Induction address: While i t is customary for the club president to induct the new members, i t is permissible to have some other member of the club perform this duty a district officer or former district officer, if you have one, or the area governor Since practice makes perfect — some clubs have found i t advisable to assign this ceremonial work on a permanent basis

Induction Ceremony

When the time is at hand for the Induction Ceremony, the president calls the meeting to order wit h these words:

We are about to begin the Induction ceremony which wil l welcome (number) new members to the fellowship of the Toastmasters Club

This is a most important occasion for these new members and for our club, and I sincerely request the attention and silence of the membership during the ceremony Please withhold any applauce or demonstration until i t is completed I wil l call the names of the new members and their sponsors; as the names are called, wil l the sponsors and candidates rise and come forward."

(Here the president calls the names as follows: John Doe, sponsored by Mike Smith.)

When all candidates and sponsors are standing, the president says:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the officers and members of the Toastmasters Club , I express to you our pleasure and pride at your presence at this meeting You have been invited to become members of our fellowship, and we are all happy and proud that you have decided to accept membership i n our club and Toastmasters International

"Membership i n a Toastmasters club is a privilege You are about to become members of the world's largest organization dedicated to self-improvement I must impress upon each of you, here and now, that the privilege of Toastmasters membership also entails definite obligations Toastmasters International is not a fraternal, social, or political organization I t is a group of men and women banded together t o do things which you and I cannot do as individuals I t is a medium through which individuals of desire can personally develop their skills in speaking and listening The motto of this organization, and of our club is 'Toastmasters puts you u p front wit h better listening, thinking, and speaking.'

" I can also tell you that the rewards of Toastmasters membership are great You wil l enjoy the fellowship of some of the finest men and women i n your community You wil l learn the art of proper evaluation, conference leadership and planning, parliamentary procedure, and debate You wil l develop interrelationships wit h men and women as they

evaluate your taks, and you, theirs You wil l learn how to communicate more effectively, think on your feet, and command respect These abilities wil l provide further opportunities t o increase your earning power, your value t o your company and to your community Above all, you wil l learn how to communicate warmly and sincerely I n short, you wil l learn when and how to talk and be heard

"An d now, on behalf of the Toastmasters Club , I extend a most sincere welcome Congratulations on becoming a member of our fine organization."

District 47 Governor Elect Floyd Sewell, DM , LG E

Report Did I Really Lose?

"The tale of a defeated candidate " I n an election, be i t national, state, or organizational, people need a choice I t gives them a better feeling t o know their leaders were chosen and elected I t was wit h a great desire bu t only a short time t o prepare i n which I decided to run for District Governor of 47 I t is a breathless moment when the ballots have been cast and the endless wait for the results Then the news came I had taken a chance — and I lost!

Now what? Is i t the end? A m I a has-been? D o I pick at my opponent for the next nine months?

Jimmy Carter didn't offer Gerald Ford a position in his cabinet As Floyd stood at the banquet and beamed his joy at being the District Governor elect t o the throng, he told me t o pick the job I wanted for the coming year I should have said District Governor, but I don't think that is what he meant Some who lost were offered chairmanships for the coming year; some accepted while others said, "never again." I've made my decision — already I' m involved i n several projects and have a good chairmanship

Thus, I wonder did I really lose? No, I am not going to be a district of-

LGA

ficer this coming year, and that I'l l truly miss However, I do have my chairmanship

No! I did not lose I've made new friends, won respect from the other candidates and support for my bi d i n another year A t the May area governor training session, the main item I wanted accomplished was to thank them for their efforts — many AG's returned the thanks and gave me a large round of applause M y eyes filled, and they almost revealed my soft feelings I knew that because of the year District 47 had given me, I couldn't lose Even before the ballots were cast, I knew that I was a real winner — no matter how the numbers came out Maybe not the District 47 Governor, I am still a winner Thanks my friends and Toastmasters of our District — you've made my year "all possible!"

George Veltman, DTM , LG A (very outgoing)

Words From The West

—Ralph C. Smedley

Surely there is not a single Toastmaster who by now has not heard this most •famous quotation I n fact I used to think that it was overused but the more you ponder the meaning of those words the more you see the elementary truth that they contain

Think back to the speeches that you have heard — and then think of those that have been truly memorable. Chances are you wil l find that the speeches you best remember are those that you really enjoyed listening to The link that must be present between speaker and listener is a bond that is essential if true communicating is to take place

So much of what we hear is merely words and so seldom does an audience become almost totally tuned to the same frequency as the speaker and therefore really complete the circle of communi-

cations Every speaker must learn to read audience reaction and be ever alert to a breakdown of this bond forged between speaker and audience The accomplished speaker provides to the listener something of value and presents that "something" i n such a way as to make the listening a pleasurable experience A n audience easily senses when a speaker enjoys speaking and is knowledgeable of the subject I t is obvious by audience reaction that a speaker who finds it a pleasure to speak is going to give more listening pleasure to the hearer After all, audience reaction is the yardstick by which effective communication is measured Approximatey two hundred and fifty Toastmasters and guests were treated to many moments of pleasure at the recent Region Eight Conference held in Norfolk, Virginia We in District 47 and in particular i n the Western Division are especially proud of Toastmaster Sonny Dixon who masterfully won the Regional Humorous Speech Contest Sonny was also the District representative in the International Contest and took first runner up in a field of nine contestants Congratulations Sonny on your dual victory We truly heard Toastmastering communications at its best

The West is also proud of DT M Charlie Jones Charlie is of course a past District Governor and a truly distinguished Toastmaster But above all Charlie is a real gentleman i n a time when there seem to be so few among us Charlie lost the race for International Director from Region Eight but in all the things that really count Charlie came through as he always has — a real winner

These wil l be my last words from the West I am transferring administration of the Western Division to the very capable hands of Dan Claxton, DTM I have enjoyed writing these columns and I deeply appreciate the cooperation and support that the Western Division has given me this past year I n particular, I wish to thank those who worked so hard to keep the West Number One for the entire administrative year A special thank you to my Area Governors who are the real key to what has been accompished

I ask all our Toastmasters to support Lt Governor Claxton wit h your wholehearted support and cooperation I have no doubt that the West wil l remain Best Adios!

DT M Dick Wood, LGW D

Thanks From The LGA-Elect

want to take this time to thank all of the Toastmasters of District 47 who supported me i n my campaign for the position of Lieutenant Governor of Administration (LGA)

Special considerations must be given to the following people: to my wife Barbara, whose charm and personality helped convince many to cast their votes for me To Sonny and Jan Dixon who spent one sleepless Friday night making posters for the campaign To Dick Battin who displayed early confidence in my campaign, and who supported me throughout the election. An d to all of the Bahamians who worked and supported me during the election An d special thanks to those who cast their votes for me

District 47 has experienced tremendous growth in the past This growth has made District 47 one of the largest districts, if not the largest, in Toastmasters International As a member of Region 8 we comprise one-third of its clubs and membership total.

The management of a vast District like ours is indeed overwhelming to the imagination But we are fortunate to have an outstanding organizational set-up that allows us to manage the District

I n keeping wit h the management concept, I have three key areas I wil l concentrate my efforts in order to keep our tarn functioning at its peak The key areas are:

A CLU B GROWT H

1 This includes not only new cubs but also to strengthen existing clubs Currently we have 15% of our clubs wit h membership less than 10 This is a sad situation that must be corrected

The membership chairmen, area governors, the clubs, and I wil l define the problems and develop solutions to the probems and help the clubs experience new growth

(Continued on Page 6)

"We learn in moments of pleasure."

(Continued from Page 5)

2 New clubs — our growth pattern has created voids and gaps throughout the district We have cities and towns without a Toastmasters club W e have some cities large enough for 7 or 8 clubs wit h only 2 or 3, and so on We wil l establish a uniform and consistent growth pattern for this year and the years to come

B DISTRIC T PUBLI C RELATION S

1 We wil l develop a strong public relation program to promote Toastmasters International and District 47 This wil l come in the form of newspaper releases, radio and television interviews, etc The PR wil l concentrate on events around the district, and of Toastmasters International

2 W e wil l promote Toastmasters to the public as an educational organization and emphasize programs like Speechcraft, Youth Leadership, and others

3 Growth activities wil l be publicized and related to the public

C ADMINISTRATIV E FOLLOW-U P

1. The Area Governor Reports are important road signs for the district This is the only way we can tell what each club is accomplishing This function naturally wil l not be overlooked

2 You can be ensured that new club growth efforts, membership growth, and PD work wil l be recorded according to administrative procedures Otherwise, they would not do us a bit of good

These are the things I wil l work on this year M y monthly LG A Report in the SUNSHINER wil l give you a status report on these and other matters concerning District 47 management

Again I wish to thank everyone for the support you have given me, and kindness shown

Ken Cinton, AT M LGA-Elect

LGSD Report

EDITORIAL

Now it is time to say good-bye to you while I am still at my post This is the time that I wish to thank everyone who made this publication a success — that means YOU — the subscriber Special thanks go to Bob Martin, Nance Sanders, Emmett Clary, Sonny Dixon and my club Jose Gaspar i n Tampa Jim Bradley was particularly vital to the efficient publication of the magazine As the circulation manager he organized the mess of addresses and motivated my club to mail the SUNSHINER within one, rarely later, day after its printing Many other people deserve thank yous from me

This has not been a wasted year I wil l go away from it wit h many friends, and recognition Above all, I know that I saw the fifteen months all the way through to its conclusion — now I feel accomplished. Next year, while centering much of my time on self-edification, I wil l devote time to assisting AG-6 Sonny Dixon, and wil l attempt to help my good friend Ken Clinton in his administration of his office

What a year we the Toastmasters of District 47 have had! Oh, it has had its ups and downs — let's discuss briefly the negatives first: Whenever personal feelings receive publicity through gossiping, and whenever feelings lead to childish actions, the effects wil l not be as good as ill Animosity and poor communications besmirched our excellent district at times Sometimes i t seemed hard to see how some people wit h their antipathetical feelings could work together — but work together they did!

Now for positive aspects of the 197677 year: the Area Governors and the elected district officers worked hard for us The district chairmen worked hard, too If District 47 is not Number 1 in 1977-78, i t may be becauce we (unlike many districts which use more sim-

plified methods for approving DCP's under 2000 points) di d not use the T I standards for minimum DCP point totals; hopefully the coming year wil l see a change in District policy in this regard. I have it from good sources that there is a way by which clubs desiring the basic rating of "Distinguished Club " wil l be able to have their points certified by a representative of the district. That should make it possible for 104 clubs, instead of 27, to be distinguished The additional points accrued from such a change would undoubtedly make us Number 1 However, if hard work alone can make us the Best, which we are, then there can be little doubt as to the state of District 47's health District 47 has a number of accomplishments for the year Sonny Dixon represented our District 47 so well at the Regional Speech Contests Many Toastmasters published i n the TOASTMASTER and other publications 10 new clubs have been started. We had double the C&L completions expected, nearly a dozen more ATM's, 4 DTM' s to date, and over double the Speechcrafts and YLP's The net membership increase has been phenomenal! The District now has at least tw o President's 40 clubs — the perrennial Orlando Conquerors and the Osceola club — not even a year old

Definitely this is the end of a fantastic year for the District and for myself For the District it began over a year ago in the same fashion the previous year was ending — wit h hard work and mucho enthusiasm So what that there were a few rough moments? They wil l happen any year, and they serve to provide us with timely rememberances which should help to keep history from repeating itself. W e have learned a lot and have accomplished more than we thought we would do For myself, this 1 year had many wonderful times I mar-

(Continued on Page 7)

Goodbye Past — Look Out Future — Here We Come!

M y personal goal is to make District 47 Number One and keep i t there To be Number One, we must all realize that this means all of us doing our jobs

M y experience as Lieutenant Governor of the Southern Division has been invaluable Not only have I met most of the Toastmasters i n the Southern Division, but have had the opportunity of meeting wit h many, many fine members throughout the entire District

urge every Toastmaster who has never served as an officer at the Club, Area, Division, or District level to avail himself of an opportunity of a lifetime to really educate himself or herself in "disciplined responsibility" of leadership and delegation Money wil l not buy this experience — only your time and dedication will

Again, so long Past! Future, I live you — and look forward to meet you as Lieutenant Governor of Education

By LGSD Bob Gelford, LGE-Elect

(Continued from Page 6) ried Jane in April and put together the SUNSHINER Few criticized negatively; nearly everyone I met and worked wit h helped to give you this magazine which I hope and believe measures up to the high standards of District 47

Good-byes are not easy, and I' m certainly glad that I really do not have to extend them since I'l l be around Learn to work for the common good, and wit h those you'd rather not work with Desire is the prerequisite for "getting things done." There is mucri more to learn from Toastmasters than one wil l find merely on the club level These three final thoughts are what I learned during the year; I recommend that you ponder them, employing their substances for your personal and club growth for the future (Which is now.)

Thomas E Guth, CT M

SUMMERTIME FUN AT THE SUMMER

CARNIVAL

International President Bob Blakely and wife Dot with DG Dave Meeks and Wilma in Norfolk.

Covering Florida! D-29 Governor Ted Peden and Mary and Dave and Wilma Meeks in Norfolk

Jan Dixon (wife of Sonny Dixon our speech contestant) in Norfolk

International Director Bill Loeble with Wilma and Dave during Speech Contest in Norfolk

(Read pictures top-to-botton and left-to-right.)

Dan Claxton, with Wilma Meeks and Jan Dixon during speech contest Dan is the 1977-78 LGWD

Future Toastmasters in Norfolk during regional meeting

Sonny doing his thing during humorous speech contest

Sonny receives Winners Trophy from International President Bob Blakely at Humorous Speech Contest

D-47 celebrates Sonny's win as wife Jan presents him with a cake

Charter presentation of Venetian TM Club with Virginia Heddinger and Dave Meeks

Charter presentation of Executive TM Club with Cleveland Williams and Dave Meeks

District Treasurer Nick David and wife Betty