THE SCINSHINER
An official publication of District 47, distributed to allmembers of District 47 and other interested Toastmasters.
This month's circulation:
3500
Editor:
Patri 1501 Boca cia Floyd, ATM S.W. 7th Street Raton, Fla. 33432
Assistant: Ray Floyd, DTM
Photographer : Dick Cardell, ATM
At the May Convention, you paid me the honor of electing me to the post of District Governor, 1983-84, District 47. For that I thank you.
FROM THE EDITOR
As your new editor I make a few changes, some subtle. have chosen to some obvious,
Obvious is our new banner reflecting our new District 47 logo One of the subtle ones is, the larger print type that even I can read without my glasses!
Since this is your 'newspaper' I welcome articles and news from your Club, Areas, and Divisions, as well as your suggestions for improvement. Together I believe we can make this a paper we can be proud of.
The District recently voted to continue The Sunsh i ner as a free monthly publication to all District Toastmasters. The reason for suggesting anything less was strictly financial. Print costs, postage, and distribution costs have risen sharply and The Sunshine r is the major portion of the District budget (and still may not be completely covered.) As a result, as we have in the past, we must ask for contributions to support the newsletter. If you like what you see and read, urge your Club to contribute a few dollars per member.
On the evening of the banquet, I provided the attendees with a few brief remarks about what I wish to accomplish during my year as your District Governor. The fundamental concept I put forth was not original, as i t was first expounded upon by Dr Ralph Smedley when he said, "We learn best in moments of pleasure...", and then again brought forth by S. R. Dunn when he was our District Governor. Simply put, I want every Toastmaster in District 47 to have FUN during the coming year. Take time to enjoy the opportunities provided, laugh at ourselves, and maintain our sense of humor as we pursue that goal of providing the best possible educational program for our membership. Communication and Leadership are serious subjects, but there is no reason why we shouldn't enjoy ourselves in the educational process!
There are many opinions and approaches as to how the Toastmasters program should be constructed. This year, let's assume that al l are possibly correct, and that our view is not the only acceptable one permitted. That may provide a challenge to some, but rather than take umbrage with our fellow Toastmasters, let's relax, and perhaps, learn from other points of view.
I believe District 47 can have a truly outstanding year in 1983-84, but that is as i tshould be because District 47 is known thourghout International as a leader in the educational area. With luck, dedication, work, and lots of FUN, I know we can show International that District 47 is a force to be reckoned with
Next years Region 8 Conference is planned for Atlanta, during the weekend of June 19-21. Mark the date and plan to attend -- you will have fun!
WHY GIVE A "MANUAL" SPEECH?
Ann Tillman, DTMThe manuals we use in our Toastmaster program were designed for a specific purpose. They provide us with a growth plan which takes us from the 'Ice Breaker' in the Basic Manual to the final assignment in an Advanced Manual.
You might compare our manual speeches to building blocks. If you left out one or more blocks in your building, you might find the building tumbling down around your ears. However, if you consistently place one block upon another, you will have a building with a solid foundation and strong walls.
NEWS FROM REGION 8
Over the Region 8
weekend of June 17-19, held its annual Conference in Greenville, S. C., in the beautiful Hyatt Regency. District 47 was well represented, with some 16 members and guests.
Each speech assignment in our manuals provide us with suggestions on how to be successful in making that specific presentation. Each skill to be mastered is carefully outlined without restricting our creativity
The Conference poses in that training for officers (DG,
served three purit provided; the the new District ELG, and ALG), a strong educational program forall other attendees, and saw the crowning of the Humorous and Annual Speech contest winners
District 47 provided the Region with a flavor for itsstrong educational program, garnering a first place in the Evaluation contest (Virginia Heddinger), a first place in the Best Unqualified Speaker contest (Jim Stanley), and a third place in the Annual Speech Contest (Rita Seate.) To all, our congratulations!
DTM Dave Meeks was voted in overwhelming as the new International Director for Region 8 during the business session. While he must still win the formal vote at San Diego, we can count on having a new Director from District 47 to help guide our fortunes in the next two years .
The final item of business that was settled was the acceptance of District 47 as the host District for the 1985 Region 8 Conference. With International here in 1984, that speaks highly of the confidence
being placed in ability to deliver District 47's
Another important reason for giving a manual speech is the guidance it provides for the evaluator. Too often, evaluators are called upon to 'shoot from the hip'.
With no direction as to what the speaker is trying to accomplish, the evaluator must respond using his/her own base of experience. In some cases, that base is very limited. Giving a manual speech enables the evaluator to base his/her evaluations on specific criteria outlined in the manual and leaves little to chance.
Why give a 'manual' speech — its the basis of our Toastmaster program and you will reap the benefits of being a better speaker.
A MESSAGE TO ALL CLCIB PRESIDENTS
Tom Montalbo, DTMAn Italian proverb says that fish begin to decay at the head. That also applies to Toastmasters clubs. The difference between a successful Toastmasters club and a club in a rut is the Club President. A Toastmasters Club is as good as itsPresident. To keep the club active and healthy, the President must do not only his own job, but also must make sure all the other club officers do theirs
Your elect ion as doesn't automatica leader. Only your the job does that, sible for results, gate authority to and members, but i f form as expected, who is to blame. Yo fer your responsibi
Club President lly make you a performance on You're responYou may deleother officers they don 't peryou're the one u cannot trans1ity.
Yet you cannot rely on the authority of your position to get the job done. No President can push a button and cause the other officers or members to jump in response. This is expecially true in a volunteer organization like Toastmasters. So what do you do as President?
Set the tone that stimulates the officers and members. This you do by personal example. Your energy begets their energy. Your enthusiasm sparks their enthusiasm If you personnally show energy and enthusiasm, the other officers and members will follow your example.
Understand not only your own duties but also those of the other officers. To be sure they do their jobs, you have to know what they're expected to do. And be sure each club officer understands the duties of his or her office.
Appoint committees. Committees help reduce your workload and get members involved in the club's work. Oh, yes, some wit once said, "A committee keeps minutes and wastes hours.", but that's not the kind of committee you want. Keep your finger on the pulse of all committees. Make sure they understand what's needed and follow through -- they could easily slip up
In presiding at the club's meetings, don't handle this vital duty in a routine, casual or slipshod manner Presiding requires thorough and careful preparation before each meeting. Begin on time -- always! Don't wait for stragglers -- that only encourages them to be late the next time and wastes the time of those present. Carry
through on a definite schedule, with a time limit for each segment. Set the example of staying within your allotted time to make sure the other members stick to theirs Keeping things moving keeps the meeting alive.
After you've called the meeting to order, ask everyone to stand up and let each raise hands toward the ceiling -- or stamp feet on the floor — or reach out to someone near, shake hands and smile! Such physical movements are good ways to loosen up the members and guests. While they're still standing, call for the Invocation and Pledge.
Give well-prepared speeches of introduction. Make each introduction graceful, witty and enjoyable. That stimulates your listeners, puts them in a receptive mood, and gives the person you're introducing a fine send-off. You can achieve originality in introductions by using personal anecdotes and incidents. Deliver the introduction with enthusiasm. But be brief. You can say a lotin a few words ifyou prepare well. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, the world's besk-known speech, was no longer than a two minute Table Topics talk.
Close the meeting on time, ending on a high note with a cheerful Thought For The Day (or Evening). Send everybody away feeling happy! Soon after the club meeting, get in touch with the guests who attended. Follow up with a phone call or a short letter on official Toastmasters stationery. This enhances our Toastmasters image -shows the prospective members we're on the ball. Presidential contact impresses them, gets them back for the next meeting, and makes them eager to join.
Before success can be sustained in a Toastmasters club, i tmust first exist in the heart and mind of the Club President. So be that dynamic President all your club members hope for!
This articl e was written by Tom Montalbo, DTM, from Sparkling Toastmasters Club #3602. Tom i s known throughout Toast mast ers I nternat i onal for his many fin e article s published i n the TOASTMASTER magazine.
