D47 Sunshiner - November, 2009

The Sunshiner November 2009

www.toastmastersd47.org

Congratulations to our Winners!

2009 Evaluation Champs

2009 Humorous Speech Champs

pictured l-r.

pictured l-r.

2nd Place Kendrick Knowles Jr., Division I 1st Place John Boyd, Division G 3rd Place Willasue Susskind, Division E

3rd Place Lawrence Hubbard, Division F 1st Place Shawn Purvis, Division G 2nd Place Jo Ranney, Division C

Immediate Past District Governor Antionette Fox, DTM pictured left

See pictures from the Roast Luncheon, Hall of Fame, Contests, DTM Walk and more from our fabulous Fall Conference!

Page 1

Kristina’s Korner Wow! What a conference!

Publisher Kristina Kihlberg, DTM

Fall Conference. Harvest time. We certainly reaped the fruit of the best of the best in Naples.

Conference Chair David Clarke and his team certainly put a great event together. It was a fun, educational¸ award-winning, rafflewinning, contest-winning, gift-giving, Club- appreciation, FirstTimer-special¸ humorous, inspirational, networking, new-friendmaking, LaCroix learning, Toastmaster-traditional, Club-culturecreating, wisdom-enhancing experience!

For all those in attendance (and also you who could not make it), please make sure to visit the D47 website – www.toastmastersd47.org – to check out the many, many photos from the event.

Now when the party is over, it’s time to continue to make sure that our members are being served. Are the Club meetings the best they can be? Are you using the tools that FreeToastHost can provide?

Are you using your speech manuals? Are you working on more than one manual? Do you know that you can go through the CC manual at least once a year?

The District Governor CALL FOR ACTION to all of you is that you should be able to produce at least ONE EDUCATIONAL AWARD for each Club to which you belong.

Don’t forget to pay attention to the LGET challenge that ends on Dec 31. There are some serious awards available for Clubs that achieve these goals.

Confidence. Leadership. Service.

That is what we are here to accomplish.

District 47 Executive Officers for 2009-2010 DG LGET LGM PRO Secretary Treasurer IPDG

Kristina Kihlberg Rick Furbush Pamela Rolle Pierre Taschereau Patricia Martinez Laz Sanchez Antionette Fox

District 47 Leaders District Advisor SAA Webmaster ivision A Governor Division B Governor Division C Governor Division D Governor Division E Governor Division F Governor Division G Governor Division I Governor

Loretta Sandy Jim Ellis Jeanine Kinsey Scott Vail Elizabeth Taschereau Melody Tapley Karen Novek Jason Smith Mack Payne Beatriz Williams Anthony Longley

The Mission of the District is to enhance the performance and extend the network of clubs, thereby offering greater numbers of people the opportunity to benefit from the Toastmasters educational program by: ♦Focusing

on the critical success factors as specified by the district educational and membership goals

Kristina Kihlberg, DTM District Governor kkihlberg@toastmastersd47.org

♦Ensuring

that each club effectively fulfills its responsibilities to its members

♦Providing

effective training and leader-

ship development opportunities for club and district officers

Four Critical Success Factors Membership

Paid Clubs

CC’s

AC’s

The Sunshiner is a publication of District 47 Toastmasters. Reproduction of articles is strictly prohibited without the express permission of the District 47 Governor. Toastmasters International and Toastmasters International emblems are trademarks of Toastmasters International registered in the Untied States, Canada and many other countries.

Page 2

Rick’s Room Wow, what a Conference!

If you weren’t there you missed three fantastic days. This is what Toastmasters is all about. Getting outside your club and seeing the BIG world of Toastmasters. I remember my first District Conference … it changed my life. I not only learned so much from the speaker workshops and watching the best of the best compete, but I met some wonderful new friends. This Conference was no exception.

As the LGET, I’m responsible for the Training in the District so I would like to share my thoughts about that. The Conference started out Friday night with a great Evaluation Contest. Evaluators from each of our eight Divisions battled it out. Then World Champion Darren LaCroix gave one of the funniest and most dynamic keynote addresses, “ Humor and Hope”. He followed up with an even more dynamic General Session Saturday morning: “Speaking outside Toastmasters for Fun, Profit and Club Building”.

Then Saturday afternoon 12 workshops to choose from. Such topics as: “Speaking with Style”, “The Art and Craft of Storytelling”, “Tips and Tricks to Amuse and Amaze Your Audience”, “Leveraging Social Media” , “The Road to DTM”, to name just a few.

The day was capped off with an extraordinary Humorous Speech Contest Saturday night. And then a real bonus was having our World Champion deliver one more workshop on Sunday Morning, “How to own the Stage/Live coaching Session”.

Someone said it was like a Toastmasters Disney World.

If you want to get the most out of your Toastmasters experience you will definitely want to attend our Spring District Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, April 16- 18. See you there!

Rick Furbush, DTM Lieutenant Governor Education & Training rickfurbush@mac.com

Semi-Annual Elections All clubs must be on a July 1– June 30 annual term, or on July 1– December 31 and January 1–June 30 semiannual terms. Please note: Only Clubs that meet weekly have the option of electing officers for either a semiannual term or an annual term. Holding elections at any other time is in direct conflict with the Club Constitution.

As soon as your club has elected its new officers, report their names and contact information to World Headquarters online. Go to the Officer Resources section on the Toastmasters International website, www.toastmasters.org. Just sign on to the Club Officer Tab using your club number and password to add/update your club’s officers online!

You can also mail or fax the Club Officer changes to TIWHQ. Mail to: Member Services – Officers, PO Box 9052, Mission Viejo, CA 92690; or fax the information to: 949-858-1207 Regardless of how you decide to submit your SemiAnnual Club Officer information the deadline to submit is 12:00 midnight on December 31.

If you have any questions about your club officers list, you can send an email to: clubofficers@toastmasters.org or call 949-858-8255.

Page 3

Pamela’s Place WOW! What an awesome conference!

If you attended the Fall Conference in Naples, you are probably still talking about your conference experience. Excitement was evident on opening night when the Club banners came alive on the banner parade.

Screams of cheers could be heard all over the ballroom as members applauded for their Clubs.

The Evaluation and Humorous Speech Contests were the highlights of the conference. Each competitor showcased the skills they learned in their respective Clubs. We are all proud of our contestants who represented their Division s well. Congratulations to our contest winners! We were also thrilled to have the 2001 World Champion Public Speaker Darren LaCroix as our special guest. His presentations were simply amazing!

The First Timers meeting was a fun-filled event. First time conference attendees were taken on a ride to paradise! The pulsating sounds of Caribbean music filled the air and everyone had the opportunity to dance the morning away while learning how to get the most out of their conference experience.

I had the pleasure of meeting many First Timers who joined Toastmasters several weeks and months ago. I also had the pleasure of meeting many First Timers who are members of newly chartered Clubs. I was very pleased to observe their level of excitement and creativity, particularly at the costume ball on Saturday night. We all had a great time!

Attending District Conferences provides all members with the opportunity to meet the District TRIO and fellow Toastmasters from other Divisions. District Conferences can be used as a forum to share ideas and success stories. Continue to spread the word about our wonderful organization and our dynamic District Conferences. If you did not attend the Fall Conference, please begin making plans for the Spring Conference. You won’t want to miss it!

Pamela D. Rolle, DTM Lieutenant Governor Marketing prolle@toastmastersd47.org

Corporate Visit Excerpt from Fort Myers Beach Observer by Andrea Galabinski

Lee County Electric Cooperative, with corporate offices in North Fort Myers, was recently recognized by Toastmasters International for corporate support of the Electric Toasters.

"There are only a few corporations in our area that support a Toastmasters club," said Vice President of Club 5701, Melissa Miller. Their club meets at LCEC headquarters every second and fourth Wednesday at noon. You don't have to be an LCEC employees to attend, she said. Anyone interested in improving their speaking skills is welcome.

"We're honored to have gotten the award. We support the Toastmasters facilitation of improving communications and leadership skills for its members," said LCEC CEO Dennie Hamilton. "It helps people

both professional and personally and we're glad to support those efforts."

The recognition plaque awarded to LCEC will be displayed at their offices.

Photo by A. Galabinski

Pictured l-r: International Director Pamela Christopher, LCEC CEO Dennie Hamilton, and District 47 Governor Kristina Kihlberg

Page 4

Club Officer Training Are you a club officer in Toastmasters? If so, are you planning to attend midyear officer training in January or February?

ferently; hearing inventive ideas from others can kickstart your own creative thinking.

Learn Something New The initial benefits of midyear training – or “second training” to some – should be obvious to anyone assuming an officer role for the first time in January. You attend to learn about your role. Such training also provides a venue to learn about and understand any changes or new opportunities at the international or district level of Toastmasters. In addition, there’s the chance to discover how other clubs are handling changes and then to incorporate their methods into your own group.

It can also be an opportunity to reflect on the first six months. How did you do? What went well, and what could be improved? Our lives are so busy – who isn’t multitasking these days? This session offers that time to focus on your officer contribution and process what’s happened so far.

Remember and Reflect Officer roles are multifaceted. Many times, these posiNo? Think the training won’t benefit you? Please think tions involve behind-the-scenes work seldom realized or again – and read on to see what unexpected benefits appreciated by members. Rarely do we do everything training can offer. Even for veteran officers, there we’re supposed to during our first six months in a role – are surprisingly numerous reasons to go. maybe not even in a whole year. Midyear training alAnd if you’re already planning to be there – great! To lows you to check in with others about all the duties help maximize your experience, read about what you involved in your position and to think about ways to can gain from this enlightening and helpful event. handle them.

Philani Ncube, past president of District 74’s Honeydew Toastmasters in Johannesburg, South Africa, notes that training provides “clarity on [the] role as a club officer, leadership, and [an] overall objective of what Toastmasters is all about and the benefits thereof.”

Clarity can be essential, especially for members who accept officer roles early on in their Toastmasters career. Even for veteran members or those who have served in other officer roles, midyear training serves as a reminder of all the aspects involved in their current role.

As technology and resources change, officer roles can be affected. So even veterans of the same role might need to learn new procedures, functions or processes.

For example, officers of clubs using www.FreeToastHost.org have seen their responsibilities adjust to the increasing functionality offered by the free online Web site. At times, Toastmasters International institutes new rules or processes, such as the updated and expanded Toastmasters education program, which includes the Competent Leadership manual.

Ann King, a member of Clonakilty Toastmasters in County Cork, Ireland, and Area 11 Governor in District 71, notes, “If a new officer is given certain information at the beginning of the year, it may or may not ‘take,’ as often he or she has not a solid base against which to apply it. By midyear, the officer likely has a strong need to clarify issues and methods.

(Stated another way: You have to understand the system before you can ask questions about it.)”

Share Challenges and Successes For club officers gathered at the training event, the group dynamic is very useful. Edward Chen, District 67 Parliamentarian in Taipei, Taiwan, says, “The main purpose is to share what they have experienced in the past half-year and find solutions for the problem or difficulties they are facing.”

What are some best practices employed by clubs? What activities or approaches have other clubs tried? What are some lessons learned that could benefit you or others? By hearing about best practices or activities that didn’t work, officers can quickly add to their portfolio of initiatives. And it’s nice to know that you’re not alone in some of the challenges you’re facing.

Furthermore, an idea might not be new, but it could be new to you. While Toastmasters meetings share basic elements – prepared and extemporaneous speeches, and evaluations – each club structures its meetings dif-

Debbie Roes, Area 8 Governor in District 5 and immediate past president of Pacific Beach Toastmasters in San Diego, California, notes that “meeting the other officers is one of the best parts of the training experience, as I learn from their experiences.”

continued

Page 5

Club Officer Training (cont’d) Socialize and Network Many people go for the social aspect of training. It’s an opportunity to meet new people or connect with other members in a new way.

When Ian Hamilton, immediate past president of District 73’s North Adelaide Toastmasters in South Australia, attends, he expects “to learn and to meet officers from other clubs, and to get answers to questions I might have.”

King, the Irish Toastmaster, says, “Many of our clubs are in rural areas. Contact with other clubs may be limited due to distance, so training sessions may be eagerly attended as a means of obtaining support. For these same reasons, they may be seen as anticipated social occasions.”

"Midyear training allows you to check in with others about all the duties involved in your position and to think about ways to handle them."

In addition to socializing, you can also network to help recruit participants for your club meetings. Chen says, “Both the first and the second officer trainings also serve as fellowship meetings for district and club officers. The meetings offer them opportunities to make friends with the officers from all over the country. This is very helpful in fulfilling their jobs, as they may [then] know many capable and experienced Toastmasters from other clubs who they can invite to their clubs to serve…in the regular meetings or as judges in their speech contests.” There are indeed many reasons why you should talk to the other members in your district.

You might hear about other speaking opportunities or recruit speakers for meetings and contests. You might even learn about something beyond Toastmasters, such as a job opportunity.

members? What recognition items can you incorporate into your club program for speaking and leadership milestones? If your midyear training includes a “bookstore” or any setup that offers the chance to buy new manuals or other Toastmasters items, you’ll have the opportunity to review the materials before making a selection.

Re-energize Midyear training also provides inspiration, as you hear about amazingly inventive and successful clubs and their leaders. When you are open to learning new things, it’s hard not to be re-energized by the ideas, accomplishments and perseverance of others.

Get Credit Like most officers, Hamilton, the Australian Toastmaster, attends midyear officer training “because it is of benefit to me and the club, and it counts toward the Distinguished Club awards.” While officers should attend training because of the value received, getting credit is an added bonus.

If DCP credit has been your main reason in the past, consider all the other benefits. It might make the time you invest in training more enjoyable, interesting and productive.

This article is an excerpt from a piece that appeared in the December 2008 edition of Toastmaster Magazine. It was written by Jennifer L. Blanck, ACS, AL, a charter member and current officer of Georgetown Toastmasters in Washington, D.C. She has been a member of Toastmasters since 1995 and has served as a trainer for District 36 since 2003.

Checkout the Toastmaster Magazine archive to read the entire article http://www.toastmasters.org/ToastmastersMagazine/ ToastmasterArchive/2008/December/Officer-Training.aspx

TLI Dates & Locations

Help Others Is your club thriving? Do you have creative meetings or successful membership drives? Is your group on the cutting edge of technology? If so, you have a lot to share with other officers.

Some officers have attended trainings for years. Their institutional knowledge can be invaluable. If you’re one of these veterans and feel like you’ve been at training more than necessary, remember that you might have a lot to offer new officers. Help them by sharing your experience and insights. Or maybe volunteer to be a trainer.

Review Materials What advanced manual interests you? Are there club training modules that could benefit your fellow club

DECEMBER 5th* BankAtlantic Corporate Office 2100 W. Cypress Creek Rd, FLL, FL AND St. Petersburg College Clearwater Campus 2465 Drew Street, Clearwater, FL 33733 *Register online now for these two events www.toastmastersd47.org January 16 - Nassau, Bahamas with Darren LaCroix January 16 - University of Tampa January 23 - Office Depot, Delray Beach

Page 6

Register Now! www.toastmasterd47.org

TLI

is here!

Dec 5 – West Coast

Dec 5 – East Coast

St. Petersburg College Clearwater Campus 2465 Drew Street, Clearwater, FL 33733

BankAtlantic Corporate Office 2100 W. Cypress Creek Rd, FLL, FL

SPECIAL GUEST Kathy Potts

SPECIAL GUEST Vic Clevenger

Jan 16 Nassau

SPECIAL GUEST Darren LaCroix

Don’t miss out!

More details on D47 website www.toastmastersd47.org Page 7

Compassionate Conversation During the month of November families and friends gather around the table and share their blessings as they celebrate Thanksgiving. Financial security and health are typical thoughts.

This Thanksgiving take a minute to recall the blessing of kind words, a smile shared from across a room, a nod of acknowledgement, a handshake that becomes a hug, a telephone call to just say hello, and the warmth in our hearts when we are in the company of Toastmaster friends.

If you know of the passing of a Toastmaster, the birth of a child, a “big� birthday or similar occasion, please send a note to our Compassionate Mailbox using this link on the District 47 website http://toastmastersd47.org Let us know the name, which Club and address to send the card.

Cathy Koyanagi

Celebrate the little, unexpected blessings that fill our days and surround yourself in that cornucopia of love in your life.

Compassionate Communicator

Feel it. Share it. Live it.

Club Anniversaries Congratulations to these clubs celebrating anniversaries in November!

In Division B Area 22

Proud Speakers Club#2266

Chartered November 19, 2002

Area 23

Crossroads Club#5931

November 1, 1998

Area 23

Hollywood Toastmasters Club #1261950

November 18, 2008

Jose Gaspar Club #3668

November 1, 1963

Telecom Park Toastmasters #6745

November 1, 1987

Goldcoast Toastmasters Club# 2727

September 1, 1960

Palm Beach Noon Toastmasters Club #22

November 1, 1974

North Miami Beach Toastmasters Club #3840

November 1, 1964

Area 54

Beckman Coulter Club #2588

November 1, 1995

Area 54

Homestead Toastmasters #1249370

November 14, 2008

Area 60

Toast Of the County Club #479

November 7, 2002

Area 61

Toastmasters N Transition Club #612315

November 18, 2003

In Division G Area 71

Easy Talkers Club #7943

November 1, 1990

Area 72

Bay Pines Club #602900

November 14, 2003

Area 73

Raymond James Toastmasters Club #2652

November 1, 1997

Area 82

Chickcharney Toastmasters Club #971904

November 2, 2006

In Division C Area 30 Area 30 In Division D Area 41 Area 43 In Division E Area 50

In Division F

In Division I

Page 8

Congratulations

PR Video

Let’s hear a big round of applause for these three Toastmasters who went above and beyond the call of duty during the 2008-2009 year and received special recognition from IPDG Antionette Fox at the Fall Conference.

Area Governor of the Year AG80 Deanna Morrison

Checkout the fabulous PR video with Darren LaCroix and Division A Governor Scott Vail on the Fox4 Morning Blend show recorded before the Fall Conference. http://www.fox4morningblend.com/ tabid/3530/story/37700/Default.aspx You can also see a “behind the scenes” look at interview on You Tube http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chlr8efRQOo

Division Governor of the Year Division I Governor Pamela Rolle

Both clips are available on the District 47 website home page http:// toastmastersd47.org/

Toastmaster of the Year TM Jeanine Kinsey

New Clubs Please extend a warm WELCOME to these new clubs in District 47!

In Division C: Area 30 Club#1399893 Breckenridge Toastmasters, Tampa Area 34 Club#1403477 Electric Supply Inc., Tampa

In Division I: Area 86 Club#1406533 Sojourner-Douglass Platinum Achievers, Nassau, Bahamas

Submitting Articles

Toastmaster Couples In our September Edition of the Sunshiner, we spotlighted the wedding of Frank Shea and Sue Boe. They actually had their marriage performed at their Suncoast Toastmasters meeting!

We’re looking for other “Toastmaster Couples”, couples who may have met through Toastmasters or those who may simply enjoy Toastmasters together.

The Sunshiner monthly newsletter is a tool we use to help the membership of District 47 learn, grow and share.

If you have any information, suggestions or opinions you’d like to share with your District please address an email to: Sunshiner@toastmastersd47.org

We know there are other “Toastmasters Couples” out there. Please share your stories with us. Let’s hear from you.

Send your story to: Sunshiner@toastmastersd47.org Page 9

Club Opportunities

There’s still time left before the December 31 deadline...

Achieve & Receive Rewards!

Clubs with: •

2 ACs receive 2 Advanced Manuals

•

4 CCs receive 4 Advanced Manuals

•

And Clubs with 9 DCP points receive

All 15 Advanced Communicator Manuals Plus Clubs with 9 DCP points will be entered into a drawing to win a FREE Spring Conference Registration!

Page 10

Photos from the Fall Conference

Page 11

Photos from the Fall Conference

Page 12

Photos from the Fall Conference

Page 13

Photos from the Fall Conference

Page 14

Educational Awards Congratulations to these Toastmasters who have received Educational Awards in the month of October!

Competent Communicator Adler, Timothy W. Alonso, Roberto Barrie, Laura S. Bull, Chris Cartwright, Deno Valentino Chemhuru, Christina Clark, Kim M. Ehrenkranz, Carol Rita Escalona, Jacqueline Feeney, David A. Frohmander, John Gossmann, Stacey A. Guziejka, Lisa Marie Hodgson, Catherine A Johnson, David M. Kennedy, Ron L. Korkowski, Edward Michael Lindsay, Charles W Mantle-Hayden, Pats Miskanic, Vic Moss, Tamar V. Newland, Jill Christine Oulton, Shani R. Pointer, Regina J. Rolle, Pamela Denell Schreima, Cathy Jo Seto, Leonard Simms-Symonette, Nakera S. Singh, Brajesh Smith, Michelle Faith Spiewak, Paul J. Stewart, Jason R. Stuart, Christopher Sundararajan, Venkatesh Sweeting, Eric Velez, German Warner, Aaron L.

Club #3299 Club #704393 Club #8956 Club #704393 Club #1050379 Club #7178 Club #590751 Club #4272 Club #971 Club #585644 Club #1197988 Club #8956 Club #1006065 Club #7923 Club #831439 Club #1197988 Club #2727 Club #1187415 Club #1227605 Club #3466 Club #969479 Club #5701 Club #1216633 Club #968 Club #9477 Club #1269043 Club #4272 Club #965175 Club #5758 Club #1216633 Club #6003 Club #2463 Club #965175 Club #6568 Club #1227605 Club #9745 Club #5701

Wertepny, Randy Scott Yanatsis, Anthony A. Zaretsky, Jonathan M

Club #5390 Club #4272 Club #2903

Advanced Communicator Bronze Birney, Roxanne B. Chalford, Elan L. Cox, Monique Horoff, Mace H. Jacob, Barbara Liebertz, Wolfgang B. Marshall, Vincent Martin, Anna M. Miller, Ingeria Helena Prout, Brian L. Ramsay, Michelle Anne Sherman, Euvunka Walkine, Keaton C.

Club #6818 Club #8248 Club #965175 Club #6818 Club #6818 Club #2582 Club #1425 Club #2004 Club #2437 Club #2284 Club #6003 Club #658738 Club #1050379

Advanced Communicator Silver Boda, Susan Marie Brooks, Myrna S. Burnette, Linda Allison Kissam, Bonnie Russo, Joseph H. Smith, Andrew D. Young, David Andrew

Club #9491 Club #8664 Club #6273 Club #6026 Club #8370 Club #5985 Club #2903

Advanced Communicator Gold Brooks, Myrna S. Huynh, Hieu H. Novek, Karen Elyssa Restrepo, Miguel

Page 15

Club #8664 Club #5222 Club #3299 Club #1667

Educational Awards Congratulations to these Toastmasters who have received Educational Awards in the month of October!

Competent Leader Turner, Jason M.

Armbrister, Davina

Club #9477

Brown-Miller, Dillet Cartwright, Deno Valentino

Club #1200778 Udall, Linda L. Club #1050379 Walkine, Keaton C.

Castleman, Sybrian L

Club #5083

Crabtree, Michelle C.

Club #777513

Davis, Sharmaine

Club #9477

Evans, Lakasha Adell

Club #3956

Ferguson, Rachel A. Frazier-Grant, Loma Denise

Club #1358961 Brooks, Myrna S. Jess, David S. Club #2096

Gibson, Elizabeth

Club #1050379

Grove, Sylvia T.

Club #4267

Hilpinen, Anneli M

Club #760344

Huynh, Hieu H.

Club #5173

Johnson, Elaine

Club #8251

Johnson, Lakeisha Shenique

Club #9477

Lamont, Edwin Lodge

Club #6818

Lewis, Branishka Bradia

Club #3596

Lucassen, Maria Hubertina

Club #2096

Winder-Pratt, Hyacinth

Club #1050379 Club #965175

Club #8664 Club #2004

Leader Excellence Ferguson, Rachel A. Jess, David S.

Club #1095 Club #2004

Congratulations Distinguished Toastmasters

Spanks, William Vitiello, Sheila Ann

Club #2903

Young, David Andrew

Club #2903

Morse, John S.

Club #1269043

Advanced Leader Silver

Brooks, Myrna S. Club #1200778 Jess, David S. Novek, Karen Elyssa Club #1810 Restrepo, Miguel Club #1376226

Miller, Roselyn Yvonne

Club #4272

Advanced Leader Bronze Armbrister, Davina

Club #9477

Fuller, Maurice Michael

Club #7653

Huynh, Hieu H.

Club #5173

Morse, John S.

Club #1810

Salvary, Susan

Club #1216633

Schreima, Cathy Jo

Club #1269043

Somerville, York T.

Club #2284 Page 16

Club #8664 Club #2004 Club #3299 Club #1667