TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL
The SUNSHINER News from Southeast Florida and The Bahamas District 47 August / September 2016 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Messages from the Trio
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District Director Program Quality Director Club Growth Director PR Corner
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Features Presidential Citation
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Member Spotlight
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WAIF Is NOT a Radio Station
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A Distinguished District!
News Club News
In fact, we’re No. 1 of all Distinguished clubs! 10
District 47 ended the 2015-2016 year on a truly high note: as a Distinguished District. We reached it because our clubs' membership growth and program quality enabled us to meet the goals of the Distinguished District Program, for the first time since 2011.
Toast of Las Ollas The REAL Toastmasters High Voltage Voices Collective Minds Gavel Club Secure Speakers Great Ft Lauderdale Toastmasters TLI Roundup
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July Education Awards
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A DTM’s Journey Sing Out!
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The 2016-2017 Trio (from left): Club Growth Director Michael Thorn, DTM; District Director Lynda Hammond, DTM; Program Quality Director Chim Francisco, DTM.
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We’re No. 26 in the world and the No. 1 Distinguished District, thanks to having an impressive 79.47% of our clubs reach Distinguished status themselves. Also putting us over the top were two new clubs: El Cid Toastmasters (Area D43) and The Toastmasters Club at Palm Beach State College (Area C33), which bring us to 157 paid clubs. The achievement drew the attention of International President Jim Kokocki, DTM, who sent a congratulatory letter and called thenDistrict Director Jeanine Kinsey, DTM. “As district director,” he wrote, “you successfully led your team to meet and exceed its goals, truly exemplifying the Toastmasters International mission.” The 2015-2016 Trio’s success will be recognized this month at the International Convention in Washington, D.C., where Lynda Hammond, DTM, will receive the Excellence in Program Quality Award and Chim Francisco, DTM, will receive the Excellence in Club Growth Award. Now, on to Select Distinguished District — and beyond!
District 47 Executive Committee District Director: Lynda Hammond, DTM Program Quality Director: Chim Francisco, DTM Club Growth Director: Michael Thorn, DTM District Public Relations Manager: Kate McClare District Administrative Manager: Linda Yates District Finance Manager: Lois Margolin, DTM Division Directors Division A: Antoinette Bailey Division B: Darren Kennedy Division C: Henry Ferguson Division D: Barbara Strasdas, DTM Division E: Ana Rezende, DTM Division F: Owen Hanna, DTM Division I: Vanessa Scott, DTM Area Directors Area A10: Andre Brown Area A11: Brandon Kinsey Area A12: Moe Haji Area A13: Florence Stewart Aea A14: Jeanette Al Sabah
Contributors Tiiffany Burrell-Roberts, DTM (“Tony Longley Presidential Citation”), joined Toastmasters in January 2012. She has served B.U.T. Nation Builders as vice president membership, vice president education and president, and is now treasurer. She served as director of Area I92 in 2015-2016. Richard Erschik, ACB, CL (“WIIFM Is Not a Radio Station”), has been a member of Toastmasters for four years. He says, “While most everyone else is looking out the windshield at their career, I’m looking out the rear-view mirror at mine and wishing I’d been introduced to Toastmasters decades ago.”
Area B20: Elaine Joggerst Area B21: Paolo Claudio Area B22: Jeffrey Mutnik Area B23: Nicholas Smith Area B24: Marilyn Brown Area C30: Barry Doctor Area C31: Nam Nguyen Area C32: Yulimar Quintero-Trumbo Area C33: Claudine Gunning Area C34: Shana Jerman Area D40: Cindy Groover Area D41: Donna Beirnes Area D42: George Strasdas, DTM Area D43: Kathy Frazier Area D44: Gary Dunmyer Area E50: Sandra Jackson Area E51: Frank Torres Area E52: Esperanza " Espy" Mead Area E53: Jimmy Varnadore Area E54: Denise Nedimyer Area E55: Michelle Ballinger Area F60: Patricia Rolle-Hamilton Area F61: Dianne Lockhart Area F62: Daisy Gibson Area F63: Alphanique Swann Area I90: Carlos Palacious Area I91: Kimberley Bain Area I92: Shonelle Pinder Area I93: Ray-Don Poitier Imm. Past District Director: Jeanine Kinsey, DTM 2
Our intrepid photo team comes out from behind the lens. Clockwise from above left: Lead Photographer John Schneyer, DTM, of Boca Raton Toastmasters and WCR Palm Beaches Noon Toastmasters; CeCe Espeuf of Pembroke Pines Paul Spiewak Toastmasters; Paul Finkelstein of West Boca Toastmasters; and David Cabreja.
The Sunshiner Published by Toastmasters International District 47, Southeast Florida and The Bahamas. www.toastmastersd47.org Submit news, story ideas, questions and comments to sunshiner@toastmastersd47.org
Messages from the Trio District Director
Say ‘YES!’ to Another Toastmasters Year Hello, District 47 Toastmasters! Welcome to a new Toastmasters year! It is wonderful to have you with us! We are just one month into the new term and it is starting out full of energy, with new club boards, officer training and learning opportunities at the Toastmasters Leadership Institutes, and those never-a-dullmoment club contests have just begun. It’s time for the Humorous Speech and Speech Evaluation contests!
How is this new Toastmasters year starting out for you? I hope you answered “GREAT!” If not, then I’d like to give you some life-changing advice that was given to me when I first joined: Forget how to say “No.” Jump in and say “YES!” Say “YES!” to any and every Toastmaster opportunity that comes your way and jump in with the idea that whatever it is, no matter how challenging, no matter how big or how small, you are going to grow. Toastmasters is one of the few places where you can get opportunities to grow personally and professionally. It’s a grand petri dish of life. It’s a lab, a classroom, a safe place to try things out, fail or succeed and GROW! You build confidence, knowledge and experience when you step outside of your everyday routine and step into a meeting. The more you push yourself the more skillful you become.
Lynda Hammond, DTM
When you allow yourself to participate in activities in your club or beyond in your area, division and district, you become part of a very positive, forward-moving community that you grow to care about and where you find that people genuinely care about you. Thank you to everyone who gave a speech, served in a meeting role, organized a contest, brought in a new member, served as a leader or completed a manual last term; you helped bring your club to Distinguished status! In fact, 120 out of 157 clubs were Distinguished last year; 61 of them reached the highest honor, President’s Distinguished. Obviously, many of you said "YES!" Think where we’d be without all those people who said “YES!” How about you? Jump in and say “YES!” You’ll love it in here! Lynda Hammond, DTM District 47 Director, 2016 – 2017 lhammond@toastmastersd47.org
They all said “YES!” From left: Immediate Past District Director Jeanine Kinsey, DTM; Past District Governor Tony Longley, DTM; District Director Lynda Hammond, DTM; Program Quality Director Chim Francisco, DTM; Club Growth Director Michael Thorn, DTM.
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Messages from the Trio Program Quality Director
Meet the Program Quality Team The Program Quality Director is the second-ranking member of the District Executive Committee, and presides over that body and the District Council in the absence of the District Director. The Program Quality Director is responsible for all aspects of education and training within the district. In addition, the Program Quality Director assists the education committees of the member clubs and the areas and divisions of the district in utilizing the educational programs and materials of Toastmasters International, and has the responsibility for:
Chim Francisco, DTM
Promoting and supporting club quality and member retention Training of all division, area and club officers Preparing and conducting educational programs for district conferences Supervising and coordinating district-wide speech contests Formulating specific educational recognition programs
Please welcome the District 47 Program Quality Team for 2016-2017 (below). Together, we are honored to serve the Members of District 47! Chim Francisco, DTM Program Quality Director, 2016-2017 cfrancisco@toastmastersd47.org
TLI - Manager (Bahamas) TLI - Manager (Florida) Education Awards Recognition - Manager Education Awards Recognition - Asst. Manager Speakers Bureau Chair Contest Manager 2016 FALL Contest Chair 2016 FALL Chief Judge 2016 FALL Contest Master (SE) 2016 FALL Contest Master (HUM) 2017 SPRING Contest Chair 2017 SPRING Chief Judge 2017 SPRING Contest Master (TT) 2017 SPRING Contest Master (INTL) Conference - Event Manager Conference - Asst. Event Manager Conference - Chair, Ads Conference - Chair, Agenda & Logistics Conference - Chair, Booklet & Programmes Conference - Chair, Entertainment Conference - Chair, Meet & Greet Conference - Chair, Promotions Conference - Chair, Raffles Conference - Chair, Registration Conference - Chair, Speakers & Facilitators 4
Deborah Young Madhu Akella E. Anita Newman Keithra Toote Launa Carbonell Lisa Sanchez Samantha O'Neil Sharmaine Strachan Tony Noisom David Esposito Patricia Vallejo Elton Kemp Ray-Don Poitier Ed Lamont Damien K.T. Miller Kay-Andra Gardiner Joset Simms Jacqueline Kovacs Sirisha Modukuru Michelle LeWay Paulo Schneider Michelle Balaun Michael Marich Shakira Taylor John Schneyer
Messages from the Trio Club Growth Director
GE = Great Expectations For many, many years, one of America’s best known and trusted businesses, General Electric, has had a series of company slogans that have become the core of its organizational beliefs and on which its operational principles are based. See if they sound familiar to you:
Progress is our most important product
We bring good things to life
Imagination at work
These short, but powerful, phrases have guided GE for over 100 years. They have become part of our individual, American and world experience. The Club Growth Team suggests they are also meaningful to us as Toastmasters. With the beginning of the new Toastmasters year, we have a renewed opportunity to apply these insights to our clubs and their members. Their progress is, in fact, our most important product; we do, in fact, bring good things to life; and, we do, in fact, applaud the application of imagination to our speeches. The rock-solid basis of GE provided by these slogans also serves to reflect the fundamental practices, behaviors and experiences of our shared Toastmasters journeys from both an individual and aggregate perspective. They may be slogans to GE, but they reflect inherent principles and practices to Toastmasters.
Michael Thorn, DTM
These expectations are also reflected in the Toastmasters International District Recognition Program Manual, which states the following:
The ultimate success of a district is based on a focus on the club member.
The program is based on performance as opposed to district size.
The Club Growth Team believes in these principles and practices for application to both our existing and new members, establishing a new meaning for GE — a shared belief in Great Expectations. We invite you to join us to make them a reality in our clubs and their members as part of the Toastmasters passage to achievement and greatness. Our shared expectations — our directions — should be no less than the importance reflected by the values stated in these codes of conduct and performance. The Club Growth Team invites you to join us in not only meeting, but also exceeding, these forms of recognition en route to our core direction of achieving Great Expectations. Michael Thorn, DTM Club Growth Director, 2016-2017 mthorn@toastmastersd47.org 5
Public Relations Corner
What’s Your Story? Tell the PR Team I was a newspaper reporter and editor for many years, and in that time I did my share of righting wrongs, spotlighting problems in need of solutions and helping people in need. But that’s not what I loved about being a reporter. It was simply this: I got to be the first person to find out what was going on, and then I got to be the one to tell everyone. And now I get to do that with District 47. As public relations manager, I have the incredibly fun task task of finding out what you and your clubs, areas and divisions are up to and then sharing it with everyone — in this newsletter, through the district's social media channels and in local newspapers, websites and other outside media. The district PR Team is here to tell the world your news, to share your creative program ideas and to simply celebrate your successes. Kate McClare
But as the Toastmaster of the Day probably says at your weekly meeting, we can't do this without some very important helpers. That means YOU.
We need you to tell us all your news: from events like open houses and speech-a-thons to your members' noteworthy accomplishments both in and outside of Toastmasters. If you or another Toastmaster can credit a business success to what happens in Toastmasters, tell us about it. If your club is doing some community service, tell us. If you're not sure your story is all that interesting, tell us anyway. I bet we'll find it’s amazing. About photos: Please be sure to include names of the people in them. We also prefer to get the original image as an attachment, not embedded in your email or in a Word document. Images can lose a lot of quality when they’re extracted from other media. We want you to look as good as possible. You'd Be Perfect for This! The PR Team is also recruiting volunteers to help us share the stories of District 47 with our fellow Toastmasters and with the rest of the world. We have a variety of positions, from short-term committee assignments to jobs that let you settle in and really learn in-depth. Need a Competent Leader credit? A High Performance Leadership project? We're looking for writers and editors for The Sunshiner, as well as media managers to promote the clubs and events like the Fall and Spring Conferences.
Email me about your interest and we'll see what fits.
Kate McClare Public Relations Manager, 2016-1017 kmcclare@toastmastersd47.org sunshiner@toastmastersd47.org
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Congratulations to West Boca Toastmasters for winning the monthly Video Branding Contest by Toastmasters International. West Boca’s March 2016 winner is posted on YouTube along with many other creative videos.
“One of Toastmasters’ highest honors” — Jim Kokocki, DTM, International President
Tony Longley to Receive Presidential Citation By Tiffany Burrell-Roberts B.U.T. Nation Builders Past District 47 Governor Anthony “Tony” Longley has been selected for a significant recognition of his many achievements in Toastmasters. He will receive the prestigious Presidential Citation from Toastmasters International, in a ceremony at the International Convention this month. The Presidential Citation is bestowed in recognition of DTM Longley’s “outstanding achievements in representing the goals and ideals of Toastmasters International and is one of Toastmasters’ highest honors,” wrote International President Jim Kokocki, DTM, in his award letter. Bahamian born and raised, DTM Longley joined the First Bahamas Branch of Toastmasters Club 1600 in May 1987 under a direct order from his manager, who told him, “If you want to succeed in sales you must be able to communicate effectively; you need Toastmasters!” He did as his manager suggested and served in almost every club officer role, eventually becoming president in 1987-1988. Known affectionately by all as “Tony the Tiger,” DTM Longley continues to be an inspiration to many in Toastmasters and in his profession. He is considered as one of the leading insurance practitioners in The Bahamas. He is passionate about the benefits of Toastmasters. He often speaks of his personal experience by sharing how the program has helped him to manage Anthony “Tony” Longley, DTM his speech impediment as a stutterer since childhood. He is a charter member of Healing Communicators Toastmasters Club #7178. He not only served as president of his home club, but also as president of Action for Achievement Club #1095 in 2002-2003. In 2000, he began spreading his wings in the district. He has served in many roles, including district photographer, district sergeant at arms, Area 35 governor, Division I governor, district youth leadership chairman and district public relations officer. He was the district’s lieutenant governor education and training in 2013-2014 (receiving the Excellence in Education award) and was district governor in 2014-2015. He is a three-time recipient of this organization’s highest educational and leadership honor, the Distinguished Toastmaster designation. DTM Longley has made his maternal and Toastmasters families proud, but most of all he has made his country proud. His fellow Bahamians are proud to know that one of our own is being recognized with such a prestigious honor. When asked for his formula for success, he said he is guided by the words of Zig Ziglar: "The best way to get what you want from life is to help enough other people to get what they want out of life." Continue to shine, DTM Longley! Continue to soar and be a mentor to those who aspire to walk the road you’ve walked. Congratulations!
Tony’s award letter. Click image to enlarge and read it in full. 7
Tony Longley will receive the Presidential Citation on August 18, during the Hall of Fame Ceremony at Toastmasters International’s 85th International Convention in Washington, D.C. Follow District 47 on Facebook to share in this unforgettable moment.
Member Spotlight Sid Marcus, DTM
A Golden 50 Years with Toastmasters By Andrew I. Bern, M.D., FACEP, ACB, ALB Club Voice Club Voice (Division B) is celebrating Distinguished Toastmaster Sid Marcus’ special year: 50 years as a Toastmaster and his 93 birthday. Sid is a special resource and mentor to all members and an important contributor to his club. He credits his active participation in club meetings — presenting speeches, evaluations, Table Topics and humorous (and magic) moments — for keeping his mind and body young. He participates in weekly meetings every Wednesday at noon at the FDOT building 2nd floor. When asked to remember special moments over his 50-year career in Toastmasters, he remembers these highlights:
Business Association Presentations: “The Powerful Influence of a Positive Mental Attitude”
Workshops for Broward County Public Schools Human Resources: “Effective Speaking”
Graduated over 4,200 students from the Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program
Recipient of the Gold Medallion, the Toastmasters International Presidential Award (1988)
Torch Award (1987, one of three recipients): For outstanding community service for volunteerism in Broward County
“Sid Marcus Day” (May 16, 1988): Proclaimed by the City of Coral Springs for volunteerism
Inducted into the Broward County Senior Hall of Fame (May 12, 1994)
Recipient of the Venetian Toastmasters Communications and Leadership Award (1997)
Recipient of the Venetian Toastmaster “Founders Award” (2001) Club Voice is proud to count Sid Marcus as one of its members.
Sid was honored June 25 at the Toastmasters Leadership Institute hosted by Division B (Page 16). Sid Marcus, DTM
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“What’s In It For Me?”
WIIFM Is NOT a Radio Station By Richard Erschik Homestead Toastmasters WIIFM stands for What’s In It For Me? As in, how do I apply what I learn in Toastmasters meetings to the “outside world” to help ME in MY work? If you are attending Toastmasters meetings just to attend Toastmasters meetings, that’s all well and good if you’re retired and/or in giving-back mode. But if you’re still working, there is a way to apply what you learn in Toastmasters meetings to what you earn in the outside world. You just have to connect the dots. Here are the board member and meeting functionary roles of a typical Toastmasters club, and a brief description of their application values to YOU outside of Toastmasters. Board Member Roles President: Being president of your club gives you the opportunity to learn how to preside over meetings, events or even your own company. Vice President (Education, Membership or Public Relations): You get the opportunity to learn how to serve the president and preside over duties that serve the growth and betterment of your club or even your own company. Secretary/Treasurer: You can learn how to take/keep meeting minutes and manage the club’s financial resources. Also applicable to your own company. Richard Erschik
Meeting Functionary Roles Timer: Teaches you how to listen and record timing of speeches and activities. Grammarian: Teaches you how to improve your vocabulary. Vote Counter:Teaches you how to accumulate, manage and report on statistics. Body Language: Teaches you how to control and use your body to make a point.
Er-Ah Counter:Teaches you how to listen and take unnecessary pauses out of your vocabulary. Speaker: Gives you the opportunity to practice, practice, practice… speaking in front of and/or to a group to formulate the correct words and get your point across. Evaluator: Teaches you how to introduce a speaker, evaluate the behavior of presenters and be evaluated yourself, so you learn how others see your presentations. There are many more personally applicable and rewarding learning opportunities in and from Toastmasters meetings that begin with YOUR commitment to joining a local Toastmasters club for your own self-improvement. Sign up for a meeting functionary role or to run for an officer’s position, and see what YOU can get out of it.
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Club News Toast of Las Olas Division B / Area 22
Forceful, Unstoppable Achievements By Maribelis Soto Toast of Las Olas Toast of Las Olas (ToLO) has exceeded its expectations. Toastmasters International rates each club based on a series of accomplishments. ToLO achieved President’s Distinguished status, the highest level of recognition a Toastmasters club can obtain. Every Wednesday, members and guests gather at 6:30 p.m. in the Broward County Governmental Center, Room 302. When you walk into a ToLO meeting, you realize how much this club embodies the President’s Distinguished honor . Members encourage and motivate each other as well as guests to pursue and exceed their public speaking, presentation and leadership aspirations. They fully embrace their inner communicator with much power and confidence! ToLO members build relationships and friendships among themselves and with their guests in a friendly and supportive environment. As Lloyd Macedo, 2015 president of ToLO, explains, “If there is one core factor that has been consistent in my almost three years with the club, it is the fact that you have the feeling the club is your home.” In 2015, he says, membership tripled from the club’s 2014 base. Leadership has been the key variable, he says. “Gathering functions such as open houses, happy hours and community service events were Just some of the members of Toast of Las Olas (from left): Denis Moore, introduced. People got to know each Medardo Cevallos, Maribelis Soto, Sherri Rossell Dailing, Tim Dye, Angela other better both inside and outside the Meyer, Evens Jean-Michel, Linda Manners, Daniel Kofler, Jean Marte and club. Successful speech contests were Latanya Long. held with members progressing even beyond the area contest. The club as a whole went outside its comfort zone and that was why it grew.” Nick VonAlven, ToLO member and former Area 22 director, states, “President’s Distinguished is no small feat for a Toastmasters club, especially in Southeast Florida, where membership can be very transient. It’s all about having a solid core membership group that sets the standard. We [have] had an outstanding group of highly motivated individuals that mesh well as a team. This dynamic was the primary driving force propelling the club forward. It’s something that can be elusive at times, but when a club hits its stride like we did, it’s an unstoppable force.” For more information, please email Maribelis Soto at vppr-9400@toastmastersclubs.org or visit Toast of Las Olas’ website: 9400.toastmastersclubs.org.
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Club News The REAL Toastmasters Division D / Area 42
A REAL Special Club By Richard Hartman The REAL Toastmasters Toastmasters is a special place. Therefore, all Toastmasters Clubs are special. The REAL Toastmasters Club is extraspecial because although born from Realtors and their affiliates, it has morphed into an open club with doctors, lawyers, business owners and people from many other professions. What makes it even more special is that everyone is an individual, working on their particular set of skills, for the benefit of not just their individual businesses and careers but for their families, The REAL Toastmasters club includes (from left:) Ofelia Utset, Debbie Davis, Donna Goldfarb, Kim Flossie, Patty Stevenson, Richard Hartman and Richard friends and loved ones as well. Weinstein. Guests come away from a visit to our club with a greater understanding of what it means to be supportive of one another, how we work on ourselves for the benefit of each other and, ultimately, for the betterment of mankind in general. If you want to change the world, you have to first change yourself, influence others to do the same and thus start a movement that results in all of us being better people, family members, lovers and in other relationships. We currently have 34 members. We meet Mondays at noon (sharp!) at the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches (RAPB) offices, 4880 Donald Ross Road, Suite 110, Palm Beach Gardens (intersection of Donald Ross Road and Central Boulevard). Parking is available to the north, south or east of the Walgreens adjacent to the RAPB office.
The REAL Toastmasters President: Richard Hartman VP Education: Debra Davis VP Membership: Richard Weinstein VP Public Relations: Ofelia Utset Secretary: Dena Forman Treasurer: Patricia Stevenson Sgt. at Arms: Kim Flossie
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As already mentioned, The REAL Toastmaster experience extends outwardly from within. By assisting members to work on themselves, we help them to become better speakers, communicators, listeners and leaders, and more confident people, so that they can work to help others do the same. It makes for a better, more understanding world. What could be more noble than that?
Club News High Voltage Voices Division D / Area 41
Feeding Hungry Children By Dyan Bernstein High Voltage Voices Many of our members volunteered to help feed hungry residents in our community. On November 18, 2015, in conjunction with Community Volunteer Appreciation Week, our company hosted a meal-packing volunteer project at our Juno Beach office with Feeding Children Everywhere, a social charity that empowers and mobilizes people to assemble healthy meals for hungry children. Employee volunteers packed more than 80,000 meals, all of which were turned over to the Palm Beach County Food Bank for distribution! Palm Beach County is one of the wealthiest counties in the nation; however, on any given day more than 200,000 residents don’t know where their next meal will come from. Close to 64,000 of those individuals are children. There are more than 100 agencies like food pantries and soup kitchens that feed tens of thousands of hungry children, families and senior citizens every day. The Palm Beach County Food Bank provides food to these agencies from Boca Raton to Tequesta and from Belle Glade to Pahokee.
High Voltage Voices members who worked on the feeding project included (from left): Past Vice President Education Lela Gopalakrishnan, Vice President Membership Dontrell Davis, Jennifer Bucker, Past President and Area D41 Director Donna Beirnes. 12
Club News Collective Minds Gavel Club
Toastmasters Become Roastmasters Things got hot but never overheated for Rich Otten when he was roasted by Collective Minds, a Gavel Club he started six years ago at Martin Correctional Institution. Many other Toastmasters joined Rich at the event, and happily took turns roasting him with good-natured jokes and jabs. The men spent a great deal of time making a realistic-looking grill from cardboard and foil. They gave it a fan blowing up from the bottom of the grill and “flames” made from plastic potato chip bags. Occasionally they threw a handful of powdered coffee creamer on the “fire,” which looked like smoke!
Clockwise from above: Rich Otten on the hot seat; the Collective Minds Gavel Club; Toastmasters from various clubs who volunteer with the inmates; Collective Minds members Mondago Brown (left) and Roger Thomas turn up the “heat.”
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“It was an event to remember,” Rich says, “from an exceptional group of inmates, who will become great Toastmasters.”
Club News Secure Speakers Division D / Area 42
Plenty to Celebrate at This Club Happy anniversary and congratulations to Secure Speakers, which turned 5 years old and celebrated by achieving 7 points in the Distinguished Club Program! Kudos to whoever brought the Competent Leadership manual to the meeting! (Can you spot it?)
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Club News Great Fort Lauderdale Toastmasters Division B / Area 21
60 Great Years in Toastmasters By Kenny Davin Great Fort Lauderdale Toastmasters
The Great Fort Lauderdale Toastmasters club recently celebrated its 60th anniversary with a fun-filled evening of dinner and entertainment. The oldest club in Broward County threw a party at the Tennis Club of Fort Lauderdale, which drew a packed house featuring many current, past and future Toastmasters. The celebration extended far beyond the club itself. The Board of County Commissioners of Broward County, Florida, proclaimed February 5, 2016, as "The Great Fort Lauderdale Toastmasters Club 2004 Day in Broward County, Florida.” Club President Kenny Davin was also featured in a section of the SunSentinel, in which he promoted the event and answered questions about public speaking and other communication skills. Many people helped to make the night a success by volunteering their time, providing financial support or offering complimentary services. Current and past presidents of the Great Fort Lauderdale Toastmasters
Please join us in supporting the club gather to celebrate six decades of communication and leadership following contributors whenever development. you can:
Jason Bank: Jammin Express Entertainment Kenny Davin: Fidelity Investments: Travis Bridges: Saxophonist Sean K. Michael: Velocity Videos Online Jamie Finizio-Bascombe: Law Offices of Finizio & Finizio, P.A. David Esposito, Marstan Construction, Inc
The Great Fort Lauderdale club has many others to thank for contributing to the success of the event: Victor Jimenez, Michael Pinney, Mitchell Burnstein, Kristina Kihlberg, Tamekia Daniels, Trisha Durosier, Lisa Sanchez, Miles Bank, Jason Bank, Melanie Yasner, Tasha Ceres, David Jess and Andres Gunther.
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Toastmasters Leadership Institute Hosted by Division B June 25, 2016 The Division B team kicked off the summer session of the Toastmasters Leadership Institute with an outstanding morning at Broward College. It included special honors for Sid Marcus, DTM, of Club Voice, celebrating 50 years in Toastmasters. (See the Member Spotlight, Page 8, to learn about Sid’s many accomplishments.) Clockwise from right: Sid Marcus receives plaque from Club Voice member Andrew Bern; Division B Director Darren Kennedy (left in photo) with keynote speaker George Cantafio of the Dale Carnegie Institute; opening speaker Karen Lake, DTM; attendees rise to honor outgoing District Director Jeanine Kinsey, DTM; we’re Number 1!
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Toastmasters Leadership Institute Hosted by Divisions F and I (The Bahamas) July 2, 2016 Divisions F and I united in an impressive and enlightening event in The Bahamas, which included a joint installation of officers. Participants included several students from R.M. Bailey Senior High School. Left: Past District Governors Antionette Fox, DTM, and Anthony Longley, DTM, with District Director Lynda Hammond, DTM. Clockwise from below: Bahamas TLI Event Manager Jamaro Thompson, DTM, with R.M. Bailey Senior School students and their teacher; Lynda Hammond presides over officer installation; Toastmasters enjoy a light moment during the opening ceremony.
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Toastmasters Leadership Institute Hosted by Division E July 23, 2016
Division E hosted a dynamic morning of workshops at Keiser University. Led by Division E Director Ana Rezende, the event opened with an inspirational keynote by professional speaker Dre Baldwin. Clockwise from right: Welcoming remarks from Fay Fernandez, Keiser University associate director of admissions; the Division E TLI team; a rock star welcome; three cool guys; the latest fashion for raffle masters; Division E Director Ana Rezende with Dre Baldwin.
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Toastmasters Leadership Institute Hosted by Division A July 30, 2016 Division A Director Antoinette Bailey and her team produced a fun, engaging morning of workshops at DeVry University. Left: A warm welcome from DeVry representative Manny Castro. Right: Keynote presentation by Suzanne Speaks, an attorney, multimedia journalist and television host. Below: The Division A TLI team, with emcee Wayne Dawson at far right; opening ceremony prepares attendees to learn.
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July Education Awards COMPETENT COMMUNICATOR NAME
CLUB
DIVISION AREA
Aguado Magallon, Maria
Cat Miami
E
55
Alexander, Patrick R.
South Dade Toastmasters Club
E
53
Corbit, Michael
Freddy's Forum
D
44
Day, Mary-Helen T.
Broward Bilingual Toastmasters
B
21
Fairbanks, Diana
Friendly Club of Fort Lauderdale
B
22
Garcia-Blasquez, David R.
West Boca Toastmasters Club
C
33
Lightbourne-Dillett, Natasha Marie Pinnacle Seekers
F
62
Milian, Joel
Miramar Bilingual Speakers
A
12
More, Gajanan Narayan
Pompano Beach Toastmasters
B
20
Ogden, Kevin Kimball
Scientifically Speaking
D
42
Parsons, Ricardo K.
NCCI Toastmasters
C
32
Paustian, Lawrence K.
Palm Beach Toastmasters Club
D
43
Pittenger, Mona
Power Speakers Club
B
22
Pratt, Alyssa S
Healing Communicators Club
F
60
Reed, Chelsea Smith
Scientifically Speaking
D
42
Rodriguez, Vidal
Cat Miami
E
55
Romano, Phillip
Hollywood Toastmasters
A
12
Ross, Michael
Luminaries at Boca Chamber
C
32
Schneyer, John J.
Boca Raton Toastmasters
C
31
Shawsmith, Roxan
Chickcharney Toastmasters Club F
61
Smith, Kathleen
Talking Heads of Stuart
D
40
Tagle, Sandra I.
Miami Dade Toastmasters Club
E
51
Tominovich, Dan L
NCCI Toastmasters
C
32
Weinstein, Richard
The REAL Toastmasters Club
D
42
Williams, Adriana M.
Club Paradise
C
34
Zaimes, Tom
Port St. Lucie Speakers
D
40
Zea, Maritza
Weston Area Toastmasters Club A
10
ADVANCED COMMUNICATOR BRONZE
20
NAME
CLUB
DIVISION AREA
Ferguson, Kendria Lanae
Pinnacle Seekers
F
62
Jaramillo, Eugenio
South Dade Toastmasters
E
53
July Education Awards ADVANCED COMMUNICATOR BRONZE King, David Cecil
B.U.T. Nation Builders
I
92
Kinsey, Brandon A.
Outspoken Toastmasters
B
24
Martinez, Eduardo Jorge
South Dade Toastmasters
E
53
Naranjo, Nayibi
Weston Area Toastmasters
A
10
Quintero-Trumbo, Yulimar
West Boca Toastmasters
C
33
Robertson, Ischaji N
Miami Dade Toastmasters
E
51
Thomas, Sheree
Boca Raton Noon Toastmasters
C
31
Thorn, Michael E.
Boca Raton Advanced
C
33
ADVANCED COMMUNICATOR SILVER NAME
CLUB
DIVISION AREA
Beneby, Tristan L
Healing Communicators Club
F
60
Hrim, Kevin J.
Hobe Sound Toasters
D
41
Kleine, George M.
Hobe Sound Toasters
D
41
Reyes, Glenn Errol
Club V.O.I.C.E.
B
24
ADVANCED COMMUNICATOR GOLD NAME
CLUB
DIVISION AREA
Bethel, Da' Nevia M.
Abaco Lighthouse Beamers
I
93
COMPETENT LEADER NAME
CLUB
DIVISION AREA
Cordner, Beverly E.
Sensor Toast
C
32
Cutz, Lydia Szpilman
Toasting Under the Sun
C
34
Day, Mary-Helen T.
Broward Bilingual Toastmasters
B
21
De Greff, Curt
South Dade Toastmasters
E
53
Devine, Maryanne
Devry Univ. Miramar Toastmasters
A
11
Diaz, Derek
Weston Area Toastmasters
A
10
Francisco, Chim
Bill Gove Golden Gavel Club
C
30
Lamont, Edwin Lodge
Bill Gove Golden Gavel Club
C
30
Lopez, Cynthia
American Express Toastmasters
B
23
21
July Education Awards COMPETENT LEADER NAME
CLUB
DIVISION AREA
Morrow, April Louise
Delray Newsmakers
C
30
Nye, Cheryl
Sensor Toast Club
C
32
Prince, Susan L.
The Toastmasters Club at FAU
C
33
Ramirez, Bernarda L.
South Dade Toastmasters
E
53
Roberts, Karen
Boca Raton Noon Toastmasters
C
31
Rocco, Matthew Richard
Broward College Toastmasters
A
10
Verdone, Ted
Proud Speakers
B
20
Warth, Anne E
Cat Miami
E
55
Wenzel, Betsy
Boca Raton Noon Toastmasters
C
31
Zaimes, Tom
Port St. Lucie Speakers
D
40
ADVANCED COMMUNICATOR BRONZE NAME
CLUB
DIVISION AREA
Beirnes, Donna
High Voltage Voices
D
41
Beneby, Tristan L
Healing Communicators
F
60
Evans, Diane P.
Boca Raton Noon Toastmasters
C
31
Hrim, Kevin J.
Hobe Sound Toasters
D
41
Hrim, Marybeth
Hobe Sound Toasters
D
41
Pinder, Shanika E.
Cable Revolutionaries Toastmasters
I
91
Schneyer, John J.
Boca Raton Toastmasters
C
31
Stewart, Jason R.
Cutler Bay Toastmasters
E
54
ADVANCED LEADER SILVER NAME
CLUB
DIVISION AREA
Burrell-Roberts, Tiffany C.
B.U.T. Nation Builders
I
92
Hanna, Owen Julius
Chickcharney Toastmasters
F
61
Maher, Pat T.
Palm Beach Advanced Toastmasters
D
43
Margolin, Lois A.
Outspoken Toastmasters
B
24
Rezende, Ana Carolina Brandao De
Voice Of Champions
E
50
NAME
CLUB
DIVISION AREA
Burrell-Roberts, Tiffany C.
B.U.T. Nation Builders
I
92
Thomas, Sheree
Boca Raton Noon Toastmasters
C
31
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
22
July Education Awards DISTINGUISHED TOASTMASTER Congratulations to those who have achieved the highest education award in Toastmasters! NAME
CLUB
DIVISION AREA
Burrell-Roberts, Tiffany C.
B.U.T. Nation Builders
I
92
Hanna, Owen Julius
Chickcharney Toastmasters
F
61
Maher, Pat T.
High Voltage Voices
D
41
Margolin, Lois A.
Outspoken Toastmasters
B
24
Rezende, Ana Carolina Brandao De
Voice of Champions
E
50
TRIPLE CROWN: Three education awards in a single program year Tiffany Burrell-Roberts (B.U.T. Nation Builders, Area I92): Leadership Excellence, Advanced Leader Silver and Distinguished Toastmaster. Congratulations, DTM Burrell-Roberts!
It seems like just yesterday . . . A Distinguished Toastmaster’s journey By Lois Margolin, DTM Club Awesome The day I walked into Club Awesome, I was amazed at the caliber of individuals. I was nervous, scared and excited all at the same time. My mentor, Frank Kudrna, explained the basics to me after a meeting and I set my sights on becoming a Competent Communicator (CC) and Competent Leader (CL). I wasn’t looking to be a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), because I did not think I would be here that long. HA! I received kudos, hugs and a shiny pin when I completed my CC and CL. Did I mention I LOVE shiny things? I was completely hooked as I took on the role of secretary, treasurer, vice president education. president and vice president membership. My goal was to complete one communication level, 10 speeches, every year. That is simply one speech a month and two months off for good behavior. Is it worth it? Did you see my smile when presented this award? It was a long journey but it was completely worth it.
Lois Margolin, DTM
Thank you, Club Awesome, for helping me reach the Distinguished Toastmaster designation.
— Reprinted from Club Awesome newsletter 23
Sing out!
The official anthems of our two-nation district District 47 is fortunate to reside in two nations: The Bahamas and the United States. Thanks to District Administrative Manager Linda Yates for providing the lyrics to both anthems, so we can all SING OUT at the next district event!
The Bahamas: “March On, Bahamaland”
The United States: “The Star-Spangled Banner”
Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahamaland; March on to glory, your bright banners waving high.
Oh say, can you see, By the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed, At the twilight's last gleaming?
See how the world marks the manner of your bearing! Pledge to excel through love and unity. Pressing onward, march together To a common loftier goal.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, Through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched Were so gallantly streaming.
Steady sunward, tho' the weather Hide the wide and treach’rous shoal. Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahamaland, 'Til the road you've trod lead unto your God, MARCH ON, BAHAMALAND.
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And thy rocket's red glare, Thy bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night That our flag was still there. Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE, AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE.