Rodney Bain

2021-2022 Public Relations Manager

My fellow Toastmasters and guests welcome to the District 47 2022 REIMAGINE Virtual Conference!

Firstly, I would like to thank you for allowing me to share as your Public Relations Manager for the 20212022 Toastmasters year. We, the Public Relations Team, are privileged to serve you this year by sharing the story of your successes, both inside and outside of the club. This year presented many opportunities as we returned to a sense of normalcy. We RECOGNIZE all of the efforts you put in and continue to put in to ensure your clubs reach their goals but more importantly, we RECOGNIZE your dedication to obtaining your personal goals. If you are not happy with where you are in your journey today, there is still time left to make a change. You have the authority, opportunity, and capability. It is time to RECOGNIZE the role you play.

In my Toastmasters journey, I learned the importance of sharing your story. In my capacity as your PRM, I take every opportunity to encourage members to REDISCOVER the reason why they started this journey.

Find your why and share it throughout the REIMAGINE Virtual Conference. Use this opportunity to showcase to fellow Toastmasters and guests what drives you to a higher level of greatness. In sharing our stories, we not only inspire others to grow, but we also allow them to REDISCOVER their whys, attract new members, intrigue returning members, and excite active members. We all knew why we started this journey. At times, we need that little reminder to help us REDISCOVER it.

We are nearing the end of this Toastmasters year and my time as PRM. I cherish all of the growth opportunities, joy, and genuine connections made during my time. I would never imagine my experience in Toastmasters would have been one such as this. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and learn from you. As I REIMAGINE what the upcoming year holds, I encourage you to do the same. Allow Toastmasters to exemplify what happens when you remove fear and doubt and add mentoring and evaluated experiences. As you metamorphize into the leader of your dreams, ensure to share your story and inspire others to do the same. As District Director Taylor often says, “One is too small of a number.” Continue to inspire, grow, and most importantly, share your story.

Thank you for sharing in this journey as we REIMAGINE our conference experience. We appreciate you.

Yours in Service,

Rodney D. Bain Public Relations Manager, 2021-2022

Barbara B. Strasdas, DTM

Immediate Past District 47 Director

Today is a good, good day!

It is exciting to be here at the 2022 District 47 Annual Toastmasters Conference! I applaud the many hands who contributed to this virtual conference, who gave of their time and talent to ensure it will be a memorable time of education, camaraderie, connection and of course, FUN!

As a twenty-two-year member of toastmasters, attending a conference has always been a priority for me. I chose attendance over other events scheduled that same weekend. Why? You may ask. Toastmaster conferences are an opportunity to meet your fellow community of toastmasters, a chance to gain new knowledge on various educational sessions, to hear the best speakers of the District compete in contests that started at the club level, and to elect the officers for the upcoming District leadership year. But to really get to the heart of my why, is the reconnection with like-minded members who continue the legacy of Dr. Ralph Smedley.

I encourage you to immerse yourself in this opportunity to expand your personal growth, to not just be a bystander looking in, but to spend time imagining you are in a room with these astounding individuals, to embrace the wisdom and knowledge they share.

The District Conference theme is “Reimagine” – do you remember when you were younger and you used to dream of wondrous adventures, to pretend you were a king, or a princess, or traveling the world via a magic carpet. Think back to those days, reimagine your life path forward, reignite your passions and rediscover your future ahead! Your attendance in the next few days may lead you to rethink where you can go!

I encourage you to invite your family, friends and colleagues to this conference and include them in your magical journey – they will give you applause for inviting them in so they can reimagine their path forward!

Have Fun and Enjoy!

Yours in Service, Barbara Strasdas,

DTM

Antoinette Bailey, DTM & Ernesto G. Williams, DTM

District 47 Conference Chairs

Fellow D47 Toasties,

My, what a journey! We have braved global medical climates, chaotic forecasts, losses of loved ones, financial quakes, membership drops, educational struggles, and communication challenges! Be that as it may, we stand here triumphant! We’ve come this far, so it’s time for a recharging, a refreshing, and a reimagining!

Welcome to "The 2022 District 47 Reimagine Annual Conference Experience!"

We, your Conference Chairs, have worked assiduously with many hardworking Toastmasters Leaders & Volunteers to ensure that this conference experience is like no other. This conference atmosphere and experience is set to transform the minds of new and returning Toastmasters with reengagement, recommitment, and reembracing the Toastmaster Program and a fulfilling life again.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to Shakira Taylor, DTM; Austen Canonica, DTM; Lois Margolin, DTM; Rodney Bain, DTM; District 47 Division Directors and Area Directors; Maurice Fuller, DTM; and Jeanine Kinsey, DTM. A HUGE thank you to all of our Monarch, Illustris, & Chrysalis Sponsors, and the many volunteers who dedicated hours of service with great alacrity to bring to you - what we truly hope will be - an amazing Reimagined Conference Experience.

Toast-fully Your Dedicated Duo, Antoinette Bailey, DTM & Ernesto G. Williams, DTM

Conference Co-Chairs

District 47 Toastmasters International, Region 8 abailey@toastmastersd47.org ewilliams@toastmastersd47.org