District 71 Toastmasters Newsletter

District 71 Newsletter With just eleven days left to the Inspire Conference, in the Alexander Hotel Dublin November 12th to 14th inclusive.

The eight Division finals have finished and eight contestants in the Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contests have been selected. The workshop presenters are all prepared and ready to share their wisdom with you. The fancy dress costumes are chosen, the dancing shoes are packed and the party pieces for the ‘craic’ are rehearsed. The only thing remaining is for you to secure your place at this much anticipated event on the Toastmasters Autumn agenda. You can still make your booking at bookings@dublin2010.ie Phone: 00353 86 127 1094

The keynote speaker for the conference is Sean Kennedy. Sean, who has won the Communicator of the Year 2010 award, will energise, educate and entertain us. He is currently working as a Senior Consultant on the BBC programme “The Speaker”. He is also Speakers Bank Past Programme Director for the Jack Petchey ‘Speak Out’ Challenge - the world's biggest youth public speaking competition. His keynote speech is truly a ‘must attend’ event.

Editor: L. Hughes

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October / November 2010

P1 Be at ‘Inspire’ P2 Inspiring news from TI P3 Education P4 as he was saying…

P5& 10/11 Achieving Success UK & IRl P 6/7 Inspire News P 8 Being a Div Gov P 9 At Sea P 12/13 Live Radio P 14 A First P 15 Life Savers P 16/17 & 24/25 Leadership P 18/19 Summer in the city P19 Experiment from Aus P 20 With Pride P 21 Meet Rory P 22/23 Internal PR

P 26/27 Celebrating your achievements P28 Financial support P 29 Branding

What’s Happening at Toastmasters International WHQ? When the District Executives returned from California in August we brought back with us so much information on what is going to be happening in the future. I wanted to share with you just a few of these things.

Website Improving!

TI is in the process of upgrading its Website over the holiday season. This change will result in a great number of benefits for our members which includes improved online content and a greater ability to track educational awards. The reports for educational awards are being moved to a new server that should allow the TI Shop to be easier to find content and will accommodate a faster shopping experience!

Another fantastic change that is coming is Digital Content Delivery (DCD). TI are reviewing all its products to determine which ones are feasible to turn into a DCD product. The review is happening between now and Christmas and a final decision on the first products to be made available for DCD will be made in the New Year!

Five-Year Strategic Plan In 2009, the Board of Directors set a course to develop a blueprint that would guide the organization’s growth and retention, education program development, revenue generation and global impact. This plan was designed thoughtfully; benchmarking, statistical analysis and a review of Toastmastersspecific business trends were all conducted. The final result: a measurable and aggressive yet realistic plan for the Toastmasters’ continued success. The resulting 5year Strategic Plan lays the foundation for the Toastmasters we dream of – and one that we can plan for, achieve and become.

The one thing that stands out for me is the focus on Global Impact. Toastmasters International is now represented within 113 countries and this is presenting to the organisation challenges with diversity of cultures and unique needs. It is now more than ever imperative that we focus and maintain a global perspective in all the decisions and actions taken. One thing that is strongly being worked on is to innovate, modernize and anticipate maximising the member experience and this means that technological solutions are being evaluated and integrated to provide timely, accurate and cost-effective information to all members!

The 2010 Strategic Plan can be found at: http://www.toastmasters.org/StrategicPlan Recognition Program Revisions Effective July 1, 2012 In August 2010, the Board of Directors approved revisions to the Area, Division and District level recognition programs to increase the focus on quality and distinguished clubs, while creating strong vertical alignment. These revisions will be effective from July 1, 2012. If you want to see the full detail of these revisions visit: http://www.toastmasters.org/2012RecognitionRevisions All these changes are happening to assist us in helping our members become the speakers and leaders they want to become and also to help us become a much more visible organisation that will be recognised worldwide with the creditability it deserves.

I’m looking forward to the changes and I’m also looking forward to all the inspiration that will follow.

Teresa Dukes, DTM District Governor ‘Inspire With Passion’

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In the current economic climate, both education and training are seen as being of critical importance in the workplace and indeed in our own personal lives. In fact, life-long - education and training is rapidly becoming the norm. Cash-strapped companies are looking for cost-efficient ways of developing their employees. It is not surprising that the Toastmasters Organization, ‘with over 12,500 clubs and more than 260,000 members in 113 countries…’ is now viewed with interest in the corporate world. In District 71, there is a steady increase in interest in ‘corporate toastmasters clubs’: in banks, law bodies, accountancy bodies, universities, County council offices and in manufacturing and research companies, particularly in the IT area.

As adult learners, we choose our own learning opportunities and the level at which we participate. Our ‘Toastmasters Programme’ provides a range of opportunities in the areas of education, training and leadership-development. There are both personal and career aspects to your choices.

As a Toastmasters member, it is important that you get credit for the projects that you complete. So, have your projects from the Communication and Leadership Manuals evaluated and recorded. When you have completed a Manual, you have the option to have your employer advised of your achievements by letter, from TI. Training of District Officers (Area and Division Governors) takes place twice each year, in June and January. This year there was a 100% turnout, which is very encouraging. Training of Club Officers takes place in July/ Aug and in Jan / February. As attendance is recorded and as credit for attendance is available, I would love to see more than the mandatory ‘Four Club Officers per Club’ attending these training events.

The recently ‘up-dated’ Leadership Manual provides a wide range of opportunities for members to develop their leadership skills, such as, Listening and Leadership, Critical Thinking, Giving Feedback, Time Management, Planning and Implementation, Organizing and Delegating, Developing your Facilitation Skills, Motivating People, Mentoring and Team Building. In any organisation, this range of Leadership skills would be regarded as both impressive and valuable at interview or at an end of year review.

On the weekend of the 12th – 14th of November, there is an exciting opportunity to attend any one of FOUR exciting WORKSHOPS on Training & Leadership. Contact: Inspire Toastmasters Conference - Dublin See www.dublin2010.ie/ If you are looking for a Leadership Project, and you have time to spare, look at: http://d71.org/docs/Education/YouthLeadershipManual If you are looking for Information on Toastmasters in Britain and Ireland, see Www. d71.org - Toastmasters of Britain and Ireland: Become the ...

Become the Speaker and Leader You Can Be………….

twitter-icon.com/site/d71.org/ -

Jim Hegarty Ltg Education & Training

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Freddie Daniels continues with his suggestion…

In the last newsletter, I suggested that our District set itself the goal of 10% membership growth each year.

Interestingly since then, a new Distinguished District Plan has been unveiled to come in effect in 2012. To become a President’s Distinguished District, which I believe should be our annual goal, the District will need to grow membership by at least 8.5%.

Over the past couple of months, I have heard from current and past members of the District executive, Division Governors and others about how we can achieve this goal. While many excellent observations are emerging, there is one that I particularly want to focus on today.

While the annual cycle of Toastmasters provides opportunity for rapid learning and clear and measurable goals and targets for all, it is also a double-edged sword.

Firstly, it works against us when trying to building relationships outside of the organization.

Many of you would like to see a more pro-active Public Relations effort across our District. However, Public Relations are a relationship driven business. Building the contacts necessary for a successful PR campaign takes years and is built around personal chemistry.

This also applies to developing relationships that could lead to new clubs. Only rarely will a company, professional body, government body or other society have a particular need on the very day that they get their first call from one of our members. Eventually their need and our offering may indeed cross but we will need to stay in contact over an extended period. Rather than making ‘sales calls’ we need build long-term campaigns to gently woo people to our side.

Secondly, it stops us building the deep expertise we might need to build Public Relations and Business Development campaigns. These are sophisticated roles where people in the commercial world train for many years!

If we are keen to develop relationships with professional bodies, companies and other societies, we need to build knowledge of their specific needs. Each one will have different needs and we should be able to develop tailored presentations and case studies of similar organizations benefiting from Toastmasters ongoing support. Developing this knowledge and expertise takes time – time that the annual nature of TI works against.

Turning to solutions: I can’t help being reminded of a conversation I had with Brian Bollen of Eldergate Speakers. Having helped with PR for the Speaker programme, he told me that he felt that there was a need for some kind of longer term ‘civil service’ that supports the District, providing both continuity of effort from year to year and deeper expertise. He described it as ‘Governments come and go but the country keeps moving forward’ due to the Civil Service. I like this idea of the Toastmasters boat always moving forward with each year’s District team simply taking the tiller for the year, perhaps tacking a little to the left or right.

I look forward to any input on this topic from you, our insightful members, or any other matters that concerns you. In the next newsletter, I will share some thoughts about new clubs.

Freddie Daniells, Lt Gov Membership and Marketing

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How The West Was Won On Saturday 16th October, a gloriously sunny day, my journey brought me to Tuam, 32 km north of Galway City. Tuam, the probable capital of Ireland during the 12th century when the High King Rory O’Connor was in residence, is best known as a centre of church affairs, ancient and modern and boasts two cathedrals. More history was being made in this illustrious town as Tuam Toastmasters were holding their charter night and also hosting the Area 12 Humorous speech & Table Topics contest.

Establishing Tuam Toastmasters took passion, perseverance, commitment and a lot of hard work. More than three years ago, Ronnie Gillanders and Annabel Fitzgerald spent a whole Saturday at the Tuam shopping centre promoting Toastmasters and considering the possibility of starting a club here.

The decision was made and the following year, the then Area Governor, Dermot Byrne and a team of enthusiastic fellow Toastmasters began to build a club. Many challenges, obstacles and disappointments were overcome with enthusiasm, passion and commitment, which was both commendable and exemplary. Tuam Toastmasters officially chartered 1st April 2010. It was decided to postpone the party to a later date in case people thought it was an April Fools Day joke!

The club decided to combine the charter night and the Area 12 autumn contests. On October 16th, a large group of Toastmasters from near and far gathered together in the Correalea Court Hotel to enjoy hospitality and organizational excellence from Tuam Toastmasters.

Tom Duffy chaired the contest and topics were provided by Patricia King. Both did a truly excellent job.

The Humorous speech contest winner was Mike Joyce (Galway Club) with a speech entitled ‘It’s the small things’. Dolores Ryan (Westport club) was the winner in the Topics contest. She gave a most eloquent answer to the topic ‘Is there a future for space travel’ ?

Following the contest, MC Dermot Byrne presided over the official part of the meeting with his typical enthusiasm and efficiency. Past District Governor Mary Murtagh had the honour of presenting the Club Charter to Club President Mark O’Brien, while Area governor Philip Walsh presented the presidential chain to Mark. Speeches to celebrate this special event were given by Mary Murtagh, Division F Governor Siobhan Doherty, Philip Walsh, Ronnie Gillanders and Mark O’Brien. A good time was had by all over a few drinks and a celebration meal.

Tuam Toastmasters can look back on a successful and well organised event. Well done to you all!

Congratulations and many thanks to all the people who made Tuam Toastmasters the success it is.

Best wishes for the future. Werner van den Hemel, Immediate Past Division F Governor

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A High Octane Learning Extravaganza District 71 Conference Nov 12th - 14th Alexander Hotel Dublin This season the Dublin Club has been given the privilege to organise the Toastmasters District 71 Autumn Conference. This semi-annual event is the most important educational and social platform for Toastmasters in our District. It will attract over 250 participants from all over Ireland and the UK, featuring the creme de la creme of Toastmasters speakers and leaders.

The conference will be jam-packed with various activities.

Why would you be interested in attending the conference?

Our conference will host the District 71 finals of both the Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contests. All the contestants will be the very best of accomplished speakers who have won competitions at their Club, Area and Division level. Can you imagine them all in one place? Watching these amazing people in action is a unique learning opportunity – their combined speaking experience might be much more that you can get in a lifetime of regular Toastmaster meetings.

Every conference also includes more formal learning opportunities. There will be a number of workshops held by the best Toastmasters leaders, hand-picked by the District 71 Executive. They include: ‘The Speakers Code’ by District 71 international Speech Champion 2010 Erick Rainey; ‘I wish my boss would.....’ by former Toastmasters International President Ted Corcoran; ‘Leadership opportunities - building and rebuilding clubs’ by Hillary Briggs and Joe Coleman; ‘Reframe and you too can Inspire with Passion’ by Harry Knox and ‘Eight steps for creating great speeches' by the finalist of the District Speech Contest Eric Fitzpatrick. These leaders will reveal to you the exclusive secrets of their success.

If all that was not enough, the District Executive has gone to extra lengths to hand select an acclaimed and accomplished communication expert as our keynote speaker – Sean Kennedy. He is currently working as a Senior Consultant on the BBC programme ‘The Speaker’.

The conference is not only about learning. Fun is equally important. On Friday night, for the fancy dress party our theme is ‘Cult Movies’.

There is a prize for the best outfit, so set your imagination free. We will host a thrilling salsa lesson and show with Dr Rumba - your chance to learn to communicate with your body. On Saturday, the supercharged band, ‘Men in Black’ is guaranteed to make you move. There will be a singsong until the last person loses their voice!

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What will your club will gain from the conference? Based on experience, we know that all our club members who have participated in a conference, became more knowledgeable, more strongly motivated, and truly inspired as a result. These people started to live the Toastmaster vision and they began to show it in all their daily endeavors instead of just dreaming about it.

Take with you to the conference, as many members as you can, and it will surely pay off with the results your club will achieve at the end of the season! Also, to make it even more appealing to you, we will have a significant prize for the club with the highest number of members in attendance. We will provide you with a lot of exposure both before and after the event through our social media channels. Additionally, a member of your club can organise a team going to the conference and get the credit for their project 6 ‘Organising a Club Special Event’ in their CL.manual.

The benefits for your Division in attending in big numbers: Firstly, you will increase your voting power during the annual District Committee meeting. Many important decisions occur during this meeting and it gives people a wonderful exposure to how the organisation works behind the scenes.

Secondly, as the most prominent Division in attendance you can celebrate your position as best Division in the entire District.

For more information, please visit our web-page on www.dublin2010.ie or talk to us from ROI Tel: 086 127 1094 or from the UK 00353 86 127 1094.

Conference Team: Dermot Carey, Eddie O’Hanlon, Karolina Gwinner, Elaine Staveley, Fiona Stynes, Eoin Mulvihill, Kate Thornhill and Pat Farrell.

DAY DELEGATES FROM LONDON: Ryanair Saturday 13th November Departure London Stanstead 6.30 a.m. Dublin arrival 7.45a.m.

Return: Departure Dublin 18.35 p.m. arrive Stanstead 19.50p.m.

Ticket Price: £27.98 Ryanair London Gatwick 13th November Departure: Gatwick 9.40 a.m.Arrive Dublin 11.05 a.m.

Return: Depart Dublin 20.00 p.m. Arrive Gatwick 21.30 p.m.

Ticket Price: £41.29 (Prices at time of publication)

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‘HOW DID I EVER END UP AS A

DIVISION GOVERNOR?’ When I joined Toastmasters in 2003, it wasn’t long before I was asked, or rather ‘told’ that I was going to be the club’s new Vice President Public Relations. Anglia Communicators, my home club in Peterborough, was quite a new club in those days. We had to face the challenge of most of our original members, (who were American) returning to the U.S. when their terms of duty here were completed. After my initial misgivings, I enjoyed being VP-PR so much that I took on the role for two consecutive years and played a role in rebuilding the club. After that, I was the Club President and was then asked to be an Assistant Area Governor.

I found that the more I took on in Toastmasters, the more I learned – and it’s such a supportive environment that you can make mistakes and be helped to improve, not only in your speaking but also in leadership roles. We all have to do something for the first time. In Toastmasters, I believe there are as many opportunities to learn about leadership as there are to improve one’s communication skills.

The first Area Governor I ever met was Teresa Dukes, who has gone on to be this year’s District Governor. The first Division Governor I met was Gary Sander, who was our District Governor two years ago. I have watched many of our District, Division and Area leaders grow and gain in confidence through taking on these roles, and I know that I have developed myself.

So, the next time someone asks you to take on a leadership role in your club or Area – take it as a challenge. See what you can do to improve your own communication and leadership skills through helping others more. You will learn a lot.

Someone recently said to me ‘ I can’t be Contest Chair at my club contest – I’ve never done it before!’ My advice to that person is “Find someone who has done it and learn from them, then learn by doing!”

My first three months as Division Governor have been very enjoyable. This is largely due to the six dedicated, enthusiastic and professional Area Governors. I have the privilege of working with them, together with 26 great teams of club officers and members, and especially our Assistant Division Governor, Ann Nunn, who is quite marvellous.

We will be a President’s Distinguished Division again this year. We will support all our clubs to be Distinguished. It is entirely within the bounds of possibility that we may charter six new clubs in Division ‘G’ this year. Already we have two new clubs ready to charter, Lakenheath in Area 25 and Swan Speakers (chartered 1st Oct) in Area 4. Well done to everyone who has supported these new clubs – we continue to support our pre-charter clubs in Lincoln, Ware, Northampton and Woodford Green.

Graham Frost, ACS, CL Division ‘G’ Governor 2010/11 tmgrahamf@hotmail.com

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High Performance Leadership at Sea I’ve sailed on Elandra for almost 4 years now. She is a Sigma 33 owned by 4 other sailors. She’s a small 33-foot yacht. The crew for racing varies slightly each year. There is a core group of us who usually race during the summer and winter in the Dublin Bay series. We’re vaguely competitive, though more of a mid fleet boat than a winning boat… “…daunting to know once we lost sight of land we were not going to see it again for …..”

For this trip to the north coast of Spain we left Dun Laoghaire on Friday, June 18th at 3pm and arrived in the Sillies, off the coast of Cornwall at 3am Sunday. The first stage of the journey was quite uneventful but that’s a good thing when sailing. We spent a great day chilling and exploring Hugh town and then headed off again across the Bay of Biscay at 3pm Monday 21st. It was quite daunting to know that once we lost sight of land we were not going to see it again for over two days. Thankfully, we had lots of visits from dolphins (I think about 10 visits in all, sometimes there were more than 20 families with babies…all very cute). They came right up to the boat and jumped and played beside us, diving under the boat etc. They were amazing, playfully, relaxing and almost hypnotic.

We were really lucky, we had no storms when we were crossing the bay. We had some huge bay rollers (waves) and very favourable winds, so we got some great speeds, much faster than we would ever get in a race in Dublin Bay. We never stopped. We took turns on watch and there were always two of us. I acted as quartermaster and I have to say we ate very well. We had a hot breakfast at about 9am, tea braic at 3pm or 4pm and then a three-course tea at about 6 or 7pm. It was the 75% chocolate and mug of freshly brewed coffee at 3a.m. that kept us awake to watch for cargo ships and fishing trawlers crossing our path.

When we got to our destination of Ares in Galicia, (Spain) we were thrilled, relieved and exhausted. I have to say that although there were some moments of stress, we all got on really well while we were sailing down to Spain. It was great to be on terra firma again. We rented a lovely villa near the marina and sixteen of us chilled out for a week (including the north bound crew) and our other halves etc. It was my first big trip but I don’t think it will be my last!

Kate Thornhill CC ALS HPL & ‘Inspire Conference’ team

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Swan Speakers Story Six weeks after we decided to create her, Swan Speakers was chartered.

This new corporate Toastmasters club at Buckinghamshire County Council was set up through a combination of building a great team, getting fantastic support from within the Council as well as from Toastmasters and rolling up our sleeves and getting stuck in.

It all started because I bought a music stand to practice speeches at home. So when one of the Strategic Directors and I were doing a series of employee briefings and she wanted a lectern, I brought the stand in for us to use. After a few of these briefings, she asked why I had a lectern in the first place and I explained to her about Toastmasters. She wondered whether that could be something we could do in the council? That was all the encouragement we needed - Belinda King and I had only been talking a few weeks previously about finding a way to get a club started at work. Within a few days, we had sponsorship funding, corporate support and the encouragement from Division and District. We were on our way!

The first thing we did was to start building a team. We spoke to people we knew and asked if they wanted to get involved. Very quickly that gave us five members, all of whom were up for helping to get the club started. Rebecca, who works for internal communications had, in no time at all, put posters up and an intranet announcement. Bex, who is responsible for a refurbishment project, amongst other things, used her contacts to get us a venue and started to pull together information packs. Frances, who takes care of training in the organisation, provided the funding. She placed advertising in her training catalogue and started to promote the club to people who had been on other courses who might be interested. Then Belinda and I set about learning all there was to know about setting up a club and coaching the others in how Toastmasters works.

We connected with other corporate clubs in Microsoft and Vodafone to get ideas, and Belinda visited Microsoft to see a club in action. There were loads of decisions to make.

We decided on 1 hour meetings because as a corporate club we knew it would be hard to get people away from the office for longer. We experimented with different ways of making everything happen in an hour – we have since decided that this is like Toastmasters on Speed!

• We discovered that we wouldn’t be able to rely on just one time of the day – there were just too many people who could do either lunchtime or mornings – there weren’t so many takers for after work. So we decided we would alternate between lunchtimes and mornings on a weekly basis.

• Initially we thought we would make membership free because we had corporate sponsorship and a free venue, but then we realised that this meant no up front commitment on the part of the member and we might have problems working out •

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who was a committed member when it came to paying dues to Toastmasters International. So membership costs £10 for six months.

• We borrowed and bought equipment and our sponsoring clubs Aylesbury and Thame donated lights and trophies.

• We picked the name ‘Swan Speakers’ because the Council’s logo has a swan on it and it seemed ‘catchier’ than Buckinghamshire County Council Toastmasters!

We fixed the launch date for a month hence - it seemed like a long time away then but it went really quickly. We met up each week for the first couple of weeks. It was all about organising things but we started to introduce practice topics sessions for our new members to sample the Toastmasters experience. At the last pre-launch meeting, we did a dry run, which allowed us to work out what we hadn’t thought of yet and to allow our team to experience a full Toastmasters meeting. Two of them even did their Icebreakers and everyone did a topic. We felt cautiously ready to kick off.

In the first two weeks of advertising, we had thirty people express an interest.

We sent all of them information and we also provided a bit of encouragement – the first 20 people to sign up would get their membership packs straight away.

The remainder would have to wait a little while for their packs to arrive. This worked quite well – we had 13 members before we even launched. For people at BCC, they know that in the political arena, making things happen requires lots of engagement, stakeholder management and influencing – so Toastmasters is perfect. The BCC organisation isn’t immune to the public sector cost cutting, so it provides an opportunity for people to hone up their interviewing skills and gain confidence.

The launch on the 16th of September was really successful. Despite the 7:45 for an 8am start, we had over thirty people at our first meeting – members, guests and supporters from other clubs. We were totally energised by the experience, despite the early start! Another 5 people signed up. Our second meeting was at lunchtime and another two people signed up. At a BCC leadership conference - we had a stand to raise awareness and encourage more guests to come along. We were then ready to charter and let all of the people know who were thinking of joining that if they took the plunge by the 30th of September they would be known as founder members. Another five signed up.

On the 1st of October we chartered with 25 members. We’re fortunate to continue to have a loyal band of people from Aylesbury, Thame and Vale who come along week after week to mentor our new members and take on roles. Already, one of our members is on her third CC speech. We know that we have some challenges ahead – we are still a very young club.

Our members are under lots of pressure to deliver more with less at work, and some of our jobs are at risk. However, we have an enthusiastic, hard working executive team and (apart from myself and Belinda) they are all new to Toastmasters. Roll on the Charter Dinner!!

Jean Gamester President, Swan Speakers Club & Area 4 Governor 15th October 2010

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Conversations with Toastmasters Toastmasters in Dundalk think of themselves as a young and progressive club. Despite the fact that they are only five years in existence, Dundalk Toastmasters are ready and willing to give of their training back to the community.

An opportunity arose in early summer 2010. Following a very successful interview with some club members on the local community radio (Dundalk FM100), the radio manager immediately offered to train the Dundalk Toastmasters on the rudiments of producing their own radio show.

This invitation was brought back to the club and a total of eight members volunteered to take part in the training, at their own expense. What was really great about this was that the people volunteering ranged from experienced speakers to a nearly new member who has not as yet done her Icebreaker.

It was a wonderful day, full of variety. The members were shown the equipment involved and how it worked. Several regular broadcasters came in to talk and shared their experiences with is. Some offered assistance if it was required. Aidan, a regular broadcaster, demonstrated the ZOOM, which he uses for recording outside broadcasts. Alan, the station Manager and his assistant, Padraig, guided the Toastmasters through the basic techniques of broadcasting and explained about ‘Intros’ and ‘Outros’. These are where the programme linkman, i.e. the equivalent of the Toastmaster in our circles, introduces the guests and relates the show contents to the listeners. Intros and outros occur at the beginning and end of the various programme segments.

At the end of each segment, the linkman encourages the listeners to stay tuned after they have heard a choice of music and/or advertisements by giving them a snippet of what is still to come. A high percentage of the music played on Community Radio has to have some Irish connection. The composer, lyricist or musician needs somehow to link into our Irish roots.

Another area like a Toastmaster meeting is the timing of the running order. This is very similar to writing an agenda except the bite size pieces are much tighter. Sometimes there is only a ten or twenty-second slot in which to accomplish a specific operation, such as introducing guest speakers or describing and explaining a particular feature, poet master. On the other hand, there can be quite large time slots where the toastmasters are free to chat among themselves about articles in the Toastmaster Magazine or discuss the poem that had been read. The choice is there as long as the time and running order permits.

On the day of the training the members got the biggest surprise of all when they were divided into two groups A and B. Each group was given the responsibility of designing and writing up a programme to fill a half hour slot. Everyone had to put their thinking caps on and after lunch when the compilations were complete and each group had their own individual running order, with the assistance of their mentors, groups A and B produced their shows, live on air.

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What a wonderful experience this was. It was so unexpected that many did not fully realise what was happening until it was over. Several said that had they thought about it they would have backed out. Maybe it was a good thing that that side of the training had not been announced earlier! Believe it or not, it was a great success and encouraged by their success all the participants put their names forward for future programmes. The Station Manager was delighted to hear this and immediately set about producing a new running order for the next ‘Conversations with Toastmasters’.

Saturday the 14th of August dawned bright and cheery with four rather nervous Toastmasters huddled in a corner of a cafe in downtown Dundalk. There they discussed and ironed out all the obvious kinks in the running order of the forthcoming radio show. Text messages came in from their Toastmaster family wishing them well. One came from as far away as Edmonton, Canada. They gathered up their papers and sheepishly crossed the courtyard to the Radio Station. At one minute to twelve they found themselves seated in the studio. The weekend manager Michael was on hand to put them at their ease.

This was going to be a first for Dundalk Toastmasters.

Twelve bells and they were now ON AIR ‘Conversations with Toastmasters’ had begun. It is very difficult to assess oneself but despite a few hiccups the programme ran to time and hopefully it was interesting and informative to the general public.

It was indeed a milestone to remember. After the programme, (as we do in the club), the team evaluated the proceedings and acknowledged where the show could be improved. They agreed that they would certainly be willing to participate in any follow-up programmes. The radio station has plans for the teams to broadcast hourly shows on a weekly basis starting on the 4th of September.

Listeners in the Dundalk area can tune in to Dundalk 100FM and for those further a field it is Dundalk 100FM.com.

The members of Dundalk Toastmasters taking part in ‘Conversations with Toastmasters’ are certain that it has benefited them greatly. Each of them is looking forward to taking part in the radio shows as often as time and the station allow.

Congratulations to Dundalk Toastmasters. Your toastmaster training has served you well.

Colleen Hardy ACB ACL Area 19 Governor Div C

The membership and executive of District 71 express their sincere sympathy to Colleen Hardy on the untimely death of her husband Joe Hardy R.I.P.

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My First District 71 Council Meeting, May 2010 Sligo, May 2010 my first District 71Toastmasters Conference and what a ‘craic’ it turned out to be!

Rewarding, valuable and a marvellous opportunity to hear great speakers, watch the International Speech and Evaluation contests, attend captivating workshops offering new dimensions for speaking, communicating and leadership, and above all network with other Toastmasters and clubs.

One focus of the weekend is the District Council meeting, and as President of my previous club, The Toasted Sandwich in Kent, I was invited to attend. I had no idea what to expect. Fellow Toastmasters were excited for me when they realised this was my first council meeting and eager to hear how I found it.

The council meeting is where club officers hear about issues, have their say and vote on proposals affecting every club and member. It is also a chance to learn more about leadership by seeing it in action and to elect the District and Division officers for 2010/11.

Joe Gibbs, Governor District 71, welcomed us all, and the District Mission was read. I had no prior experience of formal meetings and I found the process and conduct of the meeting both bewildering and fascinating, especially the use of voting cards, proxies, motions seconded, agreed, and points of order highlighted by the floor.

Most elections of the Division Governors and District Executive Officer roles received only one nomination and so were duly elected. The position of Public

Relations Officer was passionately contested between Luanne Kent and Lucia Hughes. Both gave strong and inspiring presentations on how the district would benefit under their leadership. I found it absorbing listening to their reasons why we should vote for them, and intriguing to experience their campaigns before the meeting, including personalised t-shirts, badges and flyers. Lucia was elected in a closely fought vote. It is inspiring to know that she was offering to serve on the District Executive for the next four years as Public Relations Officer for a year, followed by Lieutenant Governor Marketing, Lieutenant Governor Education and Training and District Governor in turn.

That is an amazing commitment and made me feel humble that we have such inspiring people who are prepared to dedicate their time so enthusiastically.

Division Governors and the Executive Officers were invited to present their reports, giving an interesting insight into what each division has been doing for the last six months. Several clubs then submitted proposals for hosting future Toastmasters Conferences. Joe Gibbs then brought the meeting to a close and we will reassemble in Dublin at the November Conference.

These are my highlights of the meeting and I hope my ‘Stage Time’ inspires more club officers to attend future council meetings.

It is an excellent opportunity to experience leadership in action and also a great learning experience.

Sue Fish, VP PR, Canterbury Communicators, Kent

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Chiltern Speakers Inspired to Give Blood Members of Chiltern Speakers (Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire) were recently inspired by a speech at their club to give blood at their local donor session.

For his Competent Communicator project 9 – Persuade with Power – Chris Liveing chose the topic of blood donation. In his speech he said “Tonight my objective is firstly to confirm to you that you all have the gift of life – yes you have the gift of life in your veins and arteries; and secondly to convince you to become blood donors and share your gift of life with those far less fortunate.”

Joanna Ward, President of the club, along with fellow members, Sue Andrews, Krys Duvall and Jacqui Hogan went along to give blood at their next local session.

Joanna Ward said: "One of the facts that Chris stated during his speech was that only 4% of the UK population give blood. I was completely amazed at what a low percentage it is, so I thought that as a club we should do something about it. The whole point about learning to speak in public is also listening and learning from other speakers".

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) told us that giving blood is vital to ensure that patients undergoing surgery and receiving treatment for cancer and blood diseases, such as leukaemia, continue to receive the transfusions they need. They rely entirely on volunteer blood donors to maintain the vital supply of blood to hospitals.

If you would like to help patients by giving blood, you must be aged 17-65, weigh at least 7st 12lbs (50 kgs) and be in good health. To find out more please call 0300 123 23 23 or log on to www.blood.co.uk As a result of chatting to the NHSBT representative at the donor session, we learnt that there was mutual benefit from this initiative.

Their staff is often called upon to make impromptu comments to the press and could learn a lot by attending their local Toastmasters and doing a few table topics speeches.

Watch out for new members in your area who are after your blood!

For more information on Chiltern Speakers visit www.chiltern-speakers.org.uk

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The Kissinger Test Henry Kissinger defined leadership as the art of ‘Taking people where they would not have gone before by themselves’ Toastmasters in its mission statement sets out to ‘promote’ amongst other things ‘leadership potential’ and ‘communication skills’ through its structured programme along two distinct tracks.

As members, we are well versed in how these two tracks work, or to use words from another forum - there is a ‘Twin Track approach’ I have to disagree with this however; I say there are three tracks fitting into two. The additional skills being practised and learned are ‘Management Skills’ and I base my position around a real life example of these three core skills in action in Dublin in the summer of 2010.

Towards the end of the Toastmasters year, three individuals from a certain Dublin club were ‘discussing’ the concept of a ‘Summer Club’ for other TM addicts (the concept). One of them overheard a comment from a new member voicing a concern that he would have to go without the benefit of a regular TM meeting over the summer. In marketing terms they identified an unsatisfied need, thus the decision was made to take the concept from the ‘Idea’ stage and bring it to a reality.

Over a short period this ‘idea ’(vision) was developed into a strategy coupled with an implementation plan (management skills). A good strategy is useless unless implemented effectively. That is where ‘management’ skills come into play. These are based around the five functions of management. All major academic authors have identified the following as the main functions.

1.Planning 2.Organising 3.Staffing 4 Leading 5.Controlling.

Do we see these skills in action in this venture? Yes we do!

Planning comes under various headings, strategic and tactical, the date time and venue did not materialise out of the blue, and they were determined by a plan and implemented.

Organising: The structure had to be put in place and although built around a typical TM meeting, the organising committee were three not seven as is the norm in a club.

Staffing: The first meeting had to have a full complement of ‘officers’ at work all in place on the day. Putting the ‘right’ people in the right job and getting the ‘team’ to function effectively is a hallmark of a good leader.

Leading: Leading and leadership are not quite the same animal. To be a ‘Leader’ requires willing followers. The very fact that there were ‘willing’ officers in place on day one is testimony to that. However, not only are there three individuals ‘Leaders’ in the traditional sense of the word but also what Colin Powel (who was quoting Sam Walton of Wall-Mart fame) states:

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“The best leader is the servant leader” These three individuals took an active part in the meetings and can be called ‘Servant leaders’ in this context.

Controlling: Controlling in TM happens in many ways, when one is evaluated that is a control function (performance appraisal) or timing (keeping within time ‘budget’) or the general evaluation (how did we perform overall) all functions of control which are in turn a management function.

The conclusion I draw from this experience is that it was a perfect example of good leadership AND good management working in harmony. Working in isolation, neither is effective. Peter Drucker an acknowledged leading expert in the field states: “ The very best leaders are first and foremost effective manage….those who seek to lead but fail to manage will become either irrelevant or dangerous, not only to their organisations but to society”.

Peter, Eddie and Karolina are real life examples and ‘icons’ for the rest of us to follow. I think Mr Kissinger must have visited the Summer Club.

Toastmasters is a training ground in Leadership AND Management coupled with communication skills, which equips people with a balanced mix of skills suitable for today’s world.

Ciaran Moore CC Castleknock VP Ed 2010-2011

Schools Speaking Competition Speakeasy Toastmasters Mallow hold an annual Schools Speaking Competition in November.

The concept of a schools speaking competition originated with Mary Buckley, President of Speakeasy Toastmasters in 2006-07. At first, the competitors were drawn from the three secondary schools in Mallow, and following the success of the competition, schools from neighbouring towns, such as Kanturk, Doneraile and Boherbue have taken part.

Club members with the individual schools, either nominate a team of three students, or select the best three speakers from students willing to deliver a speech. The teams then compete in the final, with an identical format to

the international speech competition, with the exception of timing, which in the case of the Schools Competition is 4 to 6 minutes. First, Second and Third prizes are awarded for both individual speakers and school teams.

Participants in the Schools Competitions have the opportunity to develop their communication skills in a non-school environment and the competition can be linked with the Youth Leadership Programme. From a publicity aspect, the Toastmaster organization is presented to parents and teachers and the competition should be of interest to local media outlets. Finally, the organization of the competition provides opportunities for fulfilling Competent Leader and High Performance Leadership projects.

Ray Ryan, Area

17 Governor

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My summer in the city was a true adventure. It was exciting, inspiring and full of action. I got to know many Toastmasters from clubs as far away as Mullingar and Cork, and even further, Yorkshire and Paris. I spent the summer time and energy on an accelerated path to improving my communication and leadership skills. The most amazing thing is that I was not the only one. More than 50 Toastmasters and guests eagerly met every Wednesday evening, in July and August at the Summer Toastmasters Club.

It all started with an idea that was first born at the District 71 Toastmasters conference in Sligo. Who would have thought back in May that my last minute decision to go to that event would turn out to be the beginning of such a spectacular project? While socializing at the conference with fellow members from the UK, I discovered that it was only Ireland that had a two month summer holiday from Toastmasters.

As a pretty fresh member back then, I joined the organization only 4 months beforehand, I was afraid that such a long absence from Toastmasters meant losing my newly found confidence and skills. I started to wonder if there were maybe some other members in Dublin who enjoyed Toastmasters so much that they were eager to keep going with it during summer.

As soon as I shared my thoughts with one of the most experienced and accomplished members of my club, Eddie O’Hanlon, who was then Area Governor, I saw the sparkle of excitement in his eyes, and at that very moment I knew he was up for it as well.

When we talked to other people, most of them presented us with all kinds of reasons why the idea wouldn’t work. However, Eddie knew one more individual who would be very enthusiastic about it, the person who would complete our team – Peter Kiernan, the District 71 Toastmaster of the Year, and Division C Governor. As expected, Peter quickly embraced the idea and joyfully joined us in our project.

At the initial stage, our team had doubts that we could attract enough participants, which could prove challenging when trying to fill in the agenda every week. However, as we were talking to more and more people, we observed the growing interest and lots of enthusiasm for our initiative. Based on our strong belief in nothing but success of the project, we went to work and created the Summer Toastmasters Club – a non-chartered platform of Toastmaster members that was open to everyone, including the public.

I remember how we felt one hour before the first Summer Club meeting. The air was filled with lots of excitement and expectation, but with a hint of unpredictability. Unpredictability always accompanies things that are done for the very first time. The last thing we wanted was to end up on our own in a room for 50 people that we had rented. Luckily, 15 minutes before the meeting started, we had a long line of excited guests waiting impatiently to get in. Very quickly the room filled with Toastmaster members and guests longing to practice their communication and leadership skills. Surprisingly, over 60 people joined us that evening. We had not expected such a number in our wildest dreams. In the end, we struggled to fill the room with extra chairs, but we succeeded.

From its very beginning the Summer Club appeared to be an amazing success, and it went from strength to strength week by week. Each Wednesday for 8 weeks we had different people engaged in the running of a meeting, and our agenda was filled for 3 weeks in advance. The Club was diverse, lively and interesting. We passionately discussed many topics, and listened to speeches that ranged from guests Ice Breakers to leadership or informative speeches from Advanced Manuals. We were also pleased to see some of the most honoured Toastmasters; such as Joe Grehan (at age 93, one of the oldest toastmasters in the world), our District PR Officer Lucia Hughes, immediate past Division C Governor

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Luanne Kent, Cecil Kirk, District 71 Parliamentarian, the District 71 international speech finalist Eric Fitzpatrick, and many Area Governors. .

It was the enthusiasm and participation of so many brilliant individuals that made the Summer Club such a terrific success, much bigger than we had projected in our wildest dreams. It created an unprecedented networking platform by integrating 22 Toastmaster clubs and more than 53 people every week. Thanks to it, we learned and inspired each other, and made many friends for life. Many new ideas that had been born there were carried with participants back to their own clubs.

We were also proud to see a very tangible result of the Summer Club - 6 summer guests became members of 4 different participating clubs at the beginning of their regular season. One of these new members was Raymond Langan. When Ray first attended the summer club it was his first exposure to the organisation. He was eager to get started so he sought out the role of ‘Poetmaster’ on the agenda. However, the only role available was that of ‘Jokemaster’. Though he mentioned that comedy was outside his comfort zone, he accepted. His performance in the role was not only entertaining, but it showed a potential for something special.

After the summer club finished, Ray joined the Dublin Club, and has since managed to strengthen his skills so quickly that he has recently won the Division C Humorous Speech contest. Raymond, who firstly encountered Toastmasters only weeks before, is going to represent our Division at the District 71 Finals in November. The results of the Summer Club could not get any better than that!

Karolina Gwinner, PRO, Dublin 2601

( Photo: Eddie, Peter, Karolina and Francis McCabe)

Staying Connected from Down Under using Skype Sarah Klemm, a member of Athy club delivered her CC3 speech on ‘The benefits of using Skype Software’ which she uses to keep in touch with her family in Australia. Over Christmas 2009, she could see as well as talk to her family. That was very special for her and she explained in her speech how simple it was to set up and use skype and the added bonus was it is recession-beating free.

While speaking to me, her mentor, Sarah mentioned that she was going back to Australia to visit her family. I suggested that this would provide a good opportunity to Skype back to a meeting from her family home in Australia. The Athy club meeting was scheduled for March 16th at 8.p.m.

A couple of days before, I was in contact with Sarah via text and arranged a practice run before the meeting. Sarah used her brother's laptop in his home in Angaston, Barossa Valley, South Australia.

Because of the time difference, Sarah Skyped at 6:30am the following day (Wednesday 17th March) Australian time in order to call into the meeting in Ireland for 8pm (Tuesday 16th March).

On the evening of March 16th I connected the club projector and laptop with mobile broadband to display the picture on a large screen. The sound was fed into external speakers for increased volume.

At 17.55 I contacted Sarah and we were ready for the meeting to start. Our President Mary Ledwidge opened the meeting and in her introduction mentioned that a special feature tonight would be – Sara Klemm delivering the Mission Statement live from Australia! Right on time, I switched from the laptop screen to the big screen and there she was, Sarah, ready to deliver the Mission Statement from far away sunny Australia. What better way to demonstrate the benefits of this technology to the assembled group? Is this a first for a Toastmasters Club? Replies to the editor please. Larry Connell C.C. Athy

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Regalia – Wear it with Pride District 71 has a proud tradition of providing our District Officers (Area and Division Governors and members of the District Executive) with regalia – a medal hung on a coloured ribbon. In 1984 the District Governor David Lindsey decided to reinstate the tradition which had lapsed during organisational changes. The Lt Governor Education Norman Rhodes recommended that all District Officers should have the medals. Norman sourced the material and made the regalia himself. He has continued to do so to this day – saving huge amounts of money for the District and ensuring consistent quality. Thank you Norman!

The ribbon colours are: Club Presidents Area Governors Division Governors District Executive District Governor Past District Governors

Royal Blue Scarlet Emerald Green Gold Purple Sky Blue (the only regalia retained permanently)

Some people are uncomfortable with ‘symbols of office’. After all, we are a ‘bottom up’ organisation not a hierarchical ‘top down’ one. But look at it another way. Regalia is a symbol of the experience and commitment of the office holder. Think how we feel when we see an airline captain wearing his gold braided uniform as he sits in the cockpit to fly the plane and pilot us safely on our journey. In the same way, District Officers take up their roles to pilot members and clubs on their Toastmasters journeys – using their skills, knowledge and experience.

The pilot does not wear his uniform when off duty and similarly, we don’t wear our regalia at normal club meetings. We reserve it for special occasions e.g. Area or Division Governor visits, contests, charter dinners and Council meetings Also, by wearing regalia, District Officers stand out from the crowd in a room. Many people feel inhibited and those first few times at Toastmasters functions can be very daunting. Those wearing regalia can be easily identified as leaders who can answer questions and help guests and other Toastmasters.

How can we encourage the wearing of regalia in District 71? Here are some suggestions: • Focus attention on it at District and Club Officer training • Publicise the meaning of the various colour ribbons • Ensure that outgoing officers hand over the regalia with ceremony at the end of their year in office • Lead by example • See the wearing of regalia as ‘the way we do things around here’ for special occasions Regalia is a symbol of leadership and of the wearer’s commitment to personal growth and to supporting others. There is every reason to ‘Wear it with Pride’!

Sandra Lawes – District Secretary 2010/11 Past Area and Division Governor

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Benjiman Disraeli got it all wrong…….

The former British Prime Minister is one of the men (along with Mark Twain) credited with first coining the phrase “There are three kinds of lies: Lies, damned lies and statistics”. If I received a pound every time someone used this quote when I tell them I am a statistician, I probably wouldn’t still be relying on winning the lottery to get out of the rat race.

When used correctly statistics, numbers and data are incredibly powerful.

They help individuals and organisations adopt a strategic approach to dealing with issues they face in meeting the challenges they have set themselves.

Toastmasters is no different and the Executive Team has recognised the importance Management Information can contribute towards the success of the District. It is one of the reasons that my role as District Statistician has been created. There is a plethora of data that is easily accessible to us and as I continue to familiarise myself with this data, I am starting to build a suite of reports that will be of interest and use to all our members. Initially it will be aimed at the leadership teams throughout the District. The first reports are already available on the district website http://d71.org/kb.php?mode=article&k=224.

A report that should be of interest to all members is one that details all the clubs that are celebrating milestone birthdays this year. If you are a member of one of these clubs, why not volunteer to help organise a special event to celebrate and at the same time get credit towards project 6 of the Competent Leader award.

I am looking forward to the challenge ahead, working with all of you and proving that Disraeli got it all wrong!

Rory Mariott District Statistician

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VISIBILITY Speak Easy Toastmasters discussed the idea of erecting signs in prime locations and approach roads in Mallow. It was decided to write to both Mallow Urban Council and Cork County Council to seek permission for the erection of the signs in order to ensure compliance with the Litter Pollution Act. Both Councils gave permission with stipulations attached. One such stipulation was the length of time for which the sign could be erected. On obtaining the permissions a decision was taken by the Club to erect one sign at Mallow Bridge two weeks prior to the commencement of the Club’s New Year. As the date within the sign can be changed, the dates of the Club’s first and second meetings were advertised respectively on the sign. A number of the guests who attended the Club’s first and second meetings had seen the signs. Jean Sayers Speak Easy Toastmasters

VISIBILITY

Southside Speakers hold a meeting in a pharmacy

KILKENNY looks to the future Thirty-one young girls have registered for a course in oral communication and leadership sponsored by Kilkenny Toastmaster Club. The course began on Wed. 22nd September.

The eight week course is being held in the Presentation Secondary School on Wednesdays at 11am-12.25pm. The young girls will have the opportunity to become better listeners, thinkers & speakers. They also will obtain practice at conducting a meeting.

There will be two further eight-week courses run in the Presentation after Christmas.

The program helps the youngsters to learn by doing. There are no grades. Each graduate will receive a completion certificate at the final meeting.

The Club PRO sent out posters about Toastmasters to different places in Kilkenny. The Transition Year co-ordinator in the Presentation Secondary School rang to ask if the club could offer any help to young teenagers giving speeches or presentations. That is the background to how we set up the Youth Leadership Program in the school. The three coordinators involved are: Aoife Lanigan, Caroline Edwards and William Gilbert.

Aoife Lanigan, Kilkenny Toastmasters

Congratulations to Sandra O’Hagan, CC President Clonakilty club Div A Her letter ‘Two Small letters: One Big Achievement’ is printed in the September ‘Toastmaster’

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Congratulations to the following on their recent Birthdays September Teresa Dukes D.G. Carlow President Dina Brazil and Jude Portburry Longford club October Loretto Kenny Athy and Karolina Gwinner Inspire Conference team Geraldine Smyth and Pauline McCabe Mullingar both on Oct 13th.

Malcolm Warden and Lucia Hughes shared their birthday on 14th. Bianca Tait from Early Bird Speakers on 18th.

Strange but true: Two Toastmasters in D 71 are called Anne-Marie Allen Anne-Marie from Athy and Anne-Marie from Bray Do you share your name with another D71 Toastmaster?

Peter Kieran the Division C Governor is Organizing a Trip to the Toastmaster's International Convention to be held in Bally's Las Vegas next August in Association with John Cassidy Travel.

Depart Dublin Friday 12th August for San Francisco. It is proposed to spend 4 nights in San Francisco. Tuesday 16th August Transfer to Las Vegas where We will spend 5 nights in Bally's . Sunday 21st August Depart Las Vegas for Dublin.

At the Moment the Cost is €1280 incl Taxes &Excluding Cost of Convention & Accommodation in Bally's.

If You are interested Please contact Peter E-mail pfkieran@gmail.com or Tel +353872332127

John Keating Area 49 Gov Promoting Toastmasters to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michael Martin.

Area 17 lost one of its stalwart Toastmasters in Tom Kelly, who passed away on October 9th after a long illness. A native of Loughrea, Co. Galway, Tom was an erudite and entertaining speaker, no surprise given his varied business career, wide travels and extensive reading. As a fellow Toastmaster recently remarked, “Tom was a true Renaissance Man”.

Tom joined the Fáilte Toastmaster Club in Charleville in 2003, and gave great service to the club, not alone with his communication skills, but by providing valuable leadership as Vice-President Education and as Club President. The wider Toastmaster community expresses its sympathy to Tom’s wife, Emer, sons Alan, Garrett and Dáire and Tom’s extended family on their loss.

Ray Ryan, Area 17 Governor.

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Using the Education Programme When we attract a new member to Toastmasters and they join and do their Icebreaker, we feel we have succeeded. We feel that we can relax. Not so! Retaining members is vital for our clubs to be vibrant, energetic and successful. Toastmasters is about so much more than the Competent Communicator Manuals. It is about so much more than the (underused) Competent Leader Manual. Members need to see that there is more to Toastmasters than these two manuals and need to be encouraged and supported to continue to progress and develop in their Toastmasters journey. Using The Better Speaker Series, The Leadership Excellence Series and The Successful Club Series are major tools to help with this. Using these manuals regularly a. improves club quality, b. develops skills in members that they can use everyday, outside of Toastmasters, c.aids member retention, d. increases participation. e. adds variety to the club programme These projects form part of gaining ALB and ACS and ACG awards.

Their use also has the potential to bring rewards to the club.

Lets looks at each manual and the projects covered: The Better Speakers Series: ¨ There are Ten modules to choose from, each takes 10-15 minutes ¨ Topics covered: Beginning your Speech, Concluding your Speech, Take the Terror out of a Talk, Impromptu Speaking, Selecting your Topic, Organize your Speech, Know Your Audience, Creating an Introduction, Preparation and Practice, Body Language.

When we look at these topics, they address the skills that many members are seeking when they join Toastmasters. An evaluation after a speech is great, but the core skills of speech writing and delivery need to be taught also. The Better Speaker Series is the way to do this. Some Clubs have a monthly session with topics from this series, so that new skills are explained and developed all the time.

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The Sucessful Club Series: There are 11 areas covered, these take around 20 minutes to deliver Modules include: Moments of Truth, Finding New Members, Evaluate to Motivate, Closing the Sale, Creating the Best Club Climate, Setting the Stage for Success, Mentoring, Keeping the Commitment, Going Beyond our Club, How to be a Distinguished Club, Toastmasters Educational Programme.

As can be seen, these topics go to the heart of running a successful club. Having a topic from these modules covered regularly at a Club meeting helps to show all members that the responsibility for running a successful club is a shared one. The Committee lead this process but all members play a part by giving supportive, motivational evaluations, by creating a club that people want to be part of, by encouraging people to join… and so on.

The Leadership Excellence Series: ¨ 11 topics feature and these are a full workshop… perhaps a club could have a dedicated meeting once a year to cover one of the topics. ¨ Modules include: The Visionary Leader, Developing a Mission, Values and Leadership, Goal Setting and Planning, Delegate to Empower, Building a Team, Giving Effective Feedback, The Leader as Coach, Motivating People, Service and Leadership, Resolving Conflict.

The skills gained here will obviously benefit every Toastmaste but will also be hugely beneficial in our daily lives outside Toastmasters also. These look at core traits and skills of leaders, and every one of us is called on to show leadership in some way. There are 33 Modules over the three series. To achieve ACS and ALB four of these must be completed. To achieve ACG, an additional one may be completed (or Youth Leadership Programme) .There are Sample Presentations available from Toastmasters International, on the online store http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/Shop.aspx I think it is beneficial for each club to hold a set of each, so members can select which modules they would like to cover. The presentations do not have to be slavishly followed, but used as a guide.

Encourage the use of these three series in your Club and the Clubs in your Area, both to build towards Awards and to develop stronger, better clubs.

Any questions and queries can be addressed to Area Governors or Division Governors or any member of the Executive.

Máire Corbett Division A Governor

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Educational Awards 2010 The following members have successfully completed one of the educational awards since the start of the Toastmaster Year. Congratulations to each and everyone of you from the District team.

Competent Communicators Rudi Albesa Brian Auten Randolph Bishop Justine Bornstein Paul Breakey Simon Christley Donald Cooke Sara Cosgrove Jenny Crossley

London Athenian (B29) Hillsborough Speakers (C19) Ambassadors Speakers Margate (H37) London Corinthians (B6) Bedford Speakers (G44) NZICA Bank Speakers (B33) Arun (H32) Hellfire (C2) MLP London Bridge Speakers (B33)

Vanessa King Guildford Speaker's (H14) Aruna S Koya Cheltenham Speakers (E22) Teresa Lenihan West Limerick (A36) Martin Limburn Armada Speakers (E22) David Andre Lurie Guildford Speaker's (H14) Damien Lynch Powdermills (A49) Freda Lyons-Murphy Bishopstown (A49) Ash Mashhadi Armada Speakers (E22) Bernard McCay-Morrissey Dundalk Toastmasters(C19)

Bastible Finbarr Powdermills (A49) Gerry M Foley Bandon (A11) Edward Gaye Mullingar (F9) Deborah George Camberley Speakers (H14) Oliver Gleeson Hellfire (C2) Barry Griffin Bishopstown (A49) Christine Harrington Windsor Speakers (H21) Annie Harris Maidenhead Speakers (H21) Elizabeth J Hartnett Aylesbury (G4) Tony Hayes Bishopstown (A49)

Roderic Michelson Paul Monks Eoin Mulvihill Rosalind Oakley Anne O'Dea Malgosia Oniszk Andrew Pape Celine Pasty Anna Polak Alan G L Pope

London Olympian (B6) SPA Speakers (E39) Dublin (C2) Holborn Speakers (B34) Clonmel (D27) Polish Your Polish (B6) Northern Lights (B47) Berkeley Square (B45) Polish Your Polish (B6) Thamesdown Speakers (E22)

Simon Heal

A1 Speakers (E15)

Richard Redford

East Midlands Speakers (E39)

Dolores Hogan Kay Hogg Ronald Howie Deborah A Hunter Anna Jurek

Clonmel (D27) Bardwell Speakers (E7) Northavon Speakers (E22) Chiltern Speakers (H21) Polish Your Polish (B6)

Matt Shreeve Pauline A Trew Chen-Wei Wang Pam M. Williams Ella Young

Guildford Speaker's (H14) Chiltern Speakers (H21) Oxford Speakers (E7) Camberley Speakers (H14) Forres (E43)

Competent Leaders Fredrik N. Adams Peter Ayers Andrew P. Bennett Gayna Cooper

Berkeley Square (B45) A1 Speakers (E15) Berkeley Square (B45) Bedford Speakers (G44)

Martin Limburn Simon Lobb Kerstin Loesel Louise D Mason

Armada Speakers (E22) Heart of England (E39) Toasted Sandwich (H37) North Bucks Speakers (G44)

Chris I. Cox Teresa S. Dukes

Cambridge Speakers (G41) Speak Easy at Martlesham (G1)

Graeme Phillips Richard Redford

London Athenian (B29) East Midlands Speakers (E39)

Michael Rickwood Feargal Scott Francois Teyssier Gilda Westermann Steve Wilkinson Saskia Wiriadidjaja Yun Cheung Wong

A1 Speakers (E15) Eblana (C26) Woking Speakers (H14) Forres (E43) A1 Speakers (E15) Citi Criers (B31) MLP London Bridge(B33)

Suzanne Dunne Clonmel (D27) Duncan Easter Forres (E43) Tom Fenwick-Brown A1 Speakers (E15) Peter Gerlach Croydon Communicators (H35) Brendan Haughton Wicklow (C5) Julie Kertesz Lewisham Speakers (H35) Margaret Kramarz London Corinthians (B6) Dominique A. M. Largeron WIBF Speakers-City (B47)

Advanced Communicator Awards Keith D. Clarke Maidenhead Speakers (H21) ACG Peter Gerlach Croydon Communicators (H35) ACG Roger G. Lord Aylesbury (G 4) ACG Janet D. Malphus Hamwic Speakers (H42) ACG Ann Nunn Speak Easy at Martlesham (G1) ACG Sue Coppens-Browne Speak Easy at Martlesham (G1) ACS Henrietta Elegunde Croydon Communicators (H35) ACS Jean Gamester Thame Speakers (G4) ACS Michael Mullins Thurles (D 27) ACS

Ola Aralepo Tube Talk (B34) Roger Bradshaw Ipswich Electrifiers (G1) Ian Brearley Thame Speakers (G4) ACB Brian Goodale North Norfolk Speakers (G25) Rodney Hodge North Bucks Speakers (G44) Monica Horten Maidenhead Speakers (H21) Julie Kertesz Meridian Speakers (H35) Eileen Leahy Thurles (D27) Padraigin Ni Dhonghaile Sligo (F38) Simon David Owens Chesterfield Speakers (E48) John Scannell Tullamore (F9)

ACB ACB ACB ACB ACB ACB ACB ACB ACB ACB

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Advanced Leadership Awards Keith D. Clarke Maidenhead Speakers (H21) ALS Joseph Coleman Thomond (F24) ALS Pat Cowley Tara (C18) ALS Bridget Elliott Patrick Foley Thurles (D27) ALS Ann Nunn Speak Easy at Martlesham (G1) ALS Mary Ruddy East Coast (C10) ALS Kate Thornhill Dublin (C2) ALS Khai-Eng Tyler Aylesbury (G4) ALS Rex Tyler Cornerstone Commtors (G44) ALS Ola Aralepo Tube Talk (B34) HPL Narmada Guruswam Aberdeen (E43) HPL Kate Thornhill Dublin (C2) HPL Carmel Wynne Engineers (C18) HPL

Lynne Cantor Andrew Chuks West Limerick (A36) Peter Gerlach Janet Graham Penny Calder Iain Hutchison Sandra P. Lawes Rory Marriott Louise D Mason Karl McEntegart Marcella Portbury

WIBF Speakers-City (B47) ALB London Cardinals (B6) ALB ALB Croydon Communicators (H35) ALB Bedford Speakers (G44) ALB Waverley Comm’tors (E30) ALB Watford Spkers & Leaders (G20) ALB Watford Spkers & Leaders (G20) ALB St Pauls Speakers (B33) ALB North Bucks Speakers (G44) ALB Glasnevin (C16) ALB Longford (F9) ALB

Education Awards Report Supplied by Rory Marriott

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Reminder for Area and Division Governors: At District training back in June, we

discussed the expenses and costs that could be reclaimed from the District

by Clubs, Area Governors and Division Governors. At the time these amounts were draft expenses, based off of 2009/10. Now that the budgeting process is complete, we are able to announce the amounts for this year. You will note that there have been a few increases in expense allowances this year!

As ever make sure to contact the relevant person to get your expenses approved. Also be willing to provide any necessary receipts etc as required.

Budget

Purpose

Detail of expense Pre Charter Marketing clubs Support

Value Requirements Documentation Authorisation £/€ £170 or 2 sponsors, Invoice/details LGM and DG Clubs Application to of spend €220 Organise submitted at TI Chartering Club Banner $100 Club pays for Invoice/receipt LGM and DG clubs cost shipping Invoice/details LGM and DG Recovering Marketing £170 or Needs to €220 benefit more of spend clubs support than a single club Plan/invoices LGM and DG Division Marketing Contribution £250 or Needs to allowance to Div wide €300 benefit PR/Marketing Division as a expenses whole Help with £55 or Each area can Invoice/receipt LGET and DG Education Club Officer room hire €63 claim. If areas Training costs share training then can apply for multiple allowances District Assistance for £100 or To recieve you DG Travel Council overseas €125 must attend the meeting conference breakfast business meeting Mileage For 15p/18c Round trip Mileage details DG authorized per greater than 20 for the year travel – cap mile miles 300 miles DG General Honorarium Assistance for £100 or Complete the None general TI €125 year in AG or expenses Div Governor role. Paid at end of year

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch me at mdtalbot@hotmail.com.

Michaela Talbot, District 71 Treasurer

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Fellow Toastmasters I want to bring your attention some information on the use of the Toastmasters International logo.

The Toastmasters ‘globe’ logo is recognized worldwide. But over the years, the organization has also used a graphic image of the Toastmasters name as an alternative or in addition to using the official logo.

This text emblem can, at times, be a better representative of Toastmasters International, depending on the project at hand. Both the logo and the alternative text emblem are acceptable to use on official Toastmasters materials. You’re encouraged to use the text emblem as it best suits your needs: in addition to the logo or instead of the logo. Check the rules for using the TI logo to create official Toastmasters International club documents These materials can help your club increase brand awareness and ensure brand consistency through marketing and PR. Using these templates will save your club valuable resources while maintaining high standards.

You can find a selection of customisable templates and printing guidelines at: http://www.toastmasters.org/vbp/ Lucia Hughes D71 PR Officer

Thank you all for your generous contributions in this edition. Without your contributions, news and education articles there would be no publication. The next newsletter will be published in the first week of January 2011. Because of the Christmas holidays the deadline for inclusion is December 18th 2010. If there is anything you would like to see included please do not hesitate to contact me. msluciahughes@gmail.com

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TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL

DISTRICT 71

Inspire with Passion’

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