DISTINGUISHED TOASTMASTER
VERNA BONABY VOL. 1, ISSUE 1 APRIL 2022
NOMINATED CANDIDATE FOR CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR, D47
"RELENTLESS"
The Journey of a thousand miles begins with a
CONTENTS
SINGLE STEP
01 Introduction
02 About Verna Bonaby
03 Club Growth ... Always Members First
05 The First Step - My Toastmasters Journey
06
Club & District Roles Held
07
Education & Other Awards
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
INTRODUCTION April 20, 2022
Fellow Toastmasters, Confreres.... Greetings. I am Distinguished Toastmaster Verna M. Bonaby, and I humbly seek your support as I offer myself as candidate for the position of Club Growth Director (CGD), District 47, 20222023. I have served in almost all of the club officer roles, and also as Club Coach and Club Mentor, Graphic Artist on District PRM Team and Area 92 Director. I am the Immediate Past Division I Director 2020/2021, and am proud to say that my team and I worked creatively and relentlessly throughout the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the Division to a President’s Distinguished year, which included the addition of three (3) new clubs and a new Area for Division I. Indeed, twenty (21) clubs out twenty two (22) achieved President’s Distinguished status, with the exception of only the last club, which chartered June 16, 2021. It is my belief that further enhancement of the member experience, highlighting of the achievements of our members and clubs, and aggressive marketing and promotion campaigns speaking to the increased value and benefits of joining Toastmasters for prospective members, and for current members – the added value of Toastmasters to your everyday life. These are key components to (1) overall membership growth and retention, (2) the attraction of new members to this amazing Toastmasters program, and (3) formation of new clubs. Can we achieve this District 47? ...YES, TOGETHER WE CAN...with the full involvement and support of each Member, each Club, each Area, and each Division! Let’s Communicate, Cooperate, Collaborate and then … Celebrate! In the words of Helen Keller “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope” therefore I am being optimistic of a successful outcome in my bid for the position of Club Growth Director . I look forward to continuing this journey with, and on behalf of my fellow Toastmasters, as we take District 47 to even higher heights.
Distinguished Toastmaster Verna Maria Bonaby
01
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
I AM VERNA BONABY Distinguished Toastmaster Verna Bonaby is employed as Assistant Director of Communications at the Corporate Office of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), a quasi-government organization charged with the management of the Government secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions in The Bahamas. The eldest of six (6) children, I believe in the importance of strong family relationships. Having unexpectedly lost both my father (2018) and a sister (2020) during this Toastmasters journey, I wholeheartedly embrace the old adage "Live, Laugh, Love, for Tomorrow isn't Promised". I serve as part of my local community neighbourhood watch committee, The Bahamas National Neighbourhood Watch Council and on the Credit Committee of one of the local Credit Unions. To relax, I enjoy reading, listening to music, dancing and travelling; and I'm still loving my Toastmasters experience!!
The week after my dad's sudden death July 12, 2018, I walked into the club meeting, grief etched into my features...wearing my dad's bedroom slippers. I presided over the meeting, and gave an emotionally charged tribute to him in a Level 1 First speech titled "Who's Gonna Fill These Shoes?" Why...because despite the depth of my despair, in the recess of my mind, the commitment I made when I was installed as President barely three weeks earlier echoed; the love and support my Toastmasters Family poured into my family and I in our time of sorrow reverberated. Toastmasters helped me to focus, to fight through the pain, to be strong for my Mother and siblings, to lead the Club to a stellar year. Out of ashes of that 'trial by fire' ....
Madame Relentless was birthed.
02
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
CLUB GROWTH ALWAYS MEMBERS FIRST! The Club Growth Director (CGD) is an exciting leadership opportunity. The CGD is responsible for the development, direction and coordination of an overall marketing plan that is key in helping our District build new clubs, strengthen existing clubs, and grow membership. It would be an honor and a privilege to serve you the MEMBERS of District 47, as your Club Growth Director 2022/2023, and lend my creative marketing and communication background to the Trio, in order to assist the District in accomplishing our overall vision and goals. I look forward to, among other exciting initiatives: ENHANCED Club experiences and processes, GUESTS) can't wait for the next meeting!
so that MEMBERS (and
Attracting new members by HIGHLIGHTING the diverse group of ORDINARY persons who make up our membership - Yes, Toastmasters is for EVERYONE! Continuing the PROMOTION of the Positive Power of Pathways - tied to the statement "I recognize how this project applies to my life outside of Toastmasters". Aggressively MARKETING the enhanced benefits of the Toastmasters Program to one's personal, professional (even company) growth and development, whether working from home or at an office. Helen Keller said it best in this short affirmation..."Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
YES, WE CAN DISTRICT 47.... TOGETHER WE CAN!
03
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
THE JOURNEY OF 1,000 MILES BEGINS WITH THE FIRST STEP!
It is said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with taking the very first step. While our reasons may have varied, we all took our first step on the journey to leadership, to becoming a better version of ourselves, when we made the decision to join this dynamic Toastmasters Organization. My first and subsequent steps in both my Toastmasters and my life’s journey have led me to this moment. Some took off running, and others, like myself - dillydallied and made pit-stops along the way. For me, it was not until some six years after I was initially introduced to Toastmasters, that I actually took an active interest in the program. I felt and saw the difference in the way I interacted, the way I listened....just from being on the fringes of meetings! I began regularly attendance at meetings, and came to fully understand and embrace the opportunities presented to further both my personal and professional growth and development. I actually consider that moment my FIRST STEP on the journey… and the rest is history. Any pitfalls, setbacks, roadblocks we may experience from time to time.... consider them "teachable moments" - get up and keep walking towards your dreams. For me, the journey was not about becoming a "perfect" speaker or leader...it was first discovering my why, absorbing as much knowledge as I could, then having the courage and confidence to embrace new opportunities which presented.
Learning never stops. As long as there is more for me to learn, and in turn teach/share with others, I will continue to renew my membership in Toastmasters
04
I aspire to always give my best in every situation, and . I'm now a member of five clubs in The Bahamas and one in Las Vegas, and enjoy the different experiences each one offers.
THE JOURNEY OF 1,000 MILES
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
MEMORIES MADE ALONG THE WAY
Cheers... in m emory of m y Dad! Celebrating a Triumphan t year end, after a tragic start
What's a FU N Thing to do in Las Vega Visit a Toastm s? aster Meetin g of course!
D47 Hall o
f Fame in Fl orida 11/2019
My very first D47 Conference.. what a time..what a Fiesta!
Speaker of the Night outside my home club...woo hoo!
Attending virtual Toastmasters meetings near and far!
th e ! 'Twas eeting Fun! Fun! M d e Fun! Th em TOD @ re Christmas fo e B t Nigh
elp rs can h b! tmaste s lu a C o e T th in outside ou learn What y l you forward e p ro to p
outside ere IS life ngs! OMG..th eti sters me Toastma
05
CLUB & DISTRICT ROLES
I have served in almost every club officer role. I have also served as District Graphic Artist on the PRM Team, Club Mentor and Club Coach. In 2019/2020, I accepted the challenge and served as Area 92 Director in Division I, and in 2020/2021 went on to serve as Division I Director, culminating in a President's Distinguished Division.
Officer Role
Club
Year
VP Public Relations
1360933
2011/2012
VP Public Relations/ VP Membership
1360933
2017/2018
President
1360933
2018/2019
VP Education
1360933
2019/2020
Treasurer
1360933
2020/2021
VP Membership
7108
2020/2021
President/ VP Public Relations
7108
2021/2022
VP Public Relations
7820731 6742900
2021/2022
VP Education
1360933
2021/2022
Area 92 Director
Division I
2019/2020
Division Director
Division I
2020/2021
Club Coach
Division F
2019/2020
Club Mentor
Division I
2020/2021
District Role
06
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
EDUCATION & OTHER AWARDS Distinguished Toastmaster Verna M. Bonaby has been a member of Toastmasters since June 2009, being a Charter Member of BPSU Majestic Marlins Club 1360933. She is also a member of Eloquent Voices Club 701296, Ernest T. Strachan Advanced Club 7108, Bahamas Integrated Toastmasters Club 7820731, BUT North Eleuthera Shakers 6742900 and Bachelors & Bachelorettes Club 3374 Las Vegas.
EDUCATION & OTHER AWARDS Legacy Program Competent Communicator Advanced Communicator Bronze Advanced Communicator Silver Advanced Communicator Gold Competent Leader Advanced Leader Bronze Advanced Leader Silver High Performance Leadership Distinguished Toastmaster (June 2020) Completed Pathways Paths: Team Collaboration Proficient Dynamic Leadership Proficient Visionary Communication Proficient Presentation Mastery Path Proficient Pathways Mentor (6 months Program) Distinguished Toastmaster (March 2022) Other Club Coach Club Mentor Speechcraft Coordinator Outstanding Area Director, Div. I - 2019/2020
07
"Relentless"
I AM A: Government Employee Community Volunteer Credit Union Committee Member Trade Unionist
I AM A TOASTMASTER You can be one TOO....
ASK ME HOW!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!