October 2008
We have now moved into the fourth month of our journey and thus far has been rewarding and challenging.
That is what Leadership is all about, turning the challenges into positives and recognising those who have achieved.
But firstly it is with sadness that we mourn the loss of a dear gentleman COLIN PERFECT DTM Past Distinguished District Governor 2004-2005. He was a true perfectionist through and through, a friend to all, positive and supportive, excellent evaluator and forever willing to assist in whatever way possible. His laughter, sense of humour and smile will remain with us always.
Colin has left a 'wonderful' legacy to all toastmasters and is someone who will be remembered for many years to come for the 'splendid' contribution he gave to District 72.
Since my last newsletter, our Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM Hall of Fame) has grown – we now have:
- Wendy Booth – Pioneers Toastmasters Club – Rotorua
- Pauline Rothman – Rotorua Toastmasters Club - Rotorua
- Alan Northcote – Achieve Toastmasters Club – Tauranga
- Connie Hassan – Doubtless Bay Toastmasters Club – Doubtless Bay
- Graeme Hunt – Dunedin Club – Dunedin
Congratulations to these people.
"Envisioning a dream is easy. Seeing it through is not" but these toastmasters have proved it can be done.
Currently the District is working towards its educational goals for the 2008-2009 year which are 334 Competent Communicators and 95 Advanced Communicators. Currently our achievements are&
- 22 Competent Leader awards
- 105 Competent Communicator Awards
- 20 Advanced Leader Awards
- 56 Advanced Competent Leader Awards
- 9 High Performance Leadership Award
Awesome work everyone who has achieved an educational award so far this year
"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in determination."
Tommy Lasorda
Congratulations to the sponsors of Vector Toastmasters Club – they have had their paperwork acknowledged by Toastmasters International and join ACE and Postmasters on our list of new Clubs.
As you progress through the Leadership Track in your toastmaster journey, opportunities are available to start a new club. Always be on the look out for an opening where a club could be started – corporate or community. Not only does it provide opportunities for you to sponsor a new club, but it provides a platform for others to take up mentoring roles for both the new club and new members, complete educationals and be part of a team that chartered a new club and introduced another 20 plus people to Toastmasters.
What better time than now when the economic climate is challenging and people are looking to up-skill. Always be on the look-out for potential members, walk the talk, share your story of what Toastmasters has done for you, invite them along as a guest and don’t forget to ask them to join your club.
As you are aware Club Dues are payable and should be paid by 10 October 2008. As you may recall from the last newsletter I set a challenge to the Division Governors on who was going to be the first division to have all their clubs paid up. I am glad to report that Division G was the first division followed closely by Division A. The challenge is one to see who will be the next Division to get all their clubs paid up.
Well done to all the clubs who have submitted their club dues on time – may you continue to reap the benefits that the toastmaster program provides.
With the onset of Government Elections in November 2008, we must bear in mind as a Toastmaster Organisation not to involve ourselves and the Club President’s Manual states:
"Toastmasters International is a non-political entity. A club or division may not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office."
Whilst a club has bylaws, so does the District and under Article XIV "Political Activity":
"This district shall not take any official position on any issue of local, state, or national public policy, or otherwise engage in any legislative lobbying. This district shall not participate or intervene in any way in any campaign of any person for any public office."
While you may have a personal opinion about a particular politician or party, Toastmaster Clubs can not be involved. A club exists to provide a learning environment for members to improve their communication and leadership skills. It does not exist to inform members about political candidates. It is not the purpose of our organization.
Have you all registered for the Dunedin Convention 14-16 November 2000? Do visit www.toastmasters.org.nz to view the draft program and download your registration form.
While doing that, why not register interest for the May 2009 District 72 Convention where Jana Barnhill DTM - International President will be attending.
As Clubs/Areas/Divisions complete their Humorous and Table Contests, support your contestants – they need an audience – someone to applaud them for their efforts and 'having a go'. So if a member of your club is participating at the Convention in Dunedin, why not go along and support them and enjoy the atmosphere of the District 72 Convention.
"Studies indicate that the one quality all successful people have is persistence. They're willing to spend more time accomplishing a task and to persevere in the face of many difficult odds. There's a very positive relationship between people's ability to accomplish any task and the time they're willing to spend on it." Dr Joyce Brothers
"Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture...Do not build up obstacles in your imagination." Norman Vincent Peale
Toastmasters, you are doing a fantastic job in being ambassadors for this organisation. Keep opening the doors of opportunity for people to join and improve their communication and leadership skills.
Chrissy Meyer DTM
DISTRICT GOVERNOR
Download and print a 3 page pdf of the October Newsletter.
We are now over two months into our Toastmaster journey.
I trust you have all opened doors of opportunity both for the members in your club, and for prospective members. There are certainly many positive happenings in our District 72. At the time of penning this newsletter, we have attained the following awards:
- 16 Competent Leader awards
- 74 Competent Communicator Awards
- 13 Advanced Leader Awards
- 36 Advanced Competent Leader Awards
New members/reinstatements/chartered members to date are currently 362.
Congratulations to our newest recipients of the Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM):
- Dawn Brieseman DTM – Taieri Club
- Peter Harington DTM – Lake City Breakfast Club
- Murray Coutts DTM – Hibiscus Coast Club
- Ted van Ryssel DTM – Silverdale-Orewa
Last year 20 Toastmasters attained this award – will we pass this number this year – why not? – let the doors of opportunity open for this goal to happen.
We have many people around the District involved in building new clubs.
Congratulations to John Sullivan and his team for chartering ACE Toastmasters in Christchurch (Division G), and the papers have been submitted by Murray Coutts for a new club RDC Raconteurs in Division F. This is closely followed on by Kevin Warwood and Kevin Prohl and their team for chartering a club at Vector – a corporate club in Division A.
All New Zealand Toastmasters would agree with me when I thank these Toastmasters for the tremendous dedication and skills they are passing onto individuals who wish to better themselves in this wonderful organisation.
Other highlights during the past month included the District Trio (Alun Chisholm, Denis McCord and myself) attending the 78th Annual Toastmaster Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The team witnessed Joy Ackrill DTM being presented with a Presidential Citation from the Past International President - Chris Ford DTM, and Geoff Trotter DTM Immediate Past Distinguished Governor with his award for being a Distinguished District for 2007-2008. Visit the District website to see photos of these presentations.
Whilst at the Convention, the District Trio attended the Annual General Meeting where elections for the top positions on the International Toastmaster Board were held and this time round, the importance of submitting club proxies was put to the test. For the position of 3rd Vice President, there was a 4 vote difference between the two candidates and a recount was requested. Not all our clubs submitted their proxies and several were received after we had arrived back from the Convention, so I urge you that when these proxies are posted to your club in April next year, please ensure that your Club President signs and posts the proxy to the District Governor.
The District Trio listened to the newly elected International President Jana Barnhill DTM give her opening address. Jana was quoted as saying "I might be short in stature but I have the courage of a giant". Jana went on to say that "Leadership is not for the timid" and "that you have to earn that trust" when it comes to leading a team. Jana will be coming to Christchurch in May 2009 to attend the District 72 Convention so I encourage you to mark your calendar and register to attend this convention to listen to an inspirational speaker.
The Dunedin Convention 14-16 November 2008 is fast approaching and no doubt you have all registered to attend. The Convention Committee are working hard to ensure that this convention is memorable for all who attend. Visit the District Convention page to find out further information.
Whilst it is sometime away, have you diarised to attend the 2010 International Toastmaster Convention in Sydney? It is a wonderful opportunity for New Zealand Toastmasters to attend with the Convention being so close, and you would not regret going if you were able to make the trip.
Club Dues are now payable and I have set a challenge to the Division Governors – which division is going to be the first to have all their clubs paid up. Bring out your cheque books and sign up for the next 6-months – reap the benefits that Toastmasters provides you.
For the clubs that are in Divisions who hold a Division Conference in October, planning should be well underway for running Club Speech Contests for the Humorous and Table Topic Contests prior to the Area Contests in late September.
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
Winston Churchill
A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done."
Vince Lombardi
Toastmasters, keep opening those doors of opportunity and have the Courage to Conquer wherever your journey of life takes you and thank you for the awesome work you have given so far in making District 72 a successful District.
Chrissy Meyer DTM
DISTRICT GOVERNOR
Please note: This newsletter was sent to all clubs and District Officers in District 72 New Zealand, and to our many subscribers from all over the world.
