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The 2008 International Convention was held in Calgary in Canada in August 2008.
Here's news from our District Governor as the Convention progressed. You can view official photos on the Jowdy Photography website.
 (1) The District Team of Denis, Alun and Chrissy have arrived at Calgary and on Sunday 9 August 2009 attending their first day of training for all the District Trios outside America. The photo is of Jana Barnhill the incoming International President who will be coming to Christchurch in May 2009. Jana was running a session on conflict. She was dynamic and inspired her district teams.
The weather in Calgary is pleasant although Sunday evening did see a shower of rain. Our District Contingent is growing with Geoff Trotter arriving Sunday evening safe and sound. Geoff will be picking up the award for Distinguished District on Friday (Canada time).
Monday is another session of training for the District Trio.
(2) Here is a picture below of the New Zealand Contingent out for a meal on Saturday evening 9 August 2008 prior to training starting on Sunday 10 August 2008 at the Hyatt in Calgary.
It was a nice summer's day in Calgary and everyone arrived safety apart from several suitcases taking a little longer than usual to arrive between Vancouver and Calgary otherwise no mishaps so far.
Sanjiv has been practising is speech for Tuesday 12 August and the New Zealand Contingent have been a very supportive audience as he goes through his paces and offering commendations and encouragements to help with his speech.
From left: Denis McCord, Alun Chisholm, Sanjiv Jetly, Diane Isherwood, Chrissy Meyer
(3) Day 2 at Calgary saw the District Trio back at training again. It was up early to be at the training by 7.30 am on Monday morning (Breakfast was provided). The weather was again pleasant – no rain – and temperature comfortable. At training today the team was given guidance in planning for the future for our Districts, financial budgets and goal setting. The team spent several hours working through this (as per the photo below). It finished with lunch and a presentation of certificates for completing our training which were presented by Jana Barnhill and members of Toastmasters International.
Geoff Trotter and Diane Isherwood went on a trip to Banff, and yes after training today, the District Trio plus Frank went off to the Calgary Zoo. We walked from the Marriott where we are staying going through some of the back streets of Calgary and we certainly learnt how some people live. The zoo was well laid out and the team headed to the Canadian Wildlife seeing Moose, Bison, Musk Oxen, Caraboo and brown and black bears just to name a few animals. The tram was the preferred option back to our accommodation.
We also checked on Sanjiv Jetly to see how his preparation was going. Countdown is now on before Sanjiv competes at 7.00 pm on Tuesday 12 August 2008 (Canadian time).
A busy day for all.
Photo is the District Team receiving their certificates after completing the training.
People in the photo are from left: Dan Rex (Assistant Executive Director), Jana Barnhill, Chrissy Meyer, Denis McCord, Alun Chisholm, George Yen (International Director), Mohammed Murad (International Director) and Stephanie Demiris (Manager, Volunteer Support Services).
Photo above of all the District Trios who attended training. These are all the Districts that are not assigned to a Region and are Districts outside of America.
 
Left: Photo of Sanjiv just after yet another practise of his speech in front of the NZ Contingent as he countdowns to the big moment.
Right: Photo of Alun and Sanjiv going over the speech notes in final preparation for the big day. The countdown is on.
Time out at the Calgary Zoo - the District Trio in a relaxed moment.
(4) Contest Update
The countdown was down until Sanjiv Jetly spoke at the Inter-District Speech Contest. The speaking order saw Sanjiv first speaker up. He went through his paces and delivered his speech without a hitch. He put his best foot forward but alas the judges thought otherwise and he was not placed in this contest. The speeches were of a high calibre and it made judging difficult. Well done to Sanjiv – he did New Zealand proud.
The photo is of the New Zealand contingent taken after the contest that were there to support Sanjiv in his quest to gain a place in the final.
The District Trio spent the afternoon of Tuesday interviewing potential International Directors.
After the Speech Contest there was a get together for all the people in Districts outside of America where skits/songs were presented by each District.
Another great day in Calgary was had by all. We did manage to get a little time off to travel by lift up to the top of the sky tower which is beside the convention centre.
Below: Waiting in anticipation for the moment before Sanjiv presents his speech.
Below: Photo of group dressed the part after the Speech Contest prior to presenting our item at the DNAR Function.
(5) Wednesday 13th at Calgary.
 The morning saw the District Trio attending training which was over and above what is normally provided at Conventions. "Beyond the Basics" District Officer Training consisted of three workshops with the main focus on marketing ourselves and toastmasters. There were various practical exercises including putting on a red nose and blowing through a plastic whistle as seen by the photo of our LT Marketing Denis McCord.
At 1.00 pm we all attended the Board Meeting which was certainly interesting outlining changes over the next few years which will be relayed back to the Division and Area Governors at our Training in September.
The opening ceremony at 7.00 pm saw Chrissy Meyer District Governor carry the New Zealand Flag on behalf of all toastmasters from New Zealand – an assignment she was very proud to do. Chris Ford carried out one of his final duties as International President and was the Toastmaster of the Evening.
Keynote speaker was Laurie Skreslet who was the first Canadian to summit Mount Everest talked about overcoming adversity through teamwork.
Once the opening ceremony was complete, the District Trio were off interviewing prospective International Directors.
 Other members of the New Zealand Contingent had a pancake breakfast out on the streets in Calgary close to the Convention centre and attended a workshop presented by David Brooks and Mark Brown talking about making simple things into great speech topics. When you write a speech don’t go for sensation, go for sincerity was the message coming through.
Another busy day was held by all.
Left: Snapshot of a room full of District Trios from around the world at the District Training.
Below: The first workshop the District Trio attended asked us all to put on 3D glasses and see that toastmasters is a rainbow of colours as modelled by Alun Chisholm – LT Governor Education and Training.
 
Above right: Keynote speaker at the opening ceremony Laurie Skreslet.
Below: Chrissy Meyer – District Governor proudly carrying the New Zealand flag on behalf of all Toastmasters in New Zealand at the opening ceremony.
 
Above left: District Trio listening with intent at the Board of Directors Briefing.
Above right: The New Zealand flag standing proudly amongst all the flags from around the
world at the opening ceremony.
 (6) Another busy day in Calgary today. The District Trio spent the morning interviewing candidates seeking election as International Directors.
The highlight of today was two-fold. Firstly today Geoff Trotter Past Distinguished Governor was acknowledged as taking District 72 to Distinguished status for 2007-2008. The photo attached is of Geoff sitting up on stage with other successful District Governors who achieved Distinguished or better for their respect Districts. This was at the Golden Gavel Luncheon where Canadian journalist and media personality Pamela Wallin was Toastmasters' 2008 Golden Gavel recipient. Ms Wallin received TI's highest honour for excellence in communication and leadership in recognition of her extraordinary career.
The District Trio also attended a workshop today on Recipes for Successful Clubs along with several meetings - one including the logistics required for the visit of the International Toastmaster President Jana Barnhill who will
be visiting in May 2009 at the Christchurch Convention.
From 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm saw the District Trio and other New Zealand members attending the Candidates' Showcase which was seeing the prospective International Directors being given questions (just like table topics). It was all very formal and every candidate was allocated a time to speak. Each presentation was timed.
By this time the District Trio had finished their business for the day but not before having a light meal with other members from the New Zealand Contingent where we took the opportunity to wish Geoff Trotter a very happy
birthday. Chrissy presented Geoff with a card signed by all the Toastmasters present and a 2009 calendar of Calgary.
Above: Photo of Geoff Trotter being acknowledged by International Presdient Chris Ford as Distinguished District for 2007-2008 at the Golden Gavel Luncheon.
Above: Photo of Canadian journalist and media personality Pamela Wallin - Toastmasters' 2008 Golden Gavel recipient.
Above: Overview of the attendees at the Golden Gavel Luncheon
Photo of team wishing Geoff a happy birthday.
(7)
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Photo of 1st Place-getter in the International Speech Contest LaShunda Rundles |
Photo of 2nd Place-getter in the International Speech Contest Loghandran Krishnasamy with incoming International President Jana Barnhill |
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Photo of 3rd Place-getter in the International Speech Contest
Katherine Morrison with incoming International President Jana Barnhill |
Photo of a very proud Geoff Trotter with his award for taking
District 72 to Distinguished District for 2007-2008
Photo of the whole team with Chris Ford International President after the Hall of Fame has finished
Photo of District Trio with International President Chris Ford after receiving our awards
for Distinguished District 2007-2008
Photo of Joy Ackrill receiving her President’s Citation from
International President for 2007-2008 Chris Ford
Photo of newly elected International President Jana Barnhill DTM AS
 Friday 15 August 2008 saw the District Trio attending the Annual Business Meeting where the candidates that had been interviewed over the past three days were elected. Each candidate was given two minutes prior to each election where more than one person was standing to convince the audience that we should vote for them. It was certainly a tight contest for 3rd Vice President where a recount was requested as there was only 4 votes difference between the candidates. Getting those proxies in is very important. Photo is of Alun Chisholm holding up ballot sheets given in exchange for our proxies which were distributed amongst all the voting delegates.
After the Annual General Meeting, the New Zealand team went in various directions attending luncheons where there were guest speakers - one was "The 10 Foundations of Motivation" and the other was "The Power of One - You can do and will make a difference".
Following this was the Hall of Fame where both Joy and Geoff were recognised for their efforts. Joy was presented with her plaque by Chris Ford - International President for 2007-2008 and Geoff was awarded his plaque for being a Distinguished District for 2007-2008. All the New Zealanders were there to cheer them along.
Saturday 16 August 2008 was the International Speech Contest. 10 awesome speeches were presented. The winner was a woman this year LaShunda Rundles from Region II. Second place was Loghandran Krishnasamy from District 51 and third place went to Katherine Morrison from Region VI.
So not only do we have a woman International President but we also have a woman World Champion Speaker.
The members all attended various workshops held in the morning and afternoon. Saturday night is the President's Dinner which some of the team are attending.
Photo of District Team being recognised as a Distinguished District for 2007-2008.
(8) Saturday afternoon saw the final workshop that the District Trio attended which was a panel discussion "Achieving Success in the Distinguished District Program" which incorporated the combined leadership expertise of a panel of distinguished experts who have served as governors of Presidents', Select and Distinguished Districts who were sharing their experiences as leaders and what it took to achieve area, division and district success.
The photo below shows the panel consisting of Mona Cooley DTM from District 42, Chip Larson DTM from District 9, Ray Roman DTM from District 2 and Kathleen Wong DTM from District 60.
The final activity of the convention was the President's Dinner and Dance. Prior to this was a function for the District Governors for 2008-2009 and District Governors for 2007-2008 meeting with both Chris Ford and Jana
Barnhill prior to the dinner. Chris Ford thanked his team which included Geoff Trotter for the exceptional year with 49 Distinguished Districts for the year. Jana Barnhill welcomed her team for 2008-2009 and reminded the District Governors including myself as District Governor to be focused on the vision of toastmasters and the core values of Toastmasters International and to have the COURAGE TO CONQUER which is Jana's theme for 2008-2009.
After dinner, there was the official induction of the new Board of Directors, closing speech by the outgoing President Chris Ford and a very moving and inspirational speech by the incoming International President Jana
Barnhill. One had to be there to share the moment but I am sure that everyone present shed a tear or two with the speech presented including myself.
Pauline Rothman, Diane Isherwood, Denis McCord, Frank and Chrissy Meyer were present at the President's Dinner.
The convention has now officially adjourned until August 2009. New friends were made and friendships from previous conventions renewed.
Some of the team fly home back to New Zealand on Sunday 17 August 2008 while others are taking a few days out to do a little sightseeing before all meeting up on 22 August 2008 in Vancouver to catch the plane back to New Zealand.
Thank you to the Toastmasters of New Zealand for giving the District Trio the opportunity to represent you all at the International Toastmaster Convention in Calgary.
Encourage people to join this wonderful organisation, open doors of opportunity for them that they may have the courage to conquer their fears of public speaking - we are an organisation that offers communication and
leadership in a friendly environment - so come on everyone - lets go for gold and be Distinguished for 2008-2009.
Are you ready for the challenge? Are you going to be part of District 72's journey to gold? What are YOU waiting for - LETS GO!
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Photo of Jana Barnhill International President 2008-2009 giving her acceptance speech at the President's Dinner and Dance |
Photo of new elected 3rd Vice President Michael Notaro carrying out his first task in his new role - giving an inspirational thought prior to the
start of the dinner. |
Photo of Chris Ford outgoing International President thanking all the
2007-2008 District Governors for their tremendous contribution to the
success of Toastmasters. Geoff Trotter is to the right of the photo.
Photo of District 72's District Governor Chrissy Meyer listening to Jana
Barnhill newly elected International President as she inspires her new team
of District Governors for 2008-2009 to take the courage to conquer.
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Photo of Diane Isherwood, Chrissy and Frank Meyer at the President's Dinner and Dance. |
Photo of Diane Isherwood and Chrissy Meyer at the President's Dinner and Dance. |
Photo of Pauline Rothman with fellow toastmasters at the
President's Dinner and Dance.
Good night from Calgary.
Chrissy Meyer DTM
District Governor District 72
Toastmasters New Zealand
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