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8 August 2010
 The Journey
Our Toastmasters journey continues through some of the Toastmasters programme cycles.
Contests
Another round of Speech Contests has started with clubs holding their Club Humorous and Club Table Topics Speech Contests. This round continues through the Area and Division levels to the District finals at the November Semi-Annual Convention in New Plymouth. Speech contests are an important part of the Toastmasters International educational programme. Let's reflect on the purpose of each contest:
Humorous Speech:
- To provide an opportunity for speakers to improve their speaking ability and to recognize the best as encouragement to all
- To provide an opportunity to learn by observing more proficient speakers who have benefited from their Toastmasters training
- To recognise the value of humour in speaking
Table Topics:
- To provide an opportunity to learn by observing more proficient speakers who have benefited from their Toastmasters training.
- To encourage development of impromptu and/or extemporaneous speaking skills and to recognise the best as encouragement to all.
The first District Humorous Speech Contest I heard many years ago made a huge impact on me. The use of pauses and the choice of words illustrated to me the effectiveness these have on a speech presentation and that every day situations can be taken and made into a humorous speech. A fly in a room, Tee for two – a play upon the tee on the golf course and tea in the club house. What contestants talk about still intrigues me in each round of contests.
The Table Topics Contest is always a challenge for the contestant. For the observer it is interesting to see how the same topic can be spoken from different perspectives or totally different speeches using the same.
Judging Workshops
Is important for all; we all need to be well prepared whether we are a contestant or contest official, we need to be familiar with the rules. These rules are in the Speech Contest Rulebook 2010 (Item 1171); note they run for the calendar year not the toastmasters year. Clubs all have been sent a copy, and all Area Governors and Division Governors.
Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) Officers have or are organising Judging Workshops in conjunction with the Division Governors. These are for members to brush up on their judging skills for this contest round or members wanting to be a judge in the future, or a contestant that wants to know what they will be judged on. These workshops are arranged to ensure we maintain a standard of excellence in the conduct of contests.
For details on Judging Workshops in your Division refer to our website under the events or calendar pages: www.toastmasters.org.nz or contact your Area Governor.
Area Club Visits
Another toastmasters cycle under way is the formal semi-annual Area Governor visit to clubs.
The purpose of the visit is for an assessment of how the club is progressing in providing a service to its members. It is also an opportunity for the Area Governor to assist clubs in guidance and provide contacts for toastmasters to obtain assistance where necessary. This is also an opportunity for club members to learn more about the Toastmasters organisation and activities outside the club.
Club Leadership Training
Continues around the District to provide valuable training for Club Committees, these sessions need to be completed by the end of August. Club Presidents need to check with Division Governors/Area Governors for the remaining training sessions and confirm number of officers trained, remember you require four this round and four again in the next round to achieve the Distinguished Club Plan goal.
Administration
The practical side of the Distinguished Club Plan in conjunction with Club Success Plan gives us experience in forward planning to maintain a successful club. It is that time again for Clubs to be invoicing members for semi-annual dues, clubs need to ensure Members dues are registered at World Headquarters by 30 September 2010. Clubs are expected to pay their fees at once by the due date so please start the process now.
Achievements
Congratulations to members who have received an education award since 1 July 2010. Bracketed figures are the totals in the last newsletter.
Competent Communicator - 42 (25)
Competent Communicator Bronze - 10 (8)
Competent Communicator Silver - 6 (5)
Competent Communicator Gold - 5 (5)
Competent Leader - 16 (10)
Competent Leader Bronze - 10 (8)
Competent Leader Silver - 3 (4)
Leadership Excellence - 3 (1)
Distinguished Toastmaster - 5 (4)
Special congratulations to Ruth Russell of Dunedin Toastmasters Club 2890 who has been on a long journey and now been awarded the Distinguished Toastmaster award (DTM).
Out and About
The way we market our education programme to visitors and new members has a major impact on membership retention within the club. I have always said when explaining the programme we talk about the Advance Communication Manuals and not just the Communication Manual. At a recent club leadership training session I met a member who was excited about our programme and was looking forward to the Advanced Manuals and in particular the Storytelling manual. This member has been a member for nearly nine months and was preparing assignment three of the competent communicator manual. Congratulations to the members and this club who have accomplished positive marketing to this member.
How many of you tell your new members when you sign them up, their first two advanced manuals are included in their new member fee and are received when they register for their Competent Communicator award. Mentors need to help with the advanced manual selection at about speech 7.
Continue enjoying the year and encourage members to participate and enjoy the journey.
Regards
Denis McCord DTM
District 72 Governor
Email: governor@toastmasters.org.nz
Sow a Seed and Grow
Ruia mai he kakano, kia tipu ai
29 July 2010
Welcome to the new District year, new club committees and a new District Team.
For the Toastmasters organisation's new year, an opportunity for us to reflect on our achievements and reset goals. It is like Matariki, the Maori new year which is celebrated in June a time to celebrate successes and disappointments and to look ahead to another year.
My vision is that all members benefit from the Toastmasters education programme, that we individually achieve our goal or goals - the next speech towards an award, achieving that award, meeting roles, gain confidence, relax more, accept leadership roles, attend conventions, training, enter contests and friendship. What are your dreams in Toastmasters? There are many opportunities to participate at your own pace that will help you achieve your dreams.
The 2010-2011 District theme:
My vision is that we all benefit from the Toastmasters programme, that we individually achieve our goal or goals - the next speech, towards an award, meeting roles, and friendship.
Also that the Areas, Divisions and the District are Distinguished.
To achieve distinguished status is reaping the collective success of us, the members.
How do we get there? We achieve this through the mutually supportive environment in the clubs and beyond. I am often asked what to do next? A speech topic or the next award or roles or ...? Many of us have experience. We have an idea or we give an idea to another toastmaster. What happens with ideas? They grow and develop into a speech or accepting a role through thinking, perhaps discussion, and support from members.
It is similar to nature where life is supported. Think of the garden, seeds are sown either naturally or by man. Think of keen gardeners who plant seeds in fertile soil, add water and wait for the seeds to germinate. They then tend to the plant; weed, water, till the soil as appropriate.
It is through the concept of a seed and its growth into - and the club mission - we learn in a mutually supportive environment my that theme for the year is based.
Sow a Seed and Grow
Ruia mai he kakano, kia tipu ai
We joined together on the 1st July 2010 to work towards achieving our dreams. We are on a journey in life and within Toastmasters.
Some of the District goals include
- Encourage members to achieve their aspirations
- Lift our profile in the community
- 14 new clubs
- Lift membership
- More Clubs achieve Distinguished status
- Reduce the number of clubs with membership under 13
- Maintain a standard of excellence for club meetings
Congratulations to members who have received an education award since 1 July 2010:
Competent Communicator - 25
Competent Communicator Bronze - 8
Competent Communicator Silver - 5
Competent Communicator Gold - 5
Competent Leader - 10
Competent Leader Bronze - 8
Competent Leader Silver - 4
Leadership Excellence - 1
Distinguished Toastmaster - 4
Special congratulations to members who have been on a long journey and have now been awarded the Distinguished Toastmaster award (DTM): Lance Clark and Rae Robert-Clark both of MITe Speakers Club 711054, Maggie Jack of Kati Kati Club 7990 and Vincent Maire of Hibiscus Club 8872.
Training
To assist delivery of the Toastmasters Education programme our leaders are trained each year. This training covers four groups of leaders.
For the 2010-2011 Team training started with the Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) Officers Training Weekend in May.
The first session of District Officer Training for Division Governors and Area Governors was held in June in Papatoetoe.
Club Leadership training for Club Officers (the club committee) is currently under way around the country.
The District senior leaders (District Governor, Lt Governor Education and Training and Lt Governor Marketing) have two day training in Palm Desert prior to the International Convention in August.
District Reporting
Reporting deadlines The Distinguished Club Plan (DCP) assists clubs in providing quality service to members in both planning and delivery of successful club meetings. Clubs have DCP reporting deadlines to meet and similarly the District has deadlines to meet for the District to be Distinguished. The District has meet the four reporting 15 July deadlines at World Headquarters; signatures, alignment report - club/area/division, district officer list and district calendar of events.
District Club Coach Coordinator
There are a number of clubs with low membership of 12 or fewer and the challenge is to lift membership in these clubs. Here is an opportunity for members to assist these clubs by being appointed a Club Coach providing the club is receptive to this assistance. I have appointed Neville Isherwood, ACB, ALB as District Club Coach Coordinator to assist the Lt Governor Marketing in this important membership area.
Neville's role includes liaising with Division Governors and members interested in becoming a Club Coach. For their effort the Club Coach will receive a Club Coach Award which credits towards the Advanced leader Silver upon completion - providing the club achieves Distinguished Club status in the current year or the following year.
Performance Reports
For District 72 to be a Distinguished District we will need to finish the year ending 30 June 2011 with:
- Club Goal: 248 (net gain of 7 clubs)
- Membership Payments: 10,025
- Competent Communicator awards: 344,
- Advanced Competent Communicator awards: 98
Out and About
Listening: Last month I attended the Taupo Toastmasters Club’s 40th celebrations. It was an enjoyable celebration, as stories from present and past members were told. Some past members reflected on their membership days and benefits of Toastmasters. One member in particular highlighted "listening" as she developed better listening skills which helped her immensely in her work involving various types of retailing and over many years. Her successes came from being able to listen to the customer more effectively. Listening is often a forgotten benefit of Toastmasters membership. Recall the motto: for better listening, better thinking, better speaking skills.
Recently an opportunity arose for members to give an outside presentation.
An invitation from a past member, lead to three toastmasters giving separate presentations in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The brief: to give tips on dealing with their customers and the benefits Toastmasters has to offer. The feedback from the company was very positive and appreciative, thank you to those members who took on the challenge. Your club could be next. Are you prepared?
Lifting our Profile
There are many in the community who have not heard of Toasmasters and the benefits that come with being a member. In an effort to lift our profile I have asked all Divisions Governors to appoint Public Relation Officers to focus on opportunities to publish local activities. They will liaise with the District PRO for guidance.
Latest District 72 Membership Promotions
- "Out of the Blocks" - 1 July - 31 August - rewards club membership building efforts.
- "Triple Peaks Award" - individual educational and membership building challenge.
For details please refer to the Promotions page.
Enjoy the year and encourage members to participate and enjoy the journey.
Regards
Denis McCord DTM
District 72 Governor 2010-2011
email: governor@toastmasters.org.nz
Sow a Seed and Grow
Ruia mai he kakano, kia tipu ai
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