February 2005

The Mission of the Club

The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

 

The Distinguished Club Plan (DCP) provides a framework for successfully achieving our mission. When clubs are growing and achieving, the members benefit. It is my sincere hope that every club will be a distinguished club this year.

 

Last year, 99 out of 250 clubs achieved Distinguished, Select Distinguished, or Presidents Distinguished recognition. I know that we could easily have twice that number this year. Distinguish your club as a top performing organization by setting a membership goal and achieving at least five of the six DCP goals.

David Brooks to Appear At TELI

Date:               February 18, 2006

Time:               8:00 AM Sharp!

Theme:            Toastmasters Under Construction

Location:         Park Plaza Hotel, Bloomington, MN   (Near 494 and France)

 

Join your Fellow Toastmasters for the Toastmasters Under Construction TELI! This half-day event will feature Officer Training sessions for all seven officer positions, great educational sessions, and our special guest speaker, David Brooks. David, the 1990 World Champion of Public Speaking, will be presenting "Magic Moments 2". Be sure to pre-register to assure your seat at the TELI. Officer Training begins at 8:00, so plan to be there a few minutes early.

New Leadership Manuals at TELI

Toastmasters Internationals has unveiled the long awaited Competent Leadership Manual, providing new emphasis on the Toastmasters leadership track. The new manual provides projects for evaluating our progress as leaders.

The Merchandise Mart will have a limited number of the new manuals at the TELI on February 18. (New members will automatically receive the leadership manual with their competent communicator manual.)

Final Month for Club Officer Training

The second round of officer training continues through February 28^th. Training dates and locations are listed Many training opportunities are listed on the District 6 Calendar. Many of the sessions focus on membership building. Help your club qualify as a Magnificent Seven Club when all seven club officers are trained this round!

Gilded Gavel Proving To Be Elusive

The Elusive Gilded Gavel began its travels on December 13^th at the Fall Conference. It was awarded to the Nomads, where the current TMOY, George Kane, is a member.

In December, Saint Paul Speakers became the first club to capture the EGG and take it to Saint Paul. The Humor Mill, a humor specialty club that meets in Richfield, grabbed it in an early morning mid-January raid only to lose it to the newly chartered Humor-US, a humor specialty club that meets in Rochester. For more information on how your club can capture the gavel, visit the District 6 website.

Spring Convention Theme: Springtime in Paris

The Spring Convention dates and site has been finalized.

            Dates:              May 12^th and 13^th

            Location:         Minneapolis Four Points Sheraton

The theme is Springtime in Paris. Mark your calendars now for this very special weekend.

This year we are pleased to welcome International Director Sherri Wood as our honored guest. The event will also feature 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking, Craig Valentine, and a yet-to-be announced communication and leadership honoree.

Spring Convention Chair, Susan Long

Past District Governor Mary Swanson

Spring Contests Are Underway

Now is the time to order contest materials. Members of District 6 will compete in Table Topics and in the International Speech contests. Your area governor will have the latest information about your area contest.

Area Governors Visiting Clubs

Your Area Governor will be making a visit to your club in January, February, March, or April. Please welcome him or her, and provide 5 minutes of the meeting for area announcements. Your area governor will be contacting your club to review club goals, upcoming district events, and other area news.

Upcoming Area and Division Governor Training Dates

March 18, 2005           Unisys, Roseville        8:00 AM Registration, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

May 20, 2005              Unisys, Roseville        8:00 AM Registration, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

 

Pat, Jeannette, and I look forward to meeting you at an upcoming district event. Information on the Spring Conference will be posted shortly.

 

Theo W. Black, DTM

District 6 Governor

Find Your Voice. Serve Your World

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Welcome to the February Marketing Newsletter

for Club & District leaders…and your club members too

A valentine for you!

Welcome to the Brave Hearts Toastmasters Club of St. Jude Medical in Minnetonka MN. The Brave Hearts are the newest club to charter in District 6…watch for them at the TELI & give them a warm welcome!

 

Get recognized ~ Talk Up Toastmasters! February & March club building

Sign-up 5 new members during this period – get a ribbon for your banner & recognition from the District. As an additional incentive: if your club gains 5 new members (registered at TI) by the end of March you will receive a gift certificate for $10 to spend at the Merchandise Mart (at TELI & Spring Convention).  Get manuals, educational modules, gifts & more! The club with the most new members during this period will earn a gift certificate for $25 in merchandise.

 

Grow, Grow, Grow your Club

Use these ideas & you’re sure to warm the seats of every chair at your club meeting this winter:

1. Hold a skill development seminar on Creative Thinking, Leadership or Evalutions
2. Plan your club’s anniversary open house – invite past, present & future members
3. Proclaim a “Membership Week”, inviting media figures or company executives who support Toastmasters. Make this a membership blitz week!
4. Use the Speechcraft Program as a communication seminar in your community or company. Visit d6tm.org for more information on Speechcraft.
5. Spice up your meetings this winter with an idea from the District 6 Cookbook. Click on this link: http://www.d6tm.org/District/Leaders/LGET/lget-index.html. Scroll to the bottom of the page & see the Education Cookbook Part 1 & Part 2. Lots of fun theme meetings & educational topics.

 

Calling all those working on leadership awards!

We have opportunities for you to work on leadership projects & work with new or existing clubs in the District. Choose one or more of the following & contact Pat@d6tm.org with your interest.

1. Club coach – a great time to work with a club with 12 or fewer members to help them be Distinguished by June 30^th.
2. Club Sponsor – work with a new club from the idea stage to their charter party.
3. Club Mentor – work with a new club during the first 6 months & help them build a strong foundation.

Guest Packet Contest ~Do your guests get treated like royalty?

Bring your club’s guest packet to the registration table at Spring Convention by Friday, May 12th for entry into the contest.  The winner will be recognized during the breakfast meeting on the May 13^th. Contact Pat@d6tm.org if you would like to mail your entry. Mailed entries must be received by May 10^th, 2006.

 

Thank you Valentine to Club Coaches, Sponsors & Mentors - You Make the Toastmaster World go ‘round!

 

A Special Valentine to the following club coaches, sponsors & mentors named since July 1, 2006.  The dedication of these individuals helps build, recharge & rededicate Toastmasters in our District. Their livin’ the vision of Toastmasters. More opportunities are available. Contact pat@d6tm.org for the current openings.

 

                Our club coach trainers Linda Larson & Brian Rohrenbach have been working hard to train         coaches & clubs to hold quality meetings that meet the member’s needs. Catch their session at the    TELI on February 18^th. Remember to pre-register!! See d6tm.org

Club Coaches       Club Mentors               Club Sponsors

Sherman Kho Ann Sullivan Mary Swanson Jim Fiebke Jeanne Fabiano Steve Lockwood

Elsa Linke Betty Liedtke Darshan Domah Marilyn Landreth Steve Lockwood Sheri French Harriet Beadell Elke Stephan Henry Korpela Donald Turch Vernon Robertson Ann Sullivan Kevin Oslin Lesa Kennedy Georgia Thometz Gene VanMassenhove

Darshan Domah Mark Forsberg Liz Becker David Altrowitz Alan Johnson Jojo Williams Terry Ragan Brian Hinton Bonnie Lee Johnson Anne Groetsch Andrea Bolin Shvawn Morgan Becky Osland Debi Allsup Judy Ring

 

Help Wanted – Club Coaches with Heart!

Apply to Pat@d6tm.org. Openings exist in several areas. Your experience & guidance will be much appreciated.

Extending Our Network of Clubs

We have a vision for our District to be “Distinguished” by Spring Convention in May. Will you help? I know we can all do this if we work together! Being a Distinguished District (much like a Distinguished Club!) is a great accomplishment that brings together the individual member & club goals into a nice little package. How can YOU help?

• Have great meetings, grow membership in your club
• AND pass along new club leads. Contact names & telephone numbers are very helpful. I would involve you in the entire building process if you are interesting...it is great fun! 

 

To all my Toastmaster friends …you are the “heart” of Toastmasters. Happy Valentines Day! Be one of the first 10 people to approach me at TELI on February 18^th to tell me how many “hearts” you see in this letter & I will give you a little surprise! Tell me your club will get 5 new members during February & March & you will get another surprise.

Pat Croal, DTM

2005-06 Lt. Governor of Marketing             

pat@d6tm.org

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February 2006 Public Relations Newsletter

 

Club Milestone Anniversaries

Pacemasters                 25 years

Gopher Toastmasters  65 years

Stock Tockers             15 years

Paul Bunyon               55 years

Woodwinds                25 years

 

Mark your calendars: Upcoming Events

District 6 TELI - February 18, 2006 Theme “Toastmasters Under Construction” (Lunch Registration deadline 2/14)

Park Plaza Hotel, Bloomington, MN (Near 494 and France), Cost $20, Time: Officer training begins at 8:00 am. Educational sessions include Membership Building, Effective Meetings Using Parliamentary Procedure, Becoming a Whole-Hearted Leader, Club Coach/Sponsor/Mentor, The 1-2-3 Punch for Championship PR, New Leadership Module, Magic of the DCP. You will need to choose your two educational sessions in advance this year when you register.  There is limited seating for the sessions so register early. Guest Speaker is David Brooks, 1990 World Champion of Public Speaking. See the educational session presentations and presenter bios at www.d6tm.org

 

Spring Conference- May 12-13, 2006. Theme: Springtime in Paris held at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, 1330 Industrial Boulevard Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413. This is just 3 short miles from downtown Minneapolis.

Keynote Speaker: Craig Valentine, 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking
Keynote: “The Way of Champions” Discover the 3 G’s to greatness and be empowered to use them in your life. Educational: “Beyond the Basics”

Our district level Table Topics contest and International Speech contest will be held, educational sessions, awards, and much, much more…

**Banquet seating will be reserved based on receipt of paid registration.  All registrations must be submitted together for group seating.

 

July TELI - Mark July 15, 2006 down on your calendars for the July TELI.
Keynote Speaker: Randy Harvey, 2004 World Champion of Public Speaking. Learn more about Randy by visiting his website: http://www.worldchampionspeakers.com/randy-harvey.htm

 

Contest Photos

Submit your Contest photos to the District 6 Web site

You can send your club, area and division contest photos to webeditor@d6tm.org to be posted on the District website. Make sure to let Len know what contest they are coming from. Please provide the names of those in the pictures.

 

 

Featured Testimonial:

To enter and share your own Toastmasters Testimonial go to: Toastmasters Testimonials: http://www.d6tm.org/forms/SubmitTestimonials.php

Sherri Wood, International Director, 2004-2006

I joined Toastmasters in 1991 because when I went to a seminar, I broke out in a cold sweat when it was time to stand up and say your name and where you worked. At my first Toastmasters meeting, I wasn't any better! It took me a few months to discover the magic of Toastmasters. No, I wasn't a terrific speaker or a leader after a few months, but over the years I learned a lot in an incredibly supportive environment. The magic of Toastmasters is simply saying "yes"! Yes to joining, to speaking and to stretching yourself to success by taking on roles and positions that make us all uncomfortable at the start. Saying "yes" led me to a great job that I wouldn't have landed otherwise. Saying "yes" allows me to evaluate my staff and situations in a positive way. Saying "yes" has made my self-confidence blossom. Best of all, saying "yes" has allowed me to meet great people from all over the world who are interested in improving their lives through better communication and leadership skills. I encourage you - say "yes" in Toastmasters.

 

Tips of the Month

Promote a club sponsored Leadership seminar to the community and to company employees.

 

Promote a club guest day for Talk Up Toastmasters.

 

Add impact to your press releases by including club member’s testimonials on Toastmasters has helped them achieve their personal or professional goals.

 

Word of mouth is the most powerful PR tool. Make a list of people that you can share your story with.

 

Key Links

Toastmasters in the News: http://www.d6tm.org/District/Leaders/PRO/pro-index.html.  

Toastmasters Testimonials: http://www.d6tm.org/forms/SubmitTestimonials.php

Tell us about associations you belong to: http://www.d6tm.org/forms/Associations.php

PR Templates: http://www.d6tm.org/District/Leaders/PRO/pro-templates.html

District PRO Webpage: http://www.d6tm.org/District/Leaders/PRO/pro-index.html.