January 2005

Happy New Year! At the midpoint of this Toastmasters year, take a moment to pause and reflect on the many things we have accomplished this year. Then consider the many more we will accomplish by July 1^st. I want to thank all of our district and club leaders for all of your efforts that have brought us this far. Now, on to the finish line!

Officer Training Round II Is Under Way

The second round of officer training is under way and continues on through February 28^th. Many training options are available for club officers. Attend the second round of training to qualify for the Distinguished Club officer training point. Your club can also qualify as a Magnificent Seven Club when all seven club officers are trained this round. For further details, see Jeannette Bauch’s letter.

Club Progress

Now is the time for club leaders to evaluate progress. The best way to do this is to use the distinguished club plan to fine tune the club’s strategy.

Now is the time to focus on membership. How many members have your added to your club this year? Monitor your club’s DCP progress en route to becoming a Distinguished Club.

The Elusive Gilded Gavel

Saint Paul Speakers was the first club to capture the Elusive Gilded Gavel, December 13^th. Visit the District 6 website to learn more about how to capture the E.G.G.

District 6 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.

Spring Convention

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.

Assistance is needed for several committees. Please contact Chair Susan Long or Past District Governor Mary Swanson for more information.

Articles for District Digest

The District 6 Digest is the district newsletter. Consider writing an article on communication, leadership, or even a successful club endeavor. Submit your article to Dan Field, the District 6 Digest editor.

Toastmasters International District Newsletter

Toastmasters International also offers a publication called the District Newsletter. This newsletter offers ideas and device to district officers.

New Leadership Manual and Awards

Toastmasters Internationals has unveiled the new Competent Leadership Manual and has revised the educational recognition system to emphasize the leadership track. Toastmasters have long known that our organization is a great place to practice and learn about communication and leadership. Now we have a great tool for evaluating our progress as leaders. New members will automatically receive the leadership and communication manuals. Order yours today!

 Contests

Now is the time to order contest materials. Members of District 6 will compete in Table Topics and in the International Speech contests. Be sure to ask your area governor for information about the area contest.

 Second Round of Club Visits

Area Governors have begun the second round of club visits. When your area governor comes to call, please offer her or him 5 minutes of the meeting. Your area governor will be happy to speak about club goals, upcoming district events, and other area news.

 District Directories

Club Officers, have you received your copy of the District 6 Directory? If you have not received yours, check with your club president and area governor. The directory contains important contact information of district personnel and other useful information.

 I am excited about the things that we will accomplish the second half of this year. Let’s make this a memorable 2006!

 Theo W. Black, DTM
District 6 Governor
theo@d6tm.org

Find Your Voice. Serve Your World
 

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TOASTMASTERS…NEW AND IMPROVED!

 In its quest to provide members with new and innovative educational material, Toastmasters International has developed a new Competent Leadership manual, which will become available in January.  It will be included in all new member kits and available to exiting members from the TI store for $6 plus the cost of shipping.  This manual will feature 10 projects to develop leadership skills.

1. Listening and Leadership
2. Critical Thinking
3. Giving Feedback
4. Time Management
5. Planning and Implementation
6. Organizing and Delegating
7. Developing Your Facilitation Skills
8. Motivating People
9. Mentoring

10. Team Building

New members can start working on these projects right away and use it as a tool to assist them as they take on meeting and clubs leadership responsibilities.  Order yours today!

 Here’s a tip for you:  At the TELI on February 18^th, Linda Samens and Susan Long will be presenting on the new leadership program.  Attend and get all your questions answered!

 OFFICER TRAINING

Has your club trained all 7 officers?  There’s still plenty of time and enough training sessions scheduled to make it happen.  Of course our goal is to train 59% more officers than last year!  Don’t forget about the bonus….when your club has all 7 officers trained you will have the opportunity to be included in a drawing for a FREE Fall Conference registration…worth over $100!  Your club will also be recognized as one of the elite clubs in District 6 by being included in the Magnificent 7.  Don’t wait…ask your officers if they’ve attended training!

 IT’S TELI…UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 18, 2006 and plan to attend!  Once again we carry on the tradition of hosting a world champion speaker to educate, thrill, and tantalize you.  The 1990 World Champion of Public Speaking, David Brooks, will be presenting his program “Magic Moments II”.  We’ve already selected 8 additional presenters, one coming from District 19.  As usual, the day will begin promptly at 8:00 am with officer training for 50 minutes.  In the 9:00 am hour we’ll enjoy educational presentations by wonderful speakers, followed by a plenary session with David Brooks, then an additional round of presentations by more wonderful speakers.  Mr. Brooks will be our keynote speaker for the luncheon and we anticipate that he’ll provide a short coaching session after the luncheon program.

 Register early!  To avoid over crowding in rooms seating will be limited.  Watch the district website’s main page for a TELI registration form.  You will have the ability to choose your education session in advance and receive tickets in your registration packet.  Seating will be limited so it’s important to register early.  Early registration is also required for the luncheon, as the hotel needs the lunch count in advance of the event.  We are unable to sell additional lunch packages at the door, as much as we’d like to.  Don’t miss out!  This promises to be a “blow out” TELI!

 SPRING CONVENTION PRESENTERS!

There are still openings for presenters at the spring convention, which will be held on May 12 & 13, 2006 at the Sheraton FourPoints Hotel in St. Paul.  If you are interested in presenting, check the website for information or send a brief bio and information on what you’d like to present to me at lget@d6tm.org by the end of January.  Spots are limited so don’t delay!

  SPECIALTY CLUBS

Have you always wanted to expand your Toastmaster experience...spread your wings and fly?  What are strengths and where can you improve?  A great way to find out is to visit and join one of the district's many specialty clubs.  It will give you the opportunity to expand your skills in the areas of speech evaluation, humor, leadership, professional speaking, parliamentary procedures, debate, and so much more.  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  Try them out today!  Log on to http://www.d6tm.org/ for more information on a club near you.

 HELP WANTED!

Are you a polished, energetic and well-spoken Toastmaster?  Have you searched for new and creative ways to offer your services to District 6?  A wonderful and exciting opportunity is now available for the right candidate.  District 6 has established the position of “World Champion Liaison”.  The position will be offered at each event where one of the World Champion speakers is scheduled.  Below are the duties of the position and the desired qualifications:   (WCPS = World Champion Public Speaking)

 Job Description:

• Meet the WCPS at the airport and shuttle him to the hotel, ensuring that check in is flawless.
• Assist the WCPS with session set up, ensuring that his audio/visual needs are met, the room is set up properly and any other needs are attended to.
• Set up the WCPS sales table.
• Staff the WCPS sales table and assist with sales of books, CD’s and other material.
• Take down and clean up of sales area.
• General assistance as required by the WCPS
• Shuttle the WCPS back to the airport safely.

 The WCPS will be informed that the liaison is assigned to be his assistant for the duration of his stay with District 6, ensuring a pleasant and enjoyable visit.

 Qualifications:

To be considered, please submit your request to Jeannette Bauch at lget@d6tm.org by January 30, 2006 along with a brief bio.  All applicants will be considered.  Here are the desired qualifications:

• Outgoing
• Great communicator
• Detail oriented
• Polished, professional and energetic
• Ability to “take charge”
• Desire to be of assistance
• Must be able to lift and move boxes and luggage

 The following dates and champions are already confirmed:

• February 18, 2006      David Brooks

• May 12/13, 2006        Craig Valentine

• July 15, 2006              Dr. Randy Harvey

 Here’s to a successful New Year!

Jnet

 Jeannette Bach
Lt. Governor Education and Training
jeannette@d6tm.org
 
 

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January 2006

Happy New Year Club & District leaders!

 January is one of the best times of the year to build membership in your club! Many people make resolutions & set personal goals right now…and public speaking is usually high on the list. Take advantage of this & invite family, friends, neighbors & colleagues to join your club. Hold an open house, put on a great meeting & watch your guests turn into members. Please remember to ask every guest to join your club! Try this easy sentence for every guest: “I invite you to fill out a membership application for our great club”.

Resources: Membership application, Successful Club Series (Finding New Members, Closing the Sale, Creating the Best Club Climate), attend club officer training and the next TELI.

http://www.d6tm.org/District/Leaders/LGM/series.html (lists order information for the Successful Club Series, Better Speaker Series & the Leadership Excellence)

http://www.toastmasters.org/pdfs/1621.pdf (a simple membership building contest).

 Top New Member Sponsors (since July 1):  Chris Solberg (14), Cliff Heinsch (9), Wayne Hanson (5), Jim Miller (5), Nanette Bischoff (5),

 Top Membership Growth clubs (since July 1): Word Merchants (16),  Stagecoach Speakers (15),  Eloquent Nooners (10), Voice of Leadership (10), Talking Heads (9),  Pillsbury Club (8), Tag Talk (7),  Duluth Club (7),    StockTockers (7),  Tri-County Club (7),  ,  Dakota Speakers (7), ,  Westerly Winds (7)

 Recognize & orient new members. When your club receives a new member application, please vote all new members into your club as required by Toastmasters bylaws. Install new members & assign a more experienced member as a mentor. Help new members learn how to get on the schedule to speak and how your club program works.

Resources: VP Membership handbook (for new member installation information), Successful Club Series (Mentoring, Meeting Roles & Responsibilities)

 Talk Up Toastmasters! February & March club building - Gain 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.

Resources: Annual Membership Program https://www.toastmasters.org/fupload/media/1620-0506.pdf

 Sponsor 5 new members – earn a great pin for your pin collection. This is one of the nicest lapel pins I’ve seen & you could earn it by sponsoring 5 new members. Place your name & club number on the membership sponsor line on the club application.

Remember that list of potential members I asked you to write last July? Pull out that list (or make a new one) and invite these people to your next club meeting.

Resources: Your list of people to invite to your club

 Club Coach Program (for clubs with 12 or fewer members): There are over 80 clubs in District 6 that would benefit from a club coach. If you know the Toastmaster program & would like an opportunity to use your skills to coach a club to greatness, please contact me! There is a club nearby that needs you! You’ll receive materials & support from Toastmasters Intl & from our Club Coach Trainers: Linda Larson & Brian Rohrenbach. Contact Pat@d6tm.org for more information or to volunteer.

 New Club Sponsors & Mentors: Are you working on towards your Advanced Leader award? You can earn credit towards that award by serving as a Club Coach, New Club Sponsor or New Club Mentor. Many great opportunities await…contact pat@d6tm.org for more information for current openings.

 Watch for 5-6 new Toastmaster clubs to join District 6 in January! I’ll tell you all about them next month (once the charter paperwork goes in). See, I told you that January is one of the top times to recruit new members for your clubs…and start new clubs. When you have an idea for a new club contact me or Steve Lockwood (steve@d6tm.org) our New Club Extension Chair.

 Let’s keep working on strong membership in your club…it will serve everyone well!

 Find your voice, serve your world!

 Pat Croal
Lt. Governor of Marketing
pat@d6tm.org
  

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January 2006 Public Relations Newsletter

 Club Milestone Anniversaries

Trane Hot Air Vents               10 years
Power Up                                  10 years
GRE Energizers                        10 years
Mankato                          65 years
Mayo Hi Nooners                  15 years
 
Mark your calendars: Upcoming Events

 District 6 TELI - February 18, 2006 Theme

“Toastmasters Under Construction”

Park Plaza Hotel, Bloomington, MN (Near 494 and France), Cost $20, Time: Officer training begins at 8:00 am. For all others, David Brooks, 1990 World Champion of Public Speaking, presentation will begin at 9:00 am followed by two rounds of presentations, lunch and keynote presentation by David Brooks, and a coaching session by David. 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. 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…

 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

Special PR Training at the TELI on February 18
Educational Presenter: Sharon Hanson, District PRO Assistant
 Title: The 1-2-3 Punch for Championship PR

 Wouldn’t it be nice if you could ring a bell and have potential members clambering to climb in your ring? Well, you don’t have to be a boxing promoter to achieve those results. It’s all in the secret of finding the arena where that potential lies hidden. Discover the secret to becoming a contender, but more than that, find out how easy it is to gain championship success. (and it’s not in driving a metaphor over the top rope…)
 
Bio: Sharon Hanson has been in marketing for twenty years. She holds an ATM bronze, and Competent Leader. Currently she is investigating launching a new business as a manufacturer of scrapbook enhancements.
 
Promoting your Contests and Contest Winners

7 STEPS TO PR SUCCESS

1. Tell where and when your contest was/will be held

2. Name each speech participant with their speech title

3. Announce the winner of each club, area or division contest. When applicable: Announce the winner of the district contest

4. List when and where the district contest will be held

5. Mention the public is invited to attend, cost and RSVP date

6. Tell them in a few sentences about Toastmasters

7. List contact information

 A picture may increase your chances of getting your article printed.

 Why recognize our speech contests and contestants?

• Boosts self-esteem in our Toastmasters

• Builds awareness in our communities and businesses

• Builds excitement about our Educational program and competitions.

TIPS

“Let the World Know Toastmaster's International's Publicity and Promotion Handbook” provides tips on Public Relations and provides template examples of how to write a press releases for various occasions. Go to http://www.toastmasters.org/pdfs/1140.pdf

 I suggest you submit articles to the newspapers in the city where the contest was held and the cities where the contestants live. You might also send them to the companies where the contestants work.

 For clubs located in MN, here is a website for MN Newspapers: http://www.mnnews.com/index.html

For clubs located in Ontario, here is a website for Ontario newspapers: http://www.world-newspapers.com/ontario.html

 Please let me know which newspapers and businesses you submit the articles to, and let me know when they are published. I would like to get copies and post the information on the PRO web page in the section “Toastmasters in the News.” You can see who’s been “in the news” by visiting http://www.d6tm.org/District/Leaders/PRO/pro-index.html

 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

Jana Barnhill, DTM, Accredited Speaker, Third Vice President 2005-2006
I must admit, my reason for joining Toastmasters is not necessarily a typical one. I wasn’t uncomfortable speaking. My boss didn’t encourage it. It was simply because my husband was a member and he was having too much fun without me! Little did I know I would be joining an organization that would change my life!

Were it not for Toastmasters, I would not be speaking professionally today. I would not be involved on boards in my community. I would not be seen as a leader. In other words, I would never have found my voice and realized my potential of serving my world.

Everyone has a voice. Everyone serves his or her world. My hope for our members is that, through Toastmasters, they realize how important they are, no matter their position, as a parent, a spouse, an employee or a boss, and as our vision states, achieve their full potential and realize their dreams.

 Tips of the Month

Chamber of Commerce: Register your club with your area Chamber of Commerce following each new election of officers and the beginning of each new year. What is your Chambers response when someone inquires about Toastmasters locally? Review your status with your Chamber twice a year.

 Company Newsletter blurb: (suggestion provided by Georgia Thometz of the Carlsonics club)

Give yourself the gift of improved communication and leadership skills—visit a Toastmaster’s meeting: It’s time for a change! Are you ready to achieve your full potential? Join the Carlson-sponsored Carlsonics or Remarkables Toastmasters Clubs, and you’ll have the opportunity to shape such business-related skills as conducting effective meetings and public speaking. The Carlsonics meet in the 701 Tower Theater (12th floor) every Wednesday from 12:05 to 1 p.m. Contact Brenda Piekarski for more information about the Carlsonics. The Remarkables meet in the CMG building conference room 1SS every Thursday from 11:35 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information about the Remarkables, please contact one of the club officers.

 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

Lonnie Yohannes
District Public Relations Officer
pro@d6tm.org