District 42 Toastmasters

Monthly Dispatch

December 2024

From the D42 Dispatch Team: Wrapping Up an Incredible Year!

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year filled with growth, inspiration, and shared achievements across District 42. December is the perfect time to celebrate your accomplishments, set new goals, and, of course, enjoy the holiday season with family and friends!

Here’s what’s happening this month in District 42:

• Turning Pages Finale Event (December 7): Join us for the in-person grand finale of the Turning Pages with District 42 series! This convivial event is perfect for book lovers, aspiring authors, and anyone looking for unique Christmas gifts. Meet authors, network, and enjoy the magic of books during the holiday season.
• Holiday Break: Many clubs will pause for the holidays, so make the most of your meetings this month. December is a great time to reflect on your Toastmasters journey and prepare for a strong start to 2025.
• New Year, New Goals: Start planning your personal and club goals for 2025! Whether it's completing a Pathway, growing your membership, or stepping into a leadership role, the possibilities are endless.
• Game Corner - New to the Dispatch. Don't miss out on the fun - see the article below for details.
• Meet Ellen Lambert! We’re thrilled to introduce the newest member of the Dispatch Team, Ellen Lambert! Ellen brings a wealth of creativity and energy to our team, and we’re excited to have her on board. Be sure to check out her contributions in this issue and future ones. Welcome, Ellen!

Thank you for being a part of District 42’s vibrant community. Together, we continue to grow as communicators and leaders. We wish you a joyful holiday season and an exciting start to the new year!

P.S. Don’t forget to tag @District42Toastmasters on social media and share your December meeting highlights! #D42Toastmasters #YearEndCelebrations

Please send your feedback to Vesna Ivkovic - D42 Dispatch Designer.

Warm regards,

The District 42 Toastmasters Dispatch Team

Upcoming Events

See what's happening in December 2024

DISTRICT DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

GAME CORNER!

Ellen Lambert

Dispatch Co-Editor

Challenge yourself! How many times is the Word of the Month used throughout the Dispatch? 

The word I chose is CONVIVIAL: (adjective)

• (of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable.

"a convivial cocktail party 

• of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial.

"she was relaxed and convivial"

The answer is at the end of the Dispatch.  

REPORTS

Level Up Your Leadership: Club Officer Training and Exciting Updates!

Debbie Stearns, DTM

D42 Program Quality Director

It’s time for the second round of Club Officer Training! All club officers must be trained between November and February, and we’ve made sure there are plenty of options to fit your schedule.

Training Dates and Times

Online Sessions:

• November 27 (6–9 PM MST)
• December 4 (6:30–9:30 PM MST)
• January 9 (6:30–9:30 PM MST)
• February 9 (6–9 PM MST)

In-Person Session:

• February 1 in Calgary (9 AM–12 PM MST)

Noon Hour Sessions:

• Offered in both MST and CST time zones

Requirement: Each club must have at least 4 officers trained.

What’s New:

• Role-specific training
• Sessions on Change Management and Quality Club Meetings
• Interactive and convivial learning for a more engaging experience

This is a valuable opportunity to grow as a leader and strengthen your club’s success.

Register today on the District 42 website Event Calendar

Pathways Upgrade Complete

The Pathways system has been upgraded with many exciting new features! If you haven’t enrolled yet, now is the perfect time to sign up and enhance your Toastmasters journey. For more information, reach out to our Education Chair.

Go-Getter Award Incentive

The Go-Getter Award Incentive is running until January 31! Clubs that achieve 5 Distinguished Club Program (DCP) points by this date will receive a special incentive. Don’t miss this chance to help your club shine!

Save the Date: Spring Conference – May 2 & 3, 2025

Mark your calendars for our District 42 Spring Conference in Lethbridge on May 2 & 3! The event will wrap up with a banquet and dinner on Saturday evening. Registration opens soon. Stay tuned for more details from our Conference Chair, Richard.

Let’s make this training season and the upcoming year a success together!

Shaping the Future: Youth Leadership Program Resources and Connections

Mary Schoendorfer, DTM

D42 YLP Chair, 2024-2025

I’m bubbling with excitement today! We had our Facilitator training just one week ago (November 16) and the video is on the D42 website! Not only that, but resources, many that were presented at that training, are on the site as well. Please check it out! VIDEO LINK

Resources: Scroll down and view! https://d42tm.org/youth-leadership-program/

The future of this program is bright! Many of you are coming to me with questions and ideas – where a program could be run, kids who need a program, etc.

I would love to support you and connect you to members who can help you run your program. Your supporters might be right around you at your club! Or, maybe TMs who want speaking opportunities, who want a project opportunity, or who have a special interest in the group you are supporting. You don’t know who will help until you ask; (Toastmasters is so good at providing learning opportunities)!

Connect with me: mrdschoendorfer@gmail.com

Help Us Build New Toastmasters Clubs!

Brad Korbo, DTM

D42 Club Extension Committee Co-Chair

Attention all Toastmasters!

We need your help to find leads for potential new Toastmasters clubs.

We need your help in identifying groups within your organization, school, or community that could benefit from the valuable skills that Toastmasters clubs can offer.

We have a club extension committee that can provide free demonstration meetings to help potential members experience the beauty of a Toastmasters meeting.

Just lead us to the right people and we will take care of the rest. Let's work together to grow our clubs and help more people realize their full potential.

Together, we can spread the word that Toastmasters is where leaders are made - a proven and tested organization for over 100 years.

Do you have an idea for a new club? If yes, follow this link to complete the New Club Lead Submission or contact me, District 42’s Club Extension Committee Co-Chair.

DISTRICT EVENTS

Empowering clubs for success!

Michelle Ryerson, DTM

D42 Administration Manager 2024-2025 

I am excited to continue serving as the District's Administration Manager for another year. This role allows me to give back to an organization that fosters leadership and supports our clubs.

One of the key initiatives we've introduced is the 30-60-90 day plan. This tool is designed to help clubs stay informed of upcoming deadlines, minimizing surprises. While this plan will be a valuable resource, I also encourage you to regularly check the District Calendar for any updates or changes.

Together, we can make this a successful and convivial yeayear for all our clubs!

Your 30-60-90 days Plan snapshot:

December 2024:

• Leadership Training events:
• December 04 - Leadership Training hosted by Division B
• December 06 - District Holiday Dinner party
• December 07 - Turning Pages With D42 Holiday Book Fest
• December 16 - All Leader Call (Division & Area Directors) meeting

January 2025:

• Leadership Training events:
• January 09 - Leadership Training hosted by Division D & E
• January 11 - Leadership Training hosted by Division A
• January 15 - Division B Celebrates 100 Years
• January 18 - Battlefield Of The Funny Bones
• January 20 - Division Director Leadership Meeting
• January 25 - Judges Training In-Person
• January 29 - Judges Training Online
• January 31 - DCP Go-Getter Award deadline

February 2025:

• February 01 - Talk Up Toastmasters Program Begins
• Leadership Training events:
• February 01 - Leadership Training hosted by Division C
• February 17 - All Leader Call (Division & Area Directors) meeting

The District Calendar is available for you to continue to be updated with District events. If your club is celebrating an upcoming special event (ie: Open house, anniversary) you would like to post on the District Calendar, simply fill out the Submit New Event Form.

Name The New Club Contest

Ron MacTavish, DTM

The Toastmasters At Palliser Club has refocused the club vision and is evolving to become a niche club centred on sustainability. To embody this metamorphosis the club will be changing its name.

To select the best possible name the club has created a “name the new club contest” 

A convivial friend of the club is donating a $100 gift certificate as a prize for the most appropriate new name.

Any Toastmaster can enter this contest, and up to three “new name,” submissions are encouraged.

The winning name will be decided in a vote by club members. The club would like their new name to be optimistic and instantly recognizable by the various sectors within the vast eco-conscious field, from clean energy to conservation, to social justice, as reflected in the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The contest closes on December 24. The winning name will be announced in early January 2025.

For your reference check out the VIDEO and fill out the form to submit your best three names Contest Form. For more information about the refocused club, please email Ron MacTavish, DTM, at rbmacjak@yahoo.com. 

District 42 Conference - Registration Opens in January!

Richard Lee-Thai

D42 Conference Chair

The Conference Planning Committee has been hard at work and will be opening up registration early in January 2025! If developing your public speaking skills and connecting with amazing Toastmasters from around the District are part of your 2025 goals, there is no better opportunity than attending our District 42 Conference.

Join us in Lethbridge from Friday, May 2 to Saturday, May 3, 2025, for an unforgettable in-person experience. If you have any questions, please email DCconferencechair@d42tm.org.

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Thank You For The Gifts

tsMargaret Ustupski, DTM

Leadership Training Committee Chair

Brad Korbo, Catherine Secundiak and Chuck Leblanc provided the gift of their experience as trainers to members interested in being facilitators for club officer training.

The organizers, tech team, facilitators and moderators work to provide training to club officers.

The club officers who attend training are offering the gift of learning and their time to their clubs.

There are other opportunities to attend club officer training.

• December 4, 2024 - Register HERE
• January 9, 2025 - Register HERE
• January 11, 2025 - Register HERE
• February 1, 2025 - Register HERE

Turning Pages with District 42

Holiday Book Fest- Celebrating District 42 Authors

Vesna Ivkovic

D42 Webmaster/ Dispatch Designer

Dear Convivial District 42 Members and Aspiring Authors,

Join us for the grand finale of our Turning Pages with District 42 series! Let’s gather in person to celebrate the talented authors of District 42 at our Holiday Book Fest—the perfect opportunity to kick off the holiday season with books, community, and festive fun!

Date: December 7, 2024 (weather permitting)

Time: 1:00 PM

Location: St. Simeon Church (16025 243 Avenue E)

Event Highlights:

– Meet talented District 42 authors

– Discover unique books that make perfect holiday gifts

– Have your books personally signed by the authors

– Participate in a Q&A with the authors to hear about their inspiration and journeys

– Network with fellow District 42 Toastmasters and make new connections

– Door Prizes – A chance to win exciting prizes throughout the event!

Register Here

Don’t miss this festive finale! Support local authors, find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, and celebrate the conclusion of Turning Pages with District 42 with us.

In case you missed our online workshops check out the booklet. LINK

If you missed the online workshops, you can catch up by watching the RECORDING through the links below.

• Irma Goosen - Using Artificial Intelligence AI LINK
• Darlene Dafoe Davies & Kelly Kaur - The traditional creative book-writing process  LINK
• Dan Kostka - Pros & Cons of Traditional and Self-publishing LINK
• Dan Kostka - Interview Session Traditional and Self-publishing LINK
• Leena Alex - Building Your Book’s Presence – Overview LINK
• Dawn Thomas-Cameron - The Write Formula: Mastering Digital Marketing Tools to Propel Your Book’s Reach LINK
• Leena & Dawn - Promoting Your Book Questions and Answers LINK

D42 Christmas Dinner & 100th Year Celebration of Toastmasters International

Honoring the Past; Inspiring the Future

Daisy Wei, DTM

D42 District Director

Join us for a festive evening to celebrate Toastmasters International's 100th birthday and kick off the holiday season! Bring your fellow club members, family, friends, and coworkers for an unforgettable evening of great food and fun!

• Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
• Time: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
• Location: Chinese Cultural Centre Cuisine (197 1St SW, Calgary, AB

(Basement of the Chinese Culture Center, Downtown)

Evening Highlights:

• Cuisine: Selection of 8 Chinese dishes and a dessert, plus a bottle of wine per table
• Parking: Free street parking after 6 PM; or park at Impark for a $5.50 flat rate after 6 PM
• Attire: Business Casual for a party
• Cost: $50 per person

Early Bird Deadline: Register by November 15, 2024, for a chance to win a prize!

Final Registration Deadline: November 30, 2024

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate with our Toastmasters community!

REGISTER HERE

Division B Toastmasters celebrates 100 years

Division B Toastmasters celebrates 100 years by having an All You Can Eat Pasta & Pizza event at Four Seasons Restaurant, 909 Arcola Ave, Regina, SK.

This is a fundraiser for the 2025 Conference in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Tickets can be purchased from Debbie Stearns, Stacey Kaminski and Lynnette Zotzman.

So You Think You Can Judge!

Christina Kruis, DTM, Marvin Henry, DTM and Russ Dantu, DTM

We are set for judges' training, in-person and online, and would love to see YOU there, regardless of whether you are new to judging or a seasoned veteran!

Enjoy a unique training experience led by Christina Kruis, DTM, Marvin Henry, DTM and Russ Dantu, DTM, all long-time Toastmasters with a passion for contests and judging.

You will leave with a new level of understanding as to how to dissect the judge's ballots and what to really look for when seeing someone compete. This will definitely elevate your game as a judge for the upcoming season.

In-Person:

Date: Saturday, January 25^th 2025

Location: Fluor Communications 55 Sunpark Plaza SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3R4, Canada

Time: 9 am – 12 pm.

Free parking is available.

Registration is required.

For In-Person training register HERE.

Online: ZOOM

Date: Wednesday, January 29^th, 2025

Time: 7 pm – 9 pm

Registration is required.

For Online training please register HERE

For more information, please contact Russ Dantu at russ@russdantu.com

Exciting News: Pathways Orientation Sessions Coming Soon!

Debbie Stearns, DTM

D42 Program Quality Director

Our Pathways Education team is thrilled to announce the launch of Pathways Orientation sessions, designed to help both new and existing members get the most out of their Toastmasters experience.

Starting in January, we will hold monthly orientation sessions to guide you through the Pathways learning program. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your understanding of Pathways, these sessions are the perfect opportunity to gain valuable insights and set yourself up for success.

For details on dates and times, check the event calendar on our website. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your skills and take your Toastmasters journey to the next level!

We look forward to seeing you there!

D42 CLUB OFFICER TRAINING

Click the image below to register for Club Officer Training!

DID YOU KNOW

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Answer to Word of the Month: 6