District 42 Toastmasters

Monthly Dispatch

February 2024

Dear District 42 Toastmasters,

We hope this message finds you well and brimming with enthusiasm as we navigate through the exciting month of February.

Contest season is starting, leadership training is completed, and 'Of the Year' awards nominations are done. Has your club nominated its shining stars for the 'Of the Year' awards?

If you missed the Road to Regina Kickoff, don't worry—the next one promises to be even more special.

For those hungry for knowledge and eager to dive deeper into their roles, our Masterminds sessions are tailor-made for you. Have you had a chance to attend any? Check out our D42 Event calendar for these sessions.

Contemplating whether to take the plunge into the contest arena? We say, go for it! This is your opportunity to shine, learn, and grow.

As we navigate this exciting month together, let's support and uplift one another. District 42 Toastmasters is not just a community; it's a family bound by a common passion for growth, learning, and excellence. Wishing you all the best on your Toastmasters journey in February 2024!

Send your comments to Vesna Ivkovic - D42 Dispatch Designer

Upcoming Events

See what's happening in February 2024.

MESSAGE FROM DISTRICT DIRECTOR

DISTRICT EVENTS

HELPING CLUBS FOR SUCCESS

Michelle Ryerson, DTM

D42 Administration Manager 2023-2024

Wow! Where does the time go??? This is a great opportunity for me to give back to this organization where leaders are made and to help our clubs succeed. One of the initiatives that was introduced in the past couple of years was the 30-60-90 days plan to help clubs stay informed on what needs to be accomplished to reduce any surprises. However, I do encourage you to continue to keep an eye on the District Calendar for any changes or updates.

Your 30-60-90 days Plan snapshot

February 2024

• Talk up Toastmasters - Toastmasters International incentive: Begins February 1, 2024
• Plan Club Open House meeting
• All Leader Call (Division & Area Directors) meeting: February 5, 2024
• Road to Regina – Paving the Way: February 10, 2024
• D42 “Of the Year” (OTY) Awards: February 10, 2024

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.

"OF THE YEAR" Awards

 Update



This year’s “Of The Year” Awards will be held as an ONLINE event hosted by the District team.

Registration Required – Click HERE to register.

Date: February 10, 2024

Event start time: 10:00 AM (AB) / 11:00 AM (SK)

Road to Regina - Paving The Way

Debbie Walker,

Conference 2024 Education Chair 

The “Road to Regina” is underway as we approach the spring District 42 Conference! The series launched on January 6 with a fantastic event featuring Leadership Architect, Brahm Memone, speaking on Service. If you didn’t have an opportunity to attend that event, you can watch the recording HERE.

Our next stop on the “Road” is with our International President, Morag Mathieson, who will be joining us from her home in Germany on February 10th! Are you wondering, “What will Morag be speaking about?” Well, guess what? She is putting together a brand new speech – just for us! The only way to know what she will be speaking about is to attend!

Time: 9:00 AM (AB) / 10:00 AM (SK)

This is an event you will not want to miss. Register today HERE

We would love to see at least 100 people on the call. Let’s all show up for Morag and make this an event to remember!

🌟 District 42 PR Mastermind ChatGPT Workshop 🌟

Stacey Kaminski

D42 Public Relations Manager

Special Presentation at PR Mastermind by Allan Pickering

Does the blank page stop you dead in your tracks? What is that about? I don’t have an answer for that, but I have a tool that defeats the blank page paralysis every time: our AI overlords!

ChatGPT, like similar Artificial Intelligence applications, is an excellent tool for creativity. Spend a few minutes with me and understand how it works, what it can do, and where it is appropriate.

Take note, PRMs and VPPRs: it can take half the work (and therefore, stress!) out of your job.

Date: February 8, 2024

Time: 6:30 PM (AB)

What to Expect:

• Learn the basics of ChatGPT
• Get insider tips from ChatGPT expert
• Network with fellow Toastmasters

Register HERE to join the fun!

Don't miss this opportunity to boost your design skills and take your PR efforts to new heights! We look forward to seeing you at the District 42 PR Mastermind ChatGPT Workshop.

REPORTS

Membership

Debbie Stearns, BBA, DTM

District 42 Club Growth Director 2023-24

Membership renewals are due March 31, 2024. Please renew by March 31, 2024, to stay in good standing to be able to participate in events such as the upcoming contests and district business meetings at the spring conference. As we approach the deadline, please keep in mind that Toastmasters International’s network may experience slower response times.

Talk Up Toastmasters is running from Feb 1 to March 31. This campaign aims to boost membership by encouraging clubs to add 5 new, dual, or reinstated members to receive an incentive.

Talk Up Toastmasters is more than just a campaign; it’s an opportunity for clubs to contribute to the growth and success of Toastmasters. By actively participating and recruiting members, clubs not only enhance their vitality but also contribute to the larger Toastmasters community. The incentives provided by Toastmasters International serve as recognition of the clubs’ efforts, motivating them to continue fostering an environment where individuals can thrive in their journey of self-improvement and leadership development. As the campaign unfolds, Toastmasters around the world eagerly anticipate the positive impact it will have on individual growth and the collective strength of Toastmasters clubs.

Club Retention Committee

Marg Ustupski, DTM

I would like to acknowledge the team members who work on the club retention committee. This team works to find coaches, support the coaches and clubs and provide information.

Jackie Harbidge works to find presenters for the club coach's monthly meetings. She looks for topics that provide a variety of information that will assist struggling clubs and the coach. The presenters are chosen for their knowledge.

Vicky Huynh does the promotions for the monthly meetings. Her ability to create the posters builds interest in the sessions. She sends out invitations to club executive members and coaches. Vicky has also been instrumental in creating a tracking tool for club coach reports. This tool is in the trial stages.

Cathy Morrell provides support and guidance to the team. She assists with ideas and

recommendations for potential coaches.

Our District 42 Club Coach Director, Debbie Stearns, works with the team to find coaches, assist struggling clubs and guide the club retention team as we go forward.

As co-chair of the committee, I want to recognize each of these members who work diligently to

support the clubs in District 42. If you would like to join the club retention committee or coach a club, please email us at [email protected]

BLOG

DID YOU KNOW

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Content Creators Wanted

Stacey Kaminski

D42 Public Relations Manager

Become a Part of Our D42 Content Creator Team and Unleash Your Creativity

At D42, we provide a world of creative opportunities for you to showcase your unique voice and reach a global audience. Join our team today to create, inspire, and make an impact!

To join our team reach out to [email protected].

Workshop Speakers at District 42 Toastmasters Spring Conference!

Debbie Walker

D42 Conference Education Chair

Are you a dynamic speaker with a passion for education? We invite you to be part of the District 42 Toastmasters Spring Conference! Share your expertise on topics like communication, leadership, and personal development. Apply now to become a workshop speaker by filling out the form HERE.

Join us in creating an unforgettable experience for our diverse community of Toastmasters. The deadline for submissions is March 16, 2024.

For more details, contact Education Chair Debbie Walker at [email protected].

Let’s inspire and empower together!

Chartering New Toastmasters Clubs

Brad Korbo, DTM

D42 Club Extension Committee Chair

Attention all Toastmasters!

We need your help to find leads for chartering 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 sessions 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 Chair.

TI CLUB AWARDS & INCENTIVES

7 out of 7 Officers Trained

Time Frame: July 1 – June 30

Requirements: All club officers trained, in both the Spring/Summer and Winter sessions

Prize: $25 gift certificate to each club

Up today, we have 5 clubs achieved the 7 out of 7 Award

1. Connected Communicators Toastmasters Club

2. Calgary Pace Setters Club

3. Mosaic Master

4. UR Toastmasters

5. Kepler Astrologers

To find the list of clubs that have a chance for this award click HERE

PR GUIDELINES & PUBLICATION RULES

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY