2024 |Oct Vol. 53, Issue 1

As we gear up for the highly anticipated District 33 Spring Conference, we are thrilled to announce crucial training sessions designed to enhance the skills and effectiveness of our club and district leaders.

Mark your calendars for November 1 and February 28—two essential dates committed to equipping our leaders with the tools they need to succeed.

Training Sessions Overview

Training sessions for club officers will be held in a collaborative and engaging

environment, typically lasting about four hours. Well-trained club officers directly

contribute to improving the member experience, an essential factor for enhanced member retention and greater club success. Members who feel supported and engaged are more likely to remain active and contribute to the club’s vibrant community.

The Importance of Training

The training sessions present an excellent opportunity for new officers to learn their roles and responsibilities, network with fellow officers, and discover valuable resources tailored to their specific needs. Clubs that actively participate by sending their officers

to these training sessions will receive credit toward the Distinguished Club Program, an essential aspect of club recognition and achievement.

These training experiences are critical as they provide the educational

foundation for club leaders and instill confidence in their ability to lead effectively. When well-prepared and trained, club officers can better serve their members, culminating in a more positive and productive member experience, ultimately leading to

increased retention.

A Highlight of the

Spring Conference

In addition to the leadership training, District 33 will sponsor an exciting conference every year in the spring. This year’s conference, hosted by Division D, will feature the culmination of district-wide speech contests, educational presentations, and keynote addresses by distinguished professional speakers. It’s a wonderful occasion to celebrate the achievements of our members, gain new insights, and connect with peers

committed to personal and professional growth.

Get ready to engage, learn, and connect during the District 33 Spring Conference and Leadership Training. Active participation will enrich your Toastmasters journey and help propel our district toward success.

Let’s make this year’s events memorable as we work together to build thriving clubs and develop exceptional leaders!

Darnell Evans, DTM

2024-2025 District 33

Program Quality Director

Celebrate the 100 years of Toastmasters

Dear District 33 Toastmasters Family,

As we celebrate the 100 years of Toastmasters, we celebrate our renewing members and welcome

new ones. Let us take a moment and appreciate our incredible journey together.

To Our Renewing Members:

Thanks for your continued commitment to communication and leadership. Each speech you deliver and every role you take on strengthens our collective mission. Your goals inspire us all, and your experiences enrich our clubs.

To Our New Members:

Welcome aboard! You are embarking on an adventure filled with learning, growing, and connecting opportunities. Your fresh perspectives and enthusiasm are invaluable to our district. We are excited to see you setting and achieving your goals and contributing to our collective success.

To Our Division, Area Directors, and Club Officers: 

Your hard work and commitment have been instrumental in helping our members reach their potential

and foster a vibrant District 33. Thank you for your leadership!

Club Coaches, Club Mentors, and Club Sponsors:

Your expertise and guidance are essential in supporting our clubs and growing our district. We are a

thriving District as a result of all you do.

Let us Celebrate Together:

Let us celebrate our achievements and commit to helping each other reach new heights. Here’s to renewed friendships, new beginnings, and a future filled with fun and empowerment.

Dr. Angelina Dickey, DTM

2024-2025 Club Growth Director

News Briefs

Visit the District 33 website!

Have you checked out the District website for upcoming events? We have many resources, including a comprehensive calendar, incentive page, leader messages, and more.

District 33 website link

Join the District 33 Meetup.

We have many exclusive events scheduled.

District 33 Meetup

New Member Spotlight: Teri Ismail

At one of our Eye Opener Toastmasters meetings, we were delighted by a humorous and heartwarming story delivered by our new member, Teri Ismail. Though she has always enjoyed storytelling—particularly to the children in the preschool where she works—public speaking has been a different challenge for her. Joining Toastmasters was a step outside her comfort zone as she sought to improve her confidence in front of an audience.

Teri needed constructive feedback most, which she had yet to receive in her informal storytelling experiences. Fortunately, she found just that in our supportive community. "I felt safe and comforted by the experienced Toastmasters," she said. Despite feeling like she made several mistakes during her speech, the warmth and encouragement of the members we helped her relax and embrace the learning process.

Teri has already progressed to Level 3 of the Engaging Humor Pathway, a testament to her commitment to growth. In addition to honing her speaking skills, she also gives back to the club by serving as Sergeant at Arms, ensuring our meetings run smoothly.

Her most recent speech, "Egg Shamed," was a delightful mix of humor and personal experience. The story began with the classic tale of the goose that laid the golden egg, only to end on a humorous note about her chickens at home. After her chickens stopped laying eggs, Teri found herself in the awkward position of buying store-bought eggs, much to the amusement of her neighbors, who were more than willing to share their own. "I was shamed," she laughed, "because I had to beg and borrow, but not steal, to get my hands on fresh eggs!"

Teri's ability to turn everyday challenges into lighthearted stories is one of the many reasons we're excited to see her continue to grow as a speaker and leader within our club. We look forward to hearing many more of her engaging stories.

Annie Hall, DTM

Share your Toastmasters' Stories, Experiences, Club Events, and successes with others!

Remember to post and talk about your Toastmasters

experience on your personal Facebook / Instagram

LinkedIn feed and the District 33 Facebook group!

District 33 Facebook Group

Volunteers Needed!

Dear Members,

Would you like to volunteer on a District Committee?

We have several Committees looking for assistance. A few hours a month would be greatly appreciated.

Please email us if you are interested in the PR committee, Meetup Committee, or District 33 Advertising Agency, and share with us what you would like to do!

Learning About Leadership

Toastmasters' Organization expects integrity, hard work, respect, service, and

excellence in their participants.

Have you ever thought about your style of leadership?

If you feel ambivalent about your leadership style, consider

these terms as you mull over them.

Toastmasters profess that the attributes of a successful leader are to be:

1. Effective Communicator- qualities- communicates expectations, goals,

and plans with others in a direct, concise, and thoughtful manner. Such

leaders can clearly and emphatically exchange information with

others. They can listen to understand the other person's

perspective and convey their message in a way that

is easy to understand. Meaning- effective- makes a mark, Communicator-

delivery of thought.

Part of speech-"Effective" – adjective, synonyms- effectual, efficacious

"Communicator"- Noun- synonyms- eloquent, expressive, fluent

2. Leads By Example – This leader

takes on leadership roles in the Toastmasters' world. Handles the Pathways tasks, helps out, mentors, and coaches. This person is a master of all trades.

Parts of Speech-"Leads" can be used as a verb, noun, or adjective

Meaning – to guide, synonym- show the way, leading

"Example"- In this case, forming a model that others can emulate.

An example can be a part of all parts of speech.

3. Optimistic - Tries to overcome obstacles. It is also the ability to focus on

the beneficial side of situations and expect positive outcomes.

I am optimistic about District 33 achieving the "Distinguished" status.

Parts of speech- adjective- synonyms – positive, cheerful, promising,

upbeat etc.

4. Open-Minded- People do not suffer from biases or

indulge in cronyism. My teacher is open-minded about all opinions outlined in class. She does not indulge in overly narrow views. Part of

Speech- adjective, synonyms- objective, fair, equity, etc.

5. Integrity- This is of utmost importance in a leader's repertoire of assets.

The quality of being honest and having strong moral and ethical principles

carries the day. A leader with feet of clay never stands a chance.

Strength of character is so vital because underhanded deals, called "insider trading "these days, don't stand a chance.

"The leader is known as a man/woman of integrity."

Meaning – strength of character, living by a set of principles, Parts of

Speech- noun, - synonym- honesty, uprightness, principled.

6. These are momentous ideas of importance, and I am trying to internalize them

and emulate them.

Nandita Das DTM

Learn More about Free

ToastHost for club websites.

Tim Mullins prepared these Videos.

They are detailed and packed with

valuable information:

Link to Free Toasthost Educational How-To Videos prepared for District 33 by Tim Mullins.

Let's Build the WestWord!

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CONTRIBUTION NEEDED

Newsletter Team: Flora Turner, DTM, PDD; Roberta Nadler, CC; Annie Hall, DTM; Carolyn Moore, DTM; Nandita Das, DTM,

Would you like us to visit a topic or matter in an upcoming newsletter or Blog? Would a regular section work for you? If there is something you are interested in reading about, chances are you are one of many!

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