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"There is no experience quite like that of driving yourself to the point of wanting to give up and then not giving up.” - Matt Fitzgerald, Author, Coach, Nutritionist, Athlete.

Message from the Editor

Beth May

Dear Reader,

It’s January, and although it is the beginning of a new calendar year, it is just the halfway point for our Toastmasters year.

This is a great time for us to reflect on the first half of the year and think about what we need to do - individually and collectively - to finish the year strong on June 30th.

Let’s make plans (not mere resolutions) to follow through on our commitments to self-improvement and supporting each other, while continuing to uphold our core values of Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence.

Here’s to a successful second half of the year!

District Director's Point of View

John Comberiate, DTM

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A New Year, A New Goal, One Step at a Time

Fellow Toastmasters, what are your personal goals for 2025? January is a time when we might feel pressured to set ambitious “New Year’s Resolutions." Unfortunately, research suggests that most resolutions fail by February.

When I joined Toastmasters more than ten years ago, one of my early speeches was on the principle of Kaizen. This Japanese word translates to “good change” and is now used to mean “continuous improvement.” When I recently visited my “Education Awards” section on toastmasters.org, I saw that I gave that speech on January 6, 2015 - the start of a new year!  

The aim of Kaizen is to make small, continuous improvements, which add up over time. Did you know that Toastmasters uses the same principle? By regularly participating in club meetings, members find that they speak more confidently at work, improve their meeting facilitation skills, think better on their feet, and increase their leadership capabilities. The key is consistency.  By consistently participating in club meetings, our skill sets increase.

How will you leverage Toastmasters to help realize your personal goals? If you have a communication goal, will you take the incremental steps to finish a Pathways level in the next few months? If you have a leadership goal, will you sign up to serve as Club Coach or run for a club officer role, to develop valuable skills that will serve you in your career or volunteer work?

Kaizen is also a good problem-solving approach for addressing club-level challenges, like filling club meeting roles, recruiting new members, and achieving other Distinguished Club Program goals. Use the Kaizen approach to develop an incremental solution. Small steps are much more achievable than tackling a large goal that may seem insurmountable.

For more insights on Kaizen and how it can help both in and outside of Toastmasters, see this Toastmaster magazine article: Raising the Bar.

No matter what your approach is for 2025, District 18 Toastmasters wishes you success and happiness in the new year.

As we start the new year, let us refocus on our goals that we set in the beginning of this Toastmasters Year, last July. My goals in Toastmasters as the Club Growth Director have been to charter three new clubs, not lose any existing clubs, and save at least 1/3 of the clubs that did not renew or folded, by the end of this Toastmaster’s year.

I am excited to announce that we have chartered three new clubs, so far. Please help me welcome these new clubs to our District 18 family:

• Eastern Region Phi Beta Sigma, chartered on 7/31/24
• Black Climate Justice Toastmasters, chartered on 11/22/24
• Tek Toast, chartered on 12/18/24

Now is the time to re-assess your goals, whether they are your personal goals or the goals of your club. “Success is in the planning.”

Some of those goals may be to increase membership, be better evaluators, and to have more enjoyable meetings that enhance the club experience. You can always get help from the Club Growth Team and also by visiting other clubs and checking out their meetings for ideas. 

While you are visiting other clubs, do not forget about the “Grab the Gavel” program. When two members of a club visit the club in the in the same division that has the "Golden Gavel", you can take the gavel back to your home club so that other clubs' members can visit you and take the gavel with them.

You can also sign up and be a Traveling Toastmaster and visit clubs and report on the aspects of the club that make the club experience exciting and unique. Send the report to me to be included in the newsletter and on the website. Do this a few times and receive a personal incentive (to be announced on our District 18 website later this month).

Also, you can sign up to be a Club Ambassador to give clubs a boost to get them over the hump. You can do this by presenting an educational session to the club, drawing on your experiences and expertise. Do this for a few clubs and receive a personal incentive (to be announced on our District 18 website later this month).

District 18 is still in need of Club Coaches. This is a role you can use toward earning your Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM) award, provided that you serve in the role for at least six months and meet other credit requirements. If you sign up right now, you can serve for six months this year for credit in the next Toastmasters year (provided that you meet all of the credit requirements).

We have six months remaining in this Toastmaster’s year. Let us strive to achieve our goals and continue to "Speak, Lead, Succeed."

Did

You

Know?

There is no one "right" way to run a Table Topics activity!

• The topic can be a short verbal prompt as is done for contests, or it can be a picture, an object pulled at random from a bag, a "Mad Lib" style prompt, or anything you can dream up!
• The Topicsmaster can call on someone to speak, or ask for a volunteer. (Tip: encourage guests to participate, but do not require them to do so.)
• The Table Topics Speaker can respond with the truth or fiction - even an outrageous fiction that may be considered a "tall tale."

There are many Table Topics resources online, including Topicsmaster Resources and Table Topics Speaker Resources from Toastmasters International, and this article by your newsletter editor: Table Topics Techniques.

District 18 Holiday Celebration and Side Splitter Challenge by Sue Wilson, District 18 Chief Judge

On Saturday, December 7th, more than 60 members of District 18 gathered in Laurel, Maryland to celebrate the holidays. Participants dined on lasagna, chicken alfredo, and a large variety of dishes brought by fellow members, including appetizers, entrees, and desserts - lots of desserts (fruit, cheesecake, cookies, brownies and at least six kinds of pies)!

Lunch was followed by the final round of the Side Splitter Challenge. All of the contestants did an excellent job and there was a lot of laughter. The winners, as selected by popular vote, are listed below.

After the Side Splitter Challenge, Immediate Past District Director AnnMarie Givans, DTM recognized the excellent work done by the district leaders for the 2023-2024 year. This portion of the program concluded with the presentation of the Toastmaster of the Year award, which went to Oscar Zalamia, DTM.

What would a holiday party be without Santa Claus? Santa joined the party and had those participating in the gift exchange gather in a circle. As he told them a story, each person in the circle passed a gift to the left and to the right each time they heard the words "left" and "right" in the story. Everyone kept the gifts in their hands when the story ended.

All in all, it was an afternoon full of fellowship, laughter and celebration.

We kicked off the Pathways Showcase feature in March 2024. Since then, we've had the opportunity to share articles by eight Toastmasters in the showcase. This month, we take a look back at Pathways Showcase articles from the first half of the current Toastmasters year:

• August: Sue Wilson explained why the Engaging Humor path was outside of her comfort zone, and how stepping out of her comfort zone has helped her grow. Read More

• October: Terri Abramovitz helped us understand the legacy we can create with our speeches, and inspired us to leverage our Pathways projects into public speaking success. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and let your speeches become the foundation of your legacy! Read More

• November: Jim Bartlett, DTM, shared excerpts from a speech he gave on the occasion of his 25th year in Toastmasters. He shared why he joined Toastmasters, how it has changed his life, and why he keeps coming back for more. This was a non-Pathways speech and was included in the Pathways Showcase to highlight the flexibility of the Toastmasters program to accommodate non-Pathways projects! Read More

• December: Naomi Savaro shared a powerful story of vulnerability and resilience, and offered heartfelt encouragement to all those who seek growth. Read More

Check out the Newsletter Archive to see showcase articles from last year, written by Nick Deplitch (March), Gerry Stephens (April), Stephanie Fletcher (May), and ARhonda Osborne (June).

Share your perspectives, challenges, and successes with Pathways and other projects: email your article for consideration to newseditor@toastmasters-d18.org.

Save the Date: District 18 Spring Conference

An email blast on December 14th announced details for the 2025 Spring Conference:

• When: Friday, April 25th - Saturday, April 26th
• Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wilmington, 4727 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE
• What to Expect: This conference, hosted by Division A, will feature inspiring speakers, engaging workshops, and opportunities to celebrate the accomplishments of our members.

Whether you’re looking to grow as a leader, network with like-minded individuals, or simply have a fantastic time, this event is not to be missed!

Click the Read More button below for additional details, including lodging information.

Let's "Toast" these Toastmasters Clubs

The anniversary of a Toastmasters club holds significant importance as a symbol of its journey, growth, and accomplishments over the years. Whether a young club is celebrating its early years or a long-standing club is celebrating decades, its anniversary is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the club's dedication and commitment to communication, leadership, and self-improvement.

Happy Anniversary to the District 18 clubs who chartered in December:

• 72 Years: Frederick Toastmasters (1/1/1953)
• 68 Years: Caesar Rodney (1/1/1957)
• 37 Years: Randallstown Network (1/1/1988)
• 34 Years: Bel Air (1/1/1991)
• 14 Years: Wh'y' Not Toastmasters? (1/13/2011)
• 12 Years: High Voltage Toastmasters (1/22/2013)
• 10 Years: Wild & Wonderful (1/12/2015)
• 08 Years: Dynamic Leadership (1/9/2017)
• 08 Years: MACC Standing Ovation (1/19/2017)

Let's join these clubs in acknowledging and celebrating their anniversaries. As they reflect on their progress, honor their founders and past members, and set new goals, we wish them continued success!

Note: All times are Eastern Time (ET) unless otherwise noted

Additional information may be available on the District 18 Calendar

New Year's Day: Wednesday, January 1

Last Day of Kwanzaa: Wednesday, January 1

Last Night of Hanukkah: Wednesday, January 1

Pathways Training

Wednesday, January 1, 7pm - 8pm (virtual/Zoom)

No registration required, just join here

Winter Club Officer Training - President

Monday, January 6, 7pm - 8pm (virtual/Zoom)

Register here

Winter Club Officer Training - VPE

Monday, January 13, 7pm - 8pm (virtual/Zoom)

Register here

Pathways Training

Wednesday, January 15, 7pm - 8pm (virtual/Zoom)

No registration required, just here

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 20

Inauguration Day: Monday, January 20

Winter Club Officer Training - VP Membership

Monday, January 20, 7pm - 8pm (virtual/Zoom)

Register here

Final Deadline for Newsletter Submissions for the February Issue

Wednesday, January 22

Email newseditor@toastmasters-d18.org

District Director "Office Hour"

Thursday, January 23, 8pm - 9pm (virtual/Zoom)

No registration required, just join here (password: District)

Available to all District 18 Toastmasters, on the 4th Thursday of each month; bring your questions, comments, and suggestions

Area 23 Speech Contests

Saturday, January 25, 9am - 1pm

Location: TBD (details will be posted to the District 18 Calendar)

Area 71 Speech Contests

Saturday, January 25, 10am - 12pm

Location: TBD (details will be posted to the District 18 Calendar)

Winter Club Officer Training - VP Public Relations

Monday, January 27, 7pm - 8pm (virtual/Zoom)

Register here

Early February Look-Ahead:

• Talk Up Toastmasters Membership Building Program begins Saturday, February 1
• Areas 21 and 24 Speech Contests: Saturday, February 1, 9am - 1pm, Location TBD
• Winter Club Officer Training for Sergeant at Arms, Secretary, and Treasurer: Monday, February 3, 7pm - 8pm, Zoom; Register here
• Area 53 Contests: Saturday, February 1, 11am - 2pm, Morning Star Baptist Church, 1512 Woodlawn Dr, Woodlawn, MD

This section contains reminders for items published in prior issues of this newsletter and in separate email blasts, with updates as appropriate

All Officers

• Register for/Attend a Winter Club Officer Training Session
• Think about recruiting others to run for club officer positions in the Spring
• Conduct executive committee meeting(s) with each officer reporting on accomplishments, challenges, and plans
• Use the Club Performance Report (enter your club name or number on the left and click Search) to review progress against Club Success Plan goals for the current-year Distinguished Club Program
• Use other Toastmasters Club Officer Tools as needed

President

• Preside over executive committee meeting(s)
• Remind all officers to attend Winter Club Officer Training

VP Education (VPE)

• Continue to help members as needed with the new Pathways Base Camp
• Conduct club contests by January 11 (if not already done)
• Establish club meeting agendas with role sign-ups

VP Public Relations (VPPR)

• Publicize your club's and club members' achievements (e.g., on social media and/or in the District 18 Newsletter)

VP Membership (VPM)

• Greet club meeting visitors and distribute guest packets ("blue folders")
• Follow up with prospective members (club meeting visitors and others)

Treasurer

• Track club expenses against club budget
• Process dues submissions from new club members

Secretary

• Document meeting minutes at executive committee meeting(s)



Sergeant-at-Arms (SAA)

• Inventory club equipment and materials; order additional items as needed
• Set up and break down required materials for each club meeting

We welcome your input and feedback.

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