Toastmasters District 18 Newsletter
July 2023
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We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence. |
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"Here we are, with tremendous opportunity before us. I challenge you to get to work to bring us up to a higher level of service. Let us share with others the benefits we have gained for ourselves." - Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, Founder, Toastmasters International
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I am excited to be your Managing Newsletter Editor this year! My goal, along with the rest of the D18 leadership team, is to provide you with the most engaging and informative content possible. To achieve this, we need your help in shaping the future direction of our newsletter. Your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas are invaluable to us. Whether it's a specific topic you'd like us to cover, a section you'd like to see expanded, or any other feedback, we want to hear it! (Please use the "Provide Feedback" button at the bottom of this newsletter.) We genuinely appreciate our readers, and promise to carefully consider every suggestion. |
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The new Toastmasters year started today, and with it began the term of office for new leaders at the District, Division, Area, and Club levels. District leaders who were elected at the April 23rd business meeting quickly went into action, along with outgoing leaders, to ensure a smooth transition and a great 2023/2024! Below are messages from our outgoing and incoming District Directors. Our D18 website will soon reflect all of the new members of the District Executive Committee (DEC).
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Note: there are still open positions. Is now your time to step up to
a district leadership position? (Find details below!)
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Dear District 18 members,
It is with many thanks and gratitude that I end my term as District Director for the 2022-2023 year. I will continue to serve District 18 in any capacity needed for as long as I live on this earth.
Please welcome the incoming team and support them. Let us continue to support our District in every way. Thank you for your support. Let us make this District, the greatest District.
Thanks and regards,
Kannan Sankara, DTM
Immediate Past District Director
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Fellow Toastmasters,
It has been quite the journey for me! In 2017, I was a newToastmaster at Severna Park Toastmasters. It’s been a wild ride as I’ve progressed from club officer to Club Growth Director, then Program Quality Director, and now, your District Director.
I am excited that you have given me this opportunity to serve you! I am looking forward to a jam-packed, exciting, and empowering year, working side-by-side with all of you. Let us work together to SOAR above limits to success!
Annmarie Givans, DTM
District Director
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End-of-Year Picnic: The picnic on June 25th was a blast! Thank you to Toastmasters, friends, and families for showing up, helping out and contributing to the success of this event. There were so many "first timer" Toastmasters and old friends we hadn't seen in a while. We had great food, rocked to music, and the kids enjoyed the bounce house.
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Photo montage provided by Annmarie Givans, DTM |
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Of theYear Awards: Nominations for "Of the Year" awards for 2022/2023 are now closed. Winners will be announced during the District 18 Fall Training Extravaganza. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations!
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Looking Forward: Vision for 2023/2024 |
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Our vision for this new year is to build on all our past successes, working together to fly high above any obstacles that may be in our way, on the path to success. Together, we will soar, ensuring that no member is left behind. Let's foster a supportive community where we uplift and empower one another, offering a helping hand to those who may need it. We will all reach new heights in our personal and professional growth. Together, let's embrace the spirit of camaraderie and inclusiveness, making this Toastmasters year a truly transformative and fulfilling journey for every member. |
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Division and Area Directors: Ready to Serve! |
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Currently, there are approximately 1,433 Toastmasters in District 18, each belonging to one or more of the 93 clubs in our district. Our clubs are organized into 25 geographic areas and are supported directly by Area Directors who in turn are supported by 7 Division Directors. We have a great team of empowered leaders to support your clubs this year, and there are still opportunities to become part of it (see Opportunity is Calling, below).
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Opportunity is Calling! (Will YOU Answer?)
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Seeking Toastmasters to round out our amazing D18 leadership team! Volunteer now for one of the following positions:
Join our EMPOWERED leadership team and
let's soar together beyond the limits to success!
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2024 District 18 Contests Have Been Selected! |
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Based on input provided by District 18 Toastmasters who responded to a survey, the contests this year will be... Drum roll please... |
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Humorous Speech
Table Topics
International Speech
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Contests will begin at the club level in the late Fall. It's not too early to start preparing! |
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Exciting updates are being planned for our website! They include format and content improvements, and the addition of a newsletter archive that will make it easy to access any current-year issue without searching your email. |
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Attention, Club Officers! |
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Club officer training counts towards Goal #9 in the Distinguished Club Program (DCP), and there is a good reason for that: when club officers are trained, they are better able to support their club members! Even if you've been to Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) training before, you should plan to attend a Summer and a Winter TLI session this year, because every TLI is different! Find more information about TLI, including recommended preparation, in the June Newsletter and online. Summer session details follow. Note: John Kallenberger, DTM will lead all strategic Club Officer Training efforts for our district.
D18 Summer TLI Club Officer Training
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July 11, 6pm - 8:30pm
July 26, 6pm - 8:30pm
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August 5, 10am - 12:30pm
August 23, 6pm - 8:30pm
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If you cannot attend one of the D18 sessions, you may attend another district's TLI.
NOTE: Regardless of which district's TLI you attend, be sure to register in advance so that your club(s) get DCP credit!
All clubs should strive to have all 7 officers trained. For the DCP, your club needs to have at least 4 officers attend one summer TLI session by August 31st.
Non-officers are welcome to attend, as well!
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Training the Next Generation of Leaders and Public Speakers
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Do you have a burning passion for passing your knowledge on to the next generation of leaders and public speakers? If so, you will want to attend the Youth Leadership Program (YLP) Training, a high-impact and educational training session led by Jahnavi Utukuri, DTM from District 46. This program will equip Toastmasters with best practices on how to be effective YLP Coordinators. Please see details below, in the Coming Up calendar section.
Note: serving as a YLP Coordinator can earn you credit towards your DTM award.
(See DTM requirements here.)
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District Executive Committee (DEC) Training |
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We held our first DEC training on Saturday, June 24th and received outstanding feedback from our incoming district leaders. Here is a breakdown of the feedback from survey respondents, based on a 4-point scale that ranged from Excellent to Poor (there were no poor ratings):
- Excellent: 52;7% (10 out of 19)
- Very Good: 36.8% (7 out of 19)
- Satisfactory: 10.5% (2 out of 19)
A special thank you to our incredible trainers who facilitated the training.
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AnnMarie Givans, DTM, District 18 Director
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Catherine Damavandi, District 18 Club Growth Director
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Oscar Zalamia, DTM, District 18 Parliamentarian
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Kannan Sankara, DTM, Immediate Past District 18 District Director
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Narayanan Doraswamy, DTM, Region 7 Advisor
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New Club in Division D: Tri-State Toastmasters! |
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We are thrilled to announce that Tri-State Toastmasters officially chartered in Area 43 on May 31, 2023. They meet in person every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 10am-11am at Concordia Lutheran Church Outreach Center (17906 Garden Lane in Hagerstown). This is our fourth club chartered during 2022/2023, doubling the total number of clubs chartered during the previous program year. Thank you Dan DuBravec for serving as the club champion/sponsor, Beth Davis-Reinhold for serving as both the second club sponsor and mentor, Nora Wade as club mentor, and Cynthia D. Williams as D18 Club Extension Chair.
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A message from our immediate past Club Growth Director, Wesley Gibbs |
It truly takes a strong team to lead at scale and rebuild a district in a post-pandemic world! I would like to thank the entire District Marketing Team for their support, and I want to give a special thank you to the following D18 leaders for helping to lead the District Marketing team... |
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Club Extension Chair:
Cynthia D. Williams
Club Quality Chairs:
Carina Miranda
Deirdre Avant
Road to DTM Chair:
Andrea Powell
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Club New Source Research Chairs:
Cristol Johnson
Marc Petrequin
Traveling Toastmasters Lead:
Nancy Lewis
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Andrea and Nancy will support the district in 2023/2024 by continuing in their Road to DTM and Traveling Toastmasters leadership roles.
I am very honored to pass the reigns over to our new Club Growth Director (CGD), Catherine Damavandi, who will lead our district to even greater heights this year!
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Online TLI Training
See PQD Corner, above
Online Youth Leadership Program Training
Tue, Jul 18, 6pm – 7:30pm EDT
See more details in the PQD Corner, above.
Empowered Leadership Series, Session #1, Connecting with Impact
Sat, Aug 5, 9am – 1pm
Catonsville United Methodist Church,
6 Melvin Ave., Catonsville (map)
See more details in the feature article below.
Wed, Aug 16 - Sat Aug 19
HYBRID (Online and Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, Bahamas)
See more details in Did You Know...?, below
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Happy Independence Day!
Wishing you a happy, fun, and safe 4th of July!
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New Empowered Leadership Series!
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District 18 is partnering with DTM Clyde Middleton (author, Maxwell Leadership Certified speaker, coach, and DISC consultant) to bring you the Empowered Leadership Series, a program designed to elevate your personal and professional growth.
This transformative journey, encapsulating five dynamic sessions, is designed to hone your skills in communication, team building, leadership, and much more. It's not just a series—it's an opportunity to unlock your full potential and step into your leadership power!
This series is free and open to the public, and sessions will be conducted in-person. Each session will be hosted by a different Division, demonstrating the diversity and unity that makes us Toastmasters. This is a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge, improve your skills, and connect with like-minded individuals. In addition, it's a great chance to showcase our dynamic Toastmasters community and grow our membership base. Please invite anyone you know who may be interested.
We will kick off the Empowered Leadership Series with our first session, "Connecting with Impact: Understanding Personality Styles and Communication", scheduled for August 5th, 9am-1pm. In this engaging workshop, you will gain a deep understanding of different personality styles and enhance your communication skills. Learn how to connect effectively with different personalities and significantly improve your interpersonal relationships.
Let's inspire change, promote growth, and create a lasting impact together. Join us on this journey to becoming EMPOWERED leaders!
Find detailed descriptions of all five sessions here.
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The Toastmasters International Convention is an annual event in August that is attended by thousands of Toastmasters from around the world. The location is different every year, and this year it's in the Bahamas and online! One highlight is the World Championship of Public Speaking. Find more information and the registration link here.
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Club Officer Checklist - July |
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All Officers
President
- Schedule Executive Committee meetings for 2022-2023
VP Education
- Work with Mentoring Team to understand each member's educational goals
- Establish meeting agendas with role sign-ups
VP Public Relations
- Review and refresh club publicity kit; if none exists, consider creating one
- Get familiar with your club's social networking sites and outreach opportunities
- Promote the Smedley Award membership building program (Aug 1 – Sept 30)
VP Membership
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Become familiar with TI's membership programs: Membership Building Contests
- Ensure that membership directory is up-to-date (e.g., in Free Toast Host)
Treasurer
- Work with Executive Committee to create 2022-2023 budget
Secretary
- Work with webmaster to ensure that website is up to date
Sergeant-at-Arms
- Take over club meeting site set-up activities
- Inventory club equipment and materials; order additional items as needed
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Please share the information in this newsletter. Get your members involved! |
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