Toastmasters District 18
Newsletter
November 2024️
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We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence. | |
“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey, American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor. | |
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Dear Reader,
Did you know that scientific research has shown that practicing gratitude has health benefits? Perhaps you are familiar with the concept of keeping a gratitude journal - maybe you even have one yourself. That is a popular method of practicing gratitude, and it can be beneficial. However, the benefits are even greater when you share your gratitude with others! Let the people in your life to whom you feel grateful know that you value them!
I hope you find this month's edition informative and interesting, and that you are inspired to feel grateful for the blessings in your life, including the many blessings of being a Toastmaster! As Oprah Winfrey suggested (see quote above), when you are thankful for what you have, you will end up having more!
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Please watch this month's video message from our District Director. (An audio transcript follows beneath the video.)
If you do not see the video thumbnail image immediately below, you should still be able to play the video by clicking below; however, if you want to see the thumbnail image, adding dd@district18toastmasters.ccsend.com to your Contacts list/Address Book and restarting your email client may help. Alternatively, use the "View as Web Page" link at the top of this newsletter.
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Video Transcript - Gratitude
If you’ve known me for a little while, you likely know that my favorite holiday of the year is Thanksgiving. I take some time each year to think back to what has happened, reflecting on the highs and lows, the twists and turns, and especially moments and experiences in my relationships.
Being a member of Toastmasters for 16 years, I’ve experienced a lot. When I think about my club, it seems like there have been different "generations" of members. People who joined, grew from their efforts, some even stepping into leadership roles, and some who have since moved on to other things. I’m grateful that I had the experience of getting to know all of them, maybe assisting them in that journey, and getting to see them reach their goals.
Through all the speeches, leadership roles, and projects, the key thread that unites them and that I am most grateful for, is the relationships formed. I have had mentors who poured into me to help me become the person I am today in ways that have radically and irreversibly changed my life for the better. I have developed deep friendships that go way further than a club meeting and now extend to all aspects of my life. Trying to sum up my gratitude for them is like trying to be consciously thankful for each breath of air I breathe.
This year, as District Director, I’m inspired every day by the amazing and talented team of district leaders that I’m privileged to work with in support of our clubs and you, our members. Their dedication, selfless care, and passion humbles me and I’m grateful to get to see them work and bond together.
For 100 years this organization has thrived, thanks to those who came before us, preserving and strengthening it before passing it on to us so that we can be changed by it as well. Let’s show our gratitude for this privilege by doing the same for those who will follow after us.
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A Gratitude Challenge
How often do you express gratitude as a public speaker - not just by saying "thank you" at the end of a speech, but by sharing meaningful appreciation that connects with your audience? According to an everydayspeech.com article, expressing gratitude in a speech “can create a positive and supportive environment, fostering open communication and trust. It can also enhance our own communication skills by encouraging active listening and empathy.”
The importance of gratitude cannot be overstated. For one thing, “gratitude builds bridges.” This observation comes from business owner, author and public speaker Elizabeth Danziger. Likewise, leaders like Oprah Winfrey and Tony Robbins identify gratitude as essential to success. Why is that? Leadership guru John Maxwell explains it by saying “what we appreciate appreciates, and what we depreciate depreciates.”
This month, consider taking a "Gratitude Challenge", and put these ideas to the test. Look for opportunities to add an element of gratitude to your presentations. Whether it’s a report for work, a speech at your club, or a toast at Thanksgiving, expressing genuine, specific gratitude - not just a closing "thank you" - is a wonderful way to connect with your audience.
Let’s apply the power of gratitude this month to become better communicators and leaders!
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Find More Speaking Opportunities | If you're looking for more opportunities to speak than your club can accommodate this month (or any month), check out the the District 18 Calendar web page. District events such as the Side Splitter Challenge are on the first calendar on that page, and club meetings are on the second calendar. Contact the appropriate point of contact to get onto the agenda for the event or meeting of your choice. This is a great way to accelerate completion of your educational goals. It's also a great way to get more opportunities this month to meet the Gratitude Challenge! | | | |
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The Triple Crown Award is one of the most prestigious educational awards in Toastmasters, presented to members who have achieved three or more educational and leadership awards within a program year (July 1 - June 30).
The first seven Triple Crown recipients of 2024/2025 were recognized in previous issues of this newsletter. Please help me congratulate and celebrate our most recent Triple Crown recipients:
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Carmen Lee-Pow, DTM (SR3, SR4, DL5)
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Dennis G. Lawson (LD3, LD4, PM2, PM3)
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Shea J. Lynch (MS5, PM1, PM2, PM3, PM4, PM5, PWMENTORPGM)
Note: In last month's newsletter, the Triple Crown award data for Beth Davis-Reinhold was reported incorrectly as "LD3, LD4, LD5" when in fact it should have been reported as "LD2, LD3, LD4".
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A Path to Peace? by TLI Dean Craig Delfosse, DTM
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"Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace." – Confucius
How grateful we are for the times of peace in our personal world! With the turmoil of the world constantly blaring around us, it can be hard to find shelter, or hear the small still voice, in the storm.
As Toastmasters, we are often given opportunities to speak and lead. If we do that with confidence, then can we not be a voice of reason in the midst of life’s storms? The above quote from Confucius suggests that we can, and it reminds us of the connection between education and confidence. Therefore, a good place for us to start to create the peace we desire is by participating in a Winter Club Officer Training session!
The winter format will be unique in that we will be offering a one-hour Club Officer Training session on Zoom every Monday from Nov 11th through February 24th, with a few exceptions as noted below. In addition to these role-specific sessions, we will have in-person training opportunities; watch for more details on the District 18 website and in the December newsletter.
Virtual sessions will be from 7pm to 8pm and each session (except for the last one, on February 24th, and any in-person sessions) will target a specific club officer role (or roles), with credit being available for only the targeted role(s).
Virtual Winter Club Officer Training Sessions:
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Nov 11th, Jan 6th – President
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Nov 18th, Jan 13th – VP Education (VPE)
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Nov 25th – Thanksgiving Break
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Dec 2nd, Jan 20th – VP Membership (VPM)
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Dec 9th, Jan 27th – VP Public Relations (VPPR)
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Dec 16th, Feb 3rd – Sergeant at Arms, Secretary, Treasurer
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Dec 23rd, Dec 30th – Winter Holiday Break
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Feb 10th – President, VPE
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Feb 17th – VPM, VPPR
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Feb 24th – All officers (last virtual session)
Please register at: https://tinyurl.com/D18WinterCOT.
| Next Month's Topic: In-Person Training | | | |
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The Smedley Award Program ended on September 30 and four clubs will receive a Smedley Award ribbon because they signed up at least five new members during the two-month period. They are: Brandywine Toastmasters Club, Spellwizard Advanced Toastmasters, Columbia Club, and Heard In the Herd Toastmasters Club.
October 1 was the deadline for membership renewals. As of October 26, eight clubs had not submitted membership dues and 10 clubs submitted dues for less than the 8-member minimum to be in good standing.
The “Grab the Gavel” program started this month. Clubs that meet in person or hybrid are eligible to participate. The names of the clubs to start the process were drawn randomly at the Division Director and Trio meeting on October 10:
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Division A - Bank of America Take the Lead
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Division B - Thermo Fisher Hunt Valley Toastmasters
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Division C - Toast of Severna Park
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Division D - Winchester Toastmasters
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Division E - Hola Toastmasters Club
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Division F - Highway Masters Club
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Division G - Tidewater Toastmasters
Emails were sent to the Club Presidents and Sergeants at Arms for these clubs, along with the associated Division Directors and Area Directors. Responses from the Club Presidents are required so that the clubs can receive the Gavels (only two responses have been received so far).
“Grabs” must be documented with pictures from the meeting and sent to me (by the club who made the grab) to be posted on the District 18 website. Clubs that want to participate should watch the Club Growth Initiatives web page for gavel location updates. Clubs that grab the gavel three times will each receive up to a $20 prize for their club; clubs that grab the gavel five times will each receive up to a $30 prize for their club; and clubs that grab the gavel seven times will each receive up to a $45 prize for their club.
With approximately 50% of the clubs in the district eligible to receive help in the form of a coach, the need for Club Coaches is greater now more than ever.
I am also still looking for members who are working toward their DTM, to become Club Sponsors and Club Mentors.
In addition, Club Ambassadors are still needed to help clubs that do not currently have a club coach.
Toastmasters who are interested in the Ambassadors or Traveling Toastmasters programs are encouraged to fill out the request form on the Club Growth Initiatives web page for tracking purposes so that they are eligible for a prize. (Note: Members that have been Traveling Toastmasters in the past should realize that the program has changed drastically; current program details are on the web page.)
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"New Club Leads" Sales Challenge | Calling all District 18 Toastmasters! Would you like to help our district grow, and possibly win a prize too? Check out the "New Club Leads Competition" described at the top of the Club Growth Initiatives web page. Watch the training session linked from that page, then email dd@toastmasters-d18.org to get access to a list of leads that need to be worked, and to qualify for prizes. The person who has the most combined qualified decision-makers and demo meetings scheduled each month will receive the monthly prize. For November, the prize will be a Stanley Cup. | | | | |
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You can give a non-Pathways speech at a club meeting, and you can get Pathways credit for a speech given outside of a club meeting.
Club meetings can be a great place to practice a professional presentation that you need to give at work, a PhD dissertation defense, or any other presentation you may need to polish for use outside of Toastmasters. Just schedule the appropriate amount of time for your "outside presentation" (or part of it) on your club meeting's agenda and get the feedback you need to succeed!
If you are giving a speech or presentation outside of Toastmasters that could fit the criteria of a Pathways project you need to do, you can get Pathways credit. Just get approval in advance from your club's Vice President Education, and make sure a Toastmaster is present to do your official evaluation.
Aren't you grateful that there are so many ways to Speak, Lead, and Succeed?
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Pathways Base Camp Update | |
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More Reason to be Grateful
In case you missed it, the new Pathways Base Camp has gone live! If you have opted in for email from Toastmasters International, you should have received an email on October 23rd announcing the arrival of the upgrade.
As previously reported, the Base Camp outage planned for this transition was expected to last through October 25th. The upgrade went live early compared to that plan, so we can be grateful for both the improved Base Camp experience and the early end to the outage!
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This month, we have a condensed version of a speech given by Jim Bartlett, DTM, during a club meeting of the Hola Toastmasters last month. This was a non-Pathways speech and is being included here in the Pathways Showcase to highlight the flexibility of the Toastmasters program to accommodate non-Pathways projects!
As Jim shared: “Twenty five is the number of years in a quarter century and the number of prophets in the Quran. It is also the number of players on a baseball roster and the number of points to win a set in volleyball. Finally, it is the number of years I have been a member of Toastmasters.” In his speech, Jim shared why he joined Toastmasters, how it has changed his life, and why he keeps coming back for more. It is clear that Jim is grateful to be a Toastmaster!
Share your perspectives, challenges, and successes with Pathways and other projects: email your article for consideration to newseditor@toastmasters-d18.org.
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Twenty-Five by Jim Bartlett, DTM | |
I was at my sister’s wedding in the early [19]90s. Without notice, she turned to me and asked me for a speech. I stumbled through a couple of sentences and then made a tactical retreat. I was mortified. In retrospect, that would have been a tall order for any Toastmaster but I was determined to be ready the next time. I knew what I needed to do because my father was a Toastmaster and I had grown up listening to his speeches with my ear at his study door.
…I joined St. Jude’s Toastmasters in Rockville in 1999. I had a tall hill to climb since I was petrified to speak in public. During my first speech, I hugged the lectern until my knuckles turned white. I never saw the audience since my head was buried in my notes. Not the most auspicious of beginnings, but it was a beginning. I was astonished to received a hearty round of applause.
…Toastmasters has…changed my life… I overcame my fear of public speaking. It has changed my life in three [additional] ways. First, it has made me a good listener. That is a skill that is very underrated but essential. We practice our listening skills through several roles in our meetings including speech evaluations and the grammarian role. In business meetings, I find myself more focused than others and remember details that other participants have missed.
The second change is speech writing. It is the wonderful creative side of Toastmasters and, after 25 years, I can write a speech very rapidly and have learned how to craft them… [to be] entertaining, easy to memorize, and meet…timing criteria. I have also learned to write a wide variety of speeches from technical to humorous. Frankly, I never thought I was a particularly funny guy but I have written humorous speeches for contests that have led me to the district finals.
The third change is the ability to think on my feet. We practice this skill through… table topics. This has prepared me for all types of situations including weddings. I can recall 15 years ago, I received an award at my company’s holiday social event... as I walked to the lectern in front of 100 people, I knew my employer would expect a speech. I was prepared because I had completed all five projects from the Toastmasters Special Occasions advanced manual that included…receiving an award. …It was very successful, so much so, that I was accused by my fellow employees, of having... a prepared speech.
Finally, …there are so many reasons [why I keep coming back]… Toastmasters provides a positive atmosphere… focused on self-improvement, and it provides a confidence building environment that is non-judgmental and supportive. Plus, I enjoy the comradery and consider these club members my friends.
After being a member for 25 years, I have no regrets about joining Toastmasters. The only regret I have is that I didn’t join 25 years earlier.
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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 November:
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57 Years: SSA (11/01/1967)
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56 Years: Hydro-Sonics (11/01/1968)
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39 Years: Voicemaster (11/01/1985)
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28 Years: Eloquent Speakers (11/01/1996)
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21 Years: Redwood (11/10/2003)
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18 Years: Bank of America: Take the Lead (11/14/2006)
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13 Years: Siemens Healthineers (11/28/2011)
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07 Years: LifeBridge Health (11/13/2017)
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06 Years: Christiana Care (11/01/2018)
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04 Years: Owings Mills Community (11/09/2020)
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!
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Note: All times are Eastern Time (ET) unless otherwise noted
Additional information may be available on the District 18 Calendar
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Side Splitter Challenge - North
Friday, November 1, 5pm - 8pm, Mission BBQ, Ellicott City, MD
Socialize (food available for purchase) from 5pm to 6pm; challenge will start at 6pm.
Find additional information below, in the Reminders section.
Side Splitter Challenge - East
Saturday, November 2, 2pm - 4pm, Kirkwood Library, Wilmington, DE (Open Mic session)
Find additional information below, in the Reminders section.
Daylight Savings Time Ends: Sunday, November 3 (2 AM)
Election Day: Tuesday, November 5
Past District Director Mock Contest
Saturday, November 9, 2pm - 6pm, Enterprise Corporate Headquarters, 11000 Broken Land Parkway, Columbia, MD
See more information below, under Reminders.
Veterans Day: Monday, November 11
Winter Club Officer Training - President role
Monday, November 11, 7pm - 8pm (virtual/Zoom)
Registration link and more information are in the PQD Corner, above (see "A Path to Peace?")
Side Splitter Challenge - West
Saturday, November 16, 2pm - 4pm, Coyle Free Library, 102 N. Main Street, Chambersburg, PA
Find additional information below, in the Reminders section.
Winter Club Officer Training - Vice President Education role
Monday, November 18, 7pm - 8pm (virtual/Zoom)
Registration link and more information are in the PQD Corner, above (see "A Path to Peace?")
Final Deadline for Newsletter Submissions for the December Edition
Tuesday, November 19
Email newseditor@toastmasters-d18.org
District Director "Office Hour"
Friday, November 29, 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
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28
Native American Heritage Day: Friday, November 29
Note: No Pathways Office Hours/Training sessions are scheduled for November.
Early December Look-Ahead:
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Winter Club Officer Training, VP Membership: Monday, December 2, 7pm-8pm, Zoom (see "A Path to Peace?" in the PQD Corner above for additional details)
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District 18 Holiday Party: Saturday, December 7, 2pm - 5pm, Laurel, MD (see Reminders section below for additional details)
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This section contains reminders for items published in prior editions of this newsletter and in separate email blasts, with updates as appropriate | |
Side Splitter Challenge - Reminder | |
We have three Side Splitter Challenges remaining:
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Northern - November 1, 5-8 PM, Mission BBQ, 3410 Plumtree Drive, Ellicott City, MD
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Eastern - November 2, 2-4 PM, Kirkwood Library, 6000 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, DE
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Western - November 16, 2-4 PM, Coyle Free Library, 102 N. Main Street, Chambersburg, PA
Get outside of your club and meet members from around the District!
For details and to register as an Act 1 speaker or audience member, go to https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/toastmasters-d18-tli/side-splitter-challenge-act-1.
| NOTE: The Side Splitter Challenge is a humorous fundraiser and all proceeds raised will be used according to the District Bylaws of Toastmasters International, a 501(c)(3) organization. | | | |
Past District Director Mock Contest - Reminder | |
Come to the Past District Director Mock Contest to participate, or just to observe. Either way, you will have fun!
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Past District Director Mock Contest: Saturday, November 9, 2pm - 6pm. Enterprise Corporate Headquarters, 11000 Broken Land Parkway, Columbia, MD
Please see additional details in the online version of the October 26 email blast. Sign up for one or more roles here. Note: The deadline for the two-role discount is 4 PM on Monday. November 4. That's also the deadline for food; you could still buy a ticket after that, but you wouldn't be included in the food during the break.
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District 18 Contest Plan - Reminder | The 2024/2025 contest season is coming up fast! District 18 will conduct two contests this year: Evaluation Speech Contest and International Speech Contest. The schedule published in the September Newsletter is presented below. UPDATE (from October): Club contests may start at any time (clubs do not have to wait until November 1). | |
For more information, see the District 18 Speech Contests web page
(District 18-specific information is in the left column, and a link to the 2024/2025 Rulebook is on the right side)
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All Officers
- Plan to attend a Winter Club Officer Training Session
- Conduct executive committee meeting(s) with each officer reporting on accomplishments, challenges, and plans
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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
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Use other Toastmasters Club Officer Tools as needed
President
- Preside over executive committee meeting(s)
VP Education (VPE)
- Help members as needed with the new Pathways Base Camp
- Plan/conduct club contests
- 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
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Integrity • Respect • Service • Excellence | | | | |
