View as Web Page

Join Us On Social Media

"Taste the relish to be found in competition -- in having put forth the best within you." - Henry Kaiser, American Industrialist

Hello Dear Reader,

It's contest season! Do those words strike fear into your heart, or excitement? Maybe a little of both? Whether you are organizing a contest, supporting a contest, or competing in a contest, there are both challenges and rewards in store for you!

In this month's newsletter, we have information about District 18 contests and tips on preparing for those contests, in addition to recognition for member achievements and a healthy dose of encouragement to continue soaring high.

I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter. As always, we are interested in your feedback. (Please use the "Provide Feedback" button at the end.)

Hello District 18 Toastmasters!

We are excited to announce that District 18 is working towards achieving the prestigious Smedley Distinguished District status! With our dedication and hard work, we can reach this goal and show the world what we're made of. Let's Smedley our way to the top and make our district proud! Together, we can soar high above the limits to success and achieve greatness.

To achieve Smedley Distinguished, we need to have 100 paid clubs (we currently have 95), 3,501 individual member payments (we currently have 1,256), and 53 Distinguished Clubs (we currently have 0, but hey - it's still early for that). So, let's get started now and make history!

Recognizing Outstanding Leadership

Now that the first quarter of the 2023-2024 Toastmasters Year has closed, I would like to recognize area directors who demonstrated during the past quarter that they are leading the way toward excellence and distinction through their service to the clubs in their areas and to District 18.

At this time, I am recognizing two area directors for going above and beyond by taking initiative, completing tasks on time or ahead of schedule, and providing superior support to clubs in their areas:



• Area 43 Director - Bhavana Kanchibotla
• Area 53 Director - Nikko Jenkins

Mission Accomplished!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the District 18 Fall Business Meeting on September 24th. Thanks especially to the voting delegates in attendance who made it possible to satisfy the quorum requirement so that business could be conducted.

During the business meeting, reports were given by each Division Director (or, in some cases, the director's representative), the Finance Manager, Public Relations Manager, Club Growth Director, Program Quality Director, and District Director. After the reports, voting delegates approved: 1) the Spring 2023 Business Meeting Minutes, 2) district officer appointments made after the Spring 2023 Business Meeting (see below), and 3) adoption of the District 18 budget.

The meeting concluded with announcements about the District 18 Spring Conference, the 2024 Toastmasters International Convention, and District 18 Contests (details are below). The next District Business Meeting will be held in the Spring, on April 20th.

If you missed the meeting, you can review relevant information, including detailed reports and the budget summary here. Meeting minutes will be published on the District 18 website in the future.

District Officer Assignments Approved at Fall Business Meeting

Several district officer appointments were made after the Spring Business Meeting and subsequently confirmed at the September 24th Business Meeting.

Area Directors confirmed on 9/24:

Division Directors and Other District Officers confirmed on 9/24:

Note: All District Officers, including those listed above, are identified on the "About Us" web pages on the District 18 website.

District 18 Contest Details

With the 2023 World Championship of Public Speaking in the rear view mirror, it's time to start preparing for the next round of contests! Every district should participate in the International Speech Contest, which culminates in the World Championship of Public Speaking in August. In addition, districts may decide which other contests to run for their members. As previously announced, the contests that District 18 will run this year are: International Speech, Humorous Speech, and Table Topics.

All District 18 contests will be run in accordance with Toastmasters International's 2023-2024 Speech Contest Rulebook. Additional details follow.

• Club contests may be online, in person, or hybrid, and should be scheduled to occur between November 1st and January 14th. Clubs in Areas with four or less clubs may send both the first- and second-place winners for each contest to their Area level contests.
• Area contests will be online, and will be scheduled to occur between January 15th and March 9th. Areas in Divisions with four or less Areas may send both the first- and second-place winners for each contest to their Division level contests.
• Division contests will be online, and will be scheduled to occur between March 10th and March 31st.
• District contests will be hybrid. The Humorous Speech Contest and the Table Topics Contest will be on Friday, April 19th, and the International Speech contest will be on Saturday, April 20th (during Spring Conference).

To compete, a Toastmaster must be a paid member of a club that is in good standing, and must meet other criteria as specified in the 2023-2024 Speech Contest Rulebook. Toastmasters serving in certain leadership positions at the district level and above may not compete. (Please note that additional exclusions are specified in the Rulebook.)

Additional details and resources may be found in this Speech Contests FAQ from Toastmasters International and on the District 18 Contest web page.

Why YOU Should Compete... and How

When contestants are interviewed after competing in a Toastmasters contest (while the ballots are being counted), they are often asked the question: "What advice would you give other Toastmasters about competing?" The most frequent answer is: "Do it!" It seems that everyone who competes in a Toastmasters contest undergoes exponential growth from the experience, and they are enthusiastic about encouraging others to do the same. So the question you should be asking yourself isn't WHETHER you will compete - it's HOW you will compete!

Here are a few tips on preparing for a Toastmasters speech contest:

• Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements, and that your speech meets the originality requirement (the latter is not applicable for the Table Topics contest).

• Review the Judge's Guide and Ballot for the contest(s) in which you will be competing, to understand how your performance will be evaluated by the judges.
• International Speech Contest Judge's Guide and Ballot
• Humorous Speech Contest Judge's Guide and Ballot
• Table Topics Contest Judge's Guide and Ballot

• Use Yoodli to get feedback that will help you polish your speech before you present it in front of a live audience, or use Yoodli to practice Table Topics. (See "Are You Using Yoodli Yet?", below, for more information about Yoodli.)

• Ask clubs in other areas to give you a slot on their club meeting agendas to practice your contest speech, and ask for round-robin evaluations if possible, to get as much feedback as possible. If you plan to participate in the Table Topics contest, volunteer to do as many Table Topics as possible at your regular club meetings and when you visit other clubs.

• If you plan to compete in person at the club level, make sure that your speech lends itself to performance online so that you won't have to do significant rework if you advance to the area level.

• Focus on doing your best! (Avoid focusing on beating the other contestants and winning.)

Do you have other suggestions or questions about competing? Use the "Provide Feedback" button at the bottom of this newsletter to let us know, and we'll consider including them in a future issue.

Judges Training

Join us for the Judges Training Workshop on Saturday, October 14th and learn everything you want to know about putting on a Toastmasters contest. This workshop will be led by District 18 Chief Judge, Naomi Carrington Hockman, DTM. Contestants are encouraged to attend, to gain a better understanding of how they will be evaluated.

Click the image below to register now!

Did

You

Know...?

The Smedley Fund was established by the Toastmasters International Board of Directors in 1965, only three days after the death of Dr. Ralph C. Smedley (founder of Toastmasters). The fund was established to ensure access for all to the benefits of Toastmasters, and to ensure that the education program is valuable and relevant. The fund provides emergency relief to those in need by covering the costs of their Toastmasters dues and any Toastmasters materials lost in a disaster, and it supports youth outreach by offsetting the costs of programs and materials, such as for the Youth Leadership Program.

Get inspiration from this Toastmaster article by International President Morag Mathieson, DTM: Smedley Fund - Helping Members Help Members and find more information and donate on the Smedley Fund web page.

I am pleased to announce three new Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) awards to members of District 18. The DTM award represents the highest level of educational achievement in Toastmasters. Please join me in congratulating and celebrating the recipients: Amy Culbertson, Nancy Lewis, and Bob Logan - Distinguished Toastmasters, all!

To earn the DTM, you are required to:

1. Complete two learning paths.
2. Serve as a club officer for two six–month terms or one annual term, participate in the preparation of a Club Success Plan, and participate in a District-sponsored Club Officer Training.
3. Serve a complete one-year term as a District leader.
4. Serve successfully as a club mentor or coach.
5. Serve successfully as a club sponsor or conduct a Speechcraft or Youth Leadership program.
6. Complete the DTM project.

A complete list of requirements can be found in the Distinguished Toastmaster Award Application.

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). District 18 already has six Triple Crown awards! Please help me congratulate and celebrate the recipients:

• Asad Chaudhry (DL2, DL3, DL4)
• Craig Delfosse (IP1, IP2, PWMENTORPGM)
• Freeman G. Bagnall, DTM (EH2, PI5, PWMENTORPGM)
• Gail K. Marsh, DTM (EH1, MS1, EH2)
• Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan (EH5, LD1, LD2, LD3)
• Joel M. Mey (MS3, MS4, MS5)

Those of you who attended the District 18 Fall Business Meeting on September 24th heard me speak about the similarities between Toastmasters memberships and gym memberships: when we don’t participate fully, we won’t see much benefit.

A staggering 67% of people who pay for gym memberships never use them, according to Exercise.com. About 23% of people who never go to the gym continue their memberships because “they love the idea that they 'can go if they want to’”, as revealed by a June 2023 study cited by Active Insight and Health Club Management Magazine.

Let’s not allow this mindset at Toastmasters! Brian Tracy, motivational speaker and personal development author, reminds us that “if you’re willing to work at [your communication skills], you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.” In other words, like going to the gym, to get our best results, we have to show up, and stay active.  

We’re now in month four of the current Toastmasters year. Have you embraced your excellence as a leader and communicator? If you haven't already, set a goal to reach your next communication milestone. Get to the same level as a professional speaker. Put your leadership skills in action by volunteering to be a club coach. Help your club achieve the Distinguished Club Program goals to make your club distinguished.

Embracing your excellence means that you recognize your greatness, and you’re willing to lean into it and work towards the next level. Don’t forget that an important part of effective leadership and communication is asking for help or advice when you need it.  Do you need help finding new members or advertising your club?  Would you like to improve your club experience, but you’re not sure how?  For these and other questions about the club experience, please reach out to me at cgd@toastmasters-d18.org.  I’d love to hear from you, and help you embrace your excellence.

Let’s achieve our highest potential this Toastmasters year.

An Afternoon of Inspiration, Celebration, and Connection

You are cordially invited to the District 18 Awards & Celebration Extravaganza on Sunday, October 29th at 3pm ET. This is a virtual event and registration is required. Please see additional details in the flier below.

Click the image below to register now!

District 18 is once again hosting an in-person leadership training seminar for its members, and interested members of the public. On Saturday, October 7th, DTM and Past District Governor Clyde Middleton will present “Maximizing Your Day: Strategies for Effective Time Management and Prioritization" from 9am to 1pm at the Bible Fellowship Church at 808 South Baltimore Pike in Newark, Delaware.

In today's fast-paced world, the challenge isn't just to be busy but to be impactful. This "Maximizing Your Day" training promises participants a holistic approach to time management, interwoven with core values and driven by actionable strategies. Attendees will learn to distinguish between mere busyness and genuine productivity, setting them on a path to achieve their true potential.

"We often hear participants lamenting the lack of hours in a day. Our aim with this session is to shift that perspective. It's not about finding more hours, but making the hours we have count," said Clyde Middleton, who is a John Maxwell certified trainer.

Participants at the training will benefit from:

• Identifying and aligning with core values to guide time allocation and decision-making.
• Proven goal-setting techniques that clarify and elevate daily objectives.
• Spotting and overcoming "time vampires" that drain energy and divert focus.
• Effective calendaring methods to plan for success in the coming month.

Similar training programs cost upwards of $189 per attendee.  District 18 is providing this training free of charge to all of its members and anyone interested in joining Toastmasters.  

Seats are limited, so register today for this exceptional opportunity to expand your leadership and time management skills: https://empoweredleadership.clydemiddleton.com.

Kudos to DTM Laura Allen, who is inspiring District 18 Toastmasters to meet their Distinguished Program Goals by organizing a Speech-a-thon and Open House for all Toastmasters and guests!

This event will be hosted by Area 71 of Division G and will take place on Saturday, October 24th at the Ocean City, Maryland Library in Worcester County from 1pm to 3pm. The library is located at 10003 Coastal Highway in Ocean City, Maryland (just a few blocks from the beach).

Come to the event to work on your Pathways Level, gain practical skills from your fellow Toastmasters, and network within the District! Refreshments will be served, and membership packets will be available to sign up new members. This is an excellent opportunity to bring a friend or family member who would benefit from Toastmasters.

After the Speech-a-thon, you can enjoy the rest of your day in Ocean City. There’s so much to do in there in October - like going on a haunted pub crawl, fall foliage tour, or pumpkin picking. (Don’t forget, District 18 is also hosting the Spring Conference there, April 19-20, 2024.)

For more information about the Saturday, October 24th Speech-a-Thon and Open House - or to sign up for a speech - email: contact-5852400@toastmastersclubs.org.

Congratulations to one of District 18’s newest clubs, Tri-State Toastmasters in Hagerstown, Maryland (Division D, Area 42)! Tri-State Toastmasters will host its Official Charter Ceremony and Officer Induction Ceremony on Saturday, October 14th at 10 am at Concordia Lutheran Church Outreach Center, 17906 Garden Lane, Hagerstown, Maryland. Everyone is invited to attend this celebration, which will last for approximately one hour.

Tri-State Toastmasters was chartered on May 31, 2023, with the support of immediate past Club Growth Director Wesley Gibbs, and past District Director and Club Extension Chair Cynthia D. Williams, DTM. Tri-State is supported by Club Champions/Sponsors Dan DuBravec and Beth Davis-Reinhold, and Club Mentor Nora Wade.

Tri-State is one of five new clubs that were chartered in District 18 during the 2022-23 Toastmasters year.

Toastmasters members can use Yoodli to prepare for upcoming speeches (for Pathways projects, contests, or external events), and to practice Table Topics or interview questions.

Yoodli can provide you with almost instantaneous speech feedback, including: how much eye contact you make while speaking, how many filler words and sounds you use, whether your speaking pace is too fast or too slow, and even if any words could be replaced with more inclusive language.

Access Yoodli by logging into toastmasters.org, selecting My Home, and clicking on the Yoodli card which is located in the “From the Organization to You” section of the page.

Get inspired by this Toastmaster article: Introducing the Yoodli Partnership and find additional information on this web page: Toastmasters and Yoodli: AI Meets Public Speaking.

The anniversary of a Toastmasters club holds significant importance as a symbol of its journey, growth, and accomplishments over the years. Whether it's a young club celebrating its first years or a long-standing club 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 clubs that chartered in October:

• 57 Years: Harco (10/1/1966)
• 15 Years: CSC Incorporators (10/6/2008)
• 13 Years: Lord Baltimoreans(10/29/2010)
• 6 Years: Heard in the Herd (10/10/2017)
• 2 Years: Thermo Fisher Hunt Valley (10/20/2021)

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!

Leaders are Readers

Since 2021, Dorothy Chanakira, DTM and Viola Dondo, DTM - two creative Toastmasters from Harare, Zimbabwe - have been hosting a monthly online meeting that brings together Toastmasters from across the globe to read and discuss the Toastmaster magazine.

According to the January 2023 article, Reading the Toastmaster Together, participants in these Toast & Read meetings "take turns reading magazine articles out loud then sharing opinions, thoughts on how the stories relate to their own lives, and how they might benefit others." The meetings often feature celebrity guest readers; in the past, these have included Past International President Richard Peck, DTM, and 2022 World Champion of Public Speaking, Cyril Junior Dim.

The next Toast & Read meeting will be on Sunday, October 15th at 8:00am ET on Zoom (no registration is required).

Dorothy Chanakira, DTM

Viola Dondo, DTM

Pictures are from Toastmaster magazine (January 2023)

Note: All times are Eastern Time (ET)

Talking Toastmasters Webinar

with International President Morag Mathieson, DTM and Immediate Past International President Matt Kinsey, DTM

Wednesday, October 4, 11am (online)

Registration required to participate live

See more details in a 9/20/23 direct email from Toastmasters International (communication@toastmasters.org), subject: "You're Invited: Talking Toastmasters"

Empowered Leadership Series, Session #2,

Maximizing Your Day: Strategies for Effective Time Management and Prioritization

Saturday, October 7, 9am – 1pm (in-person, check-in begins at 8:30am)

Bible Fellowship Church of Newark, 808 S. Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, DE (map)

Registration required (open to Toastmasters and non-Toastmasters)

POC: Clyde Middleton, DTM

See details in above, under "Free Empowered Leadership Training"

Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends Fundraiser - REGISTER for your 25% off passes

Wednesday, October 11(online)

Register Here

See details below, in "Reminder: Boscov's Friends Helping Friends Fundraiser"

Tri-State Toastmasters Charter Celebration and Club Officer Induction

Saturday, October 14, 10am (in person)  

Concordia Lutheran Church at 17906 Garden Lane, Hagerstown, MD

No registration required.

See details above, in the article "Join Tri-State Toastmasters for Charter Ceremony and Officer Induction"

Monthly Toast & Read

Sunday, October 15, 8am-9am (online)

Zoom (no registration required)

See details above, in the article "Toast & Read Along"

Boscov's Friends Helping Friends - use your 25% discount pass

Wednesday, Oct 18, all day (during Boscov's store hours)

All Boscov's stores

Be sure to obtain your pass in advance! (See details below, in "Reminder: Boscov's Friends Helping Friends Fundraiser")

Pathways "Office Hours"

Friday, Oct 20, 7pm - 8pm (online)

Zoom Meeting ID 878 3511 9231

No registration required (just show up)

See details in the August Newsletter (PQD Corner)

Happy 99th Birthday, Toastmasters!

Sunday, Oct 22

The first club meeting was held at a YMCA in Santa Ana, California on October 22, 1924!

Speech-a-thon and Open House hosted by Area G71

Saturday, October 28, 1pm - 3 pm (in person) 

Ocean City Library, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland

POC: contact-5852400@toastmastersclubs.org

See details above, in the article "Participate in Area 71 Speech-a-Thon and Open House"

District 18 Awards & Celebration Extravaganza

Sunday, October 29, 3pm-6pm (online)

Registration required

See details above, under "District 18 Awards & Celebration Extravaganza!"

Note: Daylight savings time ends on November 5th.

This section contains reminders for items that had details published in previous issues of the District 18 Newsletter.

District 18 Conference Reminder

Planning for the District 18 Spring Conference on April 19-20 is well underway, and rooms at the Carousel Oceanfront Resort are available to book at our conference rate! (Find more details in the August Newsletter.)

Reminder: 2024 Toastmasters International Convention Registration

We will be celebrating Toastmasters International's centennial at the 2024 Convention, which will be held in the Founders District in California - where it all started. There many reasons to attend the convention, including the opportunity to see the International Speech Contest Semi-Finals and the World Championship of Public Speaking. Still not sure if you want to go? This short convention recap video from the 2023 convention might inspire you. (See if you can spot the two District 18 Toastmasters in the video!)

Click on the image below for more details and to register.

Reminder: Boscov's Friends Helping Friends Fundraiser

We need your club's support for the Boscov's Friends Helping Friends fundraiser for our Spring Conference. For just $5 each, shopping passes can be obtained to receive a 25% discount on all in-store purchases at any Boscov's store on October 18th, during store hours. Not only will pass holders get 25% off the lowest sale price on all items purchased that day, but they can also register to win a $100 Boscov's gift card (note: certain restrictions apply).

Details were provided in the September issue of this newsletter.

Reminder: Updated Membership Application Form

As a result of the dues increase that took effect on August 1st, Toastmasters International World Headquarters has updated the membership application: the dues pro-rating schedule has been revised to reflect the new semi-annual rate of $60. Please make sure that you are using the updated application for your new members.

All Officers

• Conduct executive committee meeting with each officer reporting on accomplishments, challenges, and plans
• Review the club's goals for the current year Distinguished Club Program
• Begin preparing for contest season
• Use Toastmasters Club Officer Tools as needed

President

• Preside over executive committee meeting
• Begin planning club's contests

VP Education

• Continue planning club contests (Table Topics, Humorous, and International)
• Continue working with members on their educational goals
• Ensure agendas are complete and participants understand their meeting roles

VP Public Relations

• Learn more about the Ralph C. Smedley Memorial Fund® and share with your club members and others (see "Did You Know...?", above)
• Use your club's social networking sites and outreach opportunities to publicize club activities and achievements

VP Membership

• Report on the results of the Smedley Award membership campaign 
• Greet club meeting visitors and distribute guest packets ("blue folders")
• Follow up with prospective members (club meeting visitors and others)

Treasurer

• Lead your club in supporting the Boscov's Friends Helping Friends fundraiser for the District 18 Spring Conference (see "Reminder: Boscov's Friends Helping Friends Fundraiser", above)

Secretary

• Confirm that World Headquarters records on number of officers trained are accurate for your club (check the DCP Dashboard Club Performance Report)
• Document meeting minutes at executive committee meeting

Sergeant-at-Arms

• Manage and maintain club equipment and materials
• Set up and break down required materials for each meeting

Your feedback on this newsletter is welcome.

Want to see a topic included? Let us know!

Please share the information in this newsletter with your club members.

Not subscribed yet? Subscribe here.