District 106

Newsletter

November 2023

Serving Parts of Minnesota and Ontario

From the Desk of the District Director


We continued to celebrate you, District 106 Toastmasters of Distinction, at our awards luncheon on 21 October. Sixty people participated and MANY awards were presented. We gathered to recognize clubs and individuals who demonstrated unwavering dedication, unparalleled talent, and a profound commitment to excellence. It was a day to pay tribute to all who have gone above and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on their clubs, areas, divisions, and our District. That said, there are still many uncollected awards from our outstanding achievements during the program year 2022-2023. Reach out to Immediate Past District Director DTM Gopu Shrestha at tm.gopu.shrestha@gmail.com regarding awards you may have earned. You will also have the opportunity to collect awards by dropping by our District 106 Holiday Potluck gathering on 02 December at Lexington Park in Roseville (6pm to 8pm Central Time).


Since the start of this Toastmasters program year, District 106 has added more than 100 new Toastmasters members. Be intentional about inviting others! Schedule your club’s open house or open houses. Need a speaker? Please reach out to speaker’s bureau chair Edward Chavan (edwardchavan@peozzle.com). Edward can help you to arrange a speaker. He is also still seeking willing speakers. Did you have a contest speech that didn’t quite win this time around? Want to continue to polish that speech and receive feedback from a wider audience? Reach out to Edward. He will be happy to get you a speaking engagement in support of a club open house meeting.


Your District leadership trio (Matt Villella, Katy Hursh, and I) successfully concluded a Region 4 Advisor visit to District 106 from 23 through 28 October. During a very busy week, our advisor David Woodcock visited Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, Grand Marais, Minnesota, Duluth, Sandstone, Brainerd, and New Hope, Minnesota. Each day had highlights to top the previous day! David also participated in a virtual meeting of Parliamentary Procedure Toastmasters club 1554 and North Star Evaluators club 7963310. Look for new clubs to begin to emerge from seeds sown during this visit.


Want to go to jail? FOCUS Toastmasters club will hold their “Voice of Choice” awards celebration on 04 December. This is a fully active Toastmasters club located inside a federal minimum-security prison. The club members are articulate and passionate about their Toastmasters club experiences and the change it has made in their lives. Recidivism rates in federal prison are very high (more than 50%), but of the approximately 500 people who have experienced Toastmasters during their time at Sandstone, only 3 have returned to prison. Reach out to me for details regarding how to visit. I’m happy to arrange a full carload of visitors to celebrate the “Voice of Choice awards” in December!


Edward Aylward, DTM

District Director, District 106

From the Desk of the Program Quality Director


Grateful for Toastmasters & Gatherings


With the spirit of Thanksgiving, I count Toastmasters as one of my blessings. Toastmasters has given me confidence, new friends, mentors, opportunities, and the skill to tell a story, be a better listener, organize events, and network, to name just a few. Today’s challenges are not wasted when we use them as tomorrow's speech material, gaining laughs with a fresh perspective. 


District 106 Event Calendar


November

  • Division Contests weekly


December


January/February

  • Jan 6, 9am-12pm, Virtual TLI (register on calendar soon).
  • District 106 Club Officer Training (dates announced soon).


May

  • May 3/4, D106 Spring Conference (registration info soon).


District 106 members are welcome to attend other District Club Officer Training (COT) and get credit when confirmed by the other district’s Program Quality Director (PQD). All club officers are required to attend a 2nd round of COT in the spring (November- Feb). 


Club Officer Training Invitation


Nov 16th, 6:30pm, Club Officer Training hosted by District 26 (Virtual).

Register:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpduCurz0uE9XDvuKtjT4LNeBrxAH-jtEC#/registration


When club officers attend the session, please ask the D23 PQD Analisa analisa.martinez.d23@gmail.com to verify attendance by sending an email to the D106 PQD at tm.katy.hursh@gmail.com. 


Katy Hursh

Program Quality Director, District 106

From the Desk of the Club Growth Director


Toastmasters of District 106,


As we enter November, we reflect on those who fought for both of our countries. Remember to take time on Remembrance Day/Veterans Day to reflect on those who safeguard our freedoms.


The momentum in our district continues to roll on. I am happy to report that

our Region 4 Advisor, David Woodcock, had a wonderful visit to D106. He started his journey in Thunder Bay, where we had two demo meetings and one all-club open house to motivate Toastmasters in our region. From there we headed to Grand Marais, MN, and hosted a demo meeting in that community as well. We are hoping to start a club in Grand Marais very soon. Our journey continued with a wonderful Trio meeting at the Duluth Club. From there, David and Ed traveled to Sandstone to visit the Focus club in Sandstone, and hosted an open house in St. Paul. Finally, David dropped in for a visit with the Parliamentary Procedures club and North Shore Evaluators.


The trip was a wonderful opportunity to spread the word of Toastmasters in all corners of our District. Thank you to David for visiting our District, and thank you to Ed, Katy, and all the Toastmasters that made this visit memorable. I am so proud to be a member of D106.


Duluth Club

Trio meeting in Duluth


Last month, I was happy to officially announce our Club Mentorship Campaign. We are still looking for clubs willing to step up and help clubs that could use a boost. The No Club left behind campaign is important to ensure we have a vibrant district. If we all work together, this is an achievable task. It also can be a fun and engaging experience. If you are interested, refer to the details below and contact Dave Hoffman. Details will also be posted on the D106 webpage and social media; don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity!


What else do we have going on?


We are proud to announce our Open House challenge. If you recruit members from an open house, we want to know about it. If you have recruited members from an open house in the past couple of months, we also want to know about it. Please email me at tm.matthew.villella@gmail.com if you want to qualify for some great prizes for your club.


I will be reaching out to low member clubs to see how the Trio can help them. I am also going to try to visit some clubs. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about your club. I am happy to help.


Finally, please encourage past members to continue their journey with Toastmasters and get their dues in.

Matthew Villela, DTM

Club Growth Director, District 106

Email: tm.matthew.villella@gmail.com

From the Desk of the Public Relations Manager


Fellow District 106 Toastmasters!


Greetings to you from the Office of the District PRM [Ashok, Jason, and Margie]. I hope you are doing well.


I call upon all VP-PRs to review your club websites to ensure the content is current and Toastmasters brand guidelines are being followed. Help your club's website rise to the top of search engine results by adding key words and info on how your club supports new members. For more club website management advice, send us an email at prm@d106tm.org.


The District 106 PRM team is hosting a Practical PR Workshop on January 18, 2023, at 6 PM CST. Register for the workshop at https://tinyurl.com/3w3u9x6d.


If you have any questions, comments, feedback, or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out!


PRM Team [Ashok, Margie, Jason]

Ashok Sunkavalli

2023-2024 District 106 Public Relations Manager

ashoksunkavalli@gmail.com

Cell: (319) 431-2415

Follow us on D106 Website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok for exciting updates, inspiration and more.


YouTube: 153 LinkedIn: 200 Facebook: 454 Instagram: 296 Twitter: 204 TikTok: 43

 
Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  TikTok  Twitter  YouTube

From the Desk of the Club Growth Chair


Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) is the highest educational designation offered by Toastmasters International. I bet you knew that. But did you also know that serving as a new club sponsor and a new club mentor for two different clubs fulfills two of the requirements for earning a DTM?


Let me help you earn your DTM. Starting a new club is no easy task. However, with the support of the District 106 Club Growth team led by Matthew Villella, the task becomes substantially easier.  


The first step is getting on the candidate list of new club sponsors and mentors. You can contact me at yprevost123@gmail.com to express your interest. The next step is a Zoom meeting to discuss the requirements and expectations, followed by a Q&A session. Finally, when a call for a Demonstration Meeting with a prospective new club is made, you will be among the first to get an invitation to attend and join the new club. It may sound too good to be true!


As a sponsor or mentor, we also ask that you familiarize yourself with the Distinguished Club Program, the Club Success Plan, and Pathways. We ask this because you will be the new club's expert on the protocols of Toastmasters International. Apart from this, you get to enjoy meeting new people and serve them by sharing your Toastmasters experience. If this sounds like a good fit, District 106 would like to hear from you.


Yves Prévost DTM

Club Growth Chair

Yprevost123@gmail.com

From the Desk of the District Leadership Committee Chair


Embrace Leadership: Join Us for a Toastmasters Revolution in 2024-25


Fellow Toastmasters,


As the current Chair of the District Leadership Committee (DLC), I stand before you today with great excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead. The time has come for us to select new leadership to guide us through the Year 2024-25. This process is a critical one in ensuring the continued success and growth of our Toastmasters community, and it is an opportunity for all of us to make a significant impact.


The role of the District Leadership Committee (DLC) is to evaluate all candidates for District elected roles and nominate the best candidate(s). This is a responsibility we take very seriously, as we understand the profound influence our leaders have on the direction and spirit of our beloved Toastmasters organization. Therefore, we invite all eligible members who are passionate about Toastmasters and eager to serve to step forward and be part of this remarkable journey.


Nomination Eligibility: The Backbone of Leadership


To maintain the high standards of leadership in Toastmasters, it is crucial that our candidates meet certain eligibility requirements as outlined in the District Administrative Bylaws. These requirements are designed to ensure that our leaders have the necessary experience and commitment to lead our District effectively.

Here are the eligibility requirements candidates must meet:


ELECTED LEADER POSITIONS

All positions must be held by a member in good standing of a Toastmasters club in good standing. The responsibilities and qualifications of each elected leader position are as follows.


1. DISTRICT DIRECTOR As the District’s Chief Executive officer, direct the District in a way which fosters strong clubs; produces maximum growth in education completions, clubs and membership; and be consistent with the interests of members of Toastmasters International. Motivate the District to achieve Distinguished recognition. Achieve the mission of the District in a manner that motivates volunteer leaders and promotes a standard of excellence in all District activities.


Qualifications At the time of taking office, the District Director shall have served at

least six consecutive months as a Club President and at least 12 consecutive months as a Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, or Division Director, or a combination thereof.


2. PROGRAM QUALITY DIRECTOR Under the guidance of the District Director, strive to have every club and each member reap the benefits of Toastmasters and to have every club become Distinguished. Provides direction and counsel to Division Directors, Area Directors, and Club Officers on the educational opportunities in Toastmasters. Design and conduct successful District training programs, conferences, and other District educational events.


Qualifications At the time of taking office, the Program Quality Director shall have

served at least six consecutive months as a Club President and at least 12 consecutive months as a Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, or Division Director, or an Area Director, or a combination thereof.


3. CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR Under guidance of the District Director, make the benefits of Toastmasters membership available to greater numbers of people. Plan, develop, implement, and direct District marketing objectives. Develop and direct programs for new club development, club rescue efforts, club membership promotion, and membership retention. Achieve Distinguished District goals for membership and club growth. Promote standards of service to the member and to the club.


Qualifications At the time of taking office, the Club Growth Director shall have served at least six consecutive months as a Club President and at least 12 consecutive months as a Program Quality Director, a Club Growth Director or Division Director, Area Director or a combination thereof.


4. DIVISION DIRECTOR Achieve the mission of the District within the Division,

accomplishing District goals in membership building and retention, club extension, and educational accomplishments. Ensure that each club realizes its mission and fulfills its responsibilities to members. Achieve Distinguished Division Program goals and ensure that Areas and clubs within the Division achieve Distinguished recognition. Serve the Division clubs by providing District support and resources through the Area Directors.


Qualifications At the time of taking office, the Division Director shall have served at

least six consecutive months as a member of a District Council.


All Elective Officers (as stated above):

Every officer must have been an active member of a Toastmasters club in good standing for the entire preceding 12 months, or a member for 12 consecutive months within the past three years within the district where the officer shall serve.


One District at a Time:

A member may only be a candidate for elective office in one District at any given time, ensuring their commitment to the role.


One Position at a Time:

A member may only serve in one position within any District Executive Committee at any given time.


These eligibility requirements ensure that our leaders have a deep-rooted connection to Toastmasters and a well-rounded understanding of our organization's functions. They also guarantee that only those who have dedicated themselves to our cause are eligible to take on leadership roles.


An Opportunity for You


If you meet these eligibility criteria and have a deep commitment to Toastmasters, we encourage you to consider stepping forward and becoming a part of our District leadership. The impact you can make is immeasurable, not only on your own personal growth but also on the growth and development of the entire Toastmasters community.


To express your interest, we have provided the necessary forms and guidelines. Please fill out the following forms and submit them by December 31, 2023:


Candidate Application Form (Submit) [Click Here for Form]

Nomination Form (Submit) [Click Here for Form]

Officer Agreement and Release Form (Submit) [Click Here for Form]

Biographical Information (Submit) [Click Here for Form]

Photograph (Submit) [Email]


By taking this step, you not only demonstrate your commitment to the Toastmasters mission of developing communication and leadership skills but also your dedication to strengthening our District and the global Toastmasters community.


The future of Toastmasters is in our hands. Let us come together, support one another, and nominate the best leaders to take us into the Year 2024-25. I have no doubt that, with your involvement, we can achieve greater heights and inspire others to become the leaders they were meant to be.


Thank you for your dedication, passion, and commitment to Toastmasters. Let's embark on this journey together and create a brighter and more inspiring future.


Yours in Toastmasters,

Gopu Shrestha, DTM

Chair, District Leadership Committee 2024-25

Toastmasters International District 106



Read now
 

(401) 662 9836

 district106tm@gmail.com

LinkedIn Share
 
Get In Touch
LinkedIn Share This Email
 
Visit our Website