December 2023

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Hoping your holiday season is warm and toasty!

Blessings to you and your family from the Trio!

Greetings District 27 Toastmasters! The time for electing our 2024-2025 District Leadership Team is upon us. If you are interested in running for elected, District Level office (District Director, Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, or one of our 5 Division Director offices). The window to submit your application materials opens on Friday, December 15, 2023 @ 12 a.m. EST, and closes on Friday, February 2, 2024 @ 11:59 p.m. EST.

All election application forms & instructions can be accessed and download via the D27 District Leader Election Central web portal @ https://d27-tm.org/calendar/district-leader-elections/ All application forms must be submitted to the 2023-2024 DLC Chairperson, IPDD LaShawn Foster, DTM via email at [email protected].

For more information about District Level Leadership roles, the qualifications needed to run for election, the campaign process, and the D27 Leadership Elections timeline. The District 27 Leadership Committee (DLC) cordially invites you to attend its upcoming seminar entitled: "District Leadership: It Is For You!" which will be facilitated by District 27's own IPDD LaShawn Foster, DTM, PDD Robin Hylton, DTM, & IMFM & Past D38 PQD Joshua D. Smith, DTM. To register to attend this virtual event, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/767694353477?aff=oddtdtcreator

Chit, Chat and Chill with the PQD

In November, Madame PQD Annette Sanks, DTM, hosted an informal Chit, Chat, and Chill with some of the district leaders in her home. During this informal session, we recognized the achievements of our leaders, built camaraderie, and members discussed ways they could help the District this year.

Monthly Virtual Town Hall

A ONE TIME CHANGE Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. Est.,

just for the holidays. The District 27 Director will provide a forum and opportunity for all members to attend a virtual town hall where members can get the inside scoop of District 27 operations, ask your questions, voice your concerns straight to the District 27 Director Jeanna Lee, DTM. If you have any questions, please email District 27 Director Jeanna Lee, DTM at [email protected].

The District 27 Town Hall is on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. EST.

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86996733021

District 27 Recognition

Division Director of the Month

Division A Director Hasani Jaali

Division A Director Hasani Jaali has the highest rate of area director's fall club visit reports completed within District 27. With 16 club visit reports submitted, Division A takes the lead in fall club visits and membership renewals!

Area Director of the Month

Area 22 Director Nancy Brown

Area 22 Director Nancy Brown not only completed 100% of her area club visits, she has graciously stepped up to join the PQD Speech Contest Team as the District SAA and will represent her division at the upcoming DEC meeting.

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER - for a limited time only.

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It is PARTY TIME D27 Toastmasters!!!

You are cordially invitied to the District 27 Toastmasters Annual Virtual Holiday Party. Come join us for an evening of fun, friends, table topics, games, and holiday cheer as we celebrate the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024!

You mus t register bef ore December 5, 2023 to receive the Zoom link.

If you have any questions, please contact District 27 Director Jeanna Lee, DTM, at [email protected].

THE 2023 FALL SPEECH CONTEST WINNERS LIST!

From the Desk of the Club Growth Director

“Finishing Strong” - 12/1/24 to 2/28/24 - The first 10 clubs who reach their Distinguished Club Program (DCP) minimum required membership plus 3 by February 28, 2024, will receive District recognition and a Word of the Day Pack. Note: Only clubs with less than 20 members qualify for this incentive. Once this goal is met, please have your VP Membership email the [email protected] with the date the goal was met.

To Club Secretaries and VPs Education: Please email the [email protected]

if your club or member(s) have fulfilled the requirements for any of the CGD Incentives. These incentives can be found on the D27 website at https://d27-tm.org/incentives/.

To All Members: We need your help! If you know of any events in your community, church, or at your job that we can set up a table to "Talk Up Toastmasters," please send an email to [email protected] with summary information. We anticipate upcoming events this holiday season such as White Elephant Sales and Bazaars where we can set up. This will allow us to obtain a list of prospective members and/or clubs to be chartered for our district.

We are still looking for volunteers to serve as club sponsors, mentors, and coaches. Please send an email to [email protected], if you are interested. Training will be provided.

The Club Growth Team and I look forward to serving you! Please contact the Club Growth Director for further information if you are interested in a leadership opportunity, [email protected] or 202-536-6974.

Sincerely, Club Growth Director Ida King

Pathways Office Hours will return January 2024

District 27's Podcast “D27 Discuss with us!”

Storytelling – the why, what and how

In this episode, I interview Heather Keenan on storytelling and the why, what, and how of creating and using stories in speeches. Human history first passed down through stories but are still powerful tools to explain issues, persuade to take on an action, create a shared understanding, or increase retention of information. For example, in business today there is a push to use big data for decision making, but making sense of the data for an audience requires a good story. Using simple but powerful examples, Heather explains elements, tools, and techniques we should consider when including stories into presentations. Listen to this podcast and become a master of storytelling!

Listen to the District 27 podcast today through Anchor, Spotify, or Apple.

OR Cut-N-Paste: https://anchor.fm/discusswithus

Email Christiane Mitchell at [email protected] if you would like to be a part of the podcast or would like to highlight your club.

Winter TLI Sessions

From the Desk of Program Quality Director Annette Sanks, DTM

District Officers, Division Directors, Club Officers,

District 27 has scheduled several virtual sessions and one in-person TLI session for the winter season (November - February). Get four (4) or more club officers trained to complete your Distinguished Club Program goal #9. During the summer session, we were able to train 81% of D27 club officers. Our District goal is 90% for the winter.

Below are the five (5) links to share with your club offices and members. If you have any questions, please email Annette Sanks, DTM, at [email protected].

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You asked and we heard! An in-person TLI in Southern Maryland!

On December 9th, District 27 will be hosting an in-person TLI in Waldorf, MD! During this in-person TLI, you will have a chance to meet the District Trio, the Region 7 Advisor Narayan Doraswamy, be served light refreshments, and meet your fellow Toastmasters in the Southern Maryland region. We will also be providing two electives that can help you as a Toastmasters and club officer.

TLIs are not just limited to club officers. Any member may attend if they desire.

(1 ) Saturday, December 9, 9 am.

Location & Parking: Peace Lutheran Church,

401 Smallwood Drive, Waldorf MD 20602)

https://D27-TLIWinter2024-Session-C.eventbrite.com

AGENDA

8:30 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. Meeting Room Open/Sign-In (Light Refreshments served)

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 Plenary Session and District 27 Trio

Welcoming Remarks

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Club Officer Training

-- Vice President Education

-- President & Sergeant At Arms

-- Vice President Membership & Vice President Public Relations

-- Secretary & Treasurers

11:30 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. Break

11:40 a.m. -12:50 p.m. Electives

-- Elective 1 Breaking Down District Goals: How Clubs Help?

-- Elective 2 Membership Building Strategies

12:50 p.m. -1:00 p.m. Closing Remarks:

PQD Annette Sanks/Feedback Surveys

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(2 ) Friday, December 15, 7 pm, Online Only

https://Winter-TLI-SessionD-2024.eventbrite.com

(3 ) Saturday, January 13, 9 am, Online Only

https://Winter-TLI-SessionE-2024.eventbrite.com

(4 ) Saturday, February 17, 9 am, Online Only

https://Winter-TLI-SessionF-2024.eventbrite.com

(5 ) Tuesday, February 27, 7 pm, Online Only

https://Winter-TLI-SessionG-2024.eventbrite.com

Sincerely,

Annette Sanks

2023-2024 PQD

WE ~ BIG!!!

(With Everything ~ Believe In Greatness!!!)

District 27 Toastmasters

Email: [email protected]

YES, I LOVE READING.

How to find us on January 28, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM?

Easy, Click here or cut-n-paste this link into your browser https://pageturners.toastmastersclubs.org/

Inspirational Message of the Month

When we choose to live our lives as if we can survive on our own, life events can come our way to help us to see that this is not ideal. In these situations, we find peace by forming the necessary bonds that bring us the community of friends we need to survive, which assists us with thriving and growing. A fully connected community will build you up, conversely, a weak and frail community has the potential to tear you down. It is important to choose your community wisely, starting with a strong foundation, taking the time to watch it grow strong and mighty!

You see, when we form connections with the right community, we gain knowledge, wisdom, and a support system that will help us get through just about everything that comes our way. They lift us up when we are down and turn our frowns upside down. Toastmasters has been that for me, the connections, and bonds that I have established grow stronger and stronger as the years go by.

Remember to celebrate each member, taking every opportunity to show love and appreciation, never taking them for granted. Instead of going it alone, look to your community for support, when things are good or not so good!