September 2024

Hello, District 27 Toastmasters!

Important Reminder:

The Membership Renewal Deadline is Near!

(September 30th) Don't Delay, Renew Today!


It is that time of the year again! Membership renewals! Members should renew in order to remain in good standing.

Click here to learn Why

 To ensure your club remains in good standing and you stay eligible for competitions, our annual conference, and any incentives, it’s crucial to your membership. Please reach out to your club treasurer or any club officer to renew your membership today!


$60 USD semiannually Renewal Dues FAQs


Talk to the club VPM or club Treasurer to renew. Use the Self Pay Payment option: Go to Toastmasters.org, Log-in, and follow these steps:

1. Select Membership and click How to Renew.

2. At the bottom of the page, click Renew membership.

3. Select the club you wish to renew and click the Save and Continue button.

4. Select the Membership Selection and (one period or two periods).

5. Click the Check Out button and enter payment info (Credit Card and Address).

6. Click Submit Payment (you should receive a confirmation email).

2024-2025 Toastmasters International

ANNUAL CONFERENCE AUGUST 14 to 17

District 27 TRIO, Past District Directors, and Leadership

Dear District 27 Leaders and Members,

Congratulations, 100% of all Division and Area Directors have been trained and entered into District Central for the Distinguished District Program.


There are some important upcoming dates to be aware of: 

District 27's District Council Meeting

September 22, 2024 at 3:00 P.M.

Open to all but registration is required

Link to register https://d27_First_DC_Meeting.eventbrite.com


On or Before September 30, 2024

  1. Submit Division & Area Success Plans to District Director, Annette Sanks, DTM
  2. Email District 27 Budget, Communication, and Marketing Analysis Plans to District Director, Annette Sanks, DTM; for addition into the Region folder. 
  3. Review the District Timeline (page 15) in the District Leadership Handbook.

District Director's Challenge: Each One, Bring One

Each One, Bring One, is embedded in our mission of growing new clubs / members. Base bringing one member, we can double our membership, add more clubs, improve club quality, and ultimately achieve excellence in DCP. 

 

We are District 27 and We Believe In Greatness (We BIG!!!).


Annette M. Sanks, DTM

District 27 Director

Contact DD27@d27-tm.org

District 27 Recognition

Division Director of the Month

Herman Raybon Jr, DTM

Division A


Herman Raybon, Jr, DTM embodies Toastmasters' Core Values: Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence. He attended the Centennial T.I. Convention in Anaheim and participated fully in TI WHQ, Regional and D27 gatherings. Herman has made the commitment and taken the pledge to bring one or more individuals to TM and has already pitched an idea for charting a new club. Through his hard charging, selfless leadership style Division A is thriving and achieving tremendous success at District Executive Council meetings, Division A Executive Council meetings, submitted the Division Success plan and his ADs have completed several of their Area Visits. 


Herman's coaching leadership approach is prefaced with "How can I help" and is a true team player; always eager to help, mentor and willing to go above and beyond. He often quotes, "stand up, sit down and shut up!

Area Director of the Month

Rebecca "Bex" Novak, VC2

Division D

Area 41


Bex readily exemplifies dedication, and selfless leadership as Area 41 Director. Tenaciously she conducted area visits with three of her four clubs, conducted an in person club officer induction ceremony Her visionary mindset  TM Rebecca "Bex" Novak attended Area Director training and DEC meeting.   She has visited all the clubs in Area 41; making a significant and positive impact while extending her experience, dedication, and support for the overall growth and success of each club.  Bex also participated in area director training and attended DEC meeting in support of the District.

 

Bex is energetic, eager to learn and is already making a meaningful difference and for these reasons and more, Bex Novak is recognized as Area Director of the Month for her drive, leadership, and visionary spirit.

From the Desk of the Club Growth Director

As summer comes to an end, it is indeed time to renew your Toastmasters membership for the upcoming October 1, 2024-March 31, 2025 period. The renewal costs just $60 for six months or $120 if you renew for the entire year. 


If your agency or organization pays for your membership, now is the time to obtain your approvals and complete any forms. This is particularly true if a Federal government agency is paying, since many agencies stop making payments in mid-September until they receive 2025 Federal fiscal year funds. You don't want to be stuck in a membership limbo without access to Pathways while you wait for your agency to receive 2025 funding. So start the renewal process now!

 

If your club has enabled self-pay, you can log onto www.toastmasters.org and scroll down to "How to Renew" and click it. You will then be able to securely renew your membership on-line.

 

Otherwise, you can contact your club treasurer and make arrangements to pay.


Support All Clubs in Achieving Excellence. The Program Quality Director and I work together to help clubs succeed and thrive. My area is increasing club membership. Do you belong to a club that has twelve or fewer members? The Club Coach Program may be able to help you. Please contact the Club Growth Director at cgd@d27-tm.org


Likewise, are you curious about what being a Club Coach involves? The Club Growth Team will work with you and give you the tools to be successful. Again, please contact cgd@d27-tm.org.

 

Let’s make 2024-2025 a successful year! 


Below is District 27 Tabling Event, Arlington County Fair Aug 16-18 at Jefferson Middle School

Upcoming Event: The Falls Church Festival Sept-14


Volunteers are needed for the Falls Church Festival to man the District 27 booth, help set up, and close down. Please volunteer for a two hour shift if you are unable to stay for the entire period. The festival is from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, but we need time to set up and close down.


Saturday, September 14, 2024 volunteers arrive at 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Contact: Club Growth Director Jenny Genser White

Email: CGD@D27-TM.ORG

For more info: https://www.fallschurchva.gov/638/Falls-Church-Festival

____________________________________________


Your District and the Club Growth Director needs you.  We are recruiting volunteers and "Storytellers" to perform on stage. Why not you? If your club need members or an event, connect with the CGD.


Sincerely,

Jenny Genser White

Club Growth Director, CGD

Contact: CGD@d27-tm.org

From the Desk of the Program Quality Director

District 27 Members and Leaders,


Quarter 1 ends soon Sep30! Check your progress on the challenge to complete “four (4) Educational Goals by DEC 31, 2024”. Clubs should have two (2) goals completed by now.


🥇Earn a Triple Crown Award by completing three (3) educational levels from July 1 to June 30. The Annual Conference recognize all achievers completing by Apr-15. award


Congratulations!

*Que Pasa Toastmasters: 1st club with 100% of officers trained for Summer TLI.

*HUD Toastmasters: completed 6 Educational Goals, go for Distinguished Club!


Club officers: Submit education awards early will allow members to earn Triple Crown Awards.


Toastmasters International Dashboard recognized ten (10) clubs weekly for educational awards.

The upgraded Pathways System may launch in October. If you are working in one of six (6) retained paths (Dynamic Leadership, Engaging Humor, Motivational Strategies, Persuasive Influence, Presentation Mastery, Visionary Communication), they will migrate to the new system. The other 5 paths will stay in the old system.


During the 2024 Toastmasters International Convention, District 27 earned 3rd place in District Program Quality Award, Club Strength Award, and District Club Retention Award at 98.84%.


The 2025 convention is in Philadelphia, PA, on August 20-23. Mark your calendars! Volunteer as a Helping Hand to earn a registration discount. Achieving distinguished district status allows members to participate in “Storm the Stage.” Let’s work together to achieve this!


Clubs and Members are active this Toastmaster year!

____________________________________________________________


Congratulations to clubs achieving educational goals as of July 30 🌟

These five (5) Clubs have completed their educational Goals:


  • Crystal City Evening x 2
  • National Landing at Bloomberg x 1
  • Sam Fox Toastmasters x1
  • St. Margaret’s Achievers x1
  • Tamara Smiley Hamilton x 2


Congratulations are in order for these members. They are diligently working the Pathways Education Program and have submitted education awards. 🎉

Four members have already achieved their triple crown status.

A Wilmot SR1

Audrey Arthur PM5

Beverly Byam-Hercules, LD4, EC1

Elizabeth Weist EH2

Gwendolyn Sanderlin PM1, PM2, PM3

Joann Cox EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4, EC5

Joleen George DL3

Julie Davenport PM1

Lisa Simmons EH3

M Slattery MS3, Pathways Mentor, VC1

Mari Fujimoto SR2

Maria Allsopp-Whittington MS5

Michael Shane VC1

Nanda Gross VC1

Ninos Donabed PM3

R Esteban-Muir PM1

Rebecca Hoffman IP4

Rene Blocker VC1, VC2, VC3

S Swendsen EC2

Sandra Davis LD1

Yours in Service,

Beverly Byam-Hercules, DTM

D27 Program Quality Director 2024-2025

Contact: PQD@d27-tm.org

Can you see this new era upon us? Visualize what the next century might look like for communication excellence and Toastmasters. Stay tuned for more details! The 2024-2025 Registration opens in the early part of 2025.

THESE CLUBS WELCOME ALL VISITORS

Join the BURGAY Club


Do you have a presentation to give at work and you want feedback beforehand? Do you have one of the longer speeches to give as a Pathways project that may not fit within your club's agenda?


If you are a Toastmaster, or a non-Toastmaster, present at Burgay Speech Tank and get effective feedback with tips to enhance your speech or presentation. 


Burgay meets the 2nd Wednesday [Sept 11] of the month, so reach out to Lillian no later than Friday by [Sept 6] the 2nd Wednesday to be added to the agenda.

September 11, 2024 “SPEECH TANK” | Email d77lilcooke@gmail.com


Join the PAGE TURNERS club


Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. EST virtually to discuss the novel


The Midnight Library:

One Library | Infinite Lives by MATT HAIG


IN ADDITION TO BEING A TOASTMASTERS CLUB, WE ARE ALSO A BOOK CLUB. EACH MONTH WE DISCUSS A BOOK THAT ONE OF OUR MEMBERS HAS SUGGESTED. THE BOOK CLUB MEETING DATE AND TIME:


SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 - 5:00 PM - 7:00 P.M.


FOR DETAILS ON JOINING, VISIT THE CLUB WEBSITE AT THE LINK BELOW

https://pageturners.toastmastersclubs.org/

Inspirational Message: Embracing Change

Change. The scariest six-letter word known to man. But what if we saw it as the most exciting word? A word that opens the door to growth, to new experiences, and to a better version of ourselves. Without change, we fail to meet our full potential. We fail to take the risk, learn, grow, and challenge ourselves. So many people are so stagnant in their norms that they fail to envision a life outside of that, a life that can be worth so much more.

 

In this vast and vivid world, we can miss out on so much around us by fearing change. We allow our doubt to overtake us and keep us in a constant cycle of worrying. Well, we at Toastmasters want to encourage you that that doesn't have to be your story!


Embrace change, actually, chase after change. Good or bad. Because it shapes who we are as individuals. It allows us to open ourselves up to all possibilities. It drives us to keep moving. It gives us the stamina to chase our goals. It builds character and makes us stronger. But how do we embrace change? Start by setting small, achievable goals. Surround yourself with supportive people. And most importantly, be open to learning from every experience. Change is inevitable. It allows us to build new connections, develop new ways of thinking, set higher goals, experience new things, and create a new version of ourselves.

 

In life, we all have a choice. We can either keep ourselves caged or we can grab the key and run free. Embracing change is not a burden, but a liberation. It's all up to you.