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One of my favourite words is “opperchancity”, which I learned from Scottish comedians. It’s a portmanteau - a word created by combining parts of two words (more information here). You might be more familiar with “advertorial”, “Bollywood”, or “cosplay”.
Anyway, “opperchancity” as you might guess, combines “opportunity” and “chance”. That’s why I think it’s particularly relevant to Toastmasters District 60. As you’ll see in this month’s newsletter, District 60 is overflowing with amazing opportunities and chances to expand your skills and your horizons.
Need to become more expert at running workshops? We’ve got an “opp” for that. Want to push on towards achieving your Distinguished Toastmaster designation? We’ve got multiple “opps” for that!
You name it, Toastmasters District 60 can help you achieve it. If you don’t see something that fits the bill here, speak to your club’s executive, your Area Director, our Club Growth Director, or me, and we’ll tailor something to you.
Every day, the challenges you face will change. But Toastmasters will consistently give you the opperchancity to develop the skills you need in a supportive environment.
Andrew Horberry
District 60 Program Quality Director
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Table of Contents:
1. Personal growth and developing skills for career advancement
2. District news
3. Celebration, Congratulations and Thank you!
4. Club Officer Information
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1. Personal growth and developing skills for career advancement:
a. District Leadership Selection Process is Now Open
Leadership, vision, and determination are key to forming a successful Toastmasters District.
Do you recognize yourself in this description? Then this is your chance to take the lead.
We are now seeking nominations for District 60 Leaders
Opportunity 1
There are elected positions available for Division Director, Club Growth Director, Program Quality Director and District Director. Visit this dedicated webpage to learn more about the opportunities, the requirements and the application process.
Candidates who wish to be considered for elected positions must apply by 11:59 pm ET on Saturday, January 15, 2023 - no exceptions.
Opportunity 2
There are appointed positions available for Area Directors and the District Director team. If you are ready to take the first step beyond your own club, then think about becoming an Area Director. Area Directors are important links in the District.
You can learn more about the role by emailing nominations@toastmasters60.com. For appointed positions, the deadline for applications is April 30th, 2023.
We're accepting nominations now - don't delay!
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b. Club Coaches - An Opportunity For You
If you have ever wanted to develop your coaching or consulting skills, then becoming a Club Coach is a great way of doing that - and helping out one of our clubs at the same time.
You would be assigned to one of our clubs with 12 members or fewer, and your task is to coach them to Distinguished Club status within 24 months. That’s easier than it used to be, as Toastmasters has recently changed some of the parameters:
- There is now a more formal training and induction process, so you are better equipped with the basic understanding and skills you need to help clubs.
- Clubs now have to add three (not five) new members to their base membership level to qualify for the program.
If you would like to know more about the program, review these resources and/or contact our Club Growth Director, David Veights, at cgd@toastmasters60.com. Your experience will be of immense value to the club you are assigned to!
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c. More Learning Opportunities:
One of the District’s roles is to provide learning opportunities for all members. You can see all the upcoming sessions on offer at our website’s Events Calendar. In the next few months, you might be interested in:
- Create Your Toastmasters Workshop: Delivery (December 3)
- Running Area and Division Contests (January 11)
- Create Deeper Reflection in Your Toastmasters Workshop (January 14).
Additional events and presentations are added to this calendar every week, so check back regularly. And don’t forget about the wealth of workshops available to you, listed on our Workshop Bureau’s webpages.
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2. District News:
a. Save The Date → D60’s Annual Conference!
Mark your calendar - District 60’s Annual Conference will be held on Saturday, May 13! This will be an all-day, hybrid event, so you can choose to join us at our downtown in-person venue, or online.
Our conference theme will be “Chart Your Future”, and you can look forward to a packed agenda that will celebrate members who have steered their course to success and helped others achieve their goals, as well as the District finals of the International Speech Contest, the announcement of our 2022-23 Communication and Leadership Award recipient, and innovative learning opportunities that will help you chart your future.
We are called to be architects of the future, not its victims.
R. Buckminster Fuller
We will publish more details in January, but in the meantime, mark your calendar and think about what role you might play in our conference - attendee, sponsor, organising committee member, and/or educational session presenter.
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b. Call for Conference Educational Session Submissions
Pivotal to the conference will be thought-leading, thought-provoking educational sessions and we are inviting District 60 members to think big, and use the opportunity to develop their teaching, training, and presentation skills.
Today, we are launching our call for proposals for educational sessions. What do you think our members really need to know about? How could you bring them information and understanding that would help them chart their future? Now is your chance to research, refine, and represent great ideas.
We are offering support throughout your journey, including:
The timeline below plots your journey, showing how the next 24 weeks could map out. Do not hesitate: this is a wonderful opportunity to expand your experience and skills.
- January 23 - deadline for proposals
- January 24 to March 19 - schedule a practice session and receive feedback
- March 20 - announcement of selected educational sessions
- March 21 to May 12 - practice and refine
- May 13 - the Conference!
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c. Do You Speak Immigrant?
Starting in December, the District will be launching a campaign called Do You Speak Immigrant?, a campaign addressed to a very specific audience - immigrants who don’t have English as a first language, and want to improve their communication & presentation skills, enhance their leadership skills and be part of a great community.
If you are an immigrant and would like to participate in this campaign, please email us at prm@toastmasters60.com
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d. Contests
Club Table Topics and Evaluation contests are now well underway, and Club International Speech Contests will begin early in the new year.
Congratulations to our early winners, who progress to Area Contests that will be held in February and March 2023. And if your club has not yet staged its contests, it’s not too late - review the helpful resources on the D60 website.
NEW! The website now has scripts for Contest Chairs for Table Topics and Evaluation contests.
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3. Celebration, Congratulations and Thank you!
Congratulations to Our Newest DTM!
District 60 sends warmest congratulations to Sylvia Lorico on achieving her Distinguished Toastmaster designation.
DTMs are awarded to Toastmasters who have not only developed their communication skills, but have also provided great service to their fellow Toastmasters, by sponsoring, coaching and otherwise helping new clubs set firm foundations for their future success.
Well done, Sylvia - we very much appreciate everything you have done for D60 clubs.
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4. Club Officer Information:
a. Club Officer Training
Thank you, all 164 club officers, who participated in our Toastmasters Leadership Institute/Club Officer Training session on November 19. We very much appreciate your commitment to continuous learning, and honing your skills to help your clubs succeed.
For those officers who could not make it on that date, there are now six more options available on the D60 Events Calendar. Our next session is Monday, December 5. Do not leave it to the last minute - decide which session you’re going to attend, and book it now!
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b. Club Websites
Are you findable? If a prospect clicks on your website, will they know when you meet, where you meet, how you meet?
Please take a moment to “mystery shop” your website to ensure that anyone can find you. A number of District initiatives will be launching over the coming months and we want to ensure that you have the best chance possible of guests finding your club and seeing the memorable and valuable experience that your club offers.
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