Welcome to Our Newest Clubs!

As Distict Governor, one of my greatest pleasures is to welcome new clubs to the district.  Sometimes I even get to visit the people who have taken all the steps that leads to handing in the charter paperwork. Such was the case on the Friday of our conference when I visited our two newest clubs with our International Director, DTM Gina Cook.

At our first stop, we were introduced to Robert Achtemichuk, President of DiverseCity by Georgina Green, the Division W Marketing Ambassador.  It was good to hear how this club is meeting the needs of the people in the K-W area who are in transition, as well as those who are on track in their employment.  Each has come to realize the importance of having communication and leadership skills and have found this Toastmasters club to provide them with the knowledge and practice to enhance them.

Gina, Georgina, Robert, Merri

Our next stop was to visit Com Dev in Cambridge.  There we were met by Scott Weitzel, President and Philip Bennett, Sergeant-at-Arms of the new Com Dev club.  We were escorted to a second floor board room which usually holds their meetings. There we learned how Com Dev has been a great encourager for the club to form and is now supporting the members.

Scott, Gina, Phillip, Georgina

 Both of these clubs presented their charter papers to the International Director.  As this was on Friday, April 8th, both clubs will have 20 entries into the draw to win the Data Projector donated by Tech Data Canada Corporation.  Congratulations DiverseCity and Com Dev.  Good luck!

Is your club on the verge of chartering? Can you get it processed by May 31st?  If so, then your club will likewise have an entry for every new member of this new club put into the draw. 

Best of luck to you all! 


A Huge THANK YOU to Tech Data Canada Corporation

No doubt you've ALL read the blog about our District Campaign and the Grand Prize Draw.  So you know that every club in our district has the opportunity to not only participate but to WIN!!!!

Win what you say?  I am so glad you asked.  The grand prize is a PC Free USB Data Projector.  WOW!!!! you say.

But that's not the best news. Let me tell you the very best news.  Are you ready?  Here's the best news:

Tech Data Canada Corporation is donating the prize.  That's right.  This company which four years ago supported the start up of the corporate Tech Data Toastmasters club is now supporting our campaign to grow and achieve remarkable results by donating the grand prize.  In fact, this club's anniversary date is April 23rd. so congratulations are in order.  Best wishes for many more years to come.

Rick Reid, President of Tech Data Canada Corporation, is donating a Samsung SP-M256 model Data Projector.  It's one of the most popular models being sold today and retails around the $1000.00 mark so it is indeed a Grand Prize.  The club winning the club will receive this:                                               

The projector’s USB drive supports all your files without the need for a computer, so you can directly view PDF, TXT, HTML, MPEGS, JPGS, and the whole suite of MS Office files. Everything you need to make an effective presentation is here.

At only 2.5 kg, the ultra-portable Samsung M seires projector enables you to make professional presentations in any environment. Its pristine white body, compact size, and user-friendly design features make it ideal for mobile use. With easy lamp and filter replacement and one-touch foot release, it can be set-up and maintained in seconds.

The Samsung M series projector has an intelligent Economy mode that not only reduces power consumption and operating noise but also extends lamp life to an incredible 5000 hours. Economy mode is specifically designed for use with screens that are 100 inches or less.

Isn't that totally fantastic????  Isn't that a prize to get excited about????  I think so!

Can I hear you all say a very loud THANK YOU Tech Data Canada! 

Doesn't that just make you want to finish those speeches and leadership projects?  Don't you feel more inspired to organize those Open Houses, Invite Your Friends or whatever special events to spread the news about Toastmasters to build up your club membership?

And when new members are hesitant to join now because your club doesn't meet over the summer, don't you just want to say, join now and we'll be sure to hold special meetings in the summer.  Join forces with other clubs in your area and host joint meetings.  Have them join now and work on those speeches to prepare for the contests in the fall.  Your club will get ahead of the pack when they are charged up in September while others are just warming up again.

Remember, every time a new member joins, send a copy of the application to districtcampaign@gmail.com.
Every time a member submits an educational award, send a copy to districtcampaign@gmail.com. 

Ready? Set? Go?

Merri

An Amazing Conference!!!

The much anticipated Spring Conference has come and gone.  Imagine that!  And what a conference it was. Simply amazing with a real Commitment to Excellence thanks to all those on the planning committee.

Right from the First Timers' Reception and workshop with Ed Tate (2000 World Champion Public Speaking) on the Friday night to the Sunday brunch, again with Ed Tate, it was excellent.  The Opening Ceremonies with our Parade of Banners and keynoter Michael Proudlock was terrific. 

There was so much packed into those two and a half days that it simply took my breath away.  Totally awesome and if you missed it, that really is too sad.  You won't want to miss the Fall Conference.  Add this to your calendar now:  November 25-27th at the London Convention Centre, London - the one in Ontario!

The International Speech Contest was fantastic.  Eight first class speakers all vying to be the one to head for World's in Vegas.  Susan Lamb Robinson was the winner, with Sean Moon second and Gregory CN Smith third.  Congratulations all!

The Evaluation Contest keeps getting better and better with the quality to the evaluations.  Our test speaker, Stephanie Suida, was presented with great feedback to help her grow as a speaker and future leader.  The winner was Blake Fleischaker, with Jacques Brunet second and Lance Mercer third.  Congratulations all!

All in all I have it on good authority that our conference was a stellar success. So says our International Director, DTM Gina Cook who partook in all the festivities.  District 86 should be so proud to know that Gina will take great comments about us back to International. Well done everyone!!!

Stay tuned for pictures.

Merri

Enter the Draw for This Grand Prize!

A new and exciting District Campaign has begun.  It starts April 1st...and yes, I know it is after that ;) , and runs till May 31st.  A whole two months.  And here is what your club needs to do to take part.

During those two months, for EVERY New Member and EVERY Educational Award your club submits to Toastmasters International, your club will be given an entry into the draw.  This is a club campaign and the prize is for the club so only club names are to be submitted.

It's very simple to enter the draw.  For every new member that joins, simply scan their membership application and email to districtcampaign@gmail.com  A ballot will be entered for your club so be sure that your club is clearly identified.

For every educational award your club submits to TI, email a copy to districtcampaign@gmail.com and a ballot will be entered into the draw for your club.

So, what's the prize?  I am so glad you asked.

The district is giving away a DATA PROJECTOR....one that operates PC Free with a USB.  A perfect addition for any club so members can do those all important presentations.  How's that for an incentive to get those projects completed? There are two months in the campaign so get your speaking slot booked now and avoid the rush. 

Remember: the more entries that you have in the draw the better your chances are to win!  You can't win if you don't have an entry. So, encourage all your members to take part.

All entries must be received by June 6th. in order to be in the draw.  Prize will be awarded to the President of the winning club at the District BBQ on June 12th.

Good Luck Everybody!  Let's Go!

Merri