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 

District Council Meeting

Soon it will be time to attend one of the most exciting events at the Spring Conference. Yes. It is indeed the Business Meeting: Saturday, April 9th beginning at 4:00 pm.  Come, learn what goes on in the district and take part by adding your voice to the electoral process as we elect the officers for the coming 2011 - 2012 year.

The information regarding the business meeting has been sent out to all those who are eligible to cast a vote; the District Officers, the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of clubs.  Please note that the information on the clubs is gathered from Toastmasters International so your information must be correct with them in order for you to receive your package.

Take care to read the instructions regarding the proxy.  A club is entitled to two votes.  These can be picked up at the Credentials Desk by either the President, Vice-President of education or any member of the club with the proxies signed over to them. 

On a further note, the package contained the report from the Nominations Committee as written in my last blog. Know that this does not contain the names of anyone who has decided to run from the floor as a candidate.  They must be nominated from the floor before the votes are cast.  They are not part of the nominations committee process and therefore cannot be listed on the report. I hope that helps to clarify some questions that may be floating out and about.

Should you have any further questions, please feel free to use the comment section below.

Otherwise, I'll be seeing you at the conference and more importantly, at the business meeting.

Merri 

Meet the Candidates

In spite of all the snow that we received today in some corners of our world, it is spring.  It arrived officially last Sunday and that means that we are good to go for the Spring Conference.  I do hope you are all ready registered, got your room booked and are ready to have a blast. I know I am!!! Please join me.

As everyone knows, the ever exciting business meeting will be held starting at 4:15 pm and we will be presenting pretty important information for our Presidents and Vice Presidents of Education to vote on.  The proxy package is imminently flying into your inbox. Do read and consider being there to cast your votes.  If you cannot attend, then be sure to read the instructions on the proxy as to who can carry your vote.

As for who has been forward by the nominations committee for the elected positions, they are as follows:

District Governor - Avis Brodie
Lt. Gov. Education & Training - Carol Dowell
Lt. Gov. Marketing - Jim Foster
Public Relations Officer -
Division A Governor - Penny Batey
Division B Governor - Lynn Rabey
Division C Governor - Terry Kodybka
Division L Governor - Tony Bratschitsch
Division M Governor -
Division N Governor -
Division S Governor - James Noble
Division W Governor -

Check out the information about each candidate as it becomes available in the Candidates Corner. Go to the district homepage http://www.toastmasters86.org/ and click on the link on the right hand side.

Good luck to all candidates whether you are on this list or present yourself to running from the floor.

Merri

Promoting Toastmasters

It always does my heart good when I get emails that tell of some wonderful things that our fellow Toastmasters are doing to spread the news about us.  Below is a copy of one such email I received. from Georgina Green:

On Thursday, March 3rd, Carolyn Hoxie, Janice McDonald and I participated in the Global Skills Conference. This day-long event was cosponsored by the Multicultural Centre, the Working Centre, the Region of Waterloo, Citizenship and Immigration Canada and more.

With about 300 attending, this event gave us the opportunity to promote the benefits of the Toastmasters communication and leadership program to Internationally Trained Professionals looking to find work in their field.

Our workshop on Networking titled “Face Time: Opening Up Possibilities” was well attended by over 50 participants and rated highly for energy, value of information and delivering more than expected.

As well, we hosted an information booth with the help of Toastmasters from Black Walnut club in Kitchener.

You may want to post this on your blog.

Georgina
GeorginaGreen
Toastmasters District 86
Division WMarketing Ambassador

Thank you so much to all of you for taking the information about Toastmasters to those who may want to investigate more fully the benefits our programs offer.

If you have anything you'd like to share here, please send it to me at district86governor@gmail.com  We'd really like to hear all about the happenings in your corner of the world.

Merri

Online Newspaper

So, did you find it?  Did you even realize that it was there?  If you didn't, it is all my fault.  I don't know what I was thinking; or not!!!

The spring newsletter is up on our website.  If you haven't taken the time to peruse it, may I suggest you do so.  We have endeavoured to put all kinds of info in it that will give you pause to reflect as well as move on to reach those goals.  Come Soaring to Excellence with the whole district.

Find it on the home page. Scroll down and you will find the Spring Edition of the Pulse of 86 on the left.  Click here for quick and easy access:   http://toastmasters86.org/user/docs/News86_Spring%202011.pdf

Don't have time to read it now, then download it and save it for when you do.  Just to let you know, we are still looking for those success stories.  Got one? Why not send it on to us so we can all celebrate together?

As for the Scavenger Hunt, there was clearly two winners... they actually responded.  The first eligible person to send in the correct responses was Phil Lococo of Lakeshore InDepth Advanced Toastmasters and the second eligible person was Janice McDonald of Brant Toastmasters. Congratulations! 

Wonder what the next big contest will be? Stay tuned to find out...

Merri