Important information for all Toastmasters, Toronto to Belleville

August 2020: Check Your Tasks, Check Our Success

Just one month into our new Toastmasters' year, and we've done so much already. Speeches have been given, plans put in place, and one of our clan has achieved astonishing recognition!

Thanks to everyone - Club members, Area and Division Directors, and District Leaders - who continue to pour so much love and energy into our work. We are all the better for it.

This month, we have some outstanding (and free) learning opportunities. And some urgent deadlines to meet. Read on for more details!

Wendy Williamson DTM, District Director

Celebrating Achievement - Presidential Citation for Ross Mackay, DTM

Each year at the Toastmasters International Convention, the International President announces recipients for a Presidential Citation. We are beyond delighted that this year, our own Ross Mackay will be honoured.

This citation is presented to members who have shown continual support and dedication to the organization. Recipients are selected at the sole discretion of the International President.

Ross joined Toastmasters in 1991 to develop skills that he could use to strengthen his career as a sales professional. He placed 3rd at the World Championship of Public Speaking in 1995 and earned the Accredited Speaker designation from Toastmasters International in 2007.

Ross served District 60 as its District Governor in 2012-2013 and led the team to achieve Select Distinguished District.

Click here to read more

For Everyone: learn from World Champions of Public Speaking - for free!

Two outstanding opportunities for you:

Learn from the 2013 World Champion of Public Speaking,

Pres Vasilev

In this free interactive storytelling workshop, Pres will reveal the most powerful storytelling secrets. Watch his winning World Championship speech, engage in a dynamic discussion to explore its storytelling secrets, and learn how to craft your own compelling stories.

District 60 is proud to host Pres on Saturday September 19th, 2pm.

Click here to register for Pres's workshop, How to Uncover the Glory of Your StoryTM

Learn from this year's World Champion of Public Speaking.

Who is it? We don't know yet - but all will be revealed Saturday August 29th as eight finalists compete for the sought-after title. You can watch live - and for free - by clicking on the link below.

Pro tip: You will be asked for your Toastmaster's membership number, but you don't actually need it to complete the registration i.e. the membership number field is optional.

Click here to register for Toastmasters International's 2020 Virtual Convention - including the World Championship of Public Speaking

For Club Officers: Your August to-do list

YOUR MOST URGENT TASK THIS MONTH: You have votes at the Toastmasters International Annual Business Meeting, and you need to register your proxy now. A little-known, but vital task for all Club Presidents and Secretaries, which you should action immediately - the deadline is August 18th.

Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to cast your Club's votes.

And, once you've done that:

Complete your Club's Success Plan. You need to submit your Success Plan to your Area Director by September 30th to be eligible for an incentive. Avoid deadline surfing! Here's the link to the form to complete.

Last chance for Club Officer Training. There are still lots of opportunities for all seven Club Officers to be trained (and qualify for a great incentive). See all the sessions here. Pro tip: you can attend any Division's training session, not just your own.

Grow your membership during August and September. Add five new, dual or reinstated members by September 30th, and qualify for 10% off your next order from the TI store.

Register for District Council. Every Club President and VP Education should attend District Council to be briefed and vote on important District business. Mark your schedules now for the evening of Wednesday September 16th, and look out for your formal invitation.

For Everyone: How Can I....?

Each month, we'll address the biggest elephants in the room. Read on to discover the questions we get asked most frequently, and how District 60 Clubs and members are rising to the challenge.

Our club really needs new members. How can I help?

Having at least 20 members is key to maintaining a vibrant, successful club, and everyone can play a part.

If you're a member, ask a friend to come to your club's online meeting. It's free, there's no obligation, and everyone's likely to learn something!

If you're VP Membership, be sure to follow up with visitors. Send them this digital guest packet and let them know that you'd love to see them again. Tell them how much it costs to join your club, and invite them to apply for membership when they're ready. Pro tip: we're learning that actually asking someone to join your club dramatically increases the likelihood they do it. So don't be shy - be sure to issue the invitation!

Here's how everyone can help. If you've got a LinkedIn profile, make sure you've updated it with ALL your Toastmasters achievements, and import the TI logo. LinkedIn is one of our best recruiting tools, so make sure your contacts are aware of all the benefits you've received from Toastmasters.

My club has been suspended. How can I reinstate "Active" status?

Ensure your club membership dues have been paid. Check on Club Central (don't know what this is? Ask your Area Director) or ask Toastmasters International - phone Club and Member Support at +1 720-439-5050 ext. 402. You need a minimum of 8 paid members, 3 of whom must be renewals.
Ensure your Club Officer list has been submitted through Club Central.

PATHWAYS NEWS

Thanks to everyone who completed last month's online survey. We'll share topline results next month, along with great new initiatives to help our members get the very most out of the program.

The D60 Pathways team, led by Tony Nelson DTM, is already hard at work improving the resources available. Click here to access brand new web pages that aim to make Pathways more understandable and accessible than ever.

Check back frequently - more content is being added. If you don't see what you need, and you've got ideas, email Tony using this link.

Be Among The First

Click here to experience the all-new District 60 website! As well as the enhanced Pathways information noted above, it's your gateway to a host of resources that will help you and your Club grow.

Thanks to Andrew Mertens DTM (District 60 Webmaster) and the team who undertook this work. We'll explore it in more detail in the September newsletter.

DUES ARE DUE

Help your Club Treasurer keep your club's finances on the right track - they will be requesting your membership dues in the next few weeks, as they MUST be submitted to Toastmasters International by October 1st.

Toastmasters continues to offer outstanding value for money, and great opportunities to try out new life and business skills, such as running virtual meetings, and team-building while distanced.

Ask your Club Treasurer how you can submit your dues - many are accepting Interac transfer, and some use PayPal (click here for a step-by-step guide to setting up PayPal).