February 2021: Growing!

Fellow Toastmasters - I know, "growing" would seem to be a subject better suited to a few weeks from now, when the weather's a little warmer and we can all imagine the tulips breaking through.

But despite the cold weather, District 60 continues to grow every day. I'm excited to tell you that, since October 1st, we've welcomed 790 new members to our clubs. And just this month, two new clubs have chartered! You can read more about Scotia Digital and Embassy below.

Welcome, all, to our ever-growing family. We're dedicated to helping each and every one of us expand our knowledge and capabilities, and in this month's newsletter, you'll find many opportunities to grow your skills.

Wendy Williamson DTM, District Director
For Everyone - FREE Registration for our Annual Conference
Registration is now open for our spectacular online Annual Conference, featuring:

  • Under the Magnifying Glass: Good to Great Presentations keynote by Patricia Fripp. Our 182 members who logged in to her recent afternoon presentation will tell you how inspiring she is, and how immediately helpful her coaching is

  • 13 workshops with information and tools that you can use at work, home, and in Toastmasters, including Plan An Effective Virtual Meeting, Speech Building, and 10 Comedy Tips to Influence Any Audience.

To
Our conference runs April 16-18 (you don't have to attend all three days, but when you see the agenda, you'll want to!).


For Everyone: Deadline Approaching!
There are just a few days left to begin the journey to recognize great people within District 60.

The George Keenan Award is given annually to a past District Officer who continues to serve, visibly and behind the scenes, and promotes Toastmasters within District 60 and beyond.

Visit the George Keenan Award page for the criteria, forms and past recipients. If you know a District 60 Toastmaster who fits the bill, please submit your nomination by
March 1.

For Club Officers: Dates For Your Schedules, Actions For Your To-Do Lists
Thank you for your hard work running the Club-level Speech Contests. Now, there are some events coming up that you need to plan into your schedules:
February 22: as a member of the District Council, all Presidents and VPs Education are invited to attend this month's District Executive Committee, where the candidates for District Leadership 2021-22 will be revealed. Look out for your formal invitation from District Director Wendy Williamson, and register here.

February 27: your very last opportunity to attend round 2 Club Officer Training, and it's a good one! Register here for training for ALL roles, and to hear a terrific keynote from Region 6 Advisor, Melissa McGavick.

February and March: during our twice-yearly Talk Up Toastmasters event, you should be encouraging your members to invite guests to meetings. No one knows the benefits of Toastmasters like our current members, and this is the opportunity to share the experience and build your club's membership. Add five new, dual or reinstated members between February 1 and March 31, and receive a ribbon and a discount in the Toastmasters International store.


For Everyone: Learning Opportunities!

  • Have you chosen your free Path? If you were a member before September 30, 2020 and renewed your membership before December 31, 2020, you’re eligible. Click here to review your options, then log in to your Toastmasters account to choose yours!

  • Feeling a little confused about Pathways? Our website has a host of tools to help out, from How-To Instructions and Video Resources to Pathways Trainers and handy checklists. It’s all here.

  • Have you checked out the options in your Level 3, 4 and 5 electives yet? There’s a huge variety including current topics like blogs and podcasts, managing difficult audiences, and favourites like storytelling and body language. See more here.

  • There’s more! Members completing Level 5 of any path between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 will receive a path-specific pin in recognition of their achievement.  Plus, clubs where all members complete Pathways Level 1 of any Path by April 30, 2021, will be entered in a draw for a US$150 gift certificate to shop at the Toastmasters International store (one draw per Division).

  • Want to know more? Tony Nelson, Pathways Chair, is glad to help at irish1277@gmail.com

For Everyone: Help Us Get Better - Tell Us What You Value and Complete Our Survey

Thanks to all those members who have already completed our survey. You've highlighted some great opportunities for us to improve our service to you.

If you haven't yet gotten round to it, please take 10 minutes to complete the survey. We're looking forward to hearing what's working well for you and, even more importantly, what we can get better at.

Thank you in advance for your help. We promise to act on your input.

For Everyone: Congratulate Our Newest Clubs!

Congratulations and welcome to our two new clubs:

  • Scotia Digital Toastmasters Club. Special thanks to Club Sponsors Alison Knibb DL4 and Joel Emuan ACB, CL, and Club Mentors Janice Tang PM3 and George Lyberogiannis EC1, CL

  • Embassy Toastmasters Club. Special thanks to Club Sponsors Jennifer Magee LD5 and Mark Blackmore LD2, and Club Mentors Corey Knecht DTM and Diane Paton-Sutherland VC2.

And our thanks to Club Extension Chair, Karen Goodyear DTM, for her tremendous and continuing efforts.

Let's not stop now: Any D60 Toastmaster member who starts a new club in D60 and steers it to charter by June 30, 2021 is eligible for a $100 gift card from Toastmasters International.

Plus, Toastmasters International has just extended the waiver of Charter AND new member fees for any club that charters by June 30.

If you've got a lead on a club, speak to one of our Club Growth Directors and let them know (contact details at the end of this newsletter). They'll be only too happy to help you through the process.

For Area and Division Directors: You Know What You Have To Do

Area Directors - Club Visit Reports (second round) are due by May 31. But take advantage of the Early Bird incentive, and submit all your reports by March 15 to be included in a draw. Plan your visits now!

Division Directors - Area Directors have done their work, now it's over to you to plan and execute great Speech Contests at Division level.


For Everyone - Updated Draft Alignment Proposals Coming Very Soon

The annual process of alignment - making changes to account for new clubs, lost clubs, clubs which change meeting location and the District reformation - is well under way. Thank you to those members who have asked questions, offered advice and otherwise engaged in the process.

You'll be able to see the second draft of the proposals very soon:


The final proposals will be voted on at the business meeting held during our Annual Conference.
For Everyone:
Our Helping Hands Initiative

Are you a member of a thriving club that enjoys membership success and energetic meetings?

Great, this is for you.

Or are you a member of a club that's finding it a bit tough right now, and don't know what to do to revive your club's Toastmaster experience?

Great, this is also for you.

D60's Helping Hands initiative aims to pair up clubs for mutual benefit. It's based on some organic relationships that have formed recently between clubs, and aims to bolster those efforts.

This incentive is intended for two clubs to form a partnership where a club that has found success in growing membership, creating an exciting club meeting atmosphere, and/or continually achieves the Distinguished Club Program award, will work with another club that seeks to grow membership, hold memorable meetings, and achieve Distinguished Status.

Both Clubs will receive District recognition and a $50.00 (US dollars) Toastmasters International gift card when the Club receiving support achieves Distinguished Club Program status by June 30.

If you need help - or can offer help - let either of our Club Growth Directors know (you can click on their images at the foot of this newsletter).

recipients.
For Everyone: Worldwide Fame!

If the person on the latest Toastmaster magazine's cover looks familiar - it's because he is!

Congratulations to our very own Stephan Dyer DTM, member of Bay Street Breakfast Club and the District 60 Social Media chair and Area 51 Director (both of these for 2019-20).

Toastmasters gave him the confidence to quit his job in banking and become a successful stand up comedian and entrepreneur.

Read the article here and, if you'd like to hear more, listen to a podcast featuring Stephan and Immediate Past District Director Dawn Frail DTM.
THE DISTRICT 60 LEADERSHIP TEAM

DISTRICT MISSION
We build new clubs and support all clubs in
achieving excellence.

Questions or comments about this newsletter? Write to our PR Manager at prm@toastmasters60.com

//CONNECT WITH US//