“Encouragement provides us with motivation. It invites us to dream dreams of significance for our lives and it begs us to work diligently with optimism and promise.”
- Joshua Becker
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The District Director says...
Greetings District 65 Members,
I am thrilled and filled with optimism for the year ahead, and I hope you share this excitement within your respective clubs. Let's plan engaging, themed meetings and encourage all club members to actively participate.
By this point, your club success plan should be finalized, and every member should have their goals in mind. Haven't got yours yet? Let's discuss your aspirations for this year. I firmly believe that every club can achieve Distinguished status with a net gain of at least 3 new members.
Furthermore, six of the Distinguished Club Program (DCP) goals are educational, and if we all start now, we can each make significant progress in our educational paths. I encourage you to reach out to the Pathways Committee (D65Pathways@gmail.com) or attend their scheduled presentations for guidance.
Membership growth has been a challenge for many clubs. Have you considered implementing best practices to achieve your desired outcomes? Initiatives such as hosting an Open House or leading a Speechcraft program are excellent starting points.
If you require assistance in promoting your events, don't hesitate to seek support from your Area and Division Directors. Remember, Quality Meetings lead to Quality Clubs (QM = QC).
Many members within our district are passionate about seeing clubs and members thrive. To return to basics, we must be comfortable seeking help when needed and expressing gratitude to those who lend their support.
Warm regards,
Sam Otto, DTM
District Director
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Division Zoom Account subscriptions are expiring on October 31st.
If you Club is still using a Division Zoom account, please make other arrangements as soon as possible.
Recommendation: Partner with other local Clubs and split the cost.
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Leadership Opportunities
Greetings members of District 65,
I have been appointed Chair of the District Leadership Committee 2023-2024. District 65 needs qualified, committed members who are seeking to grow as well and help our district continue to move forward. Please consider this valued role in our district for the next program year.
Nomination Eligibility The committee must verify that candidates meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the District Administrative Bylaws. All candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- At the time of taking office
- District Director must have served at least six (6) consecutive months as Club President and at least 12 consecutive months as a Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, Division Director, or a combination of these.
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Program Quality Director and Club Growth Director must have served at least six (6) consecutive months as Club President and at least 12 consecutive months as a Program Quality Director, a Club Growth Director, a Division Director, an Area Director, or a combination of these.
- Division Director must have served at least six (6) consecutive months as a member of a District Council.
- An elective officer must have been an active member of a Toastmasters club in good standing for the entire preceding 12 months, or a member for 12 consecutive months within the past three (3) years within the District the officer shall serve.
- A member may only be a candidate for elective office in one (1) District at any given time.
- A member may only serve in one (1) position within any District Executive Committee at any given time.
More information will be posted in future newsletters.
Kate Olsen, DTM, PDG
District Leadership Committee Chair 2023-2024
Immediate Past District 65 Director
phone 585-770-4783
APPRECIATE!
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The Program Quality Director says...
The Road to DTM is full of self-growth, some hard work, and lots of fun. Whether this is your first or fourth DTM, along the way you will increase your leadership skills, become a better speaker, and make an impact.
I’m putting together a group of Toastmasters who are working on their DTM. Whether you are brand new or a long-time Toastmaster, if your goal is to reach the pinnacle of Toastmasters education, please contact me. I’d love to chat with you. If you have questions, I can explain the process. Let’s work together to find your missing piece.
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Pathways changes are coming. Base Camp is being moved to a new Learning Management System in the first half of 2024.
The improved system will include:
- An easier experience navigating the system and working through projects
- The ability to access Pathways on your mobile device
- When you complete a level or path it will automatically be submitted for recognition in Club Central, no more two step process.
When the new Base Camp system launches, Pathways will be revised to 6 paths in 6 languages. 5 Paths will be dropped. If you have one of the 5 Paths being dropped, you will still have access and be able to complete it.
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Here is where you’ll find more information:
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Workshops:
Thank you to everyone who attended our fantastic Speechcraft workshop with Sheryl Roush, DTM, PDG, AS on September 11. It was excellent!
Check out the video here.
Your Education Committee is planning several more workshops – Awesome Open Houses, Writing A Winning Speech, Contest Planning, Contest Judges Training, and more.
Is there a workshop you’d like to suggest? Moments of Truth? Launching a new club? Let us know.
Avis Brodie, DTM, PDG, PQD
Program Quality Director
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Speechcraft Incentive
Speechcraft is an abbreviated Toastmasters experience, like a mini college course on speaking. It is designed for non-members, run by experienced club members. It can be 4, 6, or 8 weeks long. Speechcraft is also an excellent membership building tool.
Our District team would be happy to help you get you started! We’re offering free Speechcraft ($50.00 value) to all District 65 clubs that run a Speechcraft between October 2023 to May 2024.
**See information about upcoming Speechcraft trainings below **
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Fabulous 5 by December Incentive
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Pinnacle Toastmasters
Recipients of the 2022-23
Pride of the District Cup
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Select Toastmasters
Recipients of the 2022-23
Phoenix Award
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Leadership & Awards Celebration
Which Club best represented the Toastmasters core values last year?
Which Club rose from the ashes to new heights?
Find out at the Leadership & Awards Celebration!
Saturday October 14, 2023
9:00am - 11:00am
Meeting ID: 813 1043 6293
(No passcode)
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District 38 will be hosting a Speechcraft Coordinator Training on Sunday October 15th at 6:30pm.
All members are welcome to attend.
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District 65 Speechcraft How-To
District 65 Speechcraft Coordinator Brianna Wichowsky will discuss the "How-To" of the Speechcraft program, including:
- How to get started
- Purchasing the Digital Bundle
- Deciding how many sessions to have
- Coordinating the program
- And more!
Thursday October 19, 2023
6:15pm
On Zoom
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In this special event, Kwesi Millington will share his incredible story and tell you how you can tell your story!
You will not want to miss this presentation!
Saturday October 21, 2023
Mark your calendars - more details to come!
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Pathways Training
Saturday October 21, 2023
More details to come!
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Club Officer Training (Winter)
Three options to choose from:
Tuesday November 28, 2023
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday January 13, 2024
9:00am - 12:00pm
Tuesday January 16, 2024
6:00pm - 9:00pm
All sessions will on Zoom. Club Officers only need to attend one session.
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***2024 District 65 Conference***
Mark your calendars! Our District Conference will be back in person this year!
When: Saturday April 27th (all day)
Where: Rochester area (venue TBD)
We will have a keynote speaker, workshops, the District Evaluation and International speech contests, and much more!
We hope to see you there!
Vi
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Quorum: the Secret Society of Decision-Making - Where every vote counts (except when it doesn’t)
Ah, Quorum, the mystical gathering of decision-makers that is as elusive as a unicorn at a corporate picnic! Imagine a meeting without quorum, it is like trying to have a pizza party without any pizza. You have all the ingredients, but no one to appreciate the cheesy goodness.
Quorum is like the glue that holds a meeting together. It is the magical number of participants required to make any meaningful decisions. Without it you might as well be discussing the color of the office walls with your pet goldfish.
At the Toastmasters club level quorum is defined as 50% plus one of the average active members for the preceding 3 months. An inactive member is a person who has missed 3 consecutive meetings.
Imagine you are in a meeting, ready to make a big decision and suddenly you realize you don’t have quorum. It’s like planning a birthday party and forgetting to invite the birthday person. Who will blow out the candles on the cake of progress now?
Quorum is the VIP list for decision making. If you don’t make it onto the list, you are stuck outside the velvet rope, watching from the sidelines as others party it up with important choices.
Quorum at the District council level is defined as one third (1/3) of the club Presidents and VPs Education from clubs in good standing.
In a nutshell, quorum is the gatekeeper to productivity. It ensures that decisions are made with enough input and that no one’s voice is drowned out by crickets. Remember, always chase after quorum as if it is the last slice of pizza at a board meeting, because without it, you are simply talking to yourself in a very official yet lonely manner!
Bill Kirby, DTM
D65 Parliamentarian 2023-2024
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October Club Anniversaries
.................To Be Heard................................10/28/2015
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Dear Patty,
I noticed that there is an optional Pathways Mentor program. It sounds interesting, but it gives me no credit for DTM and does not give any Level Completion points on the DCP. Why should I bother with this, although I like the idea of being a mentor?
Perplexed Pauline
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Dear Perplexed Pauline,
There are many times in life that we are elevated from mentee to mentor, not just at work, but also with family and children. It is the transition from manager to true leader. The opportunity to be a mentor, a trusted advisor, is a gift and a responsibility not to be taken lightly.
The mentoring handbook points out, that a mentor:
- Takes a personal interest in and helps an inexperienced person (mentee)
- Serves as a role model, coach, and confidante
- Offers knowledge, insight, perspective, and wisdom useful to the mentee, and
- Helps someone become successful and learns new skills themselves
I have learned that It’s not about advancement and awards, it’s about gaining skills that will prepare me for what’s to come.
Take advantage of this wonderful learning opportunity.
Patty
P.S. If anyone on this path would like to form a mastermind group for support and direction, please let the Pathways Committee know at D65Pathways@gmail.com
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