District 106

Newsletter 

August 2022

Club Proxy/Vote

The Club President and Secretary are the key officers who will choose the club proxy to vote at the WHQ convention. The World Head Quarter (WHQ) email was sent to them on July 7, 2022. However, most of them make club concessions for decisions.

That says you have a voice, can vote to reject or accept any business proposal, and choose to elect a candidate for each office for the 2022 Annual Business Meeting. As stated in the Bylaws of Toastmasters International, Article X, Section 1, a Toastmasters Member Club in good standing is entitled to two (2) votes at the Annual Business Meeting.

Here are business proposals and candidates for the upcoming international convention.

1. Proposals: https://www.toastmasters.org/about/board-of-directors/2022-proposals
2. Candidates: https://www.toastmasters.org/about/board-of-directors/international-officer-and-director-candidates

I highly recommend every member participate in this mega event and cast their vote. If you cannot attend, I can carry your proxy as your District Director and cast a vote for you. Please get in touch with your club president and secretary for your vote.

District Success Plan and Budget

We hold our first District Executive Committee and share the District Success Plan and budget. It is submitted to WHQ for review and compliance; once we review it, we will present it for District Council Meeting approval. The Council meeting is on September 10, 2022. Please send your delegates (i.e., Club President and Club VP Education).

Regional Advisor Visit

Our Regional Advisor, Catherine Secundiak, DTM, is visiting our District on Sep 6-7 for Marketing and Public Relation activities. Feel free to send your recommendations to our Club Growth Director, Katy Hursh, and District Public Relations Manager Ashok Sunkavalli.

New Initiative in D106 (Moment of Truth and Club Success Plan)

The Moments of Truth is a club guide to delivering quality meetings, service, and outstanding member experiences. It is a tool that enables sustained club quality through guided evaluation and targeted recommendations. Simultaneously, The Club Success Plan is a helpful tool to assist your club in achieving Distinguished Club status and help develop a quality club. We are organizing three training events in August and September 2022. I request you to join this meeting and learn about the Moments of Truth program and Club Success Plan. Here are the dates and times. I am sending you the calendar invite also.

Monday, August 29, 7:00 pm CDT Zoom Link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82666190056 Meeting ID: 826 6619 0056

Tuesday, August 30, 7:00 pm CDT Zoom Link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81198422119 Meeting ID: 811 9842 2119

Thursday, September 8, 7:00 pm CDT Zoom Link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82895929309 Meeting ID: 828 9592 9309

Here is the Trainer Introduction

Stephen Shaner, DTM, served as the Past District Director and Past Region Advisor. He is a polished trainer, a natural leader, the best mentor, and coach for all members, especially District Trios. He has 20+ years of experience in rebuilding clubs. He was one of our keynote speakers in D106 also.

We, the trio, set the District's core values 1) Recognize Family, 2) Teamwork, 3) Serve to Learn. Our operating principles will be 1) Family First, 2) Work in a Team, 3) Always Ask for Help. We are training our District Officers to help us implement District Core values and operate in their Areas and Divisions. I hope these principles will help us to serve members well.

This month, I filled roles that were vacant in July. The newly appointed committee chairs are as follows:

Names                                                  Committee Chair

Kimberlee Redington, DTM...................TLI co-chair

Keith Hardy, DTM, PDG........................TLI co-chair

Mel Fiecke-Ekensteen...........................Speechcraft Chair

Diane Windingland, DTM, PDD.............Credentials/Proxy Chair

Let us get together to make this year a Quality District! i.e., Distinguished District!

Gopu Shrestha,

District Director

From the Desk of the Program Quality Director

Twenty-three District 106 clubs have had four or more club officers trained during round 1 so far this program year! Excellent! The bar isn't burdensome. 60% of club officers trained (0.6 x 7) is 4.2 officers trained per club. Spread ideally; we could have every club in the district set up in a way that allows their club members to be recognized as distinguished because they have achieved their club officer training goal! I challenge our esteemed club officers to accomplish the goal of four club officers trained. Together with your club members, we as a district will celebrate with you!

Member education and leadership awards are already reported one month into our Toastmasters program year! Leaders are developing in our midst. Communication skills are growing in our midst. Congratulations to all! Remember our district success plan operating principles: Family First; Work as a Team, and Always Ask for Help! Reach out any time to let me know how I can support you and your club members in achieving your club goals.

Congratulations to: St. Paul Speakers Club, Mills Early Risers Club; Readership Toastmasters; and Anoka Toastmasters! Each of these clubs has recorded four communication and leadership goals already attained.

The procedure for formalizing member achievement remains a bit of a puzzle. Now that we have new club presidents, club vice presidents' education, and new club secretaries, it could be an excellent time to get a refresher on approving Pathways level completions. Check the district website for helpful "Toolbox" videos Toolbox Training – District 106 Toastmasters (d106tm.org) or reach out to your area director, division director, or trio member. We'll help to assure that your goal achievements are correctly credited and celebrated.

I'm confident we are on the cusp of a membership resurgence! Do you have your member mentors lined up and ready to work? Let's be fully prepared to welcome and guide the strength of our future. Share your member wisdom while developing tomorrow's leaders!

Registration is open for the Toastmasters Leadership Institute on August 27th. Register today! Participation counts for club officer training. Pay the registration fee and join us in a celebratory luncheon to recognize the many accomplishments of our district members during the 2021-22 Toastmasters Program year. When TLI co-chairs past district governor DTM Keith Hardy and immediate past district director DTM Kimberlee Redington ask for your help, please reply with an energetic "yes!"

Speaking of registration, watch the district website. Hotel room registration information will be on the website soon for our May 12 and 13, 2023 district conference! When conference co-chairs Sue Scholz and Kim Parmeter ask for your help, please reply with a "yes". 

Ed Aylward,

Program Quality Director

From the Desk of the Club Growth Director

This weekend I had the opportunity to witness a man who was a skilled craftsman. His skill with the sword was precise and intentional. It was evident that even though he had grown up in harsh circumstances, he had acquired strength. He had learned skills using words like a knight wielding a sword to bring healing and life to those who lack understanding.



He shared he had flunked his public speaking class and was being used in a powerful way to share the grace and hope with those who were lost. You could hear a pin drop as this man spoke of grace and truth with examples of the Word. Gird your Sword. What does 'gird your sword' mean? It means to prepare yourself for battle or conquest. To secure your weapon and be ready for action.

As toastmasters, we have an opportunity to prepare for opportunities to speak. By acquiring strength and skill in saying, you will have many opportunities to speak. It could be a job, for a cause, for someone's welfare, for your city or country. But, like athletes or soldiers, only those who train, practice, and are diligent are chosen to lead. Are you girding your sword? Are you prepared to speak? Will you be ready when that opportunity comes to talk intentionally with a message that could make all the difference for someone else?

This year we are extremely excited at the possibility of being a distinguished district. That means we are asking each member and club to engage. So, take up that sword and speak with confidence. I want you and your clubs to succeed with greater strength and enthusiasm than ever. We are one of the most vital districts with incredible members with outstanding leadership potential. So, will you gird your sword?

In the next several weeks, as the Club Growth Director, I will invite you to join me as a club sponsor or mentor for our new clubs or become a member. Please consider these opportunities as great possibilities to acquire strength in your leadership and speaking skills. You will gain strength and strengthen the district with your participation. I look forward to seeing this renewed strength become a reality. Remember, in the journey, it is not who you are but whom you are becoming.  

Katy Hursh,

Club Growth Director

From the Desk of the Public Relations Manager

Fellow District 106 Toastmasters and VP of Public Relations Officers,

We are into the 2nd month of the Toastmasters year 2022-23. I hope you are doing well. Congratulations to you who have taken on the officer role of VP or Public Relations in your Club. Thank you! 

Let us talk about Toastmaster's brand and brand awareness. Every Toastmaster is responsible for keeping our brand alive. It starts with you! Let us not rely on the VP of Public Relations to do our work. Sharing what Toastmasters can do for someone is the job of many.

As a member of a Toastmasters club, every communication you might have with a visitor should consider the Toastmasters brand. Ask if you can help, join your Club and the D106 social channels, post, share, and like! Be vocal and tell your story. I am sure you will feel great!

As your Club's VP of Public Relations, you are your Club's voice, and you can share Toastmasters with the world around you. The opportunities we have are endless in our world. Think social media, website, and brand manual. Let us empower our members by providing valuable information, learning, and growing with Toastmasters. I highly encourage you to share your successes through social channels and inspire others for their success and growth. If your Club does not have a social media presence, please start with one channel. Use Facebook as your starting point. Most people are on it. Toastmasters Facebook Ad Guide. Go after Twitter next, and if you are feeling good, do some interviews, record a meeting or two, and post on YouTube.

How to Engage with a Social Audience

·    Ask questions

·       Use captivating images

·       Share videos

·       Show followers an inside look at your District or Club

·       Be persistent

·       Share timely content

·       Get to know your audience

Regarding the website, focus on its landing page and contact information for now. Finally, you are the brand police for your Club. Use the Brand Manual as your ultimate guide.

District 106 Social channel presence by the Numbers:

Facebook: 395                             Twitter:     151                            LinkedIn:   145 

Instagram: 248                             YouTube:  122

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for exciting updates, inspiration, and more. We will be shortly entering into the TikTok social channel later this month. Watch for more updates.

Brand Portal

D106 PR Homepage

If you have any questions, comments, feedback, or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out! 

Together we keep the Toastmasters brand strong!

Ashok Sunkavalli

2022-2023 District 106 Public Relations Manager

ashoksunkavalli@gmail.com

Cell: (319) 431-2415

Message from the Club Quality Chair

Hello, District 106 Toastmasters,

We are working hard at establishing a foundation for new club creation. We need 1) leads from members as members are the eyes and ears of the district for potential new clubs, 2) sponsors, members who are willing to become a member of the new club and recruit members to that new club and get it chartered 3) mentors, members who are also willing to become a member of the new club and also bring in new members to assist with the charter and then work with the new club after it charters.

This experience is a unique learning experience for all involved. New sponsors and mentors get a deeper understanding of how Toastmasters works. This kind of experience is definitely a stepping stone for being part of the trio in your future. Even if being part of the trio is not something you may want to do today, forming a new club is a requirement for earning DTM recognition. You also get to make many new deep contacts by working with all those building a new club. 

What are you waiting for? All Toastmasters in good standing is needed to serve as new club sponsor and mentor. 

If you are interested in serving as a new club sponsor and or mentor or if you have any questions, please contact me.

Yves Prévost DTM

Club Quality Chair

yprevost123@gmail.com

 Letter from the Youth Leadership Program Chair

Happy end of summer,

You may not think of 'Back to School,' but many families are. I certainly am by taking advantage of the 'Back to School sales and bought myself a new computer. Long overdue.

Now may be a good time to think about finding that group of youth heading back to school in the fall to share the treasures of Toastmasters. It is never too early to start planning. However, integrating into a school program, homeschooling group, non-profit for youth, or religious organization may take a while. So get on their syllabus and start your planning.

Youth Leadership is a Toastmasters program that uses a six to eight-week program to bring Toastmasters to young people not old enough to belong to a club. The step-by-step program tells you and the participants what to do each step of the way. It begins with elections, making assignments for Ice Breakers and Evaluators.

The youth are elected to the officer roles at the first session. They run the meetings with your help and make decisions all along the way. They are quick learners and are amazing to watch in action. With encouragement, they learn to navigate leadership and communication skills. You start to hear Ice Breakers at the second meeting, and their peers evaluate them.

If this sounds like a program you would like to take on or learn more about, please reach out, and we can get you up to speed.

Daniel Grundtner DTM

Youth Leadership Chair '22-'23

dan.grundtner@gmail.com

651 487-3068

From the Desk of the Club Retention Chair

Open call for club coaches! Your help is needed!

We need club coaches to assist with club rescue and strengthening. Successful club coaches receive credit towards their DTM for this effort. Let us know that you would like to help by emailing toastmastergreg@me.com, and we will pair you with a club that needs help.

With your help, we will have a very successful year!

Greg Scholz

Club Retention Chair

District 106

 District 106 Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI)

About this event

Are you ready to experience a METAMORPHOSIS in your Toastmasters experience?

Come celebrate our “Metamorphosis” from the Zoom rectangle to engage each other in person once again. On August 27th we will hold a live and in-person Toastmasters Leadership Institute at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Plymouth, MN.

Breakout sessions will qualify you to get credit for first round of club officer training plus there will be a keynote address by D106 International Speech Winner, Pete Tartaro, awards ceremonies, and a luncheon.

When: Saturday, August 27, 2022

Time: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm America/Chicago

Registration Opens at 8:00 am

Where: Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West

This Summer TLI features 2021/2022 D106 International Speech Contest winner, Pete Tartaro!

                              PxD106 Story Sparks

Pet stories. You probably have a heart-warming, funny, or possibly ridiculous story about a pet. Or, maybe you just enjoy stories!

About this event

This event is free and open to the public!

Humans sitting around the campfire telling stories--we have been doing this since the dawn of time. It's almost in our DNA. We love sharing and listening to stories.

If only there were an event that would allow you to share your stories, on a stage, in front of a whole bunch of people. Well, there have been several different organizations that put these on. Moth Story Slams is one of the more public events. We at District 106 don't believe Moth should have all the fun and have decided to put on our event. We've had so much fun, we are doing it for a third time, after a long break!

This event will have mystery; we have no idea who's telling us a story. This event will have drama; we have no idea who will win. This event will have comedy; the theme is "Pets," and there is bound to be a ton of laughs. This event will be fun; we've got a great Master of Ceremonies (Ray Young). Was it mentioned we are doing this on a proper stage at a comedy club in downtown St. Paul? Well, we are! And it's all free!*

 * Please note: This is going to be in downtown St. Paul and parking will have a cost associated with it. Good thing, the event is free, right?

WHEN:   Thursday, September 15, 2022

TIME:     6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

COST:     Free       

WHERE: Camp Bar       

               490 Robert St.    

               St. Paul, MN 55101