Important information for all Toastmasters, Toronto to Belleville

October 2020: Success In Challenging Times

Fellow Toastmasters - the pandemic continues to present all of us with obstacles. We're having to adapt how we work, how we communicate and how we interact with other people - including members of our family!

I'm proud of the way District 60 Toastmasters continue to rise to these new challenges. In this month's newsletter, you'll read about individual and club successes. And we've provided tools and opportunities that will help you get the most out of your membership year.

Thank you for continuing your Toastmasters journey with us. I wish you every success!

Wendy Williamson DTM, District Director

For Everyone - Some Inspiration

Think you've exhausted all the opportunities within Toastmasters? Then you need to meet Thelma Baker.

Fourteen years ago, Thelma was introduced to Toastmasters when she attended a Speechcraft session. Today, she’s the Treasurer of Oshawa Toastmasters Club and the long running Secretary of Spotlight Speakers Advanced Toastmasters Club.

And at 90 years old, Thelma’s nowhere near ready to stop her Toastmasters journey. Read her story here.

For Everyone: Congratulate our Newest DTMs!

Achieving Distinguished Toastmaster designation is the culmination of a LOT of hard work, practicing and improving communication and leadership skills.

Please congratulate our newest DTMs, gaining their qualification between July and September 2020:

Francis Chu DTM, Toastmasters CIPro Club
Richard Darrell DTM, Spotlight Speakers
Allan Farrington DTM, Brainwave Speakers
Elaine Goulbourne DTM, Brooklin Toastmasters
Angela Ho DTM, Toronto #1 Toastmasters
Debra Irvine-Kvistbo DTM, Toronto #1 Toastmasters
Corey Knecht DTM, Oshawa Toastmasters
Julia Lawr DTM, Bay Street Breakfast Toastmasters Club
Lee-Anne Leslie DTM, Whitby Intrepid Toastmasters
Rajiv Mahendran DTM, Scarborough Toastmasters Club
Nicole Pino-Lobo DTM, 222 Jarvis Toastmasters Club
Karim Premji DTM, Advanced 60 Speakers
Karim Premji (yes, again!) DTM, North York Project Management
Dorothy Sanderson DTM, Oshawa #1 Toastmasters
Anne Sharples DTM, Humber Shores Club.

Wondering how you can join them? This graphic guide (courtesy of Division 69) will let you map your achievements to date, and plot out what you need to do next.

If you're interested in becoming a Club Sponsor, Mentor or Coach, please email our Club Growth Directors (CGD@Toastmasters60.com), and they'll be happy to match you up.

If you'd like to serve as a District officer, read on...

For Everyone: District Leadership Selection Process is Now Open

We are now seeking nominations for District Leaders not just for District 60, but also District 123 - the brand new district that comes into being July 1, 2021.

There are elected positions for each district, and appointed positions as well. You can read all about the opportunities and the process at this dedicated webpage, which has a wealth of information.

For elected positions the deadline for applications is Saturday January 9th, 2021 - no exceptions! And applications for appointed positions must be submitted by March 31st, 2021.

As ever, don't delay. Nominations are being accepted now.

For Club Officers: Congratulations on Outstanding Results!

Thank you, Club Officers! Despite everything the universe was throwing at you:

85% of you completed Round 1 Club Officer Training. This is an astonishing achievement - we can't remember when such a large percentage committed to improving their leadership skills, and we want to thank you for your enthusiasm. For the many clubs that achieved 7 out of 7 officers trained: Your laser pens are on order from Toastmasters International, and we'll let you know when they arrive.

67 clubs completed their Club Success Plan. The time you've invested in working out how to move your club forward will pay off throughout the year, as you check off the Distinguished Club points. Your "Word of the Day" packs are also on order from TI, and we hope to distribute them soon. If your club didn't complete the plan by the deadline, it's still worth doing it now. Click here to access the blank plan.

Many of you have planned and publicized your Open Houses. This is one of the best ways of attracting and recruiting new members and, again, it's never a bad time to promote an Open House. Use any and all of the free social media channels available to you:

MeetUp - if your club doesn't have its own MeetUp account, promote your Open House for free on your Division's MeetUp page. Speak to your Area or Division Director.
Eventbrite - "public speaking" is one of the most searched terms on Eventbrite. Make sure your Open House is visible and searchable!
Facebook - your club may have its own page, but don't forget to ask your members to publicize your Open House on their personal pages. Member Get Member is one of the most reliable ways of gaining visitors - and converting them to members.
LinkedIn - another great way to promote your Open House to people you know. And until November 4, District 60 will be supporting your efforts with an advertising campaign (image below) that's already been seen by over 34,000 LinkedIn users.

For Everyone: Moving Along Your Path

Have you checked out the Pathways tab at www.toastmasters60.com lately?

Recent additions include:

fillable Path Checklists in Word (doc), Word (docx) and PDF versions to track your progress
and many tutorials as part of the District’s ongoing efforts to support and inform members in getting the most from our educational program.

Less than half of new members have chosen a Path – why not use this information to help those in your club get started and encourage new and existing members?

For Area Directors - Your Club Visit Reports Are Due

Thanks to the many Area Directors who have already filed their Club Visit Reports. You've got about six more weeks - the deadline is November 30 - to submit any remaining reports.