Do You Take a Tablet to Toastmasters?

No, not a pad of paper, but the electronic kind of tablet. 

From palm-size to wall-size, video screens have become our ubiquitous servants. From our doctor’s offices to our car dealer’s service bays they are providing instant services never thought of a mere five years ago.

In 2014, is the pace of “instant” video communication about to impact Toastmasters?

The novelty of using tablet computers for meeting functions is probably already wearing off. With surprising frequency these all-too-common tech gadgets are occupying necessary positions in our tracking, monitoring, speaking and, most recently, our Toastmasters training. What’s next? How about one-on-one recruiting? If CD’s are used as résumés, why not use tablets as marketing tools for recruiting new clubs? If a two-minute “elevator speech” can sell personal qualifications, why not a five-minute video selling Toastmasters International qualifications?

The power of the ten-inch screen in front of corporate decision makers continues to fascinate and gain prominence. If Toastmasters is truly international, can an international meeting – on Skype – be far behind? Once the logistics of language, time zones and protocol are worked out, as they say, “We’re live.”

But, back to District 25. If your club has implemented the use of a tablet for a cutting-edge purpose, forward your story to Cindy Hinckley. We can compile our responses and, who knows, maybe create an article for Toastmaster magazine. The recent response to the “Lunch and Learn” at the last TLI indicates that our District is ready to market the benefits of using this next generation of “techy” tools.

I for one, am anxious to see your ideas.

Jesse Torres

Area 34 Governor

Club Renewal Policy Change — Now It Takes Eight

A successful club attracts members and keeps them engaged. All of us want our clubs to be successful.

How many members should a club have to be successful? After conducting a survey of members' satisfaction and an analysis of the Distinguished Club Program, Toastmasters International has changed the minimum club membership level from 6 to 8, effective April 1, 2014. Therefore, for a club to continue in good standing after the April dues renewal, it must have at least 8 members.

You can visit Toastmasters International at the following link to see the official policy. It is located on page 139: http://www.toastmasters.org/policyprotocol

District 25 wants to educate and assist clubs in the transition to the 8-member minimum by presenting a special TLI workshop "Club Renewal Policy Change" on December 14 at Texas Wesleyan University. See how your club can prepare and what district resources are available to to help. http://www.d25toastmasters.org/tli/schedule.htm

My Day with the RA

Linda Williams

Linda Williams, Region 3 Advisor, paid us a visit last month. A Region Advisor (RA) oversees several districts' worth of Toastmasters clubs, providing support and advice to district officers mostly by phone, but also making one visit in person each year.

Since these visits are so rare, it's important to make the most of the RA's time. Organizing the schedule was the responsibility of Lt. Governor Marketing Cindy Hinckley. Linda would be here on Friday and Saturday, October 18-19. The District Executive Committee (DEC) Meeting and the Marketing Workshop were already planned for Saturday. So Cindy arranged a varied lineup of meetings with clubs and corporate sponsors to keep us busy all day Friday.

Besides the RA and the LGM, the entourage also included the PRO (that's me, Jodie Sanders, Public Relations Officer). I was enlisted to drive the car, take pictures, and carry the luggage. Actually, there was no luggage to carry, but driving the car was a useful service that allowed the others to discuss district affairs without distractions. Lt. Governor Education and Training Marylee Mims joined us for the second half of the day.

The first stop was in west Fort Worth at PDX, Inc., the company that sponsors the PDX RxOrators. We met with club President Cindy Feneley and VP Education Mark Yarbro, along with three company executives who sponsor the club. The discussion centered on how the company has and can continue to support Toastmasters in their workplace.

Our next visit was to Medtronic, which sponsors the Savvy Sayers club at their Haltom City facility. One of the important duties of Region Advisors (and other International officers) is to present Corporate Awards, which are generally given to companies that sponsor multiple clubs (whether locally, nationally or internationally) and have a high profile in their community.

At a ceremony attended by more than 25 people, Linda Williams presented the Corporate Recognition Award to Medtronic. The beautiful crystal award was accepted by Bill Keighley, Manufacturing Director, who said "It's heavier than it looks!" as he held it.

Cindy Hinckley and Area 55 Governor Bret Hauser, both members of Savvy Sayers, also participated in the ceremony.

Others present were District Governor Dean Lampman, other Savvy Sayers members and their supervisors. I had an unexpected responsibility during Linda's speech — she handed me her Special Occasion Speeches manual and asked me to evaluate her!

Linda Williams, D25 officers and some of the Talk Blue crew!

Back on the road, we stopped to pick up Marylee Mims, then headed to IBM in Coppell for the noon meeting of Talk Blue. We had a great visit with the members and took on some meeting roles, too.

Talk Blue member Marcheta Gardner is working on chartering a new community club and she was able to discuss her progress on this endeavor with us after the meeting.

The last club visit of the day was at NEC Corporation in Irving where club president Amy Newman had arranged a meeting with herself and officers Lidia Boisson, John Heiser and Stacey Street. We discussed several issues of concern to a young, fast-growing club. Amy also provided drinks and yummy cookies which definitely saved my life because apparently RAs and Lt. Governors don't take time to eat lunch.

Our final stop was a nearby restaurant where we ordered an early dinner and reviewed our day. (I bravely took the opportunity to give Linda some verbal comments on her speech which she accepted graciously.) We were joined for a while by Dean Lampman, who had something to drink but no dinner. The server naturally thought Dean should get the check for the entire group; also naturally, this took Dean aback somewhat, but he coped well.

Back in the car, I delivered all my dignitaries to their destinations, and my day with the RA was over. For me, it was a most educational, exciting and enlightening experience. Also awfully alliterative, apparently.

Jodie Sanders
Public Relations Officer

Opportunities Are Waiting!

I would like to introduce our newest Marketing Team member, Dan Chisum, who has accepted the position of Club Support Chair. He will be in charge of Club Coaches and Helping Hands. Read more about these roles here.

Here is a list of opportunities for those ready to commit to giving back to others by serving as a Club Coach or as a member of a Helping Hands Team.

Club Coaches:

• 4th Sunday, 6:30 pm - North Irving
• 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 1:00 pm - Grapevine
• Wednesdays, 4:05 - 5:05 pm - Arlington
• 1st and 3rd Saturday, 10:00 am - Lewisville
• Wednesdays, 12:05 pm - Southwest Fort Worth
• Alternate Wednesdays, 6:00 pm - North Irving
• Wednesday, Noon - Fort Worth - Near DFW Airport

Helping Hands:

• 1st and 3rd Wednesday, Noon, Northwest Fort Worth
• Wednesday, Noon, Fort Worth -  Near DFW Airport

If you are able to fill one of these roles, please contact Club Support at danchisum@d25toastmasters.org to volunteer.

Spreading the Word

Mariam Durrani is taking full advantage of winning our Region 3 Advisor Linda Williams' personal Toastmasters cup at the Marketing workshop. She is talking up Toastmasters to her teammates and supervisor.

The teammate Mariam carpools with took this picture after learning how Mariam won it.

A supervisor commented on the "new addition" to her mug collection, but then noticed there was only one mug on Mariam's desk. When asked where the collection was, Mariam stated, "the mug collection is just that... a collection. Toastmasters is a path for speaking and leadership which I endorse." The supervisor smiled and nodded.

It is great to know that Mariam is doing her part to build "A Toastmasters Field of Dreams."

Brink's Demo Is a Jewel of a Meeting

District 25's Marketing Team presented one of their solid-gold demo meetings at Brink's U.S. headquarters in Coppell on Friday, Oct 11th.

Nineteen potential Brink's Toastmasters attended the meeting led by Club Extension Chair Michael Sheridan.

Michael Weinmann, a member of the Off the Cuff club and a Brink's employee, arranged for the meeting and gave the Ice Breaker speech. Kathryn Burkhart of the Michael's Craft Masters club gave the Advanced speech.

Three Brink's employees did not hesitate to step up for Timer and to answer the Table Topics questions in great style.

Also assisting with meeting roles were Ted Martin of Keller Communicators, Lt. Governor Marketing Cindy Hinckley, District Governor Dean Lampman, and Public Relations Officer Jodie Sanders.

All the Brink's folks were friendly, enthusiastic, and asked lots of questions. We expect them to join District 25 very soon, and you can take that prediction to the bank.

Jodie Sanders
Public Relations Officer
jodiesanders@d25toastmasters.org

Build It and They Will Come!

Are you looking for some ideas for membership growth to achieve your club’s Toastmaster field of dreams?

Come to our next D25 Marketing Workshop on Saturday, October 19th from 1-3 pm. Our Region Advisor Linda Williams will be leading the training.
 
In this interactive session you will explore ways to get more members for your club. Membership building is a year-round activity, not just a seasonal effort.

Location and registration information is on the D25 website.

Build the dream!

Build the field!

• Build the team
• Build your strategy
• Everyone gets to play
• Prepare for the big game

And when you do, they will come!

Don't Hesitate, Be A Charter Member of The Evaluators Club!!

We can all benefit from enhanced Evaluation skills. There is a wonderful opportunity to be a charter member of a brand new Advanced Club in District 25 named "The Evaluators." Karen Platts is a member of Metrocrest Toastmasters and is leading the effort to form this new club. Potential members should have attained the CC/CL designation.

The focus of this new club will be to develop more effective evaluations by providing feedback to the speech evaluators as well as to the speakers. These additional evaluations will incorporate meaningful and invaluable observations to enhance evaluation skills.

We want to charter immediately so please contact Karen for further details on submitting your application.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 10 at 7:00 p.m. The location is First United Methodist Church, 2201 E. Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton, TX 75010. Contact Karen at 214-643-6547 or TMkdplatts7@gmail.com.

Mansfield Sunrise Plans a Triple Play Day

Mansfield Sunrise has big plans for Monday, September 9. They will begin the day with an Open House for their regular 7:00 a.m. Monday meeting at the Mansfield Public Library, 104 South Wisteria Street, Mansfield, TX 76063.  You are encouraged to arrive at 6:45 a.m. to get a name tag and get settled before the meeting begins.

Later in the day there are two additional opportunities to hear special speakers and experience Toastmasters. See the flyer below for details.

Janet Horton
VP Public Relations
Mansfield SunriseToastmasters
817-584-2307

Nationstar Speaks!

Nationstar Mortgage has joined the ranks of corporate sponsors for Toastmasters.
 
With the support of executive management, followed by extensive internal promotion, the District 25 Governing Body hosted an Open House and Demo meeting with 45 guests in attendance.  The chapter chartered Aug. 9, 2013, with 23 members.

Pictured above are Nationstar Chief Customer Officer and executive sponsor of the chapter, Dana Dillard, right, and Deborah Toledo, CTM, winner of the “Name the Chapter” contest.

The Nationstar Speaks chapter meets over the lunch hour each Wednesday at the company’s Convergence Location in Lewisville, Texas.  Nationstar employees Ada Widemon and Joyce Trimble are the club’s sponsors.  

To contact the Nationstar chapter, email Toastmasters@nationstarmail.com.    

Nationstar is headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, and employs 7,700 across the United States.

Joyce Trimble

Score BIG! and Win the Dues Renewal Game

Why are smart clubs already collecting their dues renewal payments?

Because they want to have all their members renewed by the September 30 deadline and they know that starting early is the key to success.

Now there's another reason: Our new Score BIG! promotion. Here's how your club can get the most points for your member renewal payments. All payments must be entered online at TI by September 30 to count.

All clubs with dues renewals of at least 65% of their base membership will receive a special Score BIG! ribbon.

65% of base membership renewed: 3 points. You've made a field goal, but why settle for that?

75% of base membership renewed: 6 points. Touchdown! This is a good score but there's room for improvement.

85% of base membership renewed: 7 points. Touchdown with the extra point! This is a winning score — a healthy number of members means a strong club that can win a championship.


Here's how your points can equal rewards:
3 points = Eligible clubs will be entered in a drawing for a $25 TI Store gift certificate. Two certificates will be awarded.
6 points = Eligible clubs will be entered in a drawing for a set of CC/CL manuals (4 of each) OR a $50 TI Store gift certificate. Two prizes will be awarded.
7 points = Eligible clubs will be entered in a drawing for their choice of one of the following: Full-Size Banner, Portable Lectern, Battery-Operated Timing Lights OR a $100 TI Store gift certificate. Two prizes will be awarded.

Of course, just as in the past, you will get the Early Bird ribbon by having at least six renewals entered online by September 30.

See what your club's base membership number is here or ask your area governor.

Be Part of a Brand New Evaluation Club!

There is a wonderful opportunity to be a charter member of a brand new Advanced Club in District 25. Karen Platts, DTM is a member of Metrocrest Toastmasters and is leading the effort to form this new club.

Karen's vision is two-fold. For several years, she has noticed that evaluations don’t seem to provide speakers with what they truly need to improve. She checked around in both District 25 and District 50 and found no club specializing in evaluations.

POP! LIGHT BULB! The idea hit her to establish a new club that would fill this void. The members would be Advanced Communicators and Leaders willing to share their knowledge with others. The focus of the new club would be to develop highly-defined evaluations through providing feedback to the evaluators. These additional evaluations (2-4 for each evaluator) would incorporate meaningful and invaluable observations based on a system created by the club members.

Karen envisions this new club as building camaraderie between Toastmasters in both districts, in addition to its main objective of showing members how to provide effective and meaningful evaluations.

A demo meeting will be held on Thursday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. The location is First United Methodist Church, 2201 E. Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton, TX 75010. Contact Karen at 214-643-6547 or TMkdplatts7@gmail.com

When Your Club Needs a Hand. . .

Call on the Helping Hands program! Helping Hands is for clubs whose membership is down and who feel that it would be beneficial to have extra hands and fresh ideas to make their club meetings stronger. The goal of Helping Hands is to re-energize the existing members and help turn visitors into members.

A Helping Hands team made up of experienced Toastmasters will come to your club meetings for a minimum of 3-4 consecutive meetings. The team consists of a team leader and 2 or 3 more Toastmasters.

Your club and your officers still run the meetings; the Helping Hands Team is simply there to play a supporting role. They will help to fill meeting roles, give speeches, evaluations, help foster a positive atmosphere and have lots of member participation to attract new members.

If you volunteer to serve on a Helping Hands team, you will have the opportunity to use your creative meeting ideas to help another club improve their meetings. It also allows you to see how other clubs run their meetings and see if they have any fresh ideas that you could take back to your own club. Being a Helping Hands Team member benefits the club you are helping but as importantly, it benefits you by helping you grow as a leader.

If you feel your club would benefit from this program or you would like to volunteer to be a part of a Helping Hands Team, you can contact Cindy Hinckley, our Lt. Governor Marketing, or me, the D25 Helping Hands Chair.

Call on Helping Hands when you need a hand!

Helping Hands Making District 25 Clubs Stronger,

Angela Bush
D25 Helping Hands Chair
abush@pdxinc.com

Good meetings keep members coming

Are your meetings good enough to keep your members coming back?

Well-run meetings are at the top of the list in retaining members. People want to feel their time is not wasted. Our members deserve a meeting that is organized, starts and ends on time, and is fun and informative. 

Here's another reason why is it so important for your meeting to make a good impression: It sets the stage for new members to join. Try never to cancel a meeting because a guest may pick that day to visit.

The club meeting provides an educational environment for learning and putting into practice the basics of Toastmasters. Some characteristics of a good meeting are:

• It's well prepared. Roles are confirmed in advance, a theme is announced, speech information and introductions are provided, evaluators have their speakers' objectives, printed copies of the agenda are available, members have prepared for their roles.
• It runs smoothly. Members arrive before starting time, the meeting begins and ends on time, the sections of the meeting stay within parameters.
• Everyone has fun. Members are friendly and welcoming, comments are positive and helpful, spontaneity and humor are encouraged.

Does this describe your club? What are some of the things you think are key to keeping your members happy and engaged in your meetings?

Please post a comment with your thoughts.

Communicating With Members

One of the keys to our district's well-being and success is including and engaging all our members. Open communication is a prime ingredient in keeping everyone informed and up to date on what is happening, what needs to happen and the opportunities that exist for them.

This begins our interactive marketing blog, which will provide a forum to ask questions, give opinions, and learn more about marketing efforts.

Hot Topics and D25 News will continue to be vital sources of information. Issues pertaining to club public relations, websites and social media will be discussed in our public relations blog, PROactivity.

I promise to answer all emails and phone calls in a timely manner, keeping the lines of communication open to every member.

Cindy Hinckley
Lt. Governor Marketing