By Paul Wood, District Director
Greetings,
The new Toastmasters year has started and I am now the new District Director, new year new titles. As part of this message you will be able to read a brief summary of the District 19 Retreat Day. The day was a reflection of the passion and commitment of so many incoming and outgoing District Officers.
For this first commentary of my term as the District Director I would like to ask you to read through, reflect and offer feedback on the comments below.
I would like to give a big thank you to Mark who has led the District with humour, commitment, enthusiasm and strong leadership. I feel nervous as I start this new journey and ensuring I can continue building on the strong foundation that Mark has set. To help I have an excellent team around me with Keith and Jeanne as the Trio, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help District 19 set new standards for other Districts to envy. As part of ensuring that all clubs are helped to maintain and grow membership we do have a District Club Coach Chair (Brenda Peshak) who will work with Jeanne to be a support resource to all clubs. With a District Mentor Chair (Martha Tinker) we plan to work with and set in place a three to five year programme to help mentor individual club members, Area and Division officers and other District officers.
Positives and Negatives
Club visits (negative – trying to get them into the website)
Collaboration between Area Governors – positive
Collaboration between Divisions – positive
People stepping up – positive
Toastmasters Leadership Institute(TLIs) – How do we make them better?
Educate clubs about the importance of TLIs
TLI promotional flyer
Satellite TLIs
Emphasize for non-club officers
No overlapping of TLI dates
Job description for club officers
Educational sessions at TLI
Train the trainers
Judges training
Participation outside corporate clubs. It is sometimes difficult to get members of corporate clubs to participate in District events.
Change mindset of those who do not attend
Engage training interaction
Goals and Expectation
– Commitment at all levels
– Overcome boredom of members (visit other clubs to see new ideas and approaches)
-Help new clubs start – what can we do?
-Use Trio and demo team to visit clubs to motivate
Trio Expectations
– Use Trio as a resource
– Accessibility
– Transfer info up and down
– Use www.District19.me
– Answer questions efficiently
– Committees for chairs
– Presence at Area and Division Contests
– Hold Area Directors and Division Directors accountable
District expectations
Jeanne’s Goals (Club Growth Director)
– Club Coach
– 10 – 14 new clubs
– Clear communication
– Get the Marketing Excellence award
Keith (Programme Quality Director)
– Get the Educational Excellence award
– Do more than just officer training at TLI/add value
– 375 educational awards
– Leadership conference
Mark – Lessons learned
– Strong financial management
– Be organized
– Communication styles
– Write stuff down
– Keep up – delegate – follow up
– Find a mentor
– Involve your family
– Step up
– Don’t be afraid to contact Toastmasters International
– You are never done
Paul (District Director)
– Answer e-mails within 24 hours
– Communication
– Attend every Division contest
– Division A contest – October 3
– Division B contest – October 31
– Division C contest – October 17
– Division D contest – November 1
– Division E contest – October 24
– Never stop listening
– Division director meeting – 3rd Sunday of month at 7.30pm
– Continue monthly Face to face meetings with Trio
– Weekly Conference Calls with Trio and other officers as needed
– Use the District 19 website to give a monthly commentary
In closing I would like to give my commitment to visit clubs around the District and to be available to visit Area and Division events as allowable. Should you have questions, thoughts, ideas, concerns please write to me and we can talk.
Paul
District Director
[email protected]