A Message from our District Director

Happy Spring District 15 Toastmasters!!

I hope you and your loved ones are looking forward to Spring and Summer.  It is hard to believe that we are coming up to the end of this Toastmasters year. you may think, time to slow down and finish up. I agree, we need to finish up, but finish as strong as we can. Remember you can still have an open house, invite a friend to your club to enjoy a meeting, finish a path level, or even start the pathways program. 😊

The District 15 Conference was May 14^th and I would like to echo Mark Brown’s words from his keynote, “everyone’s role is valuable”. I think everyone of us bring value to whatever we engage in.  Don’t be shy to raise your hand to help or be part of District leadership. It is our community that keeps District 15 getting better and better.

I would like to congratulate the incoming District leadership for the next Toastmaster’s year:

District Director: Trevor Nelson
Program Quality Director: Sarra Idehen
Club Growth Director: Jaysee Jimenez
Division A Director: Lumuli Wanyonyi
Division B Director: Tony Derricott
Division C Director: Jamie Mann-Deichmann
Division D Director: Kandi Kutkas
Division E Director: Jorge Ramirez

We are still on the look out for a District Finance Manager, District Admin, and Area directors, interested? Or know anyone who is?  Please reach out to any of the current or future district leaders.

In closing, I want you all to know that I have enjoyed my time as District Director this year.  My years helping or being in the Trio have definitely been a learning experience as we tackled challenges, that is safe to say, we have never seen before.  I look forward to helping the district stay strong and growing for years to come.  I don’t feel that I am saying goodbye, it is more like, I will see you soon. 😊

Be safe!

Maria

Pioneering Videos for Toastmasters!

https://2308.toastmastersclubs.org/

By Ken Jenkins, VP Education, Pioneer Toastmasters Club

In the depths of the initial months of the pandemic, with clubs either meeting remotely (or not at all), Pioneer Toastmasters in Boise brainstormed ideas to connect with new and potential members.  Under the leadership of then-President Paul Durham, we concluded that short informational videos on YouTube would give both newer Toastmasters and interested non-members a better idea of what a Toastmasters meeting looks like.

In 2021 I took on this task as a High Performance Leadership Project (HPLP) challenge in my Effective Coaching path.  I used the old “A Toastmaster Wears Many Hats” brochure that I remembered from my days at Ada TM Club in the 1990’s as a guide.  I updated the subjects, added a few new ones (like speech contests), and ran the ideas past the club members.  By then Pioneer was meeting in hybrid mode, so it was easier to discuss the project and plan the filming.  I drafted the key bullet points for each subject – things that we needed to cover, such as the standard times a timekeeper must track.  But I left the content, and the delivery style, to each volunteer presenter.  They were asked only to do their video within two minutes or so.

With great team effort and a focus on delivering a quality informational product, in 2021 and early 2022, Pioneer Club members each volunteered to do a short video.  Club member Scott Croswell (“pay no attention to the man behind the camera”) served as our videographer, and he did a phenomenal job of herding all the cats.  Sergeant at Arms Chris Frye (winner of the Sid Smith Award and a technology star) worked with Scott to get the sound, lighting, and background just right.

Despite delays due to the Delta and Omicron variant, and normal workplace challenges, we were able to finish the project in April 2022.  President Kathy Crotty and others kept the project as a club goal.  The final product: 11 videos at right around Table Topics length (2 minutes), posted on YouTube as a reference for anyone, in or out of the club.  The Toastmaster presenters with their particular subject are:

Introduction to Pioneer Toastmaster – Ken Jenkins

Serving as Timekeeper – Mike Towers

Giving Your Icebreaker Speech – Candi Fitch

How to Respond to a Table Topic – Kathy Crotty

Serving as Table Topics Master – Bea Gogate

Serving as a Speech Evaluator – Melissa Towers

Serving as General Evaluator – Mackenzie Taylor

Serving as Toastmaster of the Meeting – Paul Durham

Overview of Club Officer Roles – Sameer Deshmukh

Introduction to a Speech Contest – Josh Newman

Serving as Ah-Grammarian – Ian Riley.

Want to see one for yourself?  Just click on the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdo4sLuDOl2yInub6DUxiQg/videos

Pioneer has long focused on helping both the new TM and the experienced member.  The Pioneer Video project has done just that.  Fellow Toastmasters!

Education Awards

Congratulations to everyone who achieved education awards this past Toastmasters quarter:

Data Statistics (January – March 2022)

– 93 total education awards earned by District 15 members. Great Work!!!
– Idaho Falls Club, Jack C High Club, and Olympic Orators Club each earned 7 education awards.
– Kelly W. of Utah Valley Club earned the most individual awards, 4 education awards!! Awesome!!!

Click here to view more information!!

Toastmasters Articles of Interest

Articles from Toastmasters International and Other Districts

Final Thoughts

Toastmasters International Envisioned Future

To be the first-choice provider of dynamic, high-value, experiential communication and leadership skills development.