A Message from our District Director

Hello Fellow District 15 Toastmasters,

I hope you and your families are doing well. Time has flown by and it is already the end of the first quarter of the Toastmasters year.  I was walking my dog around the neighborhood, it was a bit chilly and I can imagine the snow falling in the months ahead. But for now I am enjoying the leaves turning those wonderful fall colors. The holidays are also around the corner, enjoy them with your family and friends.

We are in the thick of the Toastmasters year and I wonder what is your goal this year?  Have you made a plan to achieve that goal?  What can the district do to help you get you to where you need to go?  There are several opportunities for leadership within the district, all you have to do is ask. 😊

I would like to thank everyone who stepped up to leadership this Toastmasters year. We have a great team serving the district. A quick list of the leadership team can be found here: https://www.district15speaks.org/district-15-leadership-roster/

I hope that you all look forward, as I do, to a great Toastmasters year. Together we are rebuilding and strengthening our clubs, creating new ways to communicate, and building stronger relationships with our fellow Toastmasters.

Wishing you all a great next quarter!!

Be well!!

– Maria

Toastmasters Articles of Interest

Articles from Toastmasters International and Other Districts

Challenges

Authored by Marisa Whittington, DTM

One of the BINGO squares was to “Submit article for District newsletter”. I found this a challenge for me so I thought I couldn’t do. Then I thought as toastmasters we take on new challenges everyday so why not take this one on as well. As your Division E Director for 2021-2022 I will be taking on many new challenges throughout the year. Even though I was the Division E Director in 2017-2018 times have changed since then with Covid throwing us into the Zoom world. Now that it is coming to an end it will throw us into more new challenges of going virtual, figuring out how to accommodate both in room and zoom participants at the same time. Also, with Division E hosting the District 15 Conference in the fall that also brings more challenges and opportunities to learn and grow in leadership roles for Toastmasters in Division E. Am I up for the challenges this year? You bet I am!

Being President of Lone Peak Toastmasters in the past year has certainly taught me a new level of Leadership. As your Division E Director, I promise to do whatever it takes to make this the best Division in District 15 ever, of course with all your help as toastmasters we can do just that.

As I was growing up even though I was not comfortable in engaging in conversation I was a chatter box. By brothers would always say to me “don’t you ever shut up” I guess I had a lot to say just not anything important to say. As a teenager I took on a role of leading a large youth meeting for my church, my duties were getting the meeting agenda organized, contact the Keynote speaker, get her introduction with that I was the emcee for the meeting and introduced the Keynote speaker. I was so excited to take on this role. Then as I grew into adulthood, I was an instructor in my church in the Ladies organization. Again, I enjoyed teaching and presenting. Then 2013 I joined Toastmasters not knowing there was an organization that encompassed all the things I enjoyed as a child being a chatter box (speaking), as a teenager (emcee or toastmaster), and adulthood (Division Director – teaching and presenting). I am still a chatter box but now I have something to say. Through being a member of Toastmaster I have learned and am still learning the proper skills of leading and speaking with all the mentors and examples of other Toastmasters all around me.

Every new day, week, month, and year brings us all new challenges in life and in Toastmasters. For us as Toastmasters lets challenge ourselves to do new things to help us grow in what ever endeavor is out there for us. Go to your BINGO game see if there is something on there that will challenge you. I challenge all of you to try something new, write an article for the District newsletter, finish a path in Pathways or even get that DTM. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Final Thoughts

If you would like to submit an article or have an idea for an article for the newsletter, please reach out to district15trio@gmail.com.

Have a great Toastmasters day!!

– D15 Trio

Toastmasters International Envisioned Future

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