Many of you have already signed up for the Club Officer Training event on November 11. Thank you!
If you haven’t signed up yet, consider helping your club by getting credit for joining us either in person or online. Click Here to Register
Even though this event is designed to teach Club Officers about their responsibilities, all Toastmasters are invited to attend to learn leadership skills. You will enjoy networking and getting to know your Toastmaster friends.
Special guest speaker Wendy Williamson, Region 6 Advisor, will be at the event in person. The title of her session is Working in a Team Environment. Here’s what to expect:
Four Key Elements a Team Must Have to be Successful
Commitment: Empower with ownership of roles, Execute responsibilities successfully, Energize with respect and humor
Communication: Share freely, provide feedback, encourage participation
Collaboration: Establish common objectives, share planning and work, rely on each other for advice
On October 18 and 19, Club Growth Director Kim Lynn and I had the opportunity to engage with many different companies, agencies, and schools at the Michigan Society of Human Resource Managers. Kim and I embraced the chance to shift our terminology while hosting the Toastmasters booth.
During our District Council Meeting in September we had the pleasure of hearing Pat Johnson discuss the transition of our vocabulary from “Club Speak” to “Corporate Speak.” This is more than a linguistic change. It is a cultural shift within the District to emphasize professionalism, relevance, and adaptability.
Examples include:
Instead of Club, say Meeting
Instead of Club Officers, say Executive Board
Instead of Pathways, say Educational Program
Use the following as an example of how to approach your company about opening a program where you work:
“Is your company looking for a way to develop their employees? The Toastmasters Corporate Program is an effective, affordable, self-paced, educational program. The curriculum offers frequent opportunities to learn and practice a wide range of leadership and communication skills, with ongoing feedback. The educational environment also offers space to learn the development of effective succinct answers to questions. Does this sound like something you would be interested in learning more about?”
The transition to corporate speak presents a unique opportunity for companies to invest in individual memberships for their employees.
It takes practice, but after two days, Kim and I were pretty good at it. Are you willing to take the plunge and switch to Corporate Speak? I think you’ll be surprised at the benefits.
More technical webmasters can also install the free plugins on an independent website. However, even techies may prefer the simplicity of starting from a Toastmost template.
In addition to my resources, club webmasters may want to explore the learning materials available through https://learn.wordpress.org.
Did you know that the Toastmasters’ learning experience was developed around five core competencies?
Public Speaking
Interpersonal Communication
Strategic Leadership
Management
Confidence
Each core competency refers to the capabilities, knowledge, skills, and resources that constitute defining strengths of a person or organization. Public speaking is important for many reasons. Speakers can motivate others to respond favorably in unfavorable conditions or to affect change. Speaking with clarity and confidence isn’t just for large audiences either. Public speaking occurs in meeting rooms, interactions with a spouse or standing at the cash register. Yes, public speaking is one of the most important skills to have. Did you know that public speaking can even have positive health benefits? Public speaking is a major contributor to establishing healthy relationships. Healthy relationships reduce blood pressure and decrease anxiety! The next time someone asks you why you practice public speaking, try saying because its good for the community and good for the soul! Don’t forget to add the invitation to join you at your next Toastmasters meeting!
Finding a location to host Club Officer Training and our annual Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) can be a little like reading a Where’s Waldo book. There are a lot of buildings but finding the right one can be tricky. We are actively searching for a suitable venue to accommodate Toastmasters Events. Here is what we are looking for:
Main conference room for 60-100 people
4 to 7 small classroom or meeting rooms for 10-15 people
Centralized location
Technology to accommodate presence over video (Zoom for remote participants)
A built in or removable stage is ideal
Sound system
Please provide qualified leads only. This means, the facility must be available on November 11, 2023, and/or April 25th thru April 27th, 2024.
Professionals working together for training and education.
Toastmasters Winter Club Officer Training (COT) is the program that helps your club leaders be successful. Attending COT is an integral part of the club leadership experience. By attending training, you will have the opportunity to develop real-world leadership skills, form support networks with your peers, and take away knowledge and ideas which can help you succeed in your club role.
Members may also attend these sessions to learn more about leadership, as well as any future club roles that you are considering.
Club Officer Training is required for your club to become Distinguished. Be sure to attend the next Winter Club Officer Training event scheduled for November 11th, 2023. Hear from special guest, Region Advisor Wendy Willamson. Save the date! Registration details are coming soon.
We all know the jokes and memes about the Detroit Lions or should we say Li-Downs? But did you know they are currently number one in the league? That’s right! They are working together, throwing the ball with excellence, and preventing the opposing team from scoring. They are now a well-oiled machine.
This is exactly what we see in District 62. Our club growth team, led by the amazing Kim Lynn, is actively following up on new leads and members are starting clubs in their workplaces. We are turning the corner from some tough years and guests are attending our meetings regularly.
Do you feel the energy and excitement in the air? It’s all because of you, the members, and your can-do spirits. We are making things happen and the benefits of Toastmasters are becoming more apparent to our community members.
Let’s keep up the momentum and continue to thrive. We have a winning team here in District 62 and together we can achieve greatness. Thank you for all that you do!
Led by Eloquents Toastmasters, Lansing area clubs got a booth at the BluesFest on September 15 and 16. Members from Eloquents Toastmasters, Capital City Toastmasters and Lansing Lucidas got together to promote their clubs.
Members talked to visitors, handed out flyers and business cards, collected contact information and
volunteered as MC and Bucket Brigade during the festival. Members collaborated with BluesFest organizer MICA (Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art) to raise awareness of Toastmasters clubs and enjoy the music.
Eloquents Toastmasters President Kimberly Allen organized the event and Area 5 Director Andy McCullough and Area 7 Director Aaron Sun reached out to Lansing Area clubs to facilitate the event .
Milestones achieved since the new Toastmaster year prove that “United We Succeed” when heading toward our primary District 62 mission: We build new clubs and we support all clubs in achieving excellence.
CELEBRATING CLUBS AND MEMBERS
DTM Awards (DISTINGUISHED TOASTMASTERS)
Vicki Harwood 9/12/2023
Owen Monday Jr. s9/15/2023
Margaret Sieh 9/29/2023
BUILDING NEW CLUBS
The introduction of new clubs injects fresh vitality into a District as enthusiastic new members eagerly engage in various activities. These new clubs cater to a diverse demographic by offering educations programs on different days and times and adding variety to existing clubs. Moreover, the establishment of new clubs attracts additional volunteers, alleviating the district workload.
The presence of multiple clubs in a specific area enhances annual events, and the increased membership base ensures effective dissemination of information beyond mere word-of-mouth. With a greater number of clubs, we secure more financial resources to develop and enhance our programs, ultimately benefiting a broader audience that can avail themselves of the valuable offerings provided by Toastmasters.
NEW CLUBS CHARTERED
1. Remarkable Results Toastmasters Club was chartered on 7/1/2023
SPONSORS: Craig O’Neill and 00480290*
MENTORS: Craig O’Neill and 00665768*
2. Fresenius Kabi Toastmasters Club is submitting paperwork
* recognizing members request for anonymity
NEW CLUB LAUNCH MEETING HELD
Cleary University
NEW CLUB LAUNCH MEETINGS SCHEDULED
WKTV
CU* Answers
SUPPORTING ALL CLUBS IN REBUILDING
If your club is currently lacking energy or engagement, it is essential that the initiative to improve comes from you as members. However, the district leadership is committed to providing you valuable assistance. Contact your Area Director or your Division Director for helpful assistance.
We offer training twice a year, with multiple opportunities available in the Summer and Fall/Winter. Additionally, upon request, we can assign coaches to assist your club. The highly recommend club-to-club mentoring and coaching is a valuable approach. Furthermore, organizing open houses or area meet and greets can be effective in reaching out to those nearby.
Another suggestion is for your club to consider joining meetups or local chambers of commerce to increase exposure. Everyone takes great joy in celebrating the individual achievements of members and clubs. If you have any questions, the district is here to support you with an Area Director and Division Director.
DISTRICT 62 MET THE GOAL OF PAID CLUBS!
PATHWAYS MENTOR PROGRAM
John Cameron
67496372*
Top 10 clubs with highest education awards per 7/1 base membership
Club
Name
Educ awards
July 1 base
Ratio
6186
Lakeshore Club
18
13
1.385
3009
Community Toastmasters Club
11
13
0.846
1572737
Rising Stars Toastmasters Club
14
21
0.667
3917
Trailblazers
7
17
0.412
3599862
Grandville-Jenison Chamber Toastmasters
4
13
0.308
1080
Power Toastmasters Club
4
14
0.286
9117
Four Flags Club
2
8
0.250
7307
Eloquents
3
15
0.200
811867
Talk of the Town Club
2
12
0.167
3475612
Galesburg Toastmasters
3
19
0.158
Congratulations on Great Accomplishments!
We are so proud of what all of you have accomplished in just three months! Way to go everyone!
Embarking on a health program is a commitment that requires dedication, determination, and a clear vision of one’s goals. This year, in January I began my own health journey with a comprehensive plan which includes six meals a day, consuming 64 plus ounces of water daily, and the support of a coach. With a specific goal in mind and a well-structured plan in place, I set out to achieve my objective before the end of September. While the road has not been easy, the lessons learned include the importance of making certain choices, developing perseverance, and making sacrifices to reach the finish line.
Undoubtedly, the path to achieving our goals is often accompanied by challenges and setbacks. There were times when I felt tempted to give up, especially when progress seemed slower than anticipated. However, learning to appreciate that progress is progress, regardless of its speed. Each step forward was a testament to my determination and commitment, even when faced with obstacles. By embracing a mindset of perseverance, I was able to bounce back from setbacks and stay focused on the end goal.
Are you on a path towards achieving your goals? Do you ever feel discouraged because progress seems slow? By consciously choosing to prioritize our goals and making decisions that align with them, we set ourselves on the path to success. One tool taught by this health program is the idea of “STOP. CHALLENGE. CHOOSE.” (habitsofhealth.com).
When facing setbacks, before you give up, STOP. This is a time to pause and reflect. Evaluate your reasons for wanting to quit. Then CHALLENGE: Challenge your negative thoughts and seek alternative perspectives. Achieving our goals often requires sacrifice-a willingness to let go of certain comforts, habits, or distractions that hinder our progress. Sacrifice is not a punishment but a steppingstone towards a brighter future. Evaluate what you can give up or adjust to make room for your goals. Then CHOOSE: It is easy to let setbacks derail us, but it is in these moments our choices matter most.
For example, I want a piece of chocolate cake. For those of you that know me, you know I have a weakness for anything chocolate, but especially chocolate baked goods. They are extremely hard to resist. What I want to grab a piece, I STOP, I CHALLENGE myself with the thought that it will set my goal back another four days and then I CHOOSE to not have the cake.
What are you working on now that this process will work for you? Do you have a big project at work? Is your child graduating in the spring and you have certain goals around that? Do you want to grow as a leader in Toastmasters? Whatever your goal is, this process could work for you. I encourage you to use this when you have a goal you want to achieve.
Toastmasters District 62
