International President of Toastmasters International has killed World Champion of Public Speaking, Mark Hunter in what appears to be an angry rage with a light saber.
Gary Schmidt, International President of Toastmasters International was a guest Convention delegate at the District 69 Convention over the May Day long weekend. In the final address to the Convention, Breakfast for Champions, presented by District 69′s own Mark Hunter, Gary Schmidt randomly appeared on stage with a blue light saber to the Star Wars intro theme.
Gary viciously and deliberately fought with our knight, who pulled out his own red light saber only under provocation.
District 69 Governor Coral McVean admitted it was a mistake to invite Gary Schmidt to Convention, and is concerned the District will never recover from this mournful loss. Coral has ensured Gary was promptly driven to the airport on Tuesday and subsequently deported back to Clackamas, Oregon.
We invite any Toastmaster who witnessed this heinous crime to comment below and express their feelings about the event.
I would never have believed it on words alone – thank goodness there was a camera there!
After this atrocious behaviour, I felt obliged to whisk Gary to the airport on Tuesday under cover of darkness. Coral McVean
I did not blame Gary! We all missed out on a hot breakfast and as mark himself had mentioned, he was a meal on wheels!
Gary was a true Master of the Light Sabre. “Go Gary, GO Gary, Go Go GO!!!!!!”
His skill was remarkable. I put up a good fight but yielded to his superiority with the sabre. Even in this ‘to the death’ experience, Gary was a gentleman. Being able to reincarnate as Yoda, meant I was able to complete the Keynote….May the Force be With us All, as we become Explorers in this Toastmaster Universe of ours!!!!!!
I too witnessed this horrid crime at the Convention, however I am also a little aghast that Mark, the hero, was in fact holding a red lightsaber.
This would indicate to me that Garry was fighting Mark-Maul, an enemy of the Jedi and was therefore the hero of the hour.
How can we make our meetings more interesting, more entertaining, be irresistible to guests and members to make it mandatory for them to come back for more……… our top Toastmasters with a magnificent demonstration of leadership by example; although Gary! “does slaying the world champion qualify under the principals of Servant Leadership?”
I am quite impressed at the organisation of the district 69 convention and well done to Sue and dont forget the army of volunteers that assisted with front desk and raflles atc.
Go GAry at the DISTRICT 69 CONVENTION.
I also was inspired by Gary’s presentations and involving the first timers in the evaluations.
I am blown away
also go Terry Hick From Metro Division
Rod Luck Area 18 Governor
I am learning fast to be an intergallatic explorer but after witnessing what may happen to an Australian world champion I may stay a tourist on home soil till it is declared safe to travel to alien places.
Congrats to Sue and all who helped to make this convention the best ever. What a pleasure and a privilege to meet Gary, our International President and a truly nice guy.
Mark and I were simply demonstrating a Jedi training technique, not active combat. Mark is indeed the Jedi Master of effective communication and leadership.
What a joy to visit the superb members of District 69!
The Force is with you all!
Woe is me! The Organising committee of D73 TMI convention extends condolences to D69, and wonders if Gary Schmidt will provide a replacement speaker for their convention in 8 days time?
Truly an amazing performance and I thought Star Wars was a comedy in fact my children banned me from watching the movies with them years ago because I laughed!! Maybe I should revise my opinion and call them (the movies that is) “horrors”.
But finally, Go Gary Go Gary …. Go Go Go!!!!!!!!!!
A magnificent end to a stunning Convention. It was a joy to meet our World Class Speakers. I am sure that Gary will take back many laughs to share from Oz and our Larrikens….including a real Aussie Cougar.
Go Gary Go Go!!
Go Gary go Gary go go GO!!!!!!
I had a great time at the conference and I was and am honoured to have met you Gary!!!
Maggie
Seeing is believing, the camera does not lie in the bringing together of two of our finest servant leaders.
In addition to Club Officer Training we should have Jedi Training!
Gary, Go you good thing.
Go to other countries and spread the word of Toastmasters.
Go into the next Toastmaster year knowing that the stewardship of your role has been well looked after these past twelve months.
It was a pleasure meeting you. Cheers!