Can you believe it? Eight months of our year have gone – there are only four left. Have you checked on your goals? More importantly, are you on target?
District 69 is alive and exciting!
New Website Developments
Our website is developing each day. I would encourage you to have a look. We are now getting a greater number of enquiries from potential members via the web so we need to be aware of what is offering there. Even better send your club’s success stories to our webmaster Gary Kuss webmaster@toastmastersd69.org, plus any resources you wish to share.
Travelling Gavel
This month sees the beginning of the Travelling Gavel’s journey. See the history behind the idea on the web. Gary will set up a link so that you can click and see where our Travelling Gavel is The journey starts from my home club, Nambour.
Who will be the first to kidnap it? All you need to do is:
- Contact Nambour Club Vice President Education, Vernon Flood on mcinally@bigpond.com
- Ask for 3 members of your club to be on the agenda
- Have 3 or more members of your club attend our meeting
- Then your club captures the ‘Travelling Gavel’ until someone kidnaps it from you.
- Let the webmaster know you have it for his tracking on our website
- It is a creative way to meet members from other clubs and to gain new ideas!
Club Coach
Recently I attended Carina Club. In Sept 2007 they had 6 members with only 4 turning up to meetings. Now they are at charter strength. It didn’t happen overnight and it shows the power of a committed club coach – in this case, Sandy Macdonald. Now eighteen later the club has gained Distinguished Club status.
Sandy’s philosophy was to ‘grow the skills of the members’ and to use our Toastmasters powercharged programs effectively to ‘grow the club’ She listened, guided and had the support of the active members. Now, they have a new challenge, if they continue to grow they will need a bigger venue.
Their meetings are fun and the members are achieving their Communication and Leadership goals.
If your club needs assistance and has less than 12 members, speak to our Club Coach, Richard Dudaniec Richard.dudaniec@pipersgroup.com.au. He is there to help you .
Inspiring Toastmaster Stories
Pause for a moment and ask yourself – How am I using my Toastmasters skills in everyday life? Here are two inspiring stories from Toastmaster authors.
Karen Tyrell joined Toastmasters after a severe bout of Bipolar Disorder in 2007 to repair her shattered self esteem and build her self confidence. Through active mentoring and support from her club, Karen has gained confidence and now has 3 books ready to roll. Two are at the Publishers (a crime and a kids Sci Fi), the third titled “Me and Her – a Memoir of Madness“ is with a Literary Agent. It covers her struggle and triumph over Bipolar Disorder. In early February, Karen was invited to be a Public Speaker for SANE a Mental Health Organisation. Congratulations Karen!
Our second author is Marilyn Campbell. Marilyn who joined in 2005 has developed a desire and skill for storytelling from the variety of speeches she has delivered. It was Toastmasters that inspired her to write stories. She has developed her skills as an oral and written storyteller and now has her first book, ‘’The Wild Monkey Girl “ published by local publishers Congratulations Marilyn !
Each of us gains a multitude of skills by being a Toastmaster. Have you taken the time to reflect and be aware of how much you have gained?
While reflecting – I encourage you to go a step further and decide what your next challenge will be? Enjoy your journey whatever your answer.
Coral McVean
District Governor 2009-2010
Toastmasters International District 69
