Toastmasters International is Announcing 2019 Initiatives

Dear District 1 Toastmasters,

Happy New Year! I am excited to announce that Toastmasters International has launch the 2019 Initiatives. These initiatives are designed to help you succeed and reach your goals. Healthy clubs means more members and a better toastmaster experience for you. See the changes below.

  • Club Quality: The Wow!Factor Project: This new 2019 program is a chance for all Toastmasters to show off their wow! Immediately following a kickoff email from International President Lark Doley, club officers will start 2019 by doing a deep analysis of their club. Using tools to fully assess performance, they will find the gaps and areas of weakness. February will be the month when clubs start putting their analyses and vital findings into action, with the intent being ‘the best club possible.’ The goal is to get members to think and say “wow!” when they attend a meeting. Members will be invited to send in a one-minute video of their club’s unique wow experience using #wowfactor. By March, the wow factor of clubs should be in full motion and kept in motion. Download the Club Quality Checklist here.
  • Club Coach Program Changes: As you know, the club coach program provides critical support to clubs that are struggling and need long-term outside help to raise their membership and level of excellence. Successful club coaches traditionally receive credit toward the ALS or DTM award for their service as a coach. In addition, the ALS award also requires one year of service as a district officer. But starting now, successful club coaches will also be credited with service as a district officer. This means successful club coaches will complete two of the ALS/DTM requirements rather than one. Club coaches will still have two years to help clubs become distinguished—all of this year and through the 2019-2020 program year. You may have members in your district who doubted their ability to achieve the traditional DTM award by June 30, 2020—this revised club coach program facilitates this.
  • District Recognition Program Changes: The Board of Directors understands the recent challenges with meeting District Recognition status and the desire to facilitate success; therefore, it decided to modify the Distinguished District Program for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 years to encourage district teams to focus on the mission and, at a minimum, reach Distinguished District status. For example, Distinguished District now requires 1.5% net membership payment growth, 1.5% net club growth, and 40% of the club base to be distinguished. Select Distinguished District now requires 3% net membership payment growth, 3% net club growth, and 45% of the club base to be distinguished. President’s Distinguished District now requires 5% net membership payment growth, 5% net club growth, and 50% of the club base to be distinguished. Smedley Distinguished District, a new level, requires 8% net membership payment growth, 8% net club growth, and 55% of the club base to be distinguished.

We hope you’re excited about these initiatives as we embark on a successful new year!

Sincerely,

Evelyn Woolrigde, DTM

District 1 Director

Click to see Wow!Factor Project email

Future Leaders Of District One: Nominations Are Open

We are now accepting nominations for elected and appointed District Officer positions for District 1. For role descriptions and qualifications, refer to this Call for Nominations. Note that self-nominations are accepted and encouraged.

For Elected Positions:
Candidates for elected positions –District Director, Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director and Division Directors must submit their nomination form and release form by January 5, 2019 and attend District Leadership Committee interviews. Interviews will be held in February. Final date to be announced. Please email forms and any questions to District Leadership Chair, Jessica Allen, DTM at Jessica.allen@district1toastmasters.org.

For Appointed Positions:
Candidates for appointed positions – Public Relations Manager, District Administration Manager, Finance Manager, and Area Directors – must submit their nomination form and release by May 31, 2019. Please email forms and any questions to District Leadership Committee Chair, Jessica Allen, DTM at Jessica.allen@district1toastmasters.org. Candidates may nominate themselves or another person. Appointments will be made by the newly-elected District Director in early June.

Mandatory District Leader Training will be held in June and July. Please save dates if you are applying. These are two different trainings and you must attend.

Elections for elected positions will be held at the Spring Conference on May 18, 2019.

Click to see the following:
Call for Nomination
Candidate Application
Biographical Information
Nominating Form
Release Form
District Leader Competencies

ATTENTION: Call to Council – All Presidents, VPEs and DEC

 

August 27, 2018

Call to Council

To:  District Steering Committee, Area Directors, Club Presidents, Club Vice Presidents of Education,

Your presence is needed at our Fall Business Meeting on Saturday, September 29, 2018.  This meeting will be District 1’s first virtual business meeting and it is critical for you to be present and vote on four items.  All Club Presidents and VPEs, District Steering Committee members, and Area Directors need to be present at the beginning of the virtual session.  No proxy can be accepted on your behalf.  Your attendance is of great importance in order to conduct business as we must reach the required number of officers to have a quorum.  More specific details will be sent later in the month.

Attendance at the Business Meeting is FREE.  Since it is virtual, you can attend via your computer or via phone.   Below is the agenda including the four items that need your vote for approval.

Scheduled Call to Order:  9 am
District 1 Business Meeting from 9 – 10:30 am (may end earlier based on discussion and voting)

Agenda Items
State of District Address and reports from Steering Committee members and Audit Chair.
  • Ratification of appointed 2018-2019 District Officers
  • Approval of the 2018 Spring Business Meeting Minutes
  • Approval of the District 1 Alignment including recently added new clubs
  • Adoption of 2018-2019 District 1 Budget

All of the reports will be made available to you two weeks prior to the Business meeting on September 15.To make the best use of our time at this virtual meeting, we ask that you review documents early. If needed, email questions to info@district1toastmasters.org ,no later than September 22 so that we can review and be prepared for discussion on September 29.Since a quorum is necessary for this vote to be valid, it is important for you to be present for our first virtual business meeting.  If you are not familiar with being a participant in a virtual meeting, we will be providing online training so all Presidents and VPE and other leaders can be ready to attend business meeting virtual session.  Thank you in advance.  We are excited that we will be the pioneers of this way of doing business.  The entire world of Toastmasters leaders will be conducting their Fall business meetings in this format.

Sincerely,

Evelyn Woolridge, DTM
District 1 Director 2018-2019
“Speak, Lead, and Serve as ONE TEAM

Win The Smedley Award: Only 5 New Members!

The first 20 clubs that add five new, dual, or reinstated members with a join date between August 1 and September 30, will receive a $50 TI gift certificate. (Members must be registered and paid by September 30, 2018, and cannot be included in any other incentive

After your club has added five new members by September 30, click the button below to request your certificates.

CLICK TO REQUEST
SMEDLEY AWARD MONEY

AND THAT’S NOT ALL!
Get more from Toastmasters International
https://www.toastmasters.org/leadership-central/club-officer-tools/membership-building/membership-building-programs-for-clubs

Accomplish this goal and you’ll qualify to receive a ‘Smedley Award’ ribbon, named in honor of Ralph Smedley, which you can display on your club’s banner. Qualifying clubs can also earn a special discount code for 10-percent off their next club order. (The discount code expires six months from the date of issue and is not valid with any other offer.)

District 1 Clubs Must Submit Directly to TI for the TI Incentive Applications and payments for members with a join date between August 1 and September 30 must be received at World Headquarters or online no later than September 30. The addition of transfer and charter members does not count toward ‘Smedley Award’ credit.
The winning clubs will be revealed online within a few weeks of the submission deadline. Winning clubs should allow up to 10 business days to receive their award if they are located in the United States, and up to 21 business days if they are outside of the United States.”

A Message from the 2018-2019 District 1 Director

Greetings District 1!

I am honored and grateful to Speak, Lead, and Serve as your District 1 Director for the 2018-2019 program year. This year our theme is to Speak, Lead and Serve YOU as ONE TEAM. Our commitment to YOU is to uphold the values of Toastmasters International with Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence!

Our focus this year is to stay committed to you, our members. Our leadership team will fulfill the mission of Toastmasters by expanding the network of clubs and sharing the good news of Toastmasters throughout the greater Los Angeles area. We will also work hard at building relationships with our existing clubs and helping each club reach their full potential by visiting your club meetings more often and hearing what we can do to make this experience one of encouragement, learning and transformation. Each one of you has an incredible story to share. We are here to support you in all of your endeavors.

As Mother Teresa stated, “I cannot do what you can do, and you cannot do what I can do…. together we can do something beautiful.” In the months and years ahead, you will shine and discover your greatness in your Toastmasters journey. As you build new relationships with your club members, you will discover your passions together as ONE team and encourage one another in this journey. As District 1 Director, I want to encourage you to illuminate your talents and gifts. Step into your courage with passion!
We hear you District 1! Our goal is to provide you with a variety of leadership opportunities to serve our members and our district as a volunteer.

We have considerable work ahead of us serving our members. In this year, it will more important to not only stay focused in the next 12 months but, to also focus on how we envision our district in the next few years. Visualize our district as the place to belong.
A place where members are open to embrace change in themselves as well as the way we train, lead, as we integrate Pathways into our clubs.

I challenge each of you to focus on your goals, to support, encourage, and mentor each other to achieve your individual and club goals. I challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and stretch your capabilities. I challenge you to volunteer in the spirit of service. Expand your opportunities to grow as leaders. Lastly, I challenge you to work together across our district and serve each member of District 1 together as ONE TEAM.

Expand your horizons by volunteering on one of our district teams. If you are interested in serving on one of our district teams, I invite you to explore our website for more volunteer opportunities.

I am looking forward to supporting you in your speaking and leadership journey. I am confident that together, we will be able to embrace our new Pathways education program, achieve your goals and become a Presidents Distinguished District! Now, let’s hit the ground running, Speaking, Leading and Serving ONE TEAM!

Serving District 1 Proudly,
Evelyn Woolridge, DTM
District 1 Director 2018-2019

Today is the start of a new chapter in District 1! I’m excited to be part of a tradition of developing leaders to carry forward Toastmasters core values of Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence. These values will be the basis for how we build programs to support your success throughout the year. Starting with this Summer’s Toastmasters Leadership/Learning Institute (TLI), our dynamic trainers and facilitators will teach you how to lead your club as an officer, how to succeed using the Distinguished Club Program, how to build your club’s membership, how to use free web tools to collaborate more effectively, how to maximize your speaking potential, and much more. TLI is just one of many opportunities you will have to use your Toastmasters experience to learn and grow. In 2018, I, along with the leaders of District 1 commit to encouraging the leader within you to emerge and work with us to SPEAK, LEAD and SERVE as One Team.

Ken Starks
Program Quality Director
District 1, 2018-2019

 

The Club Growth Team begins a new year in District 1! Our two-fold vision is simple: 1) build new clubs; and 2) grow membership and member retention in existing clubs. Our District’s singular message is also simple: If we Speak, Lead and Serve as ONE TEAM, we will succeed.

Building new clubs is a team effort in District 1. New club ideas and leads come from the members, corporations, communities and our own research. We quickly move from an idea or inquiry, to planning, to a sample meeting, and then to a chartered club! Simple, eh? With new benefits and tools, like Pathways, and the advent of virtual clubs, only opportunity is before us.

The engaged member stays a member. If we focus on providing a supportive and positive learning experience, our club members will continue to grow and learn, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. Another simple formula.

Lastly, success is not complete without fun, friendships and fabulous times. Simply stated, as ONE TEAM, we all win. Let’s do this!

Brad Stauffer
Club Growth Director
District 1, 2018-2019

Congratulations Storymasters for Winning the District Video Contest!

Congratulations to Storymasters for having the most votes for the June of the “Speak About Public Speaking Challenge”. Check out the video with club member Debbie Kenneybrew at https://youtu.be/UDufeKRp6m4

StoryMasters has a reputation and it is a great reputation. If one listens to the Toastmaster International World Champions of Public Speaking they have a story or two interwoven into their speech.  StoryMasters has been a go-to club that the District 1 contest winners of the Area, Division and District practice their speeches.  Debbie Kenneybrew came to StoryMasters to practice her International speech and then joined.  She is a shining example of our club. Evaluations at StoryMasters help speakers improve and excel at the art of storytelling. Like Debbie, when she shines, all our members shine.

The club meets second Sunday of every month from 3-5pm.  For more information go to https://storymasters.toastmastersclubs.org

Catherine Magruder

President and a Proud Member of StoryMasters