Your presence is needed at the Spring Business Meeting during the 2019 District Spring Conference on Saturday, May 18, where one of the items on the agenda is the election of the 2019-2020 District Officers. Attendance at the Business Meeting is FREE if you choose not to attend any of the other conference events. Please check-in at the Registration Desk before proceeding to the Credentials Desk for your delegate’s packet and ballots. Please see the The Call to Council – Second Notice and the Delegate’s Packet.
Club Presidents and VPEs only: If you cannot attend, please complete the attached proxy form and send the signed form with a member of your club. (Note: emails cannot be accepted)
Mathematician Jose Angel Manaiza, Jr. is known as “The Tutor to the Stars” from Malibu to Beverly Hills. He coaches the children of Hollywood celebrities to the highest levels of success. Mr. Manaiza has currently coached over 1, 2000 students including NCAA student-athletes from schools such as UCLA, to excel intellectually by coaching a speed-reading system endorsed by three American presidents. He is a highly sought after success coach who helps his clients achieve their life goals in all areas of success. His extraordinary system of learning and excellence has been honored in the White House. In 2018, he was knighted in New York City by the oldest humanitarian order in history-Order of St. John (OSJ)
In 2012, he was crowned as District 1 International Speech Contest Champion and was ranked in the top 18 speakers in the world as a World Champion Of Public Speaking Semifinalist who placed 2nd place in Orlando, Florida with his speech entitled “THE POWER OF OUR WORDS”: http://www.tinyurl.com/YourWord
In 2014, he ranked # 1 in earning the most education awards in Toastmasters International. As a club sponsor, Mr. Manaiza helped in founding 3 clubs including COACHMASTERS, Spanish Learning Toastmasters, and Malibu Toastmasters. In 2018, he led Malibu Toastmasters to be ranked #1 in the world with the most education awards among 16,600 clubs in 143 countries.
He has served as The Speakers Program Director for The California Women’s Conference, the world’s largest conference for women with past keynote speakers such Oprah, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Les Brown, Dame Mabel Katz, Norma T. Hollis, and Arianna Huffington. For more information, visit: https://thriveglobal.com/authors/jose-angel-manaiza-jr/
As chairperson, one of his goals for District 1 Speaker’s Bureau is to help fellow Qualified Speakers (QS) to have 36 speaking engagements in 12 months (3 a month) by speaking to Silicon Beach companies, encourage QS to obtain Accredited Speaker (AS) Designations by delivering a minimum of 25 speaking engagements.
The 2018–2019 International Speech Contest is the first to include region quarterfinals. The new sequence is: district contests, region quarterfinals, semifinals and then finals. Regions are randomly assigned to one of two International Speech Contest Semifinals. The top three contestants from each semifinal advance to the World Championship of Public Speaking® at the International Convention in Denver, Colorado.
Nominated Candidates for the
District 1 Executive Committee, 2019-2020
On Saturday, May 18th during the Business Meeting at the 2019 District Spring Conference one of the items on the agenda is the election of the 2019-2020 District Officers. Below are details about each of the nominated candidates.
My name is Ken Starks, and I am honored to be a nominated candidate for District Director.
I attended my first Toastmasters meeting eleven years ago at a club in South Los Angeles, and I remember leaving feeling excited and motivated. The leaders in that club created an experience that gave me valuable insight that made me want to learn more about leadership in Toastmasters.
Through their encouragement, I’ve held multiple club officer roles, and as President in 2013, I led the club to become President’s Distinguished. I have served as an Area Director, Division Director, and I am currently the District One Program Quality Director. It’s leaders like you that inspire me in the same way my club officers did eleven years ago. As your District Director, together we will build new clubs, strengthen existing clubs, and help our members step into their greatness.
My vision is to grow the District and create more opportunities for you to explore your communication and leadership development. It is important to me that all clubs focus on the club mission, and revisit the Toastmasters promise regularly. I want this to be a time when you feel comfortable knowing that change will happen and that your voice and opinion matters.
I have fifteen years of experience managing an IT department for the US Postal Service. I’ve led and worked with cross-functional teams using Lean Principles on various projects throughout the organization. My IT background and leadership experience in and out of Toastmasters makes me uniquely qualified to be the next District Director.
Serving as your District Director is a privilege and given the opportunity, I will pursue the District mission and uphold the Toastmasters values. I am committed to helping you become the communicator and leader you want to be. Therefore, I respectfully ask for your vote.
Vote Ken Starks for 2019-2020 District Director.
“Together we will build a better future for District One.”
Quality Director Candidate,
Keith Jackson, DTM
Keith Jackson has achieved a legacy of success serving District 1 and our members for the past 13 years, having earned 2 Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM) awards and Division Governor of the Year for the 2010-2011 term. He has served in numerous leadership roles in his clubs and the District.
Outside of Toastmasters Keith is the Founder and CEO of an International Engineering and Risk Management Consultancy serving multinational conglomerates worldwide. Keith uses the speaking and leadership skills he learned in Toastmasters daily, when collaborating with cross cultural and multi-disciplinary teams, as well as when presenting strategies and evaluations to client senior and executive leaders.
More important than what he has personally accomplished, is what he can do for others. Keith is committed to serve individual members and clubs through his philosophy of Leadership by Influence through Service, to help everyone accomplish more. Join Keith in helping District 1 and our members to excel as the 2019 – 2020 Program Quality Director (PQD).
ELECT KEITH JACKSON, DTM for 2019 – 2020 PROGRAM QUALITY DIRECTOR
Club Growth Director Candidate,
Diane Markham, DTM
My name is Diane Markham. I am a nominated candidate for District One Club Growth Director. I joined Deluxe Toastmasters over six years ago when I started working at a company that hosted a Toastmasters club. My goal for joining was to be a better speaker.
As I improved my communication skills, I joined Praisemasters, The Officers’ Club of District One, and District 1 Trailblazers to hone and to develop my leadership skills. To that effort, I have served as President, VP of Education, VP of Membership, Secretary, and Sergeant at Arms. I took the next step and entered District leadership, where I have served as an Assistant Area Governor, Area Governor, Division Director, District One Chief Judge, District One Speechcraft Chair, and currently serve as District One Club Extension Chair. My goal as Club Growth Director is to build the network of clubs around District 1 and help spread the word about Toastmasters to our communities. I humbly ask for you vote for 2019-2020 Club Growth Director at the Spring Conference Business Meeting on May 18, 2019.
Vote Diane Markham, DTM for 2019-2020 Club Growth Director
Division A Director Candidate
Leann Levine, ACS, ALB
Leann Levine, ACS-ALB, excels in many roles: wife, Boy Scout mom, Aflac insurance benefits advisor, and Toastmaster; and is honored to be the 2019-20 District One Division A Director nominee. Currently, she is the Area A1 Director. Her home club is Professional Women Toastmasters of Playa Vista, California.
Leann’s Division Director leadership goals include 1) leading Division A to Distinguished level or better, 2) chartering one or more clubs, and 3) hosting a virtual council for corporate clubs to encourage sharing of best practices and networking. She is the recipient of the Area A1 Spark Plug Award (2017 & 2018) and the Toastmaster of the Year Award (2018) from her home club. She enjoys cooking, baking, watching a Dodgers game, Pilates, indoor cycling, volunteering at her son’s school, and carefully skiing down an easy green run!
Division B Director Candidate,
Alan Shinkman, CC/CL
HOME CLUB: Professional Women Toastmasters MEMBER SINCE: 2014
EXPERIENCE:
Area A6 Director – District 1 2018 to 2019
Competent Communicator
Competent Leader
I worked at NASA in Houston, TX as a Space Shuttle Flight Controller in an environment of a high degree of quality control. Also I tested Space Shuttle Astronaut simulators in an environment requiring a high degree of being detailed oriented.
My recent work experience as an engineer with the California Public Utilities Commission inspecting power plants in Southern California involved planning detailed inspections of power plants.
I am also a filmmaker as an actor, director, writer, and producer, focusing on non-violent material only. In addition, my recent filmmaking included writing, producing and directing my first student film, for classes at the UCLA Extension.
My experience in finance includes planning Toastmasters club speech contests and Area A6 speech contest, and financing my first film.
I have experience in developing procedures for inspecting power plants and testing Space Shuttle simulators.
Always have two or more ways of accomplishing any goal. Have backup systems on your backup systems. When working with people with various backgrounds it is the responsibility of leadership to create an environment that everyone feels is safe and their creativities can flourish.
I want to be a district officer in the role of Division Director to help all the members of my division to feel comfortable in their journeys of self-discovery as a speaker and/or officer. I see Toastmasters as an antidote to a social world that challenges people to feel acceptable. In Toastmasters new/old members are always home no matter which club they are at. The major objectives of the district are to provide a safe and enjoyable environment where all of its members can take on responsibilities that provide for maximum personal growth. Being all that we can is what Toastmasters is all about.
Division C Director Candidate, Jessica Denham, VC2
Hello, I’m Jessica Denham and I would like to earn your vote for the position of Division C Director. When I became a Toastmaster in January 2016, I was almost physically incapacitated by stage fright. I know firsthand the power that our organization has to transform absolutely anyone into a confident speaker and leader. That is my motivation and my inspiration, to help others step forward into a bolder and brighter world.
Only a few months after I joined Toastmasters, I took a club office. I served as Vice President Education during the initial launch of Pathways, which was an excellent opportunity to learn the details of both educational programs. I earned a Triple Crown in 2018, and coached three other members of my club to do the same. I am currently serving as Area C2 Director. I received an award for Area Director Excellence in January 2019. I am also Club Coach for Wine Tasting Toastmasters. Service has always been irresistible and fascinating for me. Division C is positively dazzling with its concentration of talent, brilliance, and professional accomplishment. I am proud to be a part of Division C and eager to explore how far we can go together.
Vision: Inspire Division C members, offer enhanced training and mentoring opportunities, and innovate ways to build club growth.
Division D Director Candidate,
Tawanda Duck, ACS/ALB
I am member of Bay Cities Club. I am happy to say I have taken advantage of both the Leadership Track and Communication Track in Toastmaster. I previously held the offices of President, Vice President of Education and Vice President of Public Relations in my home club, Bay Cities, and am currently serving as District 1, Division D, Area Director – D4.
The communication journey has been good to me. It has taught me to be an effective communicator and polished speaker, which led to my participation in speech contests. I took 1st Place at the International Speech Contest for Area D1 and Division D in Spring, 2012 and Area D1 in Spring, 2016. In the Spring, 2018, I took 1st Place at the Evaluation Contest for Area D7. I am also a Qualified Speaker of the Speakers Bureau.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, meeting new people and Toastmasters!
Division E Director Candidate,
Jonathan Eckman, ACB/ALB
Prior to joining Toastmasters I developed my leadership and financial skills while serving as both a Union Treasurer and President (AFT 6108), and as a manager responsible for creating and balancing a budget for the Operations Department at LBCC. I was also responsible for contract negotiations where I learned the art of reaching reasonable settlements with sometimes unreasonable people, and learned that there were many ways we can achieve our desired goals.
I’m seeking the Division E Director’s job to help my fellow Toastmasters feel that they have the opportunity to develop their speaking and leadership skills in a safe and rewarding environment. I want every Toastmaster to feel that they can try for those “stretch” goals, including serving as either Club Officers or serving in the District, without worrying if someone’s got their back. I also want every Toastmaster, whether new or seasoned, to feel welcome and at home whether it’s at the Club, Area, Division, or District level.
Division F Director Candidate
Janell Williams, ACB, ALB, LD1
Janell Carla Williams is a nominated candidate for Division F Director. She has been a an enthusiastic member of Toastmasters since 2016 and has served as President, Vice President of Education and Secretary in her home club Talk Nation. Janell is serving as the Area Director for Area F6 and servers as a trainer and club coach and believes strongly in the power of possibility.
Janell has spent 23+ years working in the Ticketing Industry at Live Nation / Ticketmaster and is currently working as Software Engineer. It is here that she has developed and exercises her love for live events and theater.
In addition to the passion that comes from speaking and collaborating with fellow Toastmasters, Janell is active in her church and volunteers regularly there and with Lula Washington Dance Theater. A former Girl Scout Leader, Parent Council Officer and Booster club leader her love for working with people is always apparent. Her hobbies include attending concerts, crocheting and spending time with her friends and family.
Call to Council
District Steering Committee, Area Directors, Club Presidents, & Club Vice Presidents of Education:
Your presence is needed at the Spring Business Meeting during the 2019 District Spring Conference on Saturday, May 18, where one of the items on the agenda is the election of the 2019-2020 District Officers. Attendance at the Business Meeting is FREE if you choose not to attend any of the other conference events. Please check-in at the Registration Desk before proceeding to the Credentials Desk for your delegate’s packet and ballots. The Call to Council Letter and the proxy form can be found on the District 1 website.
Club Presidents and VPEs only: If you cannot attend, please complete the attached proxy form and send the signed form with a member of your club. (Note: emails cannot be accepted)
This morning Toastmasters International announced the newly appointed 2019-2020 Region Advisors. Jessica is one of 14 Region Advisors that will be serving districts around the world.
Jessica will be serving as Region 2 Advisor serving Districts 4, 33, 49, 115, and 101.
As a result, she will be resigning her post as Public Relations Manager for District 1 effective immediately.
We thank Jessica for all of her leadership, experience, and time committed these past 9 months in her role as Public Relations Manager. We are grateful for her dedication to serve our clubs and leaders. We wish her all the best in her new leadership role. We know she will serve the members and Toastmasters International with excellence.
As we transition, for all public relations matters, please send all communications to pr.manager@district1toastmasters.org. We assure you that all your communications will be answered in a timely manner. Additionally, you can go through the www.District1toastmasters.org website and send communications through the “Contact Us” link.
The Wow!Factor Project is this year’s new gold standard to help raise the bar of clubs across the globe to be more uniform and top-performing. It’s time to ask:
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!
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.
