Category: Conferences
Proxy Form
Club Presidents and Vice-Presidents of Education are entitled to vote and represent their club at the District Conference. Here is what you need to do:
If you are attending the SPRING Conference:
- Check in at the Credentials Desk and receive your ballot
If you are not able to attend the SPRING Conference:
- Designate a club member who will be attending to be your representative and carry your “proxy”
- Complete the District 57 Proxy Form and bring it to the conference
- Check in at the Credentials Desk and receive your ballot
Note:
- Club members without the proxy form will NOT be allowed to vote
- Delegates and proxy holders must be members in good standing of a club in good standing
Club Presidents and Vice-President’s of Education, we need your vote at the business meeting. Please attend or send a substitute with the completed proxy form. It is critical to the success of the business meeting that we have enough club representation to conduct business.
Thank you so much!
Best regards,
Diane Pleuss
Credentials Chair
Educational Sessions
The Fall Conference is coming up on Saturday, November 5th, and we have a great group of speakers scheduled to host educational sessions. Here is the list of speakers and their bios – More to come:
How to Own the Stage by Gary C. SmithDescription: Body language is responsible for more than 55% of non-verbal communication. Gary’s educational session will explore how to use the stage, speaking area and body language effectively. Attend and learn how your presence impacts the audience, how to choreograph your movement and what posture will empower your presentation. Speaker Bio: Gary C. Smith has an over 50 year portfolio career. He began his speaking career while at Portland State University as spokesperson for Dr. Warren Wilcox Clinical Psychologist during which he a visualization and relaxation program to the high schools in Portland, Oregon. The program raised self-esteem, developed goals and created stress free educational and work programs. Those techniques have served him in developing careers as an award winning metaphysical book seller, carpenter, building contractor, dancer, human potential trainer, professional bowler, salon owner, sales trainer and marketing director. He is the author of Rainbow Trails a Tarot Coloring Book, How to Own the Stage and SAGE. Currently he specializes in coaching self-esteem, presentation evaluations and curing Seriousitis™. |
 |
 |
Stand Up and Be Funny! by Jon LehreDescription: Have you ever seen a stand-up comedian and wished you could be that funny? The biggest myth of stand-up comedy is that comics have to be “naturally funny.” Just as anyone can improve their public speaking with Toastmasters, anyone can succeed in making an audience laugh. Jon’s educational session will explore how stand-up comedians connect with an audience, how you can generate more laughs per minute, improve your comedic timing and your public speaking. Learn what works (and what doesn’t) when crossing over from the Toastmaster meeting to the comedy stage…and back again! Speaker Bio: Jon Lehre has been a presenter, marketing professional and graphic designer for over twenty years. Having joined Toastmasters in 2013, Jon came in third in the International Speech Contest at the 2015 District 57 Conference. In 2015, Jon accepted the challenge of performing as a stand-up comedian and has appeared in shows at The Punchline, The Foundry, Sally Tomatoes, and other venues in the North Bay and San Francisco. He currently hosts two Open Mic Comedy nights in Sonoma County where beginners and experienced comedians improve their comedic skills. Jon is a former Toastmaster club president and is currently the Sergeant at Arms for Next Level Toastmasters, an advanced club in Santa Rosa. |
Putting the Power in PowerPoint
|
 |
Putting the Power in PowerPoint
|
|
 |
How to Build a Brand with Social Media (and Why You Need One) by Shyam NathDescription: Brand is a reflection of the quality of the product. A strong brand expands professional opportunities and improves club quality. Attend this session and you’ll learn how to build a strong online brand with Social Media to reach your goals whether finding new prospective members, improving member retention or increasing member engagement. |
How to Build a Brand with Social Media
|
|
Telling Stories “Just Right” by Dennis Dawson & Brendan MurphyDescription: Brendan Murphy and Dennis Dawson discuss and demonstrate how to tell stories in a lively and engaging way without going over the top. Sometimes less is more, sometimes less is less, the trick is finding the sweet spot and getting your gestures, voice, and wording just right! |
 |
Telling Stories Just Right
|
|
 |
How to Give An Effective Evaluation by Tala BeigiDescription: What makes a good evaluation? There are many, many ways to give an effective and supportive evaluation; however, there are also many, many ways to give a destructive evaluation. Tala Beigi will provide valuable insights based on her experiences in order to help you in delivering organized, concise and effective evaluations that will assist you beyond Toastmasters and well into your everyday life. Bio: Tala Beigi has been a member of Toastmasters for 4 years. She began as one of the founding members of Voice of the Vikings at Diablo Valley College, and currently she is a dual-member of Walnut Creek Toastmasters and Las Juntas Toastmasters. This year, she is serving as Public Relations Manager for District 57, actively working to create more brand awareness of Toastmasters within the district. |
How to Give an Effective Evaluation
|
|
Toastmasters Pathways Learning Experience by Dennis Neary and George MarshallDescription: The new Toastmasters education program, Pathways (formerly the Revitalized Education Program), will launch soon, with District 57 starting in January. In this session, you will find out how the program is set up, when it starts, how the transition from our current program to the new one will take place, and how to get more information for your club. Bios: Dennis Neary, DTM, is District 57’s Chief Ambassador for the Pathways program, leading the efforts of the Pathways Ambassadors to make sure all clubs are aware of the new program. George Marshall, DTM, is a member of the District 57 Pathways Ambassador team. He is also the District Statistician, and maintains in-depth information on member accomplishments. |
  |
Pathways Overview
|
|
Questions? Email Kevin Markl, ACG, ALS (Education Chair, Fall Conference)
ARCHIVES: 2014 Session Leaders
Education Breakout Sessions
|
Marge Jensen, MBA, BS
Session Description
Ideas for Promoting your Toastmasters Club or Business Online. How to turn your club or business news into publicity, visibility and more customers!
If you have ever struggled with ideas to promote your club, you are not alone. The topics/ideas I will be talking about can be used for your Toastmasters Club, your business or even a pet project/program for your community. Don’t think you have any news? No matter what you are doing, your club makes news regularly, and you can turn any news into an online asset that helps increase awareness! I will give you some concrete promotional actions to get you started and use immediately to create success for your club or business. The session will also include Q&A to address some of your opportunities.
Presenter Bio
 Marge Jensen, MBA, BS is the owner of TouchStone Marketing. They specialize in custom lead qualification systems for businesses that are searching for a proven way to grow their business and are eager to get started. She is an innovative, can-do marketing communications professional skilled at traditional and digital marketing for business and consumer products.Marge is a consummate explorer and dynamic energy fuels everything she does. When she is not immersed in new marketing ideas or social media applications for her clients, you can catch her in class learning something new or networking. She received her MBA from St Mary’s College in Moraga, and Internet Marketing Masters Certificate from UCSF.
You can email Marge at Marge@TouchStoneMarketing.com.
Click here for Marge’s session handouts |
|
LeeAnn Hardy, CPCC
Session Description
“Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Into Your Best Self” Stepping out of your comfort zone is easier than you think. Join certified life coach, LeeAnn Hardy, for an inspirational and informative look at how living in this familiar place limits you. You’ll have an opportunity to identify your personal comfort zone, learn how it keeps you from being your best, most authentic self, and discover what’s possible when you move beyond the status quo. By understanding these simple concepts, you’ll have the power and freedom to break through any current constraints, embrace who you truly are, and step into your full potential.
Presenter Bio
 LeeAnn Hardy, CPCC, has a deep commitment to personal growth and development, and a natural ability to illuminate people’s magnificence. Eight years ago, her journey of self-discovery led her to change careers in order to better pursue her dreams. She is now a certified life coach and seminar leader, which allows her to live her purpose every day. Her mission is to bring each person she works with closer to their own life’s purpose so that they experience a life of great joy and satisfaction. She is here this morning to help you connect with what’s most important to you, and to create the space for you to let your own light shine more brightly in the world.Click here for LeeAnn’s session handouts |
|
George Marshall, DTM
Session Description
“New Education Program” Toastmasters is changing our education program to offer more and better opportunities to grow and learn. The entire education program is being revitalized, in one of the most significant changes in recent memory, and will be announced in the second half of the year. In this session, George Marshall, one of the Ambassadors for the new program, will give an overview of the changes that will be announced later this year. While final details are not yet available, this session will highlight:
Presenter Bio
 George Marshall, DTM, is one of District 57’s Ambassadors for the Revitalized Education Program. He is also the District Statistician. George has been a Toastmaster for over 10 years. He has served as Area Governor, District Public Relations Officer, and has served as the District 57 Webmaster four times. He is also co-producer of Toastmaster Time, the District’s television show. He is also the author of Tools for Toastmasters (marshalls.org/tmtools), a site that extracts and summarizes useful information from the basic report data available from Toastmasters International.George and his wife Jo have a company that provides website design, social media consulting and online advertising for small businesses. Click here for George’s session handouts |
|
Tyree Johnson, DTM, PDG
Session Description
Mentoring Matters…
The growth path of a Toastmaster can be enhanced exponentially in harmony with a mentor. This workshop will delve into various approaches and tools for effective mentoring in three aspects of the Toastmasters experience.
Presenter Bio
 E. Tyree Johnson Jr., DTM, PDG – A native of Cleveland, Ohio earned his MBA from Indiana University. He has managed several departments in finance for various high tech, non-profit agencies, healthcare, maritime companies, and labor relations associations since 1979.He has sponsored and/or mentored 16 D57 clubs and served as D57 District Governor from 2007-2008. He currently works with high school youth to develop their professional job skills in San Francisco.
Click here for session handouts |
|
Gary C Smith
Session Description
Moving from the Information Age into the Conceptual Age.
For over 50 years Gary has been on the cutting edge of the transition from left brain linear thought and occupations into right brain understanding of people. With Gary’s emphasis on curing Seriousitis™ be prepared to have a fun experience learning the Eight New Senses needed to succeed and prosper in business and relationships.” We are all in the people business, and people like to do business with happy people.” Presenter Bio
 Gary is a speech coach, transformational guide and author of How to Own the Stage. For more information visit his website garygsmith.info. |
|
Jennae Wallach, MHSA
Session Description
Expand Your Courage and Confidence Amidst Conflict and Stress – Essential Skills for Life and Leadership We live in stressful environments: from work (difficult clients, demanding supervisors, overloading deadlines, challenging presentations, first speeches), to finances, to family and community concerns. Your system is impacted and often drained by these strains. Stress affects your physical health, mental health, thoughts, and actions.
There is a system of principles and practices that supports your capacity to build resilience to: prepare for difficult situations, deal with conflicts and stressors in the moment, and recover from challenging situations quickly. These principles and practices create expanded choices so that your physical health, emotions, thoughts and actions serve you rather than stress you further.
The workshop includes easy-to-learn tools from the Institute of HeartMath that take less than a minute to do and can be applied at any point — before, during and/or after stressful situations. With practice and intention you can enhance your ability to recharge and build resilience to mitigate stress and conflict in the same way you build muscle/strength by working out.
Presenter Bio
 Jennae Wallach is a visionary leader and change agent for organizations undergoing transitions and transformations. For decades, she has led major initiatives inside complex systems including cities, school districts, hospitals, and community-based organizations, often from idea stage to implementation.Jennae has a MHSA from the University of Michigan, School of Public Health and is a professional mediator, collaborative negotiator, and facilitator, and a certified HeartMath trainer. In collaboration with her clients, she has designed curriculum and led trainings to promote community building and expand leadership and relational skills.
|
Business Meeting
Spring Conference District Council
The District Council is comprised of District Executive Leadership, Division Directors, Area Directors, Club Presidents (or their proxy) and Vice Presidents of Education (or their proxy). District 57 Toastmasters holds two District Council Meetings each year. They are listed in the conference agendas as Business Meetings. At these meetings, we make decisions affecting every club and member in our District. We consider and vote on items such as:
- Approving the District Success Plan
- Approving budgets
- Electing district officers
- Changing district procedures and bylaws
- Re-aligning clubs
- And much more
Ensuring we achieve quorum and have your voices heard is critical to the success of our members. Here are easy steps and resources to ensure a successful business meeting:
- Register to attend the entire Conference on May 5th (paid registration) or to attend just the business meeting (free registration). Check-in at the Credentials desk in the morning on arrival.
- Unable to attend on May 5, 2018 in Vallejo? Assign a proxy to attend on your behalf. You can assign any member in your club or a District Officer to hold your proxy. To assign a proxy, download and complete this proxy form. The person taking your place should bring the completed form to the Conference credentials desk.
- Review the agenda, past-minutes for approval, committee reports and other exhibits to be presented (to be published here ahead of the conference)
- Any questions? Contact info@d57tm.org and we will answer them promptly.
We look forward to seeing you at the Spring Conference Business meeting.
