Every month, we will be putting out a newsletter with information about what is happening in District 57, tools for success, club member spotlights, and more. Look out for the Toast Post newsletter in your inbox!

Check out the last few editions here:

• February 2017
• January 2017

We are enhancing the monthly district newsletter to include contributions from members of the district. Want to contribute? Click Here for the Newsletter Submission Form!

Scroll down to read this month’s submissions.

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Club Member Spotlight: Tabatha Butler

I’m Tabatha, a mother of two, an employee of the State and a running coach and enthusiast.  As a mother of two, I have put much of my energy into them.  They’re growing up and I have discovered it’s time to do something for myself.

Working for the State for over 17 years, it’s time to promote and share my knowledge with others.  Which leads me to what I have decided to do for myself.  Over the past several years I have found ways to make positive changes in my life and to live to my life to the fullest.

I am currently working on getting a promotion at work, and though I helped to get the Healthy Toasts Club at the California Department of Public Health going six years ago, I had stepped away for a many of those years.  I recently re-joined and have taken on more challenges, stepping outside my comfort zone by taking on the Co-Chairperson of Room Monitor at Toastmasters Leadership Institute, which was a lot of fun and allowed me to use my organization skills to help, making everyone’s job easier.

I also challenged myself in the Table Topics Contest, winning in our Club and our Area Contests. I have learned that in order to grow as a person, you have to put yourself in uncomfortable places.  I have run numerous races, including a couple of full marathons and an ultra-marathon of 50k, putting all of my training and effort into these races.

However, without Toastmasters, I would have never thought that sharing my experiences with other Toastmasters members, and helping to give my support to those who are also trying to better themselves, my mind wouldn’t be able to be pushed from outside my comfort zone, and being a better person and potential supervisor.

Tabatha Butler

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Are Club Meetings Enough? by Nathan Woods

The bedrock of a Toastmaster’s journey is the club meeting. For many, it is where we discover the confidence to share our voice and our story with the world. But is the club meeting enough?

What does it take to “empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders?”¹ In our club meetings we give prepared speeches in a supportive environment. We provide constructive evaluations to one another and we learn by doing. It is a safe and supportive place where we can grow. But is there something missing?

We use standard educational paths and work on specific skills in a specific order. There are excellent written materials and there’s always an experienced member who is happy to answer questions. There can be no doubt, the club meetings offer you the tools for success. But is there more?

A quick internet search displays courses, seminars, and one-on-one coaching to improve my leadership and communication skills. The American Management Association offers a one day presentation skills workshop for over $1,245.² Dale Carnegie has a seminar specifically for overcoming the fear of public speaking for $1,795.³ Clearly there is a market for this kind of training. Does Toastmasters offer instructor led education?

Yes we do! In fact, many of us take advantage of the offer every year. The 2017 Spring Conference is your chance to join us. In addition to our keynote speaker, Lark Doley,⁴ we can choose from breakout sessions to strengthen the skills we need most.

Being a non-profit organization allows us to offer prices businesses simply cannot. Thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers and corporate sponsors, your out of pocket is held to $100 ($110 same day).⁵

Join us and bring something back to make your whole club richer!

SPRING CONFERENCE TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE. PURCHASE THEM HERE!

Nathan Woods
Peterson CAT

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How About Pathways? by Steve Taddei, DTM, District Director

Greetings Toastmasters,

What’s new and exciting with District 57 Toastmasters? How about Pathways?

Pathways came to District 57 in early February, revitalizing our entire education program. Have you logged on and taken your Pathways assessment? I took mine and was referred to the Persuasive Leadership Path which will not only help me in my sales career, it will help me grow in my volunteer activities, and other personal endeavors. Last night I jumped onto the path, delivering my Icebreaker to my friends at Island City Toastmasters. For me it’s a fresh start with new projects. I’m truly jumping out of my comfort zone.

Early reports are showing that for good reason, our members are embracing pathways. There’s something for everyone. If you’re a new member, Pathways welcomes you into Toastmasters by providing a program that’s tailored to your goals. If you’re a veteran member, you can build on your experience by taking your Toastmasters experience journey into an entirely new direction. If you’re a Toastmasters veteran who isn’t sure how you want to approach Pathways, mentor a new member. Let them benefit from your wisdom while you’re getting the feel for Pathways. With Pathways, there are endless possibilities!

I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of you at upcoming speech contests and on May 6 at the Spring Conference. Those will be great opportunities for us to talk about your goals and experiences with Pathways.

Now’s your time!

Wishing you all the best,

Steve Taddei, DTM
District 57 Director

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VERACITY! Truth or Consequences in Speaking and Writing By Craig Harrison DTM

But I Read It In A Book

We’ve been conditioned to believe that which we read in books and newspapers or see on television. After all, there are writers and editors, fact-checkers and producers, all charged with ensuring they’re delivering the truth. And yet, so much of what we read, see or hear isn’t the truth. Oftentimes, the retractions, clarifications and corrections found later in the fine print confirm this sad fact!

As speakers we must strive to always speak the truth, to be accurate, honest and precise in our pronouncements. Our credibility is derived in part by the veracity of our words, speeches and stories.

The Magnification of Mistakes

When we misuse a word, misquote someone else or misrepresent the facts from the lectern, the damage is magnified. We’re passing along incorrect information to dozens, hundreds or even thousands of people at a time if our words are recorded or broadcast. That’s why the meeting roles of Wordmaster, Grammarian and our Speech Evaluator are so important in our meetings…to correct our mistakes immediately.  How do we undue the damage done when we misspeak, utter falsehoods or unintentionally misrepresent the truth? Indeed, how does one un-ring a bell?

The Privilege of the Platform

Certified Speaking Professional Naomi Rhode, a Past President of the National Speakers Association, speaks passionately about The Privilege of the Platform, her presidential theme from 1993-94. Rhode, also a past president of the Global Speakers Federation, explains: “When we walk on the platform we walk on holy ground. We’ve been chosen to share our message.” She explains that the focus is not on us, but on benefiting our audience, who will in turn shape their world.

“With this privilege of the platform comes a responsibility. We can deeply impact our audience for positive change,” Rhode reminds us: “We’ve been chosen, not to build our bank account, but to change the world for our listeners.”

Twenty years after her presidency Naomi’s theme The Privilege of the Platform continues to resonate with her peers in the National Speakers Association, and beyond. She’s received the highest honors from her association: The Cavett Award and a Council of Peers Award of Excellence for the enduring impact she has had worldwide. And she’s spoken to thousands of Toastmasters as the opening keynote at Toastmasters’ International Convention.

Rhode continues: “We all have platforms. Parents have an immense platform…molding the next generation.” Whether you speak from a podium, dais or lectern, or on a factory floor room or kindergarten classroom, you have a platform; make the most of this privilege to positively impact your listeners.

Do Your Homework: How to Ensure Veracity

As speakers we should all conduct research, corroborate stories we’ve heard second-hand, and check our facts before speaking from the platform. It’s our responsibility to know that everything in our speech is factually correct. Ignorance is no excuse. Whether our data is gleaned online, at the library or by telephone, it’s worth the extra time, effort and research to be 100% accurate.

Journalists and speechwriters know (from experience) that facts need to be checked and re-checked. If assertions can’t be corroborated by multiple, additional independent sources they may not indeed be factual, nor worthy of publicizing, whether in print or live.

Uncorroborated facts in the media have resulted in premature or inaccurate death notices, announcements of resignations, firings, marriages and divorces, erroneous election results, spurious sports trades and more. The power and immediacy of the Internet only hastens the speed with which errors and inaccuracies can span the globe, taking on a life of their own. In the rush by competitive media to break stories first, they at times are guilty of rushes to judgment.

Credible Trumps Incredible!

You want to be believed. Errors, misrepresentations or embellishments will undercut your credibility — in the present and future. We’ve seen in courtrooms how the entire testimony of expert witnesses is dismissed when any one thing he or she has said has been discredited as false or inaccurate. Build an impeccable reputation for veracity!

Rumors, Gossip and Falsehoods

An old Yiddish tale describes well the dangers of spreading gossip, falsehoods and uncorroborated information. A gossip asks her Rabbi how to undo the damage done from gossiping. Her Rabbi tells her to take a pillow to the edge of a nearby bluff, split it open and scatter the feathers into the wind, before returning to him. Upon her return, the Rabbi now tells her to retrieve all the feathers. “But that’s impossible! I can’t possibly find them all or where they’ve blown” she complains. “Precisely!” responded the Rabbi.

Once the falsehood has left our mouth we can’t control who hears it, who repeats it, who they tell and to whom they in turn tweet or transmit said information. A subsequent retraction cannot undo the damage done. Hence the reverence with which we speak of the privilege of the platform, and the care we take to speak the truth. Veracity is vital to our credibility, and that of our listeners, who often hang on every word we espouse.

The Power of Words

We’ve seen that words can start wars, dissolve marriages, lead to firings and so much more. Their misuse can slur images, sully reputations and irrevocably mar brands in the marketplace. As speakers and writers, we must take care to use the right words at the right time. Make your Thesaurus your friend. Just as the boy who cried wolf one time too many was no longer taken seriously, we must protect our reputation through accurate speech-writing and speech-making. Eschew alternate facts for the plain ‘ol truth!

Right Speech

Like the careful carpenter who measures twice and cuts but once, make sure you take the time to double-check your facts, quotes and other key parts of your communication — whether in print or in speech. While we all make mistakes from time to time, you should strive for veracity in all your communications. Intention matters!

The British lyrical poet and philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) reminds us: “Veracity does not consist in saying, but in the intention of communicating the truth.”

Buddhism challenges its adherents to engage in right speech: to avoid lies, divisive speech, harsh speech and idle gossip. One of the Judeo-Christian Ten Commandments states plainly: Thou Shall Not Lie! Islam orders its adherents to tell the truth publicly and privately, even if it is against its teller.

To The Best Of Your Ability…Tips for Truthfulness and Accuracy

Both in speech and in print, be careful of taking shortcuts. When you hear something second-hand, search for the original source. When you quote someone, confirm the quote is accurate by verifying it with a second reputable source. Review your speeches and writing for ambiguities that could lead to misunderstandings or misimpressions. Strive to communicate so as to avoid listeners and readers drawing erroneous impressions or conclusions from your communications.

Many writers, speech writers and speakers use a proof-reader, fact-checker, editor and sometimes even a small focus group or review team to scrutinize findings and run speeches, articles, essays or columns by. Does it pass the “smell test?” If something smells funny to your review team, that’s an indication your speech or writing needs more clarification, organization, refinement or research.

Another way to bolster your pieces is to cite studies, cases, laws or other established and generally accepted findings to strengthen your own arguments, claims or assertions. Give your readers and listeners confidence in your message through these measures. Veracity is your goal.

Truthfully, what standards will you apply to your speaking and writing? Let’s be voracious in our appetite for veracity!

Copyright © 2011-2017 Craig Harrison. All Rights Reserved.

Permission granted to District 57 Toastmasters to publish this article.

Professional speaker Craig Harrison DTM, PDG once won District 57’s Tall Tales Contest. Today the founder of www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com teaches courses on credibility in the workplace for the University of California Santa Cruz Extension of Silicon Valley, California. Visit www.SpeakAndLeadWithConfidence.com for more resources for speakers and leaders.

Every month, we will be putting out a newsletter with information about what is happening in District 57, tools for success, club member spotlights, and more. Look out for the Toast Post newsletter in your inbox!

Check out the last few editions here:

• January 2017

We are enhancing the monthly district newsletter to include contributions from members of the district. Want to contribute? Click Here for the Newsletter Submission Form!

Scroll down to read this month’s submissions.

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How Toastmasters Help Me by Janice Litvin

I set a goal a few years ago of getting paid to speak. So I headed to Toastmasters.

At the same time, I went back to school to study exercise science because I wanted to be more informed as a Zumba instructor. With a goal of one speech per month, I happily completed my CC in a year.

Now, not only am I a heart health speaker for the American Heart Association, I am also getting paid to speak about fitness and weight loss. I was even invited to present a talk on wellness trends at the upcoming NCHRA conference, HR West.

The best way I know to improve public speaking skills is to speak more and practice, practice, practice. Thank you, Toastmasters.

Janice Litvin, President
Las Juntas Toastmasters

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Club Member Spotlight: Valerie Lukecart

After 9+ years with a company, they downsized and I was laid off – along with half the company. I was terrified of not getting another job; I hadn’t interviewed in over 9 years, plus I was concerned companies wouldn’t hire me because of my age. The first few interviews didn’t go very well. I was nervous, fidgety, I babbled and my mouth went dry. Something had to change; I had to figure out how to show up at the interview with more confidence and less fear. That’s when I found Toastmasters and decided that this might be just what I needed to help build my confidence and my communication skills.

I went to Toastmasters.org, searched for my zip code, and found the closest meeting at a day and time convenient for me – Alameda Tongue Twisters. I showed up at my first meeting and I remember being very impressed with how organized the meeting was, how interesting the speeches were, and how supportive the members were. They called on me for Table Topics and, although I was terrified, I participated and ended up getting the ribbon. What a rush!

After a few months, I was finally able to get an interview with a company I’d been stalking – Oops, I mean researching – since I’d been laid off. My skills got me the interview, however, I truly believe my participation in Toastmasters (confidence from giving speeches, listening skills from giving evaluations, and being able to quickly organize and express my thoughts from participating in Table Topics) got me the job. I later found out the company interviewed several people for the position – all younger than I – but I was offered the job.

The company I work for has a corporate Toastmasters club, Windmasters, which meets every Tuesday during lunch. Since it was so convenient, I had no choice but to join that club too. With Windmasters meeting Tuesdays at noon and Alameda Tongue Twisters meeting Tuesday evenings, I tell folks it’s “Toastmasters Tuesday.”

Through both clubs, I’ve improved my speaking and leadership skills by giving speeches and evaluations, taking on various club roles, being VP-PR, and planning club events. These skills have helped me communicate better, be more confident with speeches and presentations, improve my stage presence when singing, AND get me a job. If any of you find yourselves needing to find employment, there’s good news: the new Toastmasters Pathways program includes a job interviewing path. With the new Toastmasters Pathways program, I can honestly say, Toastmasters keeps getting better and better.

Valerie Lukecart, Vice President of Public Relations
Alameda Tongue Twisters and Windmasters

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Toastmasters, The Journey to Self-Confidence by Kevin Thornton

My Toastmasters journey started 9 years ago when I become became increasingly frustrated with my career. I wanted to have a larger role in product design, however, I struggled to communicate effectively in front of groups. I stuttered, couldn’t concentrate and became flustered. I always left meetings embarrassed.

After attending an open house, I knew I needed Toastmasters. Unfortunately, my communication skills did not improve overnight. My first few speeches were terrible. I found myself a nervous wreck after each speech with club members constantly reminding to “breathe.” Fortunately, Bioradical Toastmasters is a very supportive club that invested in me succeeding.

My key to success was getting involved in leadership. As Sergeant-at-Arms, I brought the meeting to order and introduced the Toastmaster. Each week, I stepped out of my comfort zone to fill this small role and speak. As the weeks went by, the steady stream of positive experiences pushed my fears aside; nervousness was replaced by self-confidence. My journey towards being a confident communicator and leader had begun. I continued that journey as I subsequently took on the roles of Vice President of Education and Club President.

My Toastmaster journey has taught me that self-confidence and skill mastery are learned only when we step outside our comfort zone. They cannot come from reading a book or listening to a motivational speaker alone. Learning is not a spectator sport. We must be playing the game.

With the above lessons in mind, I next looked outside my club for more challenges to conquer. Participation in both international and humorous speech contests helped me hone my speaking skills. I even managed to take 3rd place in the District 57 Humorous Speech contest. Serving as Area Director allowed me to work with outstanding club leaders and district officers and taught me how to motivate, organize and evaluate. Later while serving on TLI and conference committees, I learned to receive delegation and work on a team while working with some of the District’s best leaders. Most recently, as TLI chair I learned how to delegate, manage team communications, problem-solve, and manage a schedule. Each role I took on was a challenge; however, my skill level and self-confidence has risen with each new challenge.

The skills developed in Toastmasters are used daily in my career. As an R&D scientist I now speak to team members and customers all over the world as I help design, build and test scientific products. Because of Toastmasters I now speak with confidence. Do you want to increase your self-confidence? Then step out of your comfort zone and take on a new challenge. It will unleash the potential hiding inside you waiting to be discovered.

Kevin Thornton, TLI Winter 2017 Chair
Bioradical Toastmasters

Every month, we will be putting out a newsletter with information about what is happening in District 57, tools for success, club member spotlights, and more. Look out for the Toast Post newsletter in your inbox!

We are enhancing the monthly district newsletter to include contributions from members of the district. Want to contribute? Click Here for the Newsletter Submission Form!

Scroll down to read this month’s submissions.

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2017 Spring Conference Announcement by Sally Philbin, DTM, Conference Chair

Mark your calendars on May 6th for the District 57 2017 Spring Conference at the California Maritime Academy, showcasing the International Speech and Table Topics Contests. We are gearing up for another fabulous conference where you are invited to FIND YOUR PATH through Pathways, the new Toastmaster’s Program designed by Toastmasters International and being rolled out first right here, in District 57.

Now that I have your attention, I am pleased to offer you the opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Any successful endeavor requires the hands of many talented individuals. Luckily, we have just that in District 57. Please contact me (That would be Sally Philbin, Conference Co-Chair) right away to throw your hat into the ring to make this fabulous conference a reality.

Opportunities abound! Not only do we need a lot of hands, we specifically need: Education Chair, Friday Night Showcase Chair (Contact Randie Ellington at pqd@d57tm.org), Raffle Chair, Conference Decorations Chair, and Educational Session Presenters.

Yes, we need educational session presenters! Please submit your topic suggestions here.

Send emails of interest or suggestions of interested volunteers to Sally Philbin at springconference@d57tm.org.

FIND YOUR PATH at the District 57 2017 Spring Conference! You are needed!

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Club Member Spotlight: A.T. Lynne

Purpose is The Key by A.T. Lynne

Looking at the silver-lettered and embossed certificate I recently received for my Advanced Communicator Silver achievement, I’m invited to look back over the road of my Toastmasters journey. A long and winding road it’s been, starting with my first visit to a Toastmasters club in San Diego, to joining a club in Bend, Oregon, then memberships in four more clubs from Texas, Arizona, Nevada and back to California.

And what becomes clear is that everything I achieved in Toastmasters was determined by an internally set purpose.

My introduction to Toastmasters happened one summer morning in 1987 when my friend Carol dared me to go. Neither of us knew what Toastmasters was really about (and the internet wasn’t around for a quick search). Carol said she’d heard that the people were nice, and they would treat us to breakfast on our first visit. My purpose, that first time, was simply to satisfy my curiosity.

However, curiosity alone wasn’t enough for me to want to endure that club’s habit of clinking spoons on water glasses whenever a speaker used a filler word. They suspended this torture when I was invited to introduce myself, but I was so thoroughly intimidated, I didn’t return or reconsider Toastmasters for years.

The next time I walked into a Toastmasters meeting was in the middle of a snowy winter in Bend, Oregon in 1991. Then, my purpose was to distract myself from a recent divorce and to start my life over. It was a small club of friendly Toastmasters who gave me a lot of opportunities to speak. Within 6 months, I’d completed all 10 speeches to achieve my Competent Toastmaster (CTM/CC equivalent).

Soon after that, I took a job as a Federal Environmental Monitor. My first assignment was on pipeline construction in the Rocky Mountains where I was the only woman and the only federal agent. It’s very possible that my Toastmasters skills were what saved me from being shot — a deed that more than one drunken pipeliner threatened to do.

The next three times I joined Toastmasters — in Texas, Arizona and Nevada — was primarily to participate in a community of diverse and interesting people. I enjoyed serving in meeting roles and gave speeches now and then from various advanced manuals. Happily, that purpose was satisfied during a time when I relocated every year or two.

Then, in 2005, settling in Sausalito and publishing my first book brought more opportunities for public speaking. When I joined Talk of the Town Toastmasters in San Rafael, my purpose was to become an accomplished, professional public speaker.

Only when I decided to use the Toastmasters program to develop as a more accomplished and truly competent speaker, was I able to move beyond my first achievements. Yet, every step was in the right direction. Beginning with mild curiosity, through the desire for a community of interesting friends, to the determination to commit to advanced public speaking abilities, each level of engagement served its intended purpose.

A.T. Lynne, Vice President of Membership
Talk of the Town Toastmasters, #7075

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About High Performance Leadership (HPL) by Jean Cunningham, DTM

“HPL” or High Performance Leadership project is designed to help you become much more cognizant of your ability as a leader, as well as areas that you can become more proficient. HPL gives you the ability to be a leader rather than a manager; and let me tell you there is a huge difference between the two.

You design a project where you are leading others, who have specific projects, jobs or tasks that need to be accomplished, so as to reach your overall vision and mission of the bigger picture. To accomplish that, a leader must collaborate with the “Action Team” members, to all understand and become one with the vision/mission.

Once this occurs, then the strategic plan is designed by the team and the actual physical project starts. Adjustments may need to be made as a team, and new actions implemented. Assessment of the progress of the project, and the timeline are reviewed regularly. Members ability to complete their tasks are assessed and solutions determined as a team.

You as the leader of this team, do what all leaders should be doing.

1. Gain Consensus on the “Vision and Values”
2. Provide “Direction”
3. Use all the talents of “Persuasion”
4. Give “Support”
5. “Develop” your team members
6. Show meaningful “Appreciation”

Leaders provide “Service Leadership” or relationships; so that workers can focus their energy to do their best work. Being a leader is not all about you, but rather the vision/mission or goal you foresee.

 

Every month, we will be putting out a newsletter with information about what is happening in District 57, tools for success, club member spotlights, and more. Look out for the Toast Post newsletter in your inbox!

We are enhancing the monthly district newsletter to include contributions from members of the district. Want to contribute? Click Here for the Newsletter Submission Form!

Scroll down to read this month’s submissions.

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The Magic of Toastmasters by Kevin Thornton & Timothy Fisher

Doing is Becoming at Toastmasters Leadership Institute

If you ask someone what Toastmasters is about, the first thing you will hear is – “it is a program designed to improve public speaking skills.” Unfortunately, this simple statement does not tell the whole story. Toastmasters offers much, much, more. The combined Toastmaster communication and leadership tracks provide a real life environment to practice and enhance communication and leadership skills.

For anyone who has attended a Toastmasters meeting, the experience of just showing up can be intimidating. Stick around a few months and the realization will come that this program has real magic in it. The shy become bold. The fearful find courage. The creative flourish.

The Toastmasters leadership track takes untrained, inexperienced people and turns them into seasoned, professional leaders. It is the only organization where experience is not required to become a leader. The only requirements are a willingness to: step out of your comfort zone, volunteer, get the provided training, and practice what you have learned while you serve.

As a volunteer club officer your role is to manage the clubs day-to-day affairs. Officer duties and leadership skills are learned as you attend training presented twice a year at the Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI). Here you learn: your role’s basic duties, enhanced communication techniques, conflict resolution, and other high value skills. Your skills are sharpened and confidence increased through practice as a club leader.

Why should you participate in the leadership track? Within Toastmasters, trained leaders gain knowledge and skills that allow clubs and organizations to thrive, grow and provide a better learning experience to their members. Outside of Toastmasters, organizations continuously look for leaders with good communication, organization, time management and people skills.

As the new Toastmasters semi-annual term begins in January, take the opportunity to attend District 57’s Toastmaster Leadership Institute to: beef up your leadership and communication skills, learn about new TI initiatives, get inspired by speakers and get additional club officer role training.

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Club Member Spotlight: Karen Vecchi

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The Toastmasters Community by Carol Haynes

A community is that place where you feel belonging, support, and influence. A community offers that special place of safety. Your community might be made up of your neighborhood, religious organization, or extended family. You may have more than one community. Little did I know that when I joined Toastmasters almost four years ago, I would find more than a public speaking group; I would find community.

Like many new Toastmasters, my initial Toastmasters experience was writing and rehearsing speeches, checking off goals to attain the Competent Communicator and Competent Leadership awards, and attending a weekly meeting. In other words, it was all about me. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoyed my club, I loved the members, and I was always willing to go above and beyond to help the club out. But I didn’t know what could be gained by going beyond the “it’s all about me” mentality to the “it’s all about them” mentality.

As I continued checking off boxes and moving up the communication and leadership tracks (and seeing corresponding improvements in my skills), I came to the Advanced Leadership Silver award. To earn the ALS, it could no longer be all about me. One of the requirements is to serve in a district office. I had been in club officer roles from nearly the beginning of my Toastmasters experience, but I thought that the District Officers were the Toastmasters elite. After all, I heard them introduced as dignitaries at Toastmasters events. However, I learned that Area and Division directors are not a “secret society” with barriers to entrance. Like every leadership opportunity in Toastmasters, there are a group of people who have served in the role before who are willing to step aside, step beside, and step behind.

The willingness to step aside allows members with less experience can take on leadership roles in the district; the willingness to step beside provides mentorship to the member filling the role; and finally the willingness to step behind whispering words of encouragement allows new leaders to make their own mistakes while providing a safety net if they falter.

Completing the High Performance Leadership project as an Area Director provided me with unique opportunities. The objective of a High Performance Leadership project is to gain experience in creating a vision, goal-setting, developing plans and strategies, and building a team. My guidance committee was made up of former district leaders who knew the pitfalls and could offer suggestions. My guidance committee illustrated the principles of stepping aside, stepping beside, and stepping behind.

Ending the year as a Select Distinguished Area was a side benefit of using the HPL project to guide my Area Director activities. It was the members in the Area that deserve the credit for that success. I am happy to have played a small part in the success of the clubs and develop new tools in my future leadership endeavors.

Throughout my years in Toastmasters, I have found that the more roles I assume, the larger my circle of community has become. Each role has added another layer of belonging and support. Think about how you might benefit from making Toastmasters your community.

Every month, we will be putting out a newsletter with information about what is happening in District 57, tools for success, club member spotlights, and more. Look out for the Toast Post newsletter in your inbox!

We are enhancing the monthly district newsletter to include contributions from members of the district. Want to contribute? Click Here for the Newsletter Submission Form!

Scroll down to read this month’s submissions.

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Engineering a Winning Presentation by Tyree Johnson, DTM

The time will come if it hasn’t already passed that you will be called on to present your case especially in the technical and business workplace. To engineer a winning presentation, use this guide in preparing your case:

Ask yourself why are you here?
Determine your purpose in presenting.
Develop your presentation with a goal in mind.

Cover the Basics
Recognize that not everyone is an expert.
Your audience came interested.
Everyone should be able to follow the first third of your presentation.

Use Simple Examples
Relate to a real world problem.
Refer back to your example that parallels to your topic.
If it takes more than 90 seconds to explain, then simplify.

Include Lots of Images
Use animations and pictures instead of equations.
Display the equation at the bottom of the slide to satisfy the curious.
Your audience will remember a picture after the equation is gone.

Explain your Data
Include a box with your key takeaway point at the bottom of graphs, maps, or charts.
Beware of information overload.
Legends and axes should be clearly labeled.

Give the Bottom Line
Conclude why your presentation is relevant.
Answer this question: What problem did you solve and why is it important to others?

Practice Timing
Practice out loud and time yourself.
Avoid the race to the end when time runs out.
Cut material if necessary; always be respectful of the organizers schedule.

Prepare for Questions
Practice answering probable questions.
Clarify your point.
Immediately correct wrong presumptions.
Rude or off-base questions should be handled in the “parking lot”. Avoid embarrassing arguments.

Get Excited
Show you’re enthusiastic about your work.
Share your pride in excellence.
Correct wrong assumptions tactfully.
Finally Execute
Utilizing these tips to yourself the best chance possible toward winning your audience. You will be confident that your audience is being rewarded with the valuable and credible information that important for them to absorb from you on this occasion.

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Club Member Spotlight: Shalini Suresh Kumar

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Starting Your Journey to an Advanced Leader Silver Award by Christopher Foster

Congratulations! You’ve just earned your Advanced Leader Bronze award! You’ve served many roles throughout your Toastmasters career, mentored new members, chaired club socials and speech contests and served your club as a Club Officer. These activities are vital to Toastmasters clubs. In addition to the recognition you’ve received as a leader in your club, I want to give you a hearty “Thank you” for leading your club and contributing to the success of the District! Now you’re looking ahead to the next step on your journey to hone your leadership skills. Perhaps you’ve perused the requirements for the Advanced Leader Silver award? If you’re like me, you might be daunted by what you’ve found.  Earning the Advanced Leader Silver award is challenging! It includes: Service as a District Officer, Coaching a struggling club or mentoring a new club; and completing the High Performance Leadership program. Wow! That certainly seems like a lot of work! Where do you even start?

You are absolutely correct: earning an Advanced Leader Silver award involves a great deal of hard work! It’s a daunting prospect, and many Toastmasters consider it the most difficult of awards to earn in either the Leadership or Communication track. Just getting started is a huge hurdle for many people. In order to earn this award, you have to step outside of your club and become involved with the entire District. But fear not, motivated member! I am here to help get you started. I’ll tell you how to express your interest and to apply for a District Office, how to become a Club Coach or Club Mentor and how to get your High Performance Leadership project started.

If you’re seeking your Advanced Leader Silver award, you are motivated to improve your leadership skills. That is convenient, because a successful District depends on its officer team for success. Motivated officers will help it succeed. There are a plethora of District Offices, but since this is your first time tackling the Advanced Leadership Silver program –yes, people do this more than once!- you’ve likely never served as one before. The most effective way for you to familiarize yourself with District Leadership is to seek a role as Area Director. The Area Director motivates a small team of clubs – normally 3 to 6 – to succeed. As an Area Director, you’ll visit the clubs in your Area, communicate with the officers that comprise your Area Council, coordinate Area Speech Contests and report the progress to the District leadership triad.  Along the way, you’ll meet Toastmasters throughout the District and  have the opportunity to assist with Toastmasters Leadership Institute and with District Conferences Serving as an Area Director is a challenging, yet rewarding experience. Obtaining a position as an Area Director is as easy as expressing your interest to the District Leadership, starting with the current Area Director. The District values volunteers and often does not have enough to fill the positions it needs. Area Directors understand the importance of finding successors to continue quality leadership of their Area when their term ends, and are happy to hear that someone is willing to make the commitment. After volunteering, you’ll fill out an application and interview briefly with the new year’s District Director. From there, you’re in for a wonderful journey which will test your leadership skills and take them to the next level.

While it’s true that the Advanced Leader Silver award encourages activity in the District, the basic building block of Toastmasters is the Club and its members. The introduction of a new Toastmasters club is a joyous occasion! It introduces a large group of people to the benefits of Toastmasters and it helps the District meet their growth goals. New clubs need guidance for success. The officers of the club may be new to Toastmasters and you are familiar with the learning curve that comes with being a Club Officer.  Members of a new club need someone to turn to when they have questions. Just as new members who join Toastmasters benefit from an experienced mentor, so do new clubs.

When a new club is formed, the District Leadership assigns mentors to that club. As a Club Mentor, you’ll be pretty busy. You’ll want to attend as many club meetings as you can to make sure members can lean on you when they need help for their roles. You’ll have to be available for questions between meetings and you’ll attend club officer meetings to make sure the club you’ve taken under your wing can best benefit from your guidance. Often, a club will suffer setbacks. Club membership can drop for many reasons. When that happens, the District might identify a club in need of some Coaching. As a Club Coach, you’ll work with a struggling club to help them become successful. You’ll give personal attention to the members and Officers, focusing on improving the quality of the club’s program and on building membership. Think of yourself like a doctor. You’ll have to diagnose those areas where the club needs improvements and think of inventive solutions. Sometimes, a new club or a struggling club will need you for more than the six month minimum time the District requires for you to get credit for your Advanced Leader Silver award. But that’s no problem, right? You know the importance of putting in more than the bare minimum to succeed! Club Mentorship and Coaching give you an opportunity to learn important leadership skills and to help make a lasting positive mark on a club. Good news! If you’re an Area Director, you’ll work closely with District leadership to grow new clubs and assist clubs who are facing challenges. Area Directors often have the opportunity to Mentor and Coach clubs in their areas, since they are already a source of support and information for those clubs.

The purpose of the Toastmasters Leadership education track is to help its members be the best leaders they can be. It should be no surprise that a critical component of the Advanced Leader Silver Award – the pinnacle of the Toastmasters Leadership track – is a project specifically designed to put all of the leadership skills you’ve learned up to this point to the test. I’m referring to the High Performance Leadership project, or HPL. I think of the HPL as a thesis for the Leadership track. You’ll use the High Performance Leadership Manual to guide you through several rigorous assignments centered on a single project and will recruit a team to help you achieve your goals. You’ll learn to use the Six Dimensions of Leadership – Vision and Values, Direction, Persuasion, Support, Development and Appreciation – to lead your team to success. You’ll recruit a committee of experienced Toastmasters who will serve as your Guidance Committee, who will evaluate your progress at each step. You have a lot of freedom with which to choose your HPL project, and it doesn’t even have to be related to Toastmasters. You could organize a soup kitchen or a major fundraiser. You could start a business. You could lead an effort to lobby for legislation in your community. The only limit is your imagination. Of course, if you are an Area Director, your endeavor for the year is certainly a leadership project, and you will wish to perform to a high level of performance. Do you see where I’m going with this? Your service as area director can count as the requirement for your High Performance Leadership project if you follow the assignments in the High Performance Leadership Manual. To get started, order the High Performance Leadership manual. It will tell you what you need to do to complete your HPL. If you’re looking for support in your HPL journey, you can join the Toastmasters Leadership  Club in Oakland, CA, a club dedicated to helping its members complete the High Performance Leadership project. Like mentoring a new club, the HPL gives you a chance to build and create something of substance and to become a better leader along the way.

The Advanced Leader Silver Award is an achievement that recognizes great dedication to improving leadership skills. You’ll find great challenges undertaking service as a District Officer, guiding members as a Club Coach or Mentor and completing your High Performance Leadership project. Your leadership skills will be tested and honed.  At the end, the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel at undertaking these tasks will be monumental. This guide can help get you started on your journey. I hope you take your first steps soon!