Forum 56 - District 56 Toastmasters

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Official Newsletter of District 56 • www.tmd56.org

Forum 56 Serving southeast Texas

Words have Power, Words are Power, and Words could be Your Power Those were the words spoken by the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking at the 2015 Toastmasters International Convention in Las Vegas. If you were not there you missed something truly inspiring. The District Trio and several of District 56 members were in attendance at the convention. District 56 shined as we walked across the big stage at the Hall of Fame ceremony.

Volume 12, Issue 2 August 2015

Inside this Issue District Director Message .......................... 1 Program Quality Director Message............ 2 Find the Flame Contest .............................. 2 Club Growth Director Message .................. 3

As we walked on the stage I was thinking, “I hope District 56 Carol Caraway, DTM members feel like you were on stage with us at the Hall of Fame in District Director Las Vegas because every member of District 56 had a part in our success last year.” Whether you earned an educational award, attended officer training, helped start a new club, or simply paid your member dues, each action counted toward our success.

Darryl Sims Wins 2nd Place in Semi-Finals at the TI Convention .................................. 4 A First Timer at the TI Convention ............. 5 Beat the Clock Report ................................ 6 TI Convention Highlights............................ 7

The 2015 Toastmasters International Convention and the training all finished on Saturday night at the stroke of midnight and I have had some time to reflect. Training had some good moments but seems largely set up for Districts that are not as lucky as ours to have a depth of knowledge from those that have preceded us and generously continue to share that wealth of knowledge. However, there is always some take away from our training with other districts from around the world that help us better serve the needs of our members and clubs as we move forward. The board meeting update was very useful with a strong strategic plan in place and some good policies in place for our members moving forward. The Golden Gavel recipient, in a word, was inspiring. The contests were intense with some awesome speakers delivering some very robust and sometimes humorous messages. The keynote speakers and educational sessions were largely motivational. We elected seven new International Directors, some of whom are outstanding and will be a real asset to the board and the membership as a whole. A new Second Vice president Lark Doley and the others naturally progressing through. The Saturday night roaring 20's inspired ball was a huge celebration and fun was had by all. There were many takeaways for me. At the heart of it all was listening and learning with some old friends and making some wonderful new ones. These are some of the people that inspire, motivate, mentor and challenge me. This really hits home when you attend a convention – Words can Change a Life and Inspire a Nation. To quote the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking, “Isn’t that what we all want and why we are all here?” What is the food of the leader? It is Knowledge. It is Communication. “Your mouth can spit venom or it can mend a broken soul.” Let that be Our GOAL! At Your Service,

Carol Caraway DTM ,

District Director 2015 – 2016, District 56 Toastmasters International—Where Leaders are Made.

Fall Conference Call for Volunteers ........... 8

Evaluate Your District! Use your Smartphone App to scan the QR Code and be taken directly to the survey.

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Volume 12

What happens in Vegas does NOT stay in Vegas! If you did not get a chance to attend the Toastmasters International convention in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace, you missed a real treat. At an international convention, you are able to see exactly what Toastmasters has to offer beyond the club level. Among the festivities were the Golden Gavel event, Hall of Fame awards, Annual Business meeting, Educational sessions, President’s Inauguration, and of course the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking contest! On top of that we were able to greet, meet, and network with Toastmasters from around the world.

Martha Elias, DTM Program Quality Director

As the Program Quality Director, I attended two days of training with other district officers so that we may better serve the needs of our district members. Some of our training session topics were “Team Dynamics and Decisions”, and “Creating a Culture of Success.” I learned that district leaders should set expectations for their teams and not micromanage.

As Program Quality Director my expectation is that all officers are trained within this training period to help ensure their clubs earn the Distinguished Club Program point. Let’s work as a team to surpass our training results from the prior Toastmaster year. I am counting on you! You also have an opportunity to experience Toastmasters beyond the club level by attending our District 56 Fall Conference on November 14th at the Crown Plaza Houston Galleria Hotel. Registration details are at this link - Fall Conference. Our theme is “Lighting the Fire for Excellence”. Our keynote speaker will be none other than Lance Miller, the 2005 World Champion of Public Speaking. Lance’s main keynote address will be “Losing My Way to the World Championship”. Per Lance, “This seminar addresses how to get the most out of being in Toastmasters. I walk people through many of the lessons I learned by pushing myself and making my mistakes in Toastmasters which lead to much of my success in both winning the WCPS and success outside of Toastmasters. I give people the understanding that Toastmasters is a learning environment and the need to continue to challenge themselves, complete manuals, do the programs and not become complacent because they completed a Competent Communicator.” Lance will also be presenting “Building a Championship Club” in which he details how he built his home club, Renaissance Speakers, to 95 members, and the #4th Club in Toastmasters International. You not only have an opportunity to attend the Fall Conference, but there are many leadership opportunities available in chairing one of the many committees needed to bring the Fall Conference to life. We are actively seeking volunteers, and welcome your assistance. Chairing one of the many committees can be used as your High Performance Leadership project in working towards achieving your Distinguished Toastmaster award. Please contact me if you are interested in serving in any capacity. Become a sponge and absorb all that is offered you beyond the club level! Martha L. Elias, DTM Program Quality Director 2015-2016 Email: [email protected]

Find the “Flame” Contest—Win a Prize! There are (5) hidden icons throughout this newsletter. Find all five, send an email to [email protected] with the pages the icons are located and win a prize! Only the first (5) members to correctly identify the page numbers will win a prize. Winners will be announced in the September issue!

District 56 is on

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Momentum is building, and now Anticipation is growing too!

District 56 Marketing Workshop Theme: Spark ENTHUSIASM & Ignite PARTICIPATION! “Knowledge is power, but enthusiasm pulls the switch.” - Ivern Ball

Sara Carothers, DTM Club Growth Director 2015-2016 District 56

We are excited to be joined by Monnica Lamb (DTM), Toastmasters International 2015-2016 Region 3 Advisor. Monnica has been a Toastmaster since 2007, and is currently a member of District 50. When asked about the key strengths that she brings to the district leaders, Monnica stated that she brings passion, energy and enthusiasm, along with strong club building skills. Her segment of the Summer Marketing Workshop will be titled “All You Need Is One (1)!” and is sure to give us some proven ideas for membership growth and retention .

August 29th - 9:00AM—2:00PM

From left to right, Sarah Carothers, Carol Caraway, Monnica Lamb, & Martha Elias Taken at the 2015 Toastmasters International Convention, Las Vegas, NV

Intercontinental Airport 15747 JFK Boulevard, Houston, TX 77032 Phone: 281-848-4000 http://tmd56.org/wp/2015-august-marketing-workshop/

Sheryl Smith, DTM, our Immediate past Distinguished District Governor, will be talking “S.M.A.C.” (Sponsors, Mentors and Coaches). Sheryl is a self-described “country girl with shoes on” and is known for her wit and humor. Sheryl is currently a mentor for Toastmasters to the Rescue Toastmasters Club and Club President of Dining Out Toastmasters Club. Kelly Sargeant, CC, CL, is the 3rd Place Finalist from the 2014 Toastmasters International World Championship of Public Speaking contest in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kelly’s segment is titled “Igniting Participation.” When it comes to engaging an audience, Kelly is the go-to great energy leader! She captivates the audience with her animated presentation skills and effervescent personality. Kelly makes the most mundane training topics exciting. Jim Key, DTM, is the Toastmasters International 2003 World Champion of Public Speaking. Jim most recently coached the World Champion of Public Speaking Finalists at the 2015 Toastmasters International Convention held in Las Vegas, NV. Most of us who have been around know the value Jim brings to any event. He has proven to be “A Friend of District 56!”



Club Officers attending the TLI training at this event will receive credit for club officer training toward Distinguished Club Program Goal #9.



Visit the Bookstore. Last chance to redeem your 2014-2015 educational award coupons.



For more details, go to: http://tmd56.org/wp/2015-august-marketing-workshop/

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Volume 12

Darryl Sims wins Second Place in Semi-Finals at Toastmasters Convention in Las Vegas! First of all, let me say I would not have made it to the Semi-Finals without the judges and audiences at various levels of the competitions seeing something in me and believing in my message. I would not have been as polished without the help of many clubs allowing me time to practice my speeches (e.g. Master Evaluators, Dining Out Toastmasters, C & F Leaders Club, WTC Toastmasters, Speaking of Shell and others. I would not have been as motivated and inspired to do the best I could without the competitors in each round sharing their wonderful messages. Many others offered help as well, but my schedule and my job just wouldn’t allow me the privilege of taking them up on their offers. This is a “first class” district filled with the highest quality of members I have ever seen and had the honor of knowing. Thank you from the bottom and deepest chambers of my heart. To sum up the experience; “I came, I saw, and I didn’t lose.” I believe every journey in life (whether a small portion of it or the entire duration) has to begin with a goal. My goal for the Semi-finals was to 1) be inspired and motivated, 2) share my message with as many people as possible, and 3) have fun and be myself. I was successful in all three aspects. My first goal was to seek inspiration and motivation. Unfortunately, due to scheduling, it’s impossible to see all 106 speeches (96 semi-finalists and 10 finalists). However, I did get the opportunity to hear 39 wonderful speeches; they touched me in ways I can’t describe in words. Vocal variety, voice inflections, volume, body gestures, organization, alliterations, purposeful use of the speaking area, and other advanced speaking skills were on full display. However, more importantly, power, passion, humor, humility, gracefulness, creativity, and life changing words ruled the day. The content and delivery, mixed with the powerful messages, overloaded me with far more inspiration and motivation than I thought I would receive. Goal achieved! My second goal was to share my message with as many people as possible. While it wasn’t the final stage (over 2,500 people in attendance), I would estimate I had the opportunity to share my speech and my message with approximately 400 people. It’s probably the biggest audience I have ever spoken to. To say I was nervous would be a severe understatement; had I not used the restroom prior to the competition, I’m sure they would have had to blur out the lower half of my body for video purposes and immediately clean the stage for the next speaker! However, after I got past my opening and saw the heads nodding, I knew that audience was ready to receive the words I needed to share. When I saw the audience truly receiving and understanding what I was sharing (via hands over hearts, mouths open, and tissues in hands), I lost all my inhibitions. The true “me” able to freely share my thoughts and my emotions. I came in second, but I felt like a winner because over the next couple of days, there were so many people stopping me to thank me for a great speech and a powerful message. There were also a number of people that remembered me from 2013 and thanked me for that speech as well. Goal achieved! My last goal was to have fun and be myself. The “be myself” was the easy part. As I’ve shared before, I’m a recovering introvert; I’m not very out-going. I prefer sitting under a porch listening to rain versus going out and hanging with friends. It’s something I’m trying to improve (via Toastmasters and other tools). So to be myself is to be a quiet observer and a supportive friend. I was able to just enjoy my surroundings and support my friends (Clarence Featherson and Naoki Tamura) in their competitions. I’ve also become friends with other people I met along the way. “Big Mike” story about his bullying incident was a retell of my childhood; I knew we would hit it off. Monica Dirden’s playful interaction with her husband before and after her wonderful speech reminded me of why I’m where I am today (my beautiful wife Rhonda Sims). We (my family and her family) will certainly connect. The gentleman who won the semi-final I competed in (Patrick Hammond) moved me so much, I gave him a lasting hug before the contestants all took the stage together. I truly felt the sincerity in his speech and it brought me to tears back stage. I know (or at least hope) we will be lifelong friends. See Darryl Sims on Page 5

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A First Timer at a Toastmasters Convention After being an active Toastmaster for six years, I attended my first International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. I instantly realized that I had waited too long to attend this exciting event.. If you are a newer member of Toastmasters who is serious about improving your speaking skills, I encourage you to commit to attending an International Convention. Next year, it will be held in Washington, D.C. It is a decision that will serve you well because talent and dedication like nothing else you’ve seen, will surround you.

Rashid Kapadia ACB, ALB

One of the more unusual sessions was called “Under the Magnifying Glass: Good to Great on STEROIDS…in Action!” This was not a conventional session; it was live mini-coaching in front of a large audience. Patricia Fripp and Darren LaCroix, both legends in the world of public speaking, jointly led the session. Prior the session Patricia Fripp collected names and placed them in a jar for a drawing to determine the lucky Toastmasters who would receive expert coaching.

Darren set the tone humorously with “I’ve never had a coach nice me into growth.” Six speakers were selected, including our own district member, Bill Sullivan. It was eye opening to see how average, wordy and confusing speech openings could be polished, even transformed in a couple of minutes. My top take away from this session was “There is simply no substitute for expert coaching. This is the sure road to rapid growth. Ignore this at your own peril.” Other tops tips were:  Don’t start speaking till you feel grounded and connected to your audience.  Use the shortest possible sentences when opening.  Be centered and stable when opening: it signals a stable message.  Keep the opening super-simple and clear.  Get to the point or conflict rapidly  Use dialogue rather than narration. For more details on this particular session click here. Click here to watch an example of mini coaching.

Darryl Sims. Continued from Page 4 The “have fun” was a mixed bag. I believe the definition of fun is relative to the individual. Although I know the members of District 56 were there to support me (and I truly appreciate it; nothing like familiar and friendly faces to gaze upon), I still missed my family. There were so many wonderful things to do in Vegas, but I just couldn’t do them without my family; I simply stayed in my room most of the time. I made excuses (prices, tired, etc…), but I was really missing my family. I was a bit homesick and I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the convention; it provided me everything I was looking for and more. Goal achieved! My friends, I went to the Semi-Finals not with a goal of winning’ I went to be inspired and motivated, share my message, and have fun and be myself. Anything else would have been icing on the cake and I have a renewed respect for what the Toastmaster’s Competitions offer. They offer you the chance at communication improvements, friendship building, and reaching hearts and minds that can potentially change the ecosystem of humanity and shape a better future for this world. I strongly recommend people who have competed before to continue competing. I intensely recommend to people who have never competed to take the leap of faith. If you are breathing and live in this world, you have the content. If you have a mouth and a voice, you have the delivery mechanism. If you have a heart and a soul, you have the message. Remember, it’s not about the title or the trophy. It’s about the message. I received the inspiration and motivation I was seeking. I shared my message with hundreds of beautiful eardrums. I had fun and was able to be myself. What could be better? To sum up the experience: “I came, I saw, and I didn’t lose!”

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Volume 12

“Beat the Clock” Report for 2015 Breaks Record! Area L41 L42

Club Insperity Kingwood Canrig Commuicators

New Members 5 5

L42

Cy-Fair Super Speakers

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L42

HP Houston

5

L42

Lone Star International

6

L44

CB&I Speak Easy

5

L44

Citgo Voice

5

L44

Talk-a-bit

5

M30

Sugar Speakers

5

M31

Blue Frog

5

M32

Financially Speaking

6

M34

Mudslingers

8

M35

City West Toastmasters

5

N21

McToasters

5

N21

Speaking of Shell

6

N22

Sound Bytes

5

N23

The Rat Pack

16

N25

Katy Toastmasters

7

O11

Downtown Houston Toastmasters

7

O11

ExxonMobil Houston Campus

7

O11

Talk is Cheap

13

O11

Word Doctors

5

O12

Sogeti Trusted Advisors

15

O14

American General

8

O14

Total Masters

8

O14

Young Professional

6

P04

Clear Lake Communicators

6

P04

Pearland Toastmasters

5

P04

West Pearland

8

Q52

MJ/MJLM

8

Q52

South Main Speakers

8

R61

Heights Toastmasters

5

R62

Mindspeak

5

R63 R64

Marathon Speaks RICH Toastmasters

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District 56 finished the 2014-2015 Toastmaster year with a bang! A total of 35 clubs achieved the “Beat the Clock” membership award, which surpassed all previous records. The “Beat the Clock” membership drive was held May 1st through June 30th. Clubs needed to add five new, dual or reinstated members to achieve the District 56 award of either a timing light, table top lectern, or $40 gift card to the District 56 bookstore. Previous years club totals were: 2014 (22), 2013 (22), 2012 (19), 2011 (18).

Congratulations!

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International Convention Highlights! District 56 earned “Distinguished District” for 2014-2015!

World Championship of Public Speaking Congratulations to Mohammed Qahtani of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, District 79, on becoming the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking for his speech, "The Power of Words." Congratulations to Aditya Maheswaran of Mumbai, India, District 41, on finishing in second place for his speech, "Scratch." Congratulations to Manoj Vasudevan of Singapore, District 80, on finishing in third place for his speech, "We Can Fix It."

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Volume 12

Call for Volunteers to organize the Fall Conference! Saturday, November 14th, 2015 7:00 am – 10:00 pm Crowne Plaza Houston Galleria 7611 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024 Theme: Lighting the Fire for Excellence" We need YOU to share your skills to organize this important event for our members. In turn, you will gain valuable experience! Check out the open positions and consider fulling a role. Our most urgent needs are Volunteer Chair and Secretary. Please email Tim McDearmon at [email protected] if you want to be a part of the conference team, or if you have questions about a role.

Meetings will be held on Thursday evenings beginning August 29, 2015 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm Café Express 1422 W Gray St. Houston, TX 77019 (713) 522-3100

Co-Chairs

Tim McDearmon & Melissa Young

OPEN POSITIONS Advanced Club Chair Audio Chair Awards Chair Awards Chair Bookstore Chair Certificates Chair Decorations Chair Educational Sessions Chair First Timers Chair Hospitality Chair Minute-by-Minute Chair Opening Ceremony Chair Opportunity Drawing Chair Photographer Reception Chair Registration Chair Secretary Sergeant-At-Arms Chair Sponsor Chair Volunteer Chair

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Connect with District 56 on Social Media

Check your club’s DCP progress on the dashboard!

2015-2016 District Leadership Team District Director ....................................................... Carol Caraway, DTM Program Quality Director ........................................... Martha Elias, DTM Club Growth Director ........................................... Sarah Carothers, DTM Public Relations Manager .................................... Adam Hudd, ACG, ALB Administration Manager .................................Soraya Mohammed, DTM Finance Manager................................................... Susan Marks, CC, ALB www.tmd56.org

District 56 Toastmasters

www.toastmasters.org The names “Toastmasters International,” “Toastmasters,” and the Toastmasters International emblem are trademarks protected in the United States, Canada, and other countries where Toastmasters clubs exist. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

The information in this newsletter is for the sole use of Toastmasters members for Toastmasters business only. It is not to be used for solicitation or distribution of non-Toastmasters materials and information.

District Staff DTM Mentor .................................................................Lisa Burrell, DTM Forum 56 Chief Editor………………………………………………..Jody White, DTM Logistics Manager ................................... Jeanette Williams-Wade, DTM PR Assistant Editor ..................................................... Vicki Clakley, DTM Social Media Chair ................................................... Rodney White, DTM Webmaster ........................................................................... Jun Too, CC

FORUM 56 Newsletter Articles of 200–300 words may be submitted via email to [email protected], or call directly to 713-320-8396 for more information. Deadline for submissions is the first week of each month for publishing by the end of each month.

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