A note to new Toastmasters... Welcome to the new and returning Toastmasters who have joined or rejoined a Toastmasters club in District 90 recently. "Ninety News" is a newsletter of District activities and important Toastmasters matters sent regularly to members.


From the District Director

Welcome to the 2017-2018 Toastmaster year!

A New Year is always special to all.  It is a symbol of new hope and new beginnings.  It is also a time of reflection and contemplation.  As the New Year dawns, new hope and expectations come on the scene.

We have many projects lined up for this year.  I am sure with your continued co-operation and collaboration we will fulfill these projects successfully.

I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt appreciation for your accomplishments and achievements for last year.  I thank you for your support, dedication and the numerous hours that you have put into yourself and your clubs to achieve your goals, to progress and grow as a toastmaster.

This is also a great opportunity to thank the visionary leadership of Bob Kirchner and Michael Said to decentralise and consolidate our two-year old district, which has provided us with stability and a strong foundation for further growth.  With this bedrock, we are creating our own culture and drafting our own identity as District 90.

My gratitude is also extended to all past and current leaders from club to district level and all the senior leaders who have given us advice and guidance which have enabled us to perform our duties more effectively, successfully and timely.

In the introduction I touched on reflection and contemplation.  Three of the projects which arose and strongly suggested are:

Mentoring.  There will be a number of workshops conducted to encourage more clubs to implement this program to help members master the skills of communication and leadership more effectively and help clubs in the retention of members.

Club Success Plan.  The old saying is "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail".  Many people have great ideas but no plan or idea of how to get there.  Therefore, I encourage you to take some time to plan with your team as it will not only give you better understanding and direction but also as a team you will be more commited in helping your members to achieve their goals.

Training.  Why is it important whether you’re new or a veteran leader?  Here are three reasons:

• Leaders who feel inadequate, underachieving or unsupported are unhappy.  They are not satisfied with their roles, which will cause them to underperform.
• Untrained leaders can lead to an inability to attract visitors, or convert visitors to members or cause your club to lose members.
• The veteran leader will feel valued as they can share their skills and experiences. 

Everything we do in Toastmasters is for the member.  If clubs are the heart of Toastmasters, our members are our heartbeat.  It is you the member, who is the very essence of our great organisation.

With your help as leaders in our District, we will learn and grow together.  Let us be open with each other when we question things, be open to improvements and to face each challenge with courage. Let’s improve the processes and find better ways together for the greater good of all Toastmasters.

We will learn and grow together, nourishing ourselves to be distinguished people and in so doing, proud to become a Distinguished District.

At the end of our 2017/2018 year, we will look back on what we have done with affection and pride.

I am humbled by your trust in me and the D90 executive team, and am confident that together we can build on our bedrock. This will be a momentous year and I know that we will share many wonderful, challenging and exciting moments and opportunities together. Together we will succeed.

– Shirley Childs DTM

Program Quality...
 
The Toastmasters year promises to be innovative. We will offer both Club Leadership Training and a series of "Winning" sessions.

While Club Leadership Training is important for current (and future) club leaders, the concept of "Winning" sessions is of interest to all members.

The sessions, mainly held on a Sunday (moving to Saturday where there is a major date conflict), comprise two elements...

Speaker’s Corner Designed to stretch yourself; get out of your comfort zone; practice an important presentation. At the first session, for example, a Toastmaster practiced the speech he would use at the launch of his book. He received valuable feedback from the group. Speaker's Corners are held in the morning of "the day" hosted by Area 10 Director Alicia Curtis DTM.

In the afternoon, "Winning" sessions are designed to help members gain additional skills in a variety of areas.

The first session focused on "winning strategies" and was presented by District Contest Champions Dale Rees-Bevan, Allan Rees-Bevan and Chris Davitt who gave insight into the best methods available to give a winning presentation.

The second was all about contest judging and was presented by Juliana Jamal and Dianne Sammut who led a session about the issues people needed to know about being a contest judge. On the practical side, participants judged speeches from the 2016 World Championship of Public Speaking.

Upcoming sessions...

Saturday August 12 will focus on helping current and future new club sponsors and mentors, as well as club coaches, gain the skills (or more skills) to undertake their role more effectively.

Saturday September 2 will be presented by Past District Governor and Pasy Region Advisor Philip Bendeich and will focus on the club mentoring program.

Registration for both events will be on the District website What's On page very shortly.

Phil Reed DTM
Program Quality Director

The last Semi Annual

The last ever District 90 Semi Annual Conference will be held at Port Macquarie, Friday to Sunday, November 3 to 5.
 
Friday evening will have a "bush poetry" theme... an evening to mix and network with other Toastmasters.

 











As a member, you know what Toastmasters can do for you!

It’s now time to spread the word about this fabulous organisation!
 
Toastmasters International runs a number of membership campaigns throughout the year. The first one, the Smedley Award, starts on 1^st August and finishes on 30^th September.
 
To gain this award, clubs must add 5 new or dual members during that period.
 
So, let’s get into recruitment mode – ask a friend, a family member, a workmate, or a total stranger, if they would like to improve their leadership and communication skills by joining this wonderful organisation.

Organise an "open house meeting", a market stall, a…..
 
Can your club do it? Of cause it can!
 
Click this link for the campaigns run by Toastmasters International.

Udo Moerig DTM
Club Growth Director

Stretch yourself... enter a speaking competition!

If your club hasn't already run its Humorous Speech and Table Topic contests, enter! And stretch your personal growth.

The Humorous Speech Contest is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to practice and learn the value ofhumour in speaking. The Table Topic Contest offers the opportunity for you to develop your impromptu speaking skills at a higher level.

At the conclusion of club contests, Area contests will be held and following that, Division Contests with finals, as noted above, to be conducted during the Semi Annual Conference at Port Macquarie in November.

Dates for Division contests are already on the District website What's On page. Details of Area Contests will be added as they come to hand.

Members not competing at Area or Division level are encouraged not only to go along and support your club/area contestants but to be part of a very entertaining activity.

Click this link to view educational achievements
in District 90 so far this Toastmasters year

Need supplies for your club? Or for yourself?
Visit Toastmasters Supplies Australia website here.