Chris to represent District 90 in Washington

Chris Davitt, a member of Mosman Toastmasters, Area 19 in Hawkesbury Division, will be the first official representative of District 90 in the World Championship of Public Speaking in Washington this August.

Chris took out first place in the District final at last weekend's Annual Conference at Rooty Hill.

Runner-up was Martin Rogers of Glenbrook Toastmasters (Area 11, Western Division) with Ashleigh Cormack (Dural club, Area 7, Macquarie Division) in third place.

Chris will compete in the first round of Semi Finals, in Semi Final Number 4, in Washington on Thursday August 18.

Fellow competitors in the District 90 International Speech Contest were Robert Bath (Charlestown Toastmasters, Area 15, Eastern Division), James Dyson (Nambucca Valley Toastmasters, Area 29, Oxley Division) and Lia Mahony (Tamworth Toastmasters, Area 1, Northern Division).

Our photo below shows Chris (third from left) with, from left, Program Quality Director Michael Said, Club Growth Director Shirley Childs, Martin Rogers, Ashleigh Cormack and District Director Bob Kirchner.


 

Robert snares his first District title

Robert Bath, a member of Charlestown Toastmasters, Area 15 in Eastern Division, won his first District Championship on Sunday in the District 90 Evaluation Contest.

Robert had previously competed in District finals on a number of occasions across all contests over many years.

Runner-up in the competition was Megan Ash representing Hawkesbury Division (Chatswood Communicators, A6) while Donna Kildea (Oxley Division, In Focus Advanced Toastmasters, A17) came third.

Fellow competitors in the Evaluation Contest were Jennifer David (Macquarie Division, A4, Holroyd Toastmasters), Lynne Harris (Western Division, A2, Western Lectern) and Lia Mahony (Northern Division, A1, Tamworth Communicators).

Robert is pictured below (third from right) with, from left, Michael Said, Shirley Childs, Megan Ash, Donna Kildea and Bob Kirchner.

Next year's District leaders

Michael Said was elected unopposed at the District Council Meeting as District 90's District Director for the 2016-2017 Toastmasters year.

Shirley Childs was elected unopposed as Program Quality Director.

Phil Reed won a close vote to be elected Club Growth Director.

Leesa Barnard was elected unopposed as Eastern Division Director.

Melanie Cheong was successful in the election for Hawkesbury Division Director.

Geri Rich was successful in the election for Macquarie Division Director.

Jane Lally was elected unopposed as Northern Division Director.

Jan Coleman was elected unopposed as Oxley Division Director.

Chris McLoon was successful in the election for Western Division Director.

At the Meet The New Team Breakfast on Sunday morning, District Director elect Michael announced that Udo Moerig would be the District's Public Relations Manager for 2016-2017.

Debbie Tibbles and Jan Vecchio will continue in their respective roles as Administration and Finance Managers.

Bob Kirchner will be the first District 90 Immediate Past District Director.

Tanya Wickham will continue as District Logistics Manager.

Pictured below (from left): Tanya, Bob, Jan, Debbie, Udo, Phil, Shirley and Michael.



And following are newly elected Division Directors (from left): Leesa, Melanie, Geri, Jane, Jan and Chris.

From the District Director

Congratulations to everyone involved in making our first Annual Conference the great success that it was.
 
From joint Conference Chairman Alicia and Sean, to our District Logistics Manager Tanya, our sound team Greg and Laurel, District Photographer Suben... the District leadership team of Michael, Shirley, Justyn, Debbie, Jan, David, Chin-Hwi, Phil, Les, Ros, Udo and Chris and Area Directors Jane, Brian, Stephanie, Dhammika, Melanie, Rob, Gian, Merinda, Valerie, Gill, Stephen, Ben, Merv, Richard, Alison, Peter, Scott, Pieta, Adrian, Chris, Pradeep and Eddie...
 
To our guest presenters Steve York, David Griffiths, Matt Tonkiss, Nick Field and, of course, Mark Hunter...

To our Past District leaders David, Joan, Jan, Kaylene, Philip, Ian, John, Nick, Reg, John, Karen, Frank, Richard, Elizabeth, Gary, Geoff and Peter...

And to everyone who attended... for making it so!

Thanks also to Rooty Hill RSL Club, Novotel Rooty Hill, management and staff for providing wonderful accommodation and a brilliant venue, service and support.
 
Congratulations to our contest winners Chris and Robert, placegetters and participants... you all did so very well.

And every member who assisted in judging and staffing our contest events and helping with all those tasks that make an event like a Toastmasters conference run efficiently and effectively. You can all feel justly proud!

At this stage of the year, event-wise, we now move on towards our Changeover Dinner (see separate story) and focussing on our goals that I am confident will make District 90 a Distinguished District in our first year, laying the groundwork for many Distinguished years ahead.

Our aim reflects our commitment to the District Mission of building new clubs and helping all clubs to achieve excellence.

Only by attending to these goals does a Toastmasters District provide the service required by Toastmasters International and every one of its members.

Bob Kirchner DTM
dd@d90toastmasters.org.au


Three new club charters announced

Charter papers for three new clubs were delivered during the District Council Meeting during the Conference...

Keynoters Toastmasters – based at Hornsby
Sandoz – a corporate club in Sydney, and
Toastmasters@TRC (Tamworth Regional Council)

With a number of clubs in the process of rebuilding membership and several more in the pipeline, District 90's club growth goal is now well in reach.


Leadership Challenges
 
A final reminder for our Leadership Challenges workshop to be held at Eastwood on Saturday, May 14.
 
Internationally recognised presenters Greg van Borssum, Alistair Taylor, Sam Webb and Joe Williams will anchor the workshop which kicks off at 1pm on the day (full details are available on the District 90 website What's On page).
 
A panel discussion will be moderated by Club Growth Director Shirley Childs.

This will be the first in a series of workshops focussing on areas including leadership and stress management.

"As Toastmasters, we teach leadership, but we also have to be realistic about the stress caused by leadership positions and the mental and physical effect this has on people. Let’s learn and apply some real life solutions!"

Participants will learn "how to recognise the signs" ... "in yourself and others" ... "how to deal with stress" ... and "steps to move forward".

RSVPs should be sent to Greg Harris, Greg@HarrisConsultingGroup.com

Only a few Area Director roles available 
 
District 90 has almost all District Leader positions filled for the 2016-2017 Toastmasters year but there are still a couple of Area Director roles available.

Area Director service provides members who want to extend their leadership experience with a very special extension of their leadership roles to date.
 
Often described as "the best job in Toastmasters" the role of Area Director is multi-faceted and provides a wonderful learning opportunity.

Anyone who would like to look at taking on a position should first connect with your Division Director or, with District Director Bob Kirchner (email dd@d90toastmasters.org.au) or Program Quality Director Michael Said (email pqd@d90toastmasters.org.au).

A major training day for all incoming Area Directors will be held at Hornsby RSL Club on Saturday June 18.

Registrations open for Changeover Dinner
 
Registrations are now open for the District 90 Changeover Dinner to be held at Hornsby RSL Club on Saturday, June 18, following the District Leader Training Day.
 
The Dinner will include recognition of special achievements by District leaders during the current year including Area and Division Directors of the Year.

It will also be significant as the first District 90 Toastmaster of the Year will be announced.

The program will also focus on acknowledgement of Triple Crown achievers who haven't yet been recognised.

And, of course, the 2016-2017 District leadership team will be formally installed.

Click here to register your attendance now!


Follow us on Twitter

District 90 now has an active Twitter account. If you are signed up to Twitter, please visit and follow.

The more Twitter followers we have the more effective we will be able to use it for communication and promotion.


Club Anniversaries

Congratulations to the following clubs for reaching significant anniversaries...

Quirindi Toastmasters ................................................ 35 in May!
Fast Track Toastmasters ............................................ 30 in May!
North Sydney Achievers Club .................................... 30 in May!
Parrachievers Westmead Toastmasters ................... 30 in May!
Nambucca Valley Toastmasters ................................ 25 in May!
Thales Rydalmere ........................................................ 5 in May!
North West Speakers & Leaders ................................. 5 in May!
Brunch@Wenty ............................................................ 5 in May!
Leaders In Action .................................................... one in May!
Parramatta ............................................................... 50 in June!
Bathurst ................................................................... 35 in June!
Charlestown ............................................................. 30 in June!
Newlake ................................................................... 20 in June!
Avalon Beach ........................................................... 10 in June!
FX North Ryde ......................................................... 10 in June!
Fossickers Way ...................................................... one in June!

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.