Guler Cortis – Nominated Candidate for Division H Director
Toastmasters member since 2016
Education :
-Diploma – Business Administration & Financial Management
-Diploma – Construction & the Built Environment
Toastmasters offices held and terms of service:
-Assistant SAA 2016/2017, -VPE 2017/2018, -Treasurer 2019/2020,
-District Conference Logistics 2020, -District Conference Director 2021,
-VPM 2021/2022,Treasurer (D71) 2022/2023
-Area Director 2022/2023
Toastmasters honors and recognition:
Competent Leader (CL) May 2020
Pathway Team Collaboration Jan 2022
Club Sponsor (D71) Oct 2022
Club Mentor (D71) in progress, completing April 2022
Relevant work experience and how it relates to Toastmasters and your role as a District leader:
With over 30+ years of experience in people and project management, I have developed the confidence to lead by motivating and inspiring others to show why and how we collaboratively achieve business objectives. Toastmasters program has additionally taught me how and also reconfirmed my natural ‘cameleon’ style of leading.
What experience do you have in strategic planning?
I love strategic planning. Knowing where to start and where to end is crucial, but it is the setting of the small milestones in between that make it ‘the goal’ happen.
Example is my year as Conference Director. A clear vision was set, a team built, communication put in place and project delivered.
What experience do you have in the area of finance?
I am a natural lover for numbers, give me Excel anytime. My experience sitting on the district audit team for 3 years and my service as club Treasurer has given me a broad understanding of the Toastmasters District Financial planning needs. In my personal business I help my clients prep for year end accounts and manage their projects within set budgets
What experience do you have in developing procedures?
In my role area as Area Director, we, the Area council, developed a strong communication and accountibility procedure. We set up right from the start of the year 6 weekly meetings over zoom and use the whatsapp group to communicate in between. The meetings are noted at each session and all of us are held accountible for our actions. It has been found a simple and effective procedure.
What lessons did you learn from previous leadership positions?
My leadership positions has taught me to be: supportive by giving people space to move and lead their own task, a coach to people who have talent and are keen to develop further skills, delegate to empower and push people to take up new challenges or simply get the job done. And very direct in my communication when and why goals must be achieved at particular milestones
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
Because I love serving the District. I love delivering visions of the District and help motivating others to reach their individual goals to become better communicators and leaders. I like to challenge myself, and other front runners to serve equal opportunities for all the grab and not to use the ‘easy’ way out. Connect with people out of your ‘comfort’ zone…as they could be your successor:-)
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
Build New Clubs, membership campaigns, membership retention and 100% Pathway enrolment.
Work together with the club growth director to push new clubs by finding district sponsors. Encourage AD’s to talk membership campaigns at every possible meeting. Promote, push, exite all members to have a ‘mentor’. Monthly VPE training sessions to engage members on Pathway
Additional information about yourself:
I am self-motivated, optimistic, considerate of others, and rather finding, collaboratively, the solutions to problems then finger pointing. I am passionate about empowering people and the value that being a toastmaster can add to each individual member.