District Leadership 2018-19

We are approaching the end of the first quarter of the Toastmasters year, which marks a number of key milestones. Probably the most significant is that we now have an approved District Budget.

You will be aware that Toastmasters International decided that there would no longer be a November conference, and one consequence is that the District Council meeting normally held during that conference, and where the District Budget is approved, now has to be a virtual meeting, and conducted before 30^th September.

We held our first ever virtual District Council meeting on Saturday 15^th September, and I think it is fair to say it was a mixed experience. The meeting itself ran very smoothly overall, and we received some very positive feedback from those attending, and constructive improvement points, in true Toastmasters style, for future virtual meetings.

However, attendance was poor, with only about 80 Council members out of a possible 374 taking part. We, therefore, failed to achieve a quorum so no decisions could be taken on the day. We subsequently conducted an email vote and I am delighted to say that the District Budget has been approved by 195 votes to 3.

We are reviewing the whole process to see what lessons we can learn. Perhaps the most important is that there appears to be insufficient awareness and engagement between us as District Leaders and the Club Officers and members. This is my third year on the DLT, having previously served as CGD and PQD, and I know I slip into the jargon of DEC, DSP, DOT and COT all too easily. Have I lost you in acronyms yet? And that is part of the problem.

We will be looking at how we can better explain our roles and how they relate to club Officers and members. One idea is to include a brief session in the Club Officer Training events. I also hope that these monthly updates help you understand a little better what we are doing on your behalf. If you have other suggestions please let me know.

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Much of my focus this month has been on the District Success Plan (DSP) and the District Budget. The DSP sets our goals for the coming year, and in particular how together we will support the creation of new clubs and increase membership; how we will focus on serving current members to improve retention; and how we can support every club to deliver excellence to all our members. The budget provides the resources to support all that activity. Both the DSP and Budget will be submitted to the District Executive Council (DEC) and District Council in September. Details will be on our District website.

I did manage to get away from the PC for a little while, and travelled up to Worcester to join in the demo meeting run by Malvern Speakers, hosted by Worcester Mayor Jabba Riaz, a former Malvern member, and expertly managed by Steve Birch DTM. I also visited Sandwich Toastmasters in Kent on the very impressive Discovery Park. Thanks to President Simon Teague for the very warm welcome.

I am writing this in my hotel room in Chicago, where the District “Trio” are attending the International Convention. Ahead of the actual convention, we spent Sunday interviewing the 18 candidates for roles on the International Board so that we can be better informed when casting your clubs’ votes. Monday and Tuesday were spent receiving our training as District Officers. It is really valuable to share ideas and experiences with our peers from all over the world.

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Recently I had the pleasure of seeing Nuala, of London Victorians, deliver her her first Club Officer Training (COT) session as Area Director. Also in attendance was our current club President Eleanor. Both joined at the same time in 2015. It was a true privilege to see both blossom into confident speakers and leaders through Toastmasters. Their club provided them with a safe space to undergo their Heroes journey into public speaking and leadership confidence. A safe and supporting environment made it happen, just like it also nudged them in pushing their comfort zone outwards month by month and year by year.

This Heroes Journey is one we would like each member to experience this year and in all coming years. This is why as a District, we set the 1 – 70 – 100 vision to enable everybody to do it!

You, our members are at the core of the vision!

Supporting each other in achieving more will inevitably leads to more members renewing their membership to continue their Toastmasters journey. It takes more than 3 years for someone to truly grasp the nettle of Toastmasters leadership opportunities. Which is why we would like you and your clubs to do whatever you can to retain at least 70% of your members every year.

We would like each and every one of you to achieve at least one educational goal every year. Sounds impossible? Not it’s not! It only takes 4 speeches to achieve Pathways level 1, just 4 speeches … Something that can be done in just 3 months. All of you can push yourself by setting yourself a goal and all of you can support a fellow member in achieving a goal.

Public speaking is at the core of Toastmasters but public speaking requires a supportive audience. Pushing oneself to achieve more requires a support network. Both things that successful clubs with 20+ members can provide. This is why we are encouraging every club to aim for Distinguished status or a membership strength of 20+ members. Successful clubs breed successful members.

Let’s all grow forward together by becoming heroes together this year!

Andy Hammond, District Director 2018-19

A New Team:

The District Leadership Team (DLT) has been working hard since May, firstly to ensure a smooth handover, and then to put plans in place to support our members. Meet the new DLT team

We met at the start of June and were joined on the second day by the new Division Directors. We decided on key calendar dates. These will shortly be published on our website.

It was great to see so many of the new Division and Area Directors at the District Officer Training at the end of June. Thanks to Florian and Alison, and all presenters and attendees. One outcome is that we are compiling a comprehensive list of all Division and Area training events and contests for the year to share with members.

Program Quality Director Florian Bay, Club Growth Director Arnaud Sartre and I will be attending the International Convention in Chicago next month, where we will receive training. We will also be representing you at the Annual Business Meeting, so Presidents, please remember to assign your club’s proxy vote so that we can fully represent your members.

One personal ambition is to hear far more of your stories. You have achieved such amazing successes supported by your Toastmasters experience, and I want you to share them. Changing lives, one speech at a time.

Florian Bay, Program Quality Director 2018-19

Planning for Success:

The new Toastmaster year has started. I find myself moving to a new leadership role and to new challenges. One challenge was to organise our weekend District Officer Training event last month. Another challenge is to find out exactly what is preventing you, our clubs and members from achieving even more.

This is where I love to call “situational awareness” comes into play for us leaders. This mean getting to grips with your club situation, analysing it carefully with a dispassionate eye and then making conclusions. In District 91’s case, I analysed data stretching from 2012 onwards to see exactly where we could serve our members better. Within your clubs, this could involve looking at how many guests turned up last year, what your guest-to-member conversion rate is, how many members completed educational awards and what attendance at meetings is. Other tools include SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis and doing a members’ survey.

Use all the gathered data to draft your club success plan for the year ahead. This plan is strategic; it aims to answer these questions:-
• What is your vision as a club leadership team for the year ahead for the club? Why this vision?
• How can you inspire your members to embrace the Pathways Learning Experience?
• How can you ensure that members proactively sign up for speeches and roles?
• What actions can you take to drive more guests to meetings?How can you inspire more guests to join your club?
I am currently putting together a document that will answer similar questions for our entire District. New initiatives will likely result from it, so watch this space. I may not be done with giving away free pizzas yet 😉

Arnaud Sartre, Club Growth Director 2018-19

Goals:

Toastmasters year and I am sure many of you are thinking about holidays but there has never been a better time to share your passion for Public Speaking.

As a member, enjoy the experience of the Club Meeting and invite a guest to the next one. If we all brought a guest, then meetings would have even greater variety. In the near future, I will be introducing a range of incentives and awards to claim, one of which rewards individuals sponsoring new members. Share your passion for Toastmasters today!

As a Club leader, you will have most certainly attended a Club Officer Training and helped devise a Club Success plan. How is your Club marketing itself? Do you have the resources needed? Last year, the District introduced a range of marketing materials you can all take advantage of.

Thinking about stepping outside your comfort zone? Living in a community where you believe a new Club could add value and transform lives? I will be happy to discuss your ideas, and share the range of District incentives and support available to make your project a success. Simply email me.

Ready for the next challenge, want to share ideas or willing to help our District? Please drop me a line.

Finally, the Smedley Award is upon us, named after our founder Dr Ralph Smedley. Stay tuned for the official launch on 1st August.

In this video, Dr Smedley himself explains why he started Toastmasters.

Happy holidays!

Pedro Casillas, Immediate Past District Director

District Success Plan Update:

District 91 2017-18 officially closed-we have finished 11th out of 105 Districts across the world. A fantastic achievement!! District 91 is a Select Distinguished District
D91 will be honoured at the Hall of Fame ceremony on Thurs 23 Aug 18 in Chicago!