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| Jim Miller, DTM 2011-12 District Governor |
This past year our team of District leaders has done an incredible job and displayed a devotion to Toastmaster and to the membership that is absolutely incredible. Together we faced challenges that were a bit steeper than the norm, yet our team took to the task with the betterment of our district and our membership at heart. To all the area and division governors, to all the committee chairs, from my heart and on behalf of our membership, thank you so very much. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with you.
This year, we substantially upgraded our audio / video capabilities with the addition of audio equipment and even a new set of LED stage lighting. George Kostopoulos of Oviedo Toastmasters served as our Audio / Video Coordinator (new position), and what an incredible job he did! Thank you George! All this while he took the time to visit sixty (60) clubs this year in the Club Ambassador program! Wow!
George's wife, Donna Lazarek served the district as our Sergeant-at-Arms. Donna was the key to having our rooms ready and functioning at the conferences, Toastmasters Leadership Institute, and our District Executive Committee meetings. That's a huge amount of effort for an unsung hero. Donna, we really really appreciate the work that you've done. By the way, Donna will be our new Club Ambassador Chair in the coming year.
Jack Hoyt served once again as our District Parliamentarian. You don't know how much you don't know until you're on the hot seat... Jack, thank you for keeping me and our meetings on track and in order. I learned so very much from you this year.
District Secretary Nga Nguyen is always spot on with all the administrative functions needed by the district, despite having a very busy career at Harris Corporation that demands so much time. Nga's mentor, back-up, and our Credentials Chair Judy Hayes is always there to guide, encourage, and to make sure that things go as they should. Thank you both for making life easy for us all.
Many of you know that our International Director, Dave Hollingshead is also a Vice President of Bank of America. Dave told me several times that a treasurer can make you or break you. He likes to say that "a good treasurer will keep you out of jail". I had no idea how fortunate I was when Luz Marte called me to tell me she wanted serve as District Treasurer. Certainly our committee chairs and governors all appreciate being reimbursed in a timely fashion, but unless you are a "senior" district officer you have no idea how important the office of treasurer is. Luz Marte has given us diligence, accuracy, and an inordinate amount of her time while serving the district with a smile and a perpetually positive attitude. In short, Luz is an incredibly good treasurer and a joy to be around. Thank you Luz, for making our year memorable and for keeping me "out of jail"!
Public relations has been an interest of mine for some time. I had an idea that the PRO (Public Relations Officer) should be the main coordinator of communication to the membership as well as the world outside our district. Mary Carol Holbert has given my idea life. In her former life, she was a tax attorney; there's nothing taxing about Mary Carol. Brilliant! Under her charge this year was our foray into "social media" (facebook, twitter, YouTube, etc.), the SunTalker news, the Speakers Bureau, the web site, and all those emails you receive with information from the district. She doesn't do this alone, of course; she coordinates a team of talented individuals to bring the message of the district to us all (not to mention the tireless hours she spends to make all our district events a success). What a job she has done! Thank you Mary Carol for bringing my vision to life and for going beyond. You've worked so well with not only myself, but with our two Lt Governors as well. You are an absolute delight to work with, and it's my privilege to call you my friend. We as a district are more than fortunate to have you as our incoming Lt. Governor Marketing! Success in the coming year!
Our Lt. Governor Marketing this year has been Dee Melvin. Dee brought tirelessness, organization, and a winning attitude to the position. You would be hard pressed to find someone as dedicated to the good of the membership and the district as Dee. Our challenges this year were, shall we say... more challenging than we've seen in a good long time. Dee though, is the model of perseverance. LGM (Lt. Governor Marketing) is charged with membership growth, membership retention, and club growth. We began the year with a well below average "members / clubs" ratio. We don't give much attention to that ratio, but it is really a strong indicator of the overall health of a district. We had far too many clubs that were on life support or were clubs on paper only (dead but still with us). I'm very proud to say that Dee has been the force to help us turn the corner. We are a much healthier district now than we were a year ago. Our "members / clubs" ratio is now above average. It takes a different mind set and district culture to produce the kind of health in a district that we would all like to see, and Dee is a huge factor in bringing that change to our district. Did I mention how easy she is to work with? I did not, but she sure is. She is my friend, and I don't have the words to express how much I appreciate her. Thank you, Dee! You're the best! You'll make a wonderful Lt. Governor Education & Training!
Speaking of LGET (Lt. Governor Education & Training), didn't we have a great on this year! Dennis Wooldridge is one of the most creative people I know. He brought innovation to club officer training that we haven't seen before. This is not "your father's" officer training! Dennis brought us the idea of "advanced" officer training, where experienced officers can go beyond the basics. He brought us discussion groups where we can learn from each other about subjects that are not covered "in the book". He's not finished yet, so stayed tuned and stay engaged at Toastmasters Learning Institute.
Did you attend the Spring Conference? Thank you Dennis! Our conferences just keep getting better, and that's saying a lot when they are already among the best in all of Toastmasters! I look forward to the coming year as Dennis steps up to take the leadership reins of the district as District Governor. Over the past year, the "trio" plus the PRO has worked together very closely in directing District 84. The vision has been our vision, and the effort has been a team effort. I don't know of a team that worked closer or got along better than we did, and I don't know of an individual better equipped to guide this district than Dennis Wooldridge. Thank you Dennis for an incredible year, for being my friend through the tough times and the good times, and for the opportunity to serve you as the district webmaster in the coming year. You are more than my friend, and I wish you all the success in the world.
To all the members of the district, I thank you again for the opportunity to serve you, and I look forward to continuing service to the district and to the wonderful learning opportunity that serving affords.
All the best,
Jim
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