The ACE Club wants to contribute to Area Toastmasters in a BIG Way

by Jerry Smith, DTM, District 84 New Club Chair

ACE is an Advanced Club on the northeast side of Orlando that hopes to serve as an assist to area clubs. The club is doing so with three special events coming up in the very near future. The dates and events are: Monday, November 30 "All Speech Night", Monday , December 14, "Tall Tales Workshop" and Monday, January 18 "Division D Tall Tales Contest and Open House".

All events start at 7:00 PM and are at the Metro Church in Winter Springs at 1491 S.R. 434 near 417. We invite everyone to come for the fun. The Tall Tales Contest is limited to Div.D clubs and has a limited participant list of 8 and you must be nominated by your  Club President  or VPE. Only one participant from each club.

The Tall Tales Workshop which will focus on the history and mechanics of the tall tale is open to anyone interested in the subject. It will be hosted by Jerry Smith, Storyteller & DTM . A RSVP is appreciated. 

Division D Presidents and Area Directors please look for emails with more information coming soon.

International Day

by Victor Theocharides CC, Club President, Florida International Talkers

On Sunday October 18, 2015 Florida International Talkers held a very special event. Florida International Talkers toastmasters club had an international day, an open house which attracted members from all over the community.   We had both speeches and entertainment and a great keynote speaker. Pim Parpart, DTM did a thai dance that was great. She also wore a Thai outfit and played Thai music. This made the audience feel as if they were actually in Thailand watching a show. Zhuo Li conducted a speech about the difference between American Chinese food and real Chinese food. Zhuo Li is an exchange student from China and truly gave the audience a clear picture of how Chinese food and American Chinese food differ. Victor Theocharides CC, delivered a speech about his experiences in Tobago. William Capote, Mayor of Palm Bay was our keynote speaker and delivered a speech about the importance of toastmasters and how it can help advance our career.

Florida International Talkers is a Toastmasters club that was founded to help foreign exchange students develop their English communication skills as well as leadership skills. We have speakers from many different countries, including; Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, China, Dominican Republic, United Arab Emirates, India, Brazil, and off course U.S.A. We meet the first and third Sunday of Every month from three to five P.M. at Memaw's Barbeque in Palm Bay. We hope that you can come visit our club sometime and listen to some great speeches. Toastmaster's is an international organization and we have our own little international toastmasters within our community.

Happy Birthday Speak Up America Club 7911

by Brian Gourlay, CC CL

Speak Up America, a corporate club at Bank of America, is 25 years effective 10/1/02015.  The club has done a fantastic job developing multiple different levels of leaders and communicators.
We’ve had  several district and international officers from this club:

• Dave Hollingshead – First District 84 (D84) Governor; Toastmasters International Director and Regional Advisor.  Dave was also an Area Governor, Division Governor, and Lt. Governor of Education and Training, all in District 47.
• Linda Deshauteurs – First D84 Public Relations Officer; D47 Division A Governor; and a D47 Area Governor
• Coleman Stokes – D47 Division A  Governor
• Shari Cartwright – a D47 Area Governor; First D84 Division F Governor
• Lori Green – a D84 Area Governor
• David Sturgis – a D84 Area Governor
• Manny Costa – D84 Treasurer
• Beth McCullough – D47 Treasurer

Thank you to all of these fantastic Toastmasters for their contributions to developing people. 

 Additionally, three members of the Speak Up America club went on to develop new clubs.  Shari Cartwright (PMI-NEFL), David Sturgis (World Golf Village) and David Hollingshead (Mandarin ).
Thank you to everyone for their contributions over the years and we look forward to the next 25 years.

Brian Gourlay
Club President - Speak Up America Club 7911

JIA Toastmasters Receives 2015 Best of Jacksonville Award

Press release provided by Eve Rojas, JIA Toastmasters VP Public Relations
JIA TOASTMASTERS RECEIVES 2015 BEST OF JACKSONVILLE AWARD


Jacksonville Award Program Honors the Achievement

Jacksonville, July 10, 2015 – JIA Toastmasters has been selected for the 2015 Best of Jacksonville Award in the Non-Profit Organization category by the Jacksonville Award Program.

Each year, the Jacksonville Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Jacksonville area a great place to live, work and play.

"JIA Toastmasters was a struggling club whose members were committed to ensuring its survival and growth," stated Eve Rojas, club president for the 2015 Best of Jacksonville award year. "By implementing a well-rounded public relations strategy, JIA regained its momentum in both membership and member success."

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2015 Jacksonville Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Jacksonville Award Program and data provided by third parties.

We are honored to have earned Toastmasters International's President's Distinguished award for 2014-2015," stated Ms. Rojas, "and excited that an outside organization like the Jacksonville Award Program has recognized our commitment to excellence."

About JIA Toastmasters Club

JIA Toastmasters — Jacksonville Innovative Articulators — provides a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. We are open to all interested parties and the general public.

CONTACT:

JIA Toastmasters ClubEmail: vppr-3862@toastmastersclubs.org

URL: http://jiatoastmasters.wordpress.com

About Jacksonville Award Program

The Jacksonville Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Jacksonville area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Jacksonville Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Jacksonville Award Program

CONTACT:

Jacksonville Award ProgramEmail: PublicRelations@awardcontact.org

URL: http://www.awardcontact.org

The Vintner's Daughter

by Theodore J. Allman, ACS, ALB

There are only two seasons in Minnesota: winter and pothole repair, which is a local euphemism for summer. Since it was not yet summer, my 1960 Fiat Spider had sustained some damage to its undercarriage from one of these potholes. It was more like a cauldron hole. Because parts for a Fiat had to come from Italy, I was driving a “loaner” from the repair shop, a '50's something pea green station wagon.

By evening I was ready to collapse, but I had a date, ostensibly to celebrate the end of another school year. I got to Patti's house about 7 –  in my station wagon, where I was greeted by Frank. Normally I am not intimidated by meeting a potential father-in-law, but he wanted me to follow him into the basement. I might have been alarmed, but already sleep deprivation had diminished my resistance and caution.

However, he only wanted to show me his pet project – making wine. There were vats of fermenting mash and paraphernalia everywhere. I feigned interest and asked a few dumb questions when finally Patti called from upstairs. “Are you ready?” Oh yeah.

As we walked down the driveway, she asked, “Where's the Spider?” After proffering an explanation, she consented to get in, reluctantly.

We cruised around Minneapolis until we were thoroughly lost. By 3:00 in the morning, we finally found our way back to the right part of town and her house. There had been no petting or making out, but I still shook with apprehension as I pulled into her driveway. And sure enough, here comes Frank flailing his arms for me to wait for him.

The man had no concept of the hour. He only wanted me to take a crock of mash home. Since the hour hadn't disturbed him, I certainly didn't want to insult him by refusing to share his hobby. We lowered the back seat which provided a metal platform on which to place the 15 gallon crock of fermenting grape mash. Then I left for home, relieved.

The soporific drive lead to a predictable conclusion. BANG! I had fallen asleep, and veered into a very stout tree. My head struck the steering column and I was knocked unconscious. The inertial forces on the wine vat sent it sliding forward until it struck the back of the bench seat. A tsunami of grape mash inundated everything in front.

As I regained consciousness, my head was resting on the steering wheel with my gaze focused on the window ledge of the driver's door – on a grape. In my confused state, I figured it must be my eye. I reached out for it and was trying to put it back in the socket, when the policeman appeared at my window and asked if I had been drinking.

I was befuddled. Here I was trying to restore my sight when he wanted to know if I had been drinking. Of course, I didn't realize the whole car smelled like a brewery, or what it must have looked like to see me pressing a grape into my bloody face. He wanted to see me walk and was kind enough to open the door for me. As my only support was removed, I tumbled to the ground and lapsed back into unconsciousness. I was next aware of someone yelling profanities at me, accusing me of damaging her beautiful tree. I laid there absorbing verbal abuse until the ambulance arrived and rescued me.

 After getting my broken nose temporarily set at the hospital and few hours of R and R, I was allowed to leave, but not before answering a few innocuous questions from my friendly police officer who had been waiting all this time. He was sure he could get me on a DUI, but an intern assured him that the only alcohol was on me, not in me.

The Answer to all our Club Membership Questions

by Gina Lockhart, DTM

Lakeview Toastmasters - Club Mentor, Sponsor and VPE

Three of us started a brand new toastmaster club a year and a half ago. We had many concerns as we contemplated chartering such as…

• How will we get a minimum of 20 members and keep them?
• How will we get the members to come to each meeting and stay excited about Toastmasters?
• How do we get them to sign up to give speeches?
• How can we have fun while learning?
• Who will want to be an officer?
• How will we become a Presidents Distinguished club every year?
• How do we get visitors to come to our meetings, become members and bring their friends and coworkers?

Naturally between the three of us, we came up with plenty of answers from having open houses, passing out fliers to having guest speakers and bringing food. Yes, food always works well we found out but we get tired of bringing it every week and it can be costly. We found the best solution was a balance between all of these. We came up with monthly themed meetings and we GO ALL OUT!

Here’s how it works: Each officer chooses a month and is in charge of the themed meeting for that month. The officer chooses a theme and they can grab a team of 1-2 more people if desired. The themes can be anything, i.e., Feb – Hearts, Red, Love or Cardio, (we are a healthcare company), you can be creative here. Then they ask for volunteers or use a signup sheet for members to bring food and decorations. This is all voluntary, not mandatory. Then they announce their theme one month in advance, so there is always a themed meeting to look forward to. The Grammarian, speakers and table topic master are then asked to choose a word of the day, speeches and topics that incorporate the theme. At the end of the meeting, we socialize over the food and snacks that were brought, like red velvet cupcakes and punch for our Feb cardio theme. Members and visitors love it, the work is not all on one officer and its easy to do! Each month is a different theme. Members can take a month too if they are motivated or they can be helpers. It even fits the criteria in their CL manual so they credit for it as well. You can have any theme like International month, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving or Cardboard Box Day. Be creative. The theme doesn’t matter, what matters is, it is a meeting that everyone looks forward to attending, its different from the usual meetings and members love bringing guests to them. Plus there is food. Having themed meetings once a month we found are not too often but just often enough. Of course, still have your guest speakers come and prepare your open houses with fliers for the meetings in between the themed meetings. Keep the variety going for your meetings and the members guessing at what will be next. You will notice a greater attendance at weekly meetings, new members joining often, membership retention, DCP points rising, a line of members ready to be an officer for next term and your signup sheets will be filled with speakers weeks in advance! We say whoever coordinates the themed meeting is Toastmaster for that day.

What did I choose for my month? I chose ‘It’s Everyone’s Birthday!’ This themed meeting was complete with party hats, balloons, noise makers, presents for table topics and birthday slides on the screen. To polish off the meeting, we concluded with a Banana Dream Cake, candles and singing for all of our birthdays (it was fun trying to fit everyone’s name in that song). We love having themed meetings and we keep a solid 24 members. What theme will you choose first?

It's Not How You Start but How You Finish

by Rikesh Amin, CC, ALB

Three years ago I competed in my first international speech contest. It was in 2012 and I had been a member of Toastmasters for two years at that time. I remember having a difficult time choosing a topic for my speech. My name was called up and I began my speech. It was going well... until I reached the half way point and my mind just went blank as I lost my place. I froze but did not panic. A good 20 seconds went by, although it felt like 20 minutes, as I stayed silent trying to think what to say next. I eventually remembered and finished my speech. After the contest, a fellow Toastmaster walked up to me and said that "It's not how you start, but it's how you finish people remember."

Fast forward to 2015 and I am competing for the second time. I learned a couple of things from three years ago which helped. The first was to focus on a story (rather than a topic) and find your message through it. The second was that no matter how you begin, you can still turn it around. With these points in mind, I began my speech. However, nerves set in and I became unsure of my introduction and fumbled a little in my opening. My heart sunk a little remembering back three years ago but my brain marched on as I told myself the reason I was doing it was to improve. I found that this time I could remember my topic a lot easier because I used a story and found a message in it. This helped me focus and finish strong. Many in attendance told me afterwards it was the most complete and best speech they had seen me give. I felt vindicated a little as the same Toastmaster walked up to me and said again "It wasn't how you started, but how you finished that was the difference."  

Just like in speeches, sports, and life in general it is true that it is not about where you came from but where you are and where you are going that counts more. The next time something happens, remember that It's not how you start that matters, but how you finish.

Be in the Present by Kathy Emerson, DTM

When my Division Governor, Darlene Williams, asked that I give the Invocation at her upcoming contest, I gladly accepted for two reasons: as a Toastmaster we say "Yes" to opportunities, and I had never performed this role before so I could extend my comfort zone. Over the next few weeks my message took shape. Feedback at the contest was encouraging and positive, with requests to share it with a larger audience, such as in our District 84 SunTalker.   

Invocation at Division B Contest, District 84                                             April 19, 2015
by Kathy Emerson, DTM, Harbor City Toastmasters club 3042, Melbourne, Florida
Toastmaster since 7/1/99
***************************
For this moment, I want you to please set distractions aside, don’t look at your program, don’t reach for your phone, don’t think about anything else.
Just listen.

Take this moment to focus on being in the present and not think about what you should be doing, or what you will be doing next.

When you interact with others, set distractions aside and focus on taking an interest in what others are saying and doing.

Most people are so accustomed to having half of someone else's focus at any given moment that this gesture alone will make others feel important.
They will have your full attention.

We know that technology can be a distraction.
I am not asking that you get rid of technology.

I am asking that you do recognize when it is not working for you, recognize when it is not necessary, recognize when it is interrupting your present.

And when should we be in the present?
With our families, with our children, with co-workers and with everyone who needs are attention and with whom we need theirs.

Because right now, the most important thing that you are doing is what you are doing right now ………. Otherwise, you would not be doing it.

Enjoy the moment by being in the present.
Know that when you are interested, you are interesting.

A short while ago a neighbor from a few blocks away stopped by to see me to let me know that we know someone in common and it is just such a coincidence.
Joe is a lovely man, who never fully recovered from the stroke he suffered years ago. Having this conversation would take time, and that is exactly what happened. There were no distractions, just me and Joe.
Before he left, he thanked me for talking with him and gave me a hug.
When I thought about it, he did most of the talking, I was listening and engaged. He had my full attention.

I thought about how this gesture impacted both of our days.

I believe so much of what we need to accomplish begins with listening and with being in the present.
By being aware, you may discover that you are a really amazing listener.

You will be engaged, and engaging.
The more you do this, the better you will be at it. 

There are many quotes on living in the present, on being in the moment.
The one that works with my message is a very simple one by the comedian, Jerry Seinfeld,

“We have fallen into a trap of ever-widening orbits of contact,
and there is a total disregard for the present moment.”

You have my attention. Do I have yours?
Please use your opportunities, your abilities, your interactions to practice being in the present.

When you think about what else you should be doing, or what you need to do next, finish those thoughts and come back to the present.
You can manage this.

Because right now, the most important thing that we are doing is what we are doing right now.

Toastmasters District 84 Spring Conference

Plans are in the making for the District 84 Spring Conference!

Mark your calendars now and join your fellow Toastmasters at the Florida Hotel in Orlando on May 29^th and 30^th.  Join the fun at TV FLASHBACK! This is one conference you won’t want to miss! Who is your favorite television character or personality? Did you secretly wish you were The Fonz or one of Charlie’s Angels? Are you a fan of Lucille Ball or the Marx Brothers? Can you imagine being Morticia Addams or Columbo for the evening? No holds barred on Friday night… whether you prefer to dress up as someone from years ago, or from a current TV show, the choices are endless!

There will be a costume contest on Friday evening before dinner, so arrive early and join in the fun. Be entertained by our Key Note speaker, the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking, Darren La Croix. After dinner, cheer on the contestants at the Table Topics contest and then eat, drink and dance the night away at the Hospitality Room. On Saturday, after a nourishing breakfast, educational and fun breakout sessions will keep you busy until the Awards Luncheon. After the afternoon District business meeting, dress in your “finest” and enjoy dinner and the best of the best at the District 84 International Speech Contest. Cheer on our newest DTMs and again dance and socialize with your fellow Toastmasters and guests for a 2^nd night in the Hospitality Room.

Registration will be opening soon. Plan now to join TV personalities and characters from all over TV land. From Captain Kangaroo to Captiain Kirk…. Sonny and Cher to Sonny Crocket … The Lone Ranger to The Little Rascals! See you at TV Flashback!

My Memories of Karl Righter, by Scott Hoehn, DTM

Mention the name “Karl Righter” to many Toastmasters in this state, and you’ll most likely hear the response “Oh yeah, the Bombproof Humor guy” or “He’s the main roaster every year at the conferences, right?” or “That’s the guy who’s always impeccably dressed and always has something funny to say. Sure I know him!”  Members of his clubs, the Orlando Conquerors and The Winter Park Toastmasters will tell you of Karl’s devotedness as far as attendance for the past nearly fifty years. They’ll most likely tell you how friendly he was to anyone and everyone he ever met. Mention Karl’s name to me, and I’ll give you another story.

I first saw Karl, more than 40 years ago.  My dad brought me to a conference in Daytona Beach in 1973, where Karl stood at the head table, addressing the crowd as District 47 Governor. He was impressive…as close to James Bond as I’d ever seen.  He made the crowd roar with laughter.  My dad didn’t speak of too many people as “heroes” at that time, other than Earl Nightingale, W. Clement Stone or Zig Ziglar.  When dad included Karl Righter to his list, he got my attention. This would be a man to watch!

Many years later, I moved back to Florida in 2005 and finally got to meet Karl at an Area contest. Later that day, I went to see my dad, who was in an assisted living facility, struggling with the onset of dementia.  He couldn’t remember my mom or most other things of his past, but when I mentioned I met “Karl Righter”, he said “The District Governor?” And then his face lit up!  Getting to know Karl better, I began to understand why.

Karl impressed me, not only as a humorist, but as a leader.  When I joined the Orlando Conquerors, I learned quickly that Karl was always insistent that members were dressed for business and acted professionally.  If you didn’t wear a tie…he told you.  If you said anything inappropriate, he’d surely let you know. And if you DARED to say an UM, boy did you hear the glasses in the room get dinged!  Following each meeting, he’d make sure to attend almost ALL of the sessions of “The Last Word”, because he hated to see an evening with his friends come to an end.  He’d also open his home to his friends several times a year to gather for parties, whether it was the annual beach party, a New Year’s party or a Super Bowl party.  What can I say…he LOVED to party!

Karl once told me that he never worried about using old jokes in his speeches or roasts.  He said “It’s a lot easier to find new audiences, than it is to find new jokes.” No matter what the words were, the magic was always in his delivery.

At our recent Fall Conference, it was the first time in 48 years that Karl was not present at the annual roast of our Immediate Past District Governor.  He asked me to deliver some jokes in his name.  It was easy to remember his material, but so difficult to stand in his place. It was the first time I felt lonely on the stage without his presence in the room. 

A few weeks later, after Karl’s battle with pancreatic cancer finally ended, a party was held, per Karl’s instruction, to gather once again his dear friends. I was honored to join Karl’s wife, Julie Kane, Carson Shaffer, John Nuccitelli, Nancy Hoehn, Jordan Camenker and others, to share our heartfelt thanks for the many ways Karl has enriched our lives.

I’ll bet most of you reading this, have seen the classic Christmas move, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  There’s a line in the movie when little Zu Zu tells her dad, “Listen daddy! Teacher says that whenever a bell rings, it means an angel has been given its wings!”  On that note, I’d like to believe that whenever we hear the clink of glasses, that Karl Righter has heard an angel say “UM.”

Although the season of remembrance, of forgiveness, of love has passed, I hope we always remember the man Karl Righter was, may we forgive any trespasses he may have made and may we always love the laughter and joy he imparted on us during his life.  Here’s to you, Karl!

Karl Photo Montage

Call for Nominations for District 84 Officers

This is the time of year when Toastmasters Districts around the world are calling for District Officer Nominations for the upcoming year.  If you would like to run for one of the offices listed below, here is the information you need. 

As per the following paragraph found in Article VII, paragraph (b) of the District 84 District Administrative Bylaws, this shall serve as a call for all qualified individuals interested in serving as a District 84 elected officer to submit their names for consideration to the District 84 Nominating Committee for any of the following positions within District 84:

District Director (formerly known as District Governor)

Program Quality Director (formerly known as Lt. Governor Education & Training)

Club Growth Director (formerly known as Lt. Governor Marketing)

Division Director (Divisions A, B, C, D, E, F, G, & H) (formerly known as Division Governor)

Nominating Committee Chair, Dee Melvin, DTM IPDG deemelvin1@gmail.com

Individual candidate interviews will begin at 10:00 am on March 21, 2015 at:

NOVA Southeastern University

4850 Millennia Blvd

Orlando, FL 32839

Deadline for submitting nomination packages to Dee Melvin:  March 10, 2015

Any qualified individual should indicate their interest directly to Dee Melvin, DTM, IPDG at deemelvin1@gmail.com for consideration. Nominations may come from the candidate or any interested member.

Just visit the District 84 website at www.toastmastersd84.org/nominations.html to download all the required forms for submission.  You will also find the qualification and responsibilities for each position and the Policies and Protocol governing District elections.