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| Dennis Wooldridge, DTM IPDG |
First let me congratulate the no longer “elect,” “incoming” or “soon to be” District trio, but the new District 84 District Governor, Dee Melvin, DTM, Lt Governor Education and Training, Mary Carol Holbert, DTM and Lt Governor Marketing, Becky McGilton, DTM. I suspect that the first District 84 all female trio (hurrah!) will be the best ever seen and the things we will see happen in District 84 will be breathtaking!
I wanted to take a moment to share with my fellow District 84 Toastmasters some of my thoughts as I look back on our year. We had the most amazing team of District leaders ever assembled. Yes, I know that’s what every District Governor probably thinks, but I will stand by my conviction to the end. I spent a good bit of time interviewing Area Governors before our year started. Each of them promised to be steadfast and hard working and the proof, as they say was in the pudding. Nearly all were stellar in their attitudes, dedication and complete reliability. Our Division Governors also worked very hard to make the District successful this year proving that the faith placed in them by those who cast their votes their way was not misplaced. To all the Area and Division Governors, my deepest respect and heartfelt thanks!
Our Leadership Team was also incredible. Sekennia Bell-Edwards, our District Treasurer, came into the office a couple of months into the year after our original Treasurer resigned for personal reasons. I have never seen anyone dig in so hard and deep to get up to speed and get us on track financially. Her assumption of the office was one of the best things to happen all year and I love her for all she brought to the table, especially keeping me on the straight and narrow...no easy task!
Paula Summa, our District Secretary and one of my favorite Toastmaster friends, was diligent, present and accurate in all she did...but anyone who knows her will not be surprised this is true. We have worked together in many different capacities through the past few years and I am always amazed and inspired by her talent and warm nature.
George Kostopoulos, District Sergeant at Arms, was the hardest working human in the District this year. Our District expects more from our SAA than any District I know and George unfailingly came through every time. We could not have functioned this year without him (and of course Donna Lazarek, his better half!). I so appreciate the humor and smiles that he carries with him everywhere he goes.
Jack Hoyt, District Parliamentarian, served the District two years in a row trying to keep both Jim Miller (PDG) and me on the right path. He served with calm patience and good humor throughout the year and taught me a great deal. We had great fun together.
When I asked Ellen Little to serve as Public Relations Officer, she wasn’t sure it was the right fit, but did the thing I believe we all should do if we wish to live truly fulfilled lives, she said yes. She has had a tremendous impact on our District and our year. I’m not sure how she managed to do everything and still run her business, but I am so glad she stepped up and stood out in so many ways. I look forward to working closely with her on any number of future projects.
Lt Governor Marketing, Mary Carol Holbert (our new LGET) has been a dear friend for many years and she was invaluable to the team and to me personally. Never afraid to question ideas and plans, she always sought what was best for the District and the members. I love Mary Carol because she challenged me (always in a loving way, like really good friends should do) and I needed that. She taught me a lot this year and I am a better person for having served with her by my side.
And what do I say about Lt Governor Education and Training, Dee Melvin (now District Governor). I’ve known and admired Dee since we first met as Area Governors. No matter the circumstances, she always had a smile and a kind word. She is truly a lady in every sense of the word, but tough as nails when she needs to be. I have never known anyone who is as dedicated or works as hard as Dee does. LGET is such a tough job, if it’s done right, and believe me, Dee did it right. Two great TLIs, two incredible conferences on the Orient Express and to Mardi Gras, and being the anchor for our Area and Division Governor training when I got sick the day before and was ordered by my doctor to stay home (it nearly killed me to not go to the training in person, but thanks to George and others I attended via Skype). There are no words to truly describe my admiration and respect for Dee. We have spent so much time together over the past two years we have become like siblings...except we really do get along with each other! I would do it all again if I knew I could have Dee working by my side!
And one more bit of personal thanks, if I may be permitted. I have had the most uncommon time in my three trios of any District leader I know. Scott Hoehn (DG) and Jim Miller (LGET) 2010-11, Jim Miller (DG) and Dee Melvin (LGM) 2011-12 and Dee Melvin (LGET) and Mary Carol Holbert (LGM) 2012-13 gave me the gift of working in three trios where there were no conflict, no pettiness, no rivalries, simply deep, respectful and cooperative friends all working toward a common purpose for the members of the District. I was surprised when I learned that not all Districts trios work so smoothly (in fact most do not). I was privileged to work with friends who became family and I will always be grateful for the privilege of serving with these amazing people. Thank you ladies and gentlemen. I am a better man today for having had the honor of working closely with you and learning so much from each of you.
Every District Governor starts their year with the goal of leading the District to Distinguished or better status. It was no different for me. Unfortunately we were not able to bring it home this year. Due to the economy and the government-imposed sequester this year, we suffered a devastating loss of membership, averaging a loss of 1100 members during both of the dues periods. That is a huge hurdle to clear and we didn’t. I am saddened to report that we actually have fewer members today than this time last year. I honestly believe there is nothing more we could have done to overcome this loss. We conducted the Membership Road Show in December, sharing with the clubs a foolproof way of increasing club fitness and membership. Our membership incentives were aggressive and generous. Our clubs worked hard to keep their rosters full. It was simply not the year for growth and we missed the mark of 3% increase in memberships to be Distinguished.
Another challenge we faced when we started the year was that over ten clubs had shut down operations and were just waiting to fall off the roles of Toastmasters International (TI). Add that to the five additional clubs that closed during the year, it all meant we had a very tall, steep hill to climb to increase our clubs by the 3% over the number we started the year with (179). We added 9 bright and shiny new clubs, of which we are proud and dedicated to their success, but it just wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Our one, and most important victory is that we ended the year with 103 Distinguished or better clubs. That means that nearly 60% of our clubs are meeting the goals set by TI for club fitness, membership strength and educational achievement. Those 103 clubs lifted the District to President’s Distinguished level in this third category of the District Recognition Program and I am very proud of this achievement by our members and clubs. To me this is the most important of the three categories because it is the best indicator that our clubs are serving the members well, and that is what we are here for. Of course 100% would be ideal, but our 60% means we are among the highest of the world’s 88 Districts in club and member success in the programs of TI, ranking 24 and South America (of 68 Districts). Well done clubs and members of District 84!
If I were to say I am not disappointed our District is not Distinguished, I would be lying. However, I am not depressed! Although this was not our year to be Distinguished, I am so proud of the entire District Leadership Team and the wonderful starting place we have left for the 2013-2014 Team. It is an attribute of leadership that vision is long in range, always aware of the tasks at hand, but never losing sight of the larger picture. What was accomplished in the District with our efforts last year will strengthen and enhance the efforts of this year, the same as was done for us in the previous year. It’s all about legacy; ensuring that tomorrow is fuller than today may have been for everyone.
This has been the best year of my life. From becoming friends with International President John Lau during a week together in November to having the opportunity to renew friendships and create new ones across the District, it’s been an incredible ride. I so appreciate the love and friendship I have experienced throughout the District this year. You are the most wonderful people on the planet and I will never forget the year you gave me, holding memories in my head and heart for years to come!
Now, it’s time to close the page on this chapter of my life and begin a new chapter. What’s ahead...well, you never can tell, but I guarantee you, it won’t be boring and I won’t be lonely. So for now, live long and prosper...may the force be with you...stay calm and keep moving forward!
`Till next time Dennis
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