Am I ever glad we put our lights up early! With the snow finally sticking around it gets you thinking about the Holiday Season and what we’re grateful for. 

Personally, I am grateful for being part of this wonderful District and watching all the activity happening around me!   

We just finished TLI Phase II where our club officers stepped up to help their club achieve a point towards their Distinguished Club Programme by attending Club Officer training for their role.  We were treated to a fantastic presentation from our International President Margaret Page, DTM on Leadership and Mentoring and a Workshop from Roger Caesar, DTM on How Toastmasters’ Education Programme Shapes Your Personal and Professional Voice.  As well as four workshops that covered timely subjects.  I am grateful to our Programme Quality Director Deridor Collier, DTM and her team for providing such a first-class event. 

Our first ever District Open Invitation ‘Be Our Guest’ took place this month.  The public was invited to join us for a meeting demonstration and consider what Toastmasters has to offer to assist them to improve their speaking skills for work, community or just for personal growth.  I am grateful to our Club Growth Director Brahm Memone, DTM, John Constant, DTM and their team for running this event.  Teaser……I understand that we can look forward to another such event in the Spring! 

Who will be the next winner of the International Speech Contest and Table Topics Contest?  Right now clubs are holding contests in the hopes that their winner will make it to the Area, Division and dare I say, District level contests.  I am grateful that we have such a competitive spirit in our District. 

Lastly, I am grateful for every one of you and what you bring to the District.  Your determination, your comradery and your attitude make District 86 the best place to step out of your comfort zone. 

On behalf of District 86 I wish you all a memorable Holiday Season. 

Myrna Barthe, DTM 

District 86 Director 

Cont'd PRM, Nancy Movrin, DTM

Hello Meetup! 

Meetup is an online service used to create groups that host events. According to Meetup’s website, there are over 330,000 active groups around the world that host more than 84,000 meetups per week. 

The best description I heard is that Meetup is the digital equivalent of a library community events board.  Meetup is an effective way to find new members since many users are looking for skills-building events.   

Muddling through Meet up?   

Check out the free Meetup blog, https://www.meetup.com/blog/ podcasts https://www.meetup.com/blog/category/organizer-guide/ and webinars including this one https://toastmasters86.org/webinars/  

Tips:  

• Have clear information on when you meet and how to attend your club meeting or event. 

• Write your description from a non-toastmaster’s lens reflecting what your club is about.    

• Use keywords in the location.  

• Use an inviting headline. 

• Add an enticing photo or graphic.  

• Have at least 3 people “attend” your recurring meetings which will improve your club’s listing. 

To help with your Meet up write up, consider the following:  

• What are your objectives?   Its not enough to state you want to attract more guests.   

• Who is your guest?   

•  What do they look like?  

Are they:  

• looking to become a more confident communicator? 

• looking for a better career opportunity? 

• looking to establish themselves as a leader in their field? 

• from a specific profession? 

• from a certain age group? 

What are their point points?   

• Are they worried about their next work presentation? 

• Feel incompetent at a networking event? 

• Feel they don’t interview well? 

What do they desire? 

• To rock their next work presentation. 

• To land their dream jobs and get promoted. 

• To be considerer a voice of authority in their field. 

It’s not about you. It’s about them. If you emphasize the benefits of Toastmasters to their specific paint point, you will get their interest.  

Once you have posted your event, share on your club’s social media platforms.  Attract interest with an attention-grabbing caption or description. 

 

What PR tips would you like to see published in this newsletter?  Let us know! publicrelationsmanager@toastmasters86.org 

To help you with Parliamentary Procedure here is how to make a motion in a business meeting. 

• The member raises a hand and waits to be recognized (virtually or in person) 
• The chair recognizes the member. 
• The member presents the motion by stating, “I move…” (The secretary records the exact wording of the motion).
• Another member seconds the motion. This shows that more than one person is interested in bringing the business before the group for discussion. (If there is no second, there is no motion, and nothing is recorded in the minutes.) 
•  The Chair restates the motion. This ensures all members understand what is to be discussed. 
• Discussion is held on the motion. During the discussion, all members are eligible to participate, but not until they have been recognized by the chair.  
• The Chair puts the motion to a vote. 
• The Chair announces the result of the vote to ensure all members know whether the motion was adopted or defeated. 

Question: What’s the proper way to make a motion?
Answer: The proper form is to say, “I move to…” or “I move that…”   Examples: “I move that the agenda be approved as presented.” “I move to adopt the audit report.” 

The parliamentary authority for Toastmasters International is Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. 

It is that time again where you must make the decision whether your personal growth is worth the effort. District 86 is giving you a great opportunity to explore your leadership skills in a friendly, supportive environment. 

Consider running for the following positions (look for the eligibility criteria for each position on our website): 

• District Director 
• Program Quality Director 
• Club Growth Director 
• One of 8 Division Director positions 

Why should you run? Because those positions will help you learn about who you are as a leader. The skills you will learn are 100% transferable to your work environment.  

In most paths in Pathways Level 2 teaches you about your leadership and communication skills. But how does that translate in your daily activities? I am a collaborative leader. Being the District Director last year taught me that being collaborative is great but sometimes you spend too much time making sure you have the “buy-in” from everybody. The tough decisions were really difficult to make for me. I made them and learned how to cope with the stress and anxiety that some of them brought on. Today, those newfound skills are helping me when I must make tough decisions at work.  

What about you? Are you sure you know what kind of leader you are? How about your communication skills? Are you sure your directives are clear?  

By running for one of the above positions you will sharpen your communication skills, delegation skills, critical thinking skills, and add new skills.  

You can nominate yourself or a member who you feel would benefit from the experience.  

You will find the forms on our website. The deadline to submit your paperwork is January 3, 2022. Don’t hesitate. You will not regret your decision.  

Cheers, 

Jocelyne 

Jocelyne Vezina, DTM 
IPDD District 86 2021-2022