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"Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action."

— Peter Drucker, Management Expert, Educator, and Author

Message from the Editor

Beth May

Dear Reader,

The current Toastmasters year is coming to an end and a new year is about to begin. This time of transition is a great time to reflect on both our past experiences and our hopes and dreams (and plans!) for the future. That is why I chose reflection as the theme for this month's newsletter.

Research has shown that we, as humans, tend to remember negative experiences more easily than positive ones. This is one of many reasons that intentional, thoughtful reflection is necessary. In addition to learning from mistakes of the past, we need to be mindful of all our successes, and the positive impact we have achieved. That way, we can build on those successes to create even more impact, as suggested by the quote from Peter Drucker (above).

Please take a moment now to consider, celebrate, and be grateful for all that you have achieved during the past year - inside of Toastmasters and in your personal and professional life. Next, consider what we have achieved collectively, and we can all look forward with excitement and plan for continued success in the coming year.

District Director's Point of View

AnnMarie Givans, DTM

Hello District 18 Toastmasters,

With my term as District Director coming to a close at the end of this month, I have been reflecting on the past 11 months. I am thankful for the opportunity to lead, which has empowered me and given me an overwhelming sense of fulfillment and appreciation. This experience has been transformative, filled with collaborative efforts, significant milestones, and personal growth.

I would like to thank my district leadership team for your unwavering dedication, support, and hard work. Your commitment to our goals and your enthusiasm have been the driving force behind our district’s continued success. Together, we have navigated challenges and celebrated numerous achievements, and I am deeply grateful for each of you.

I am thankful to every member of our district for your participation, passion, and trust. It has been an honor to serve alongside you and witness the incredible progress we have made together thus far. 

We still have four weeks to conclude the year, so let's continue to push forward, strive for excellence, and finish strong. Eagles, let's soar a bit higher and make history together by becoming a Smedley Distinguished District. 

I look forward to seeing our district continue to thrive and reach new heights in the future as new leadership takes the helm.

Recognizing Distinguished Clubs

Recognizing Distinguished Leadership

Congratulations to the following dedicated leaders for going above and beyond and achieving distinguished status before the end of the year!

SELECT DISTINGUISHED

Division Director

Janet Leary-Prowse

Division A Director

SELECT DISTINGUISHED

Area Director

Berlin Stokes, DTM

Area 16 Director

SELECT DISTINGUISHED

Area Director

Lauren Hansen

Area 14 Director

DISTINGUISHED

Area Director

Freeman Bagnall, DTM

Area 35 Director

DISTINGUISHED

Area Director

Jennifer Bush

Area 12 Director

DISTINGUISHED

Area Director

Thomas Probus

Area 55 Director

DISTINGUISHED

Area

Michael Hoy, DTM

Area 73

Hi Team,

As you probably know, this is the last month of the Toastmasters program year. While I am very excited about the next phase in my career and personal life, I am also a bit sad saying goodbye to you all as your Program Quality Director.

I would like to convey my gratitude for the unending support that I have received throughout my tenure in this district from all of you. I loved working with you all and have always been glad to see you all learning and growing with commitment and focus. Now, it's time for me to move forward and explore new possibilities in my personal life and professional life and I will continue to help all my fellow Toastmasters.

As of the end of May, 27 clubs are already Distinguished in our district, and another 20 are quite close to the finish line, We still have 29 more days in June to add more members and make our clubs Distinguished. Let's push one final time and achieve our goals and reach our full potential!

Do not hesitate to call on me if you need any help. I am available by email (dtm.saubi@gmail.com) and on my cell phone (+919999704584).

Thank you again for all the great work that you have been doing! 

Thanks and regards,

Saurabh

As we start the final month of the Toastmasters year, 30% of the clubs in our District are already Distinguished. Congratulations to those clubs on this outstanding achievement. For the rest of us (my club included), there's still more work to do. The June 30 finish line is in sight, and now’s the time to finish the year strong. Why? Because our Toastmasters core values are Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence and “Finishing strong is a powerful demonstration of commitment, character, integrity and heart,” according to Gary Ryan Blair (author of the book “Everything Counts”). I wholeheartedly agree.   

So let’s do this, fellow Toastmasters! Visit the District Dashboard at https://bit.ly/D18-Dash to find out what your club needs to do to reach distinguished status.  Is it completion of more speeches? Host a Speech-a-thon so members can complete their speech projects. Does your club need more members?  Post flyers with your club information at local coffee shops, community meeting places, and other businesses. You can find flyer templates at https://bit.ly/ClubFlyers.  Fill in your club’s information, and it’s ready to post!

“One of the best methods a club can use to attract guests is to encourage members to bring people they know.”  This quote is from an excellent article from the January 2023 issue of Toastmasters magazine on getting new members (https://bit.ly/Personal-TM-Invite). Who do you know who could benefit from Toastmasters? Bring that person to your next Toastmasters meeting. If you’re a club officer, complete the online membership registration as soon as your guests want to join! Club officers can find the online application in Club Central, under “Membership Management”.

As we sprint to the June 30 finish line and apply our core values of Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence, we will finish strong. Toastmasters is “Where Leaders Are Made.” Your club can end this year on a high note through your leadership and determination.  Reflect upon your role as a leader, and get the job done. Need any help?  Email me at cgd@toastmasters-d18.org.

Did

You

Know?

Toastmasters International is reflecting on its extraordinary journey of the past 100 years. Fascinating historical artifacts - including vintage video footage and photos can be found online. Join in the reflection by checking out Centennial Resources (scroll down to watch a video and download centennial logos, digital wallpaper, and more), the Our History web page, and Toastmasters Magazine's A Century of Toastmasters web page.

Heads-Up!

If you are going to be serving as a club officer for the 2024/2025 Toastmasters year, please plan ahead for Summer Club Officer Training (COT) by putting a hold on your calendar for one of the District 18 COT sessions to be scheduled as listed below. Even if you've been an officer before, you should plan to attend training. (At least four officers must attend training in the Summer and Winter to achieve DCP Goal #9.)

• Sunday, July 14 (2 hours in person; Baltimore central)
• Saturday, July 20 (4 hours in person; Div C, Glen Burnie/Crofton)
• Tuesday, July 23 (2 hours Zoom)
• Thursday, August 1 (2 hours Zoom)
• Saturday, August 3 (4 hours in person; Division A)
• Wednesday, August 14 (2 hours Zoom)
• Saturday, August 24 (2 hours Zoom)

Questions? Contact our district's incoming TLI Dean, Craig Delfosse, DTM at craig@yourguy4tech.com.

International Speech Contest Quarterfinal Results are Pending

This month, judges will select International Speech Contest quarterfinal winners from each region by viewing video recordings of the winning speeches from district-level contests. Winners will be announced in July and will have the opportunity to compete in the semifinal contests that culminate in the World Championship of Public Speaking, both happening at the International Convention in August. We've got our fingers crossed for our District 18 winner, Dr. Cheryl Wood.

More details are available at https://www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Speech Contests/Region Quarterfinals (scroll down for the Timeline).

This month, instead of a Pathways Project Showcase, we have a Member Showcase, featuring ARhonda Osborne. ARhonda is a contributing author of the internationally best-selling book Voices of the 21st Century: Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose (available on Amazon.com). Her faith and her experience in Toastmasters led her to this success.

You too can share your perspectives, challenges, and successes: email your article for consideration to newseditor@toastmasters-d18.org. You can also use the Provide Feedback button at the bottom of this newsletter to let us know what you think of this feature.

Let's "Toast" these Toastmasters Clubs

The anniversary of a Toastmasters club holds significant importance as a symbol of its journey, growth, and accomplishments over the years. Whether it's a young club celebrating its first years or a long-standing club celebrating decades, its anniversary is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the club's dedication and commitment to communication, leadership, and self-improvement.

June is the most popular month for chartering a new club. There are 25 clubs to which we would like to wish a "Happy Anniversary" this month!

• 69 years: Greater Newark Area (06/01/1955)
• 66 years: Towson (06/01/1958)
• 61 years: APL (06/01/1963)
• 52 years: Columbia (06/01/1972)
• 51 years: Valley (06/01/1973)
• 47 years: Chambersburg Area (06/01/1977)
• 44 years: Carroll County (06/01/1980)
• 43 years: State Center (06/01/1981)
• 39 years: Elkridge Speakers (06/01/1985)
• 38 years: Fort Monmouth (06/01/1986)
• 35 years: Square Bears (06/01/1989)
• 34 years: Phase II Advanced (06/01/1990)
• 24 years: Catonsville (06/01/2000)
• 22 years: Global Transformers (06/10/2002)
• 21 years: Hola (06/24/2003)
• 17 years: MSU (06/01/2007)
• 14 years: Tidewater (06/09/2010)
• 14 years: Toast of Severna Park (06/24/2010)
• 11 years: Air Liquide R&D (06/25/2013)
• 09 years: WilmU (06/02/2015)
• 07 years: Club 328 JPMC (06/08/2017)
• 05 years: Agilent (06/26/2019)
• 03 years: ALOA - Another Level Online Advanced (06/29/2021)
• 02 years: Spellwizard Advanced (06/01/2022)
• 01 year: Nemours (06/21/2023)

Let's join these clubs in acknowledging and celebrating their anniversaries. As they reflect on their progress, honor their founders and past members, and set new goals, we wish them continued success!

Note: All times are Eastern Time (ET)

Incoming District Leader Training/Meet & Greet

Saturday June 1, 12pm - 4pm

Chesapeake City Branch Library

2527 Augstine Herman Hwy, Chesapeake City, MD 21915

Flag Day: Friday, June 14

Father's Day: Sunday, June 16

Juneteenth: Wednesday, June 19

Summer Solstice: Thursday, June 20

District Leadership Hail & Farewell Luncheon

Saturday June 29, 12pm - 2pm

Glen Mar United Methodist Church

4701 New Cut Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043

Outgoing and Incoming District Leaders, please RSVP to anngivans@aol.com by Saturday, June 22

DEADLINE for Path Completion Approvals toward DCP Credit

Sunday, June 30

Path completions must be approved in Club Central

Note: no Pathways Training or Office Hours sessions are scheduled for this month.

This section contains reminders for items previously published in prior editions of this newsletter and in separate email blasts

District Leadership Positions Still Available

District Director-Elect John Comberiate, DTM is still seeking volunteers for certain district leadership positions for the upcoming Toastmasters year:

• District Logistics Manager (preferably someone located close to Wilmington)
• Division D Director
• Area Directors (you do not need to belong to a club in the area you serve)

Serving in any of these positions can provide credit toward achieving the Distinguished Toastmaster award.

If you are interested in serving the district, please reach out to John at comberiate.john@gmail.com.

2024 Toastmasters International Convention

We will be celebrating Toastmasters International's centennial at the 2024 Convention, which will be held in the Founders District in California - where it all started! There are many reasons to attend the convention, including the opportunity to see the the World Championship of Public Speaking semi-final and final contests.

Ready to make milestone magic? This one-minute-and-five-second video will have you excited about the convention!

Click on the image below for more details and to register

(Keynote speaker and other details published recently)

All Officers

• Plan installation ceremony for new club officers (download the script here)
• Continue preparing for club leadership transitions
• Conduct executive committee meeting(s) with each officer reporting on accomplishments, challenges, and plans
• Use the Club Performance Report to review progress against the Club Success Plan goals for the current year Distinguished Club Program
• Use other Toastmasters Club Officer Tools as needed

President

• Prepare for your role as Immediate Past President
• Preside over executive committee meeting(s)

VP Education

• Ensure that path completions are approved in Club Central by June 30 for DCP credit in 2023/2024
• Continue preparing for the Pathways Base Camp transition; help members ensure that their educational achievements are accurately reflected in Base Camp and Club Central (see article "Get Ready for the Pathways Base Camp Transition" in the PQD Corner in the December edition of this newsletter)
• Continue working with members on their educational goals
• Ensure agendas are complete and participants understand their meeting roles
• Reach out to paid/inactive members

VP Public Relations

• Support the Beat the Clock membership building program
• Publicize your club's and club members' achievements (e.g., on social media and/or in the District 18 Newsletter)
• Use your club's social networking sites and outreach opportunities to publicize club activities

VP Membership

• Support the Beat the Clock membership building program
• Greet club meeting visitors and distribute guest packets ("blue folders")
• Follow up with prospective members (club meeting visitors and others)

Treasurer

• Support financial audit
• Continue processing dues submissions from new club members
• Continue tracking club expenses against the club's budget

Secretary

• Submit 2024/2025 officer list in Club Central (required for 2024/2025 DCP Goal #10)
• Document meeting minutes at executive committee meeting(s)

Sergeant-at-Arms

• Inventory club supplies and identify items that need to be purchased (note: Toastmasters Store items can be purchased at the International Convention, which can save you shipping costs)
• Manage and maintain club equipment and materials
• Set up and break down required materials for each club meeting

Your input and feedback are welcome.

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