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District 33 Toastmasters
WestWord
The Official Newsletter for District 33 Toastmasters
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Nov. 2022 | Vol. 50 Issue 3 |
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A Message From Debbie Allmon, DTM District 33 Director
As 2022 draws to a close, I am reflecting on insights I have gained over the year. A recent loss I experienced has accented the importance of spending time with our loved ones and recognizing and celebrating those who support us. I want every one of you to know how much you mean to me, and I look forward to helping you achieve your goals.
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Club Renewal Credit is a Win-Win For All |
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When Ken Smith heard about District 33’s incredible club renewal credit program, he got excited. As the treasurer of Camarillo Evening Toastmasters, he saw how the incentive could benefit his club, which already had over 20 members.
Ken realized that all those $10 credits would add up quickly towards paying for months of rent, with the added potential of future club dues being reduced. “When (I knew) that we could get a check back of $10 credit (per member), I sensed we could get at least 10 to sign up for a year,” he said.
Club officers met and agreed on a succinct message to give to all club members. “The message was loud and clear: we need help to pay for our rent,” Ken explained. When members understood how it benefitted both them and the club, they were immediately on board, with 14 members renewing a year in advance.
As with many clubs in Toastmasters, the concept of members getting on board and supporting each other is something Camarillo Evening Toastmasters is very familiar with. Ken said, “Our club is something that I love. (There’s) a feeling of liking each other and wanting to help each other.”
Offsetting club costs with the club renewal credit was a boon for Camarillo Evening Toastmasters, which has been a Presidents Distinguished Club every year since 2008.
The renewal momentum is gathering speed and the excitement has had a positive effect with new membership numbers as well. Since the summer, Camarillo Evening Toastmasters has grown to 30 members.
Log into the District 33 Website to find out more about this incentive at https://d33tm.org
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Program Quality Director
Tan Pham, IP5, DL5, PM4, EH3
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Season's Greetings Toastmasters,
The first four months of the Toastmasters year were very fruitful in terms of training and achievements. I'd like to highlight a few notable accomplishments. First, thank you to all club officers that attended Club Officer Training (either within District 33 or visiting another District's training). One hundred fifteen clubs in our District achieved having at least four or more club officers trained during Round 1 (June-August) club officer training. On top of that, 52 clubs had 100% of their club officers trained! That's the highest I've observed in years. This shows that club officers want to get off to a strong start on their terms and are committed to having a successful year. Let's continue the momentum and start making
plans to complete Club Officer Training Round 2 (November-February).
Another accomplishment to highlight is that as of 31 OCT 2022, 22 out of 30 Area Directors completed and submitted at least 100% Club Visit Reports! This is excellent engagement by having a District Officer (in this case, the Area Director) help facilitate the positive member experience, support member retention, and encourage membership through club visits. Please keep up the excellent collaboration, and let them know how the District can be of service by contacting your Area Director.
Keep going for your goals and complete the Pathways projects. Many leadership opportunities are available to help you finish Levels 4 and 5 in Pathways.
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Club Growth Director
Nico Martin IP5, MS1
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Plan for Big Success!
Have you ever wondered who started your club? I do.
I am currently a member of 10 Clubs and am very grateful to those who started them. Imagine what they had to do to charter the club.
They must have recruited at least 20 members, completed paperwork, found a meeting location, and mentored the new club. I have benefited from their hard work today, and I am sure you did too.
If you are one of these people with an idea for a new Toastmasters’ club or know a contact person in a corporation that may benefit from our educational program, please get in touch with our Club Growth Team at CGD@d33tm.org, and we will help you organize it.
Let’s make a difference today,
Please join me in making our Club Growth & Retention Program a big success this year!
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News Briefs
What's New With the District 33 Website?
by Eric Browning
See all our upcoming district events at https://d33tm.org/events/. New events are posted regularly, so check back often! You can view events in a list or by month. You can also subscribe to the calendar, so these events are synced with a personal calendar of your choice. In the coming weeks, we'll be transitioning the website to a dynamic layout that puts timely and relevant posts front and center when you visit d33tm.org. Would you be interested in writing content for us or blogging? Contact us now.
Club Officers Announcements
1) If your club officer terms are 6 months (semi-annual), it's recommended to start holding club officer elections soon (NOV-DEC). All clubs must submit club officer assignments on Toastmasters International's Club Central by 31 DEC 2022.
2) Club Officer Training is scheduled on 10 DEC 2022, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Zoom. Get all club officers trained to continue and finish the Toastmasters year strong! Clubs that have all 7 out of 7 officers trained will receive a virtual ribbon for use on your club website. If you would like more details, you can visit the District 33 Calendar of events. Online registration is required.
Recognizing District 33 Toastmasters with excellent 2022 accomplishments.
Who wants to participate in our first Meetup event in January?
More about Meetup
by Ying-Ming Lee
"From Meetup Committee: Meetup is a platform for finding and building local communities. People use Meetup to meet new people, learn new things, find support, get out of their comfort zones, and pursue their passions, together. Our district has obtained a Meetup account to promote events and link it to our clubs." Interested? Please reply to Director@d33tm.org
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Share Your Story!
Let's Build our District 33 Toastmasters community!
Would you like to see a topic or share your story in an upcoming newsletter? Human interest stories highlight the culture of Toastmasters, illustrating leadership, delegation, communication skills, training, and more. Could you tell us why YOU joined Toastmasters and how it's helped you?
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Leading District 33 With A Heart
Meet District 33 Leader Dr. Angelina Dickey, DTM, Area Director A-6
by Darnell Evans, DTM
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In 2014, Dr. Angelina Dickey gave herself a precious gift of a Toastmasters membership. On her birthday, she joined the YTalkers Toastmasters club to expand her network and develop her communication skills. At the same time, she navigated her move to California from the Philippines with nothing except her job contract and solid optimism.
The precious birthday gift Dr. Dickey gave herself was an investment with compounded benefits, such as a supportive community that gracefully empowered her to overcome barriers with various challenges. Her new Toastmasters community helped her achieve her personal and career goals.
Dr. Angelina Dickey, DTM earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership while working full-time, raising two beautiful children, and supporting her siblings abroad. Dr. Dickey is an inspiration to young people here in the United States. She is always willing to give back to her community in so many ways.
In 2021-2022, Dr. Angelina Dickey, DTM served as club president of YTalkers Toastmasters Club, in which she led her club to President Distinguished status in the middle of a nationwide pandemic. That same year, she also served as a club coach, assisting the club earn President Distinguished.
Currently, Dr. Angelina Dickey, DTM is highly active in her Toastmasters' clubs and is serving as an Area Director. Dr. Dickey recently assisted District 33 with Club Officer Training (COT) round one. She presented training to club officers on Membership Retention and Engagement. Due to her constant desire to challenge herself and dedication to completing her goals, she earned her Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) this year.
Dr. Angelina Dickey’s advice is to always give 101% commitment and not only embrace but value diversity. She feels there is beauty in diversity and there is power in cooperation.
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Ralph C. Smedley Quotes
"We learn best in movements of enjoyment."
"The unprepared speaker has a right to be afraid."
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A TOASTMASTER STORY
Toastmasters Brought Me Out of Complacency
by Sam Paulissian, Area F4 Director
Joining Toastmasters helped get me out of my complacency. It is not that I am lazy; I have had a successful career in Information Services. I have served on the National Board of Directors for Novell Users International. I have been Regional Director and Club President multiple times in that organization. I am a Chief Information Officer for a small company in the Central Valley and have had a good career.
I graduated with a BS in Computer Science (1986) and thought I would work a year before heading back for my master’s degree. But one year turned into five years, ten years, and then 30 years, and I had not returned for my master’s degree. I started in Toastmasters in 2015, and in 18 months, I had achieved CC, CL, ALB, ACB and was well on my way to my ACS when it hit me, I should put all this energy into going back and getting my master’s degree. I had been complacent with where I was in my career. I did not need to go back for my master’s to get a better position, and I am happy where I am. But I had always regretted not going back for the Masters. Joining Toastmasters woke me up and gave me the motivation to return to school.
Thirty years after getting my BS, I enrolled in Georgia Tech for the Master of Science, Computer Science degree. I have now completed my education and have fulfilled that dream. I am also now serving on the local Municipal Advisory Council (Council Member for an unincorporated city) and have just joined the local Lions Club. I am also an Area Director for the second time. As I said, I am not lazy, but Toastmasters has certainly given me the motivation to get out and do more things.
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The Importance of
Saying "Thank You."
by Darnell Evans, DTM
We say "thank you" as a form of being nice. Saying two little words to a person changes how words sound and how it feels to give. Saying thank you to someone for their comments, service, or gift can help with feeling appreciated.
We can brighten someone's day by creating impactful and mindful
conversations. Saying thank you can change the lives of those you tell it to. We must
change how we interact with others.
The more removed we become from others, the more we lose sight of human life's value. It only takes a moment to express gratitude. Expressing gratitude could go a long
way. We will start: By thanking you for all that you do to support the goals and mission of
Toastmasters and District 33.
On behalf of the leadership and newsletter team, we wish you a happy holiday
and a season full of happiness.
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Principles Underlying
Parliamentary Law
By Rick Sydor, DTM District 39
Parliamentary Snippets: How a Motion is Brought Before the Assembly.
The three [3] steps by which a motion is usually brought before the assembly are as follows:
1) A member makes the motion. (The words move and offer also refer to this step. A person is said to “make a motion,” but he uses the word “move” when he does so. He is also said “to move” a particular proposal, as in “to
move a postponement.”) Member should use the phrase,
“I move that …. “ and keep the wording brief and concise.
2) Another member seconds the motion.
3) The chair states the question on the motion. (The step
of stating the question on the motion should not be
confused with putting the question, which takes place later
and means putting the motion to a vote.) [RONR 12 the 4:2]
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Making a Difference
With Words
by Nandita Das, DTM
Oh, what a difference a comma makes!
Man—"You said, “No more shopping.”
Woman- “ I said, “ No, more shopping.” Anonymous
A short trip through English when words are lost in translation.
History has recorded England’s footprints all over the world. Thus, words have
been assimilated into English from other languages. Often these words leave their significance behind. The lowly, ordinary, humdrum “PAJAMAS, ” how they have been downgraded into bedtime wear in English. In India, however, Indian men don pajamas at events that are festive. Pajamas are festive and formal wear in that country. How the term pajamas have fallen from grace is interesting.
The opposite is true of the term “CUMMERBUND”, which is borrowed from Hindi; it is just an
ordinary waist-tie to hold up skirts or pajamas or underwear. The word has risen in value in
English because it adorns a tuxedo, the most formal of western outfits. How this run-of-the-mill
word rose in status is amazing.
Another word that I fancy is “AVATAR.” AVATARS in Hindi are iconic figures of immense
beauty that come down from their heavenly abode to save the universe from peril, mostly from
evil and sadness. An avatar makes himself or herself known at different eons. James Cameron made an attractive 3d movie called “AVATAR.” The images that we see are blue and emaciated. It is a thriller but a far cry from the original Indian avatars imagined by learned men of yore that came down from the nether world to save humanity from pestilence and sorrow.
Let’s add “MONSOON” to this list. It’s an Arabic word “MAUSAM” for generic weather.
How’s the ‘Mausam’ today? In English, it changed to monsoon and became a downpour. It’s
interesting how words are lost in translation.
WORD OF THE DAY- The dictionary is our friend.
What languages have contributed the following words to English?
1. Algebra- is derived from Arabic, romanized:” Al Jabir”, literally means ‘reunion of
broken parts, bonesetting.’ It is a title of a 9 th century book in Arabic.
2. Ranch- is taken from Spanish; it meant ‘sitting and eating together.’ Later it added to
and expanded its meaning into a very large farm where cattle, horses, or sheep are
raised.
3. Kindergarten- is from German. Kinder is children, and Garten is garden. Fredrich
Froebel started the first kindergarten in 1840. “Children are like tiny flowers, they are
varied and need care, but each is beautiful alone and glorious when in the community of
their peers.”
4. Chipmunk- originates in the native American language Odawa ( Ottawa) word
‘jidmoonh’, meaning red squirrel. The Oxford English Dictionary from (1842) cites
‘chipmonk’, but ‘chipmunk’ appears in several books from the 1820s.
Nandita Das, DTM
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Social Media Tip
Our very own Social Media Coordinator TaVia Iles shares words of wisdom.
Put the SOCIAL back in Social Media!
People who utilize social media platforms connect with people.
- Share authentically
- Share what’s in it for the viewer
- Share vulnerabilities.
When the viewer believes you are a real person who shows up consistently, you are increasing your know, like, and trust factor with your audience.
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Discover Pathways
by Annie Hall, DTM
PATHWAY TIPS
Hidden Gems in Base Camp
Uncover advanced Pathways projects to help hone your skills.
I found an interesting article in the District News Leader Letter in September 2022
the issue is written by Distinguished Toastmaster Bill Brown, showing how Pathways has
hidden gems built into it. See the link to the article below.
The hidden gems are activated by the progress you make in Pathways.
The article discusses two of the gems below:
1. The Pathways Mentor Program.
2. Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) project.
“You might be thinking, I have explored every square inch of Base Camp, and I
cannot find it. That is because it is only available to those who have completed Level
2 of a path. And you must know where to look for it.”
The article shows you how to find the secret gems.
“On your Base Camp home page, in the lower left-hand corner, you will see a section called “Suggested Learning.” There are several additional articles and podcast episodes on key skills pertinent to each level. In that same section, if you
have completed Level 2, you will see a link to the Pathways Mentor Program. Select
that link to go to a project page where you can activate the program. When you do
this, the link disappears from the Suggested Learning section and the Pathways
Mentor Program is added to your Paths and Learning page.”
This is an optional program that gives you advanced training and experience in
mentoring. You do not have to do it, but if you want to develop your mentoring skills,
this is a program to consider. There must complete the three projects sequentially,
and you only have access to the next one on the list when you have completed the
previous project.
Once you have finished the second project, you receive the activation button for project three
.If you only want to focus on the paths, that is perfectly fine. But if you want to hone
your mentoring and leadership skills; these extra projects found in this article may be
what you are looking for.
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Article contributions by
Nandita Das, DTM
Annie Hall, DTM
Darnell Evans, DTM
Carolyn Moore, IP4
TaVia Wooley-iles, DTM
Roberta Nadler, CC
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A note from your Co-Editors: We are honored to serve you.
Feel free to contact us about your ideas and suggestions for this newsletter.
Darnell Evans and Roberta Nadler
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