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Big “D” Toastmasters Club officers for July-December 2010: (top) VPPR Mike Weibel, Secretary Victoria Perez, Treasurer Frank Kozel, and Sergeant-at-Arms Jennifer Huch; (bottom) President Diane Kirksey (also holding VPE Joseph Pezanowski's certificate) and VPM Keri Boyce. (The brown part with writing is District 50's theme and logo “Dare to Succeed.”)
Congratulations and good luck!
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Officer Installation Meeting and Dinner Party
The regular meeting of the Big “D” Toastmasters on July 1, 2010, convened at the home of now-Immediate Past President Steve Patterson at 6:30 p.m. and was called to order at 6:40 p.m.with 28 members present for the purpose of vetting and inducting Shawnda Corker who just couldn’t wait to join! This brief business session then adjourned at 6:50.
At 7:07, the host called us back and introduced Distinguished Toastmaster Lee King, the new governor of Area 31, and his assistant Zhanat Elliston. (He was my Metro Division colleague last  year as governor of Area 32.) Lee recognized the club’s outgoing officers for January through June 2010 and officially dismissed them. He then called up and inducted each of the incoming officers for the term of July through December 2010—Jennifer Huch, Frank Kozel, Victoria Perez, Mike Weibel,
   
Keri Boyce, Diane Kirksey, and even Joseph Pezanowski in Australia by way of telephone—charging them   with the constitutional duties and expectations of their respective offices. After Diane presented Steve with his past president’s pin, we enjoyed a very good catered Mexican  dinner. With so many members present including all but one of  the 14 who joined before 2009, the club had its first portrait taken since March 2006!
 We were honored by the presence of co-host Janice Patterson and several guests: Louise Smith, Elizabeth Hutchinson, Deniese Sessions—the wives of members Mac, Cliff, and John—plus Wanda Campbell, Clarice Giles, and Ana Tamez. The meeting ended about 8:30 p.m., and a very good, pre-Independence-Day time was definitely had by all! |
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  On June 30, her last day in office, then-District Governor Paulette Harvey sent a message to all Toastmasters in District 50. Part of what she said was, “As District 50 Governor, it has been my high honor and privilege to have served you during the 2009-2010 Toastmaster year. ...You have done all you can to ‘Make It Happen’ this year through your completion of your Educational Awards and your Leadership Awards.
“...You are to be congratulated and commended for your dedication and commitment to your own individual and collective quests in Toastmasters. I want you to know that each Member, each Club, each Area, each Division are treasured by me. All of you are FANTASTIC! Each of you are Shining Stars in District 50.
“I wish each of you continued success in your Toastmaster journey, and I pray you take advantage of every opportunity to continue to improve your communication and leadership skills. Don't be afraid to step out and test your newly acquired skills. Please continue to spread the word about Toastmasters and continue to bring in new members and form new clubs for District 50.”
“Even though my journey as your District Governor comes to an end, and the gavel is passed to the next District Governor, I will never forget the teamwork, commitment, and dedication all of you have shown this past year. In closing, I would like to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for helping our District “Make It Happen”.
“Set your dreams, goals, and achievements high as you “Dare to Succeed” in 2010-2011.”
  Throughout the 2009-2010 Toastmasters year, it was a genuine priviledge to serve as an area governor with Susan Gardner who was unquestionably an outstanding lieutenant governor for marketing. She always had new ideas for membership building, really knew what she was talking about, and is key to why nine new clubs chartered despite the tough economy. Before that, she was Southern Division Governor for 2008-2009 and Area 56 Governor for 2007-2008; she is a member of five clubs but doesn't admit (yet) to be a Toastmasteraholic! As District 50's Governor for 2010-2011, she has a clear vision for the coming twelve months to take the inspired momemtum of making things happen that we would not otherwise have thought possible to the next level and daring to succeed regardless of our doubts! Set goals, keep the commitment, and you will succeed. I've heard it said, “You never know what you can do until you try!”
 Danni Babik has been a member of Big “D” Toastmasters since February 2001; after being convinced to become an area governor a couple years later, she discovered she can't get enough of all things Toastmaster. So, now she also belongs to Leadership Lambda Toastmasters as well as the monthly, advanced clubs ProSpeak, Roving '49ers, and Improv Masters of which she is a charter member. Just as I was beginning to learn more about Toastmasters, she was the Fall 2007 Conference Chair. This spring, I was a judge at four area contests, chaired the Area 33 contest, was a ballot-counter for the Metro Division Contests, and simply enjoyed the Plains Division and both district contests; so, now I know why Danni enjoys going to contests so much! Among the many other things she has done in her passion for educational and personal growth through Toastmasters, she was D50's Quality Contest Chair for 2008-2010. At the Spring 2010 Conference, she was given the district's top award, the District 50 Governor's Communication Achievement Award (formerly called the Heart of District 50 Award). Now Danni is District 50's 2010-2011 Lieutenant Governor for Education and Training, constantly urging us to Learn, Grow, and Enjoy Toastmasters (with or without chocolate)!
 Monnica Lamb is someone I am glad to call a friend. She has a terrific sense of humor and credits Toastmasters with getting her to find her potential. I first met Monnica when she was contest master for Big “D”'s club contests in August 2008; at the time, she was governor of Area 45 for 2008-2009. For Metro Division's Spring 2009 Contests, I volunteered to be a sergeant-at-arms, and Monnica was the chief judge. She then served exhuberantly and successfully as Plains Divsion Governor for 2009-2010. Toward the end of my term as an area governor, I enjoyed being in the team for two demo meetings that Monnica headed for clubs on the way to chartering. So, I am very glad for her becoming a member of the district's Senior Three.
Rounding out the district's Senior Seven are Public Relations Officer Georgia Wargetz, Secretary Christine Wilson, Treasurer Timothy Pike, and now-Immediate Past District Governor Paulette Harvey. |
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 Attention members and guests! We're moving our meeting tonight only!
This is a reminder to our members and a notice to our potential guests and diginitaries that our regular meeting on July 1, 2010, is being moved to the home of now-Immediate Past President Steve Patterson in Richardson. What ever for, you ask? Why, it’s none other than the venue for our club's traditional, semi-annual, officer-installation dinner party!
At the beginning of the installation ceremony around 6:45 or so, the officers will be recognized for their service to the club for the past six-month term—three have served for 12 months; they will then be officially dismissed from their constitutional duties. Then, the incoming officers (except one who happens to be on the other side of the world right now) will each be inducted by an appropriate District 50 officer to serve Toastmasters Club #713 for the term of July 1 through December 31, 2010. (Joseph P., you get to inducted separately!) There are often other awards and recognitions that are given and announced.
We will gather at the usual time time of 6:30 p.m. but at Steve's house at 7405 Lynworth Drive, Dallas, Texas 75248. The cost is $10 per person, and it will be catered Mexican food:
Chicken & Beef fajitas
Grilled bell peppers & onions
Black beans, mashed
Rice
Corn salad
Corn & flour tortillas
Guacamole, chips
Verde & rojo sauces
Peach mango tea
Flan (dessert)
The invitation also says "Ice tea provided," but I'm not sure if that is regular tea besides the peach mango tea or not. Since it is catered and it is actually at someone's home instead of at a restaurant, it is a good idea to try to call ahead; however, there is sure to be enough. Rather than post anyone's phone number here, I refer you first to http://dallastoastmasters.com/new-officer/. Go to the Big "D" Toastmasters Club Information Webpage in Toastmasters International's Find a Club section to contact our new Vice-President for Membership Keri Boyce who can forward any necessary information. It officially runs until 8:30, but it may run later!
We will return next week (July 8) to the Princeton Grill's meeting room in the DoubleTree Hotel at Campbell Center when brand-new Competent Communicator Stew Carson will be Toastmaster of the Evening! |
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Chocolate cake to celebrate the occasion of Big “D” earning its 10th DCP Point!
Congratulations, Big “D” Toastmasters upon becoming a President's Distinguished Club for the fifth straight year and at least Distinguished for at least six consecutive years! But, especially congratulations for achieving the DCP “Perfect 10” for the third year in a row and for 4 out of the last 5 years!
Those who made this possible (besides, of course, Vice-President for Education Linda Martin and President Steve Patterson):
1) Two Competent Communicators: Derek Weinbrenner (8/6/2009) and Melody Hudson (9/17/2009)
2) Two more Competent Communicators: Jonathan Wood (1/28/2010) and Stew Carson (6/17/2010)
3) One Advanced Communicator: Angelo Pereira, Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB; 6/24/2010)
4) Another Advanced Communicator: Eric Dyson, Advanced Communicator Gold (ACG; 6/24/2010)
5) One Leadership award: Renita Boykin, Competent Leader (CL; 8/27/2009)
6) Another Leadership award: Renita Boykin, Advanced Leader Bronze (ALB; 9/1/2009)
7) Four new members: Achieved September 24, 2009
8) At least four more new members: Achieved October 15, 2009, and sixteen more through May 27, 2010, plus a dual member.
9) At least four officers trained (both terms): 100% officers trained as of August 8, 2009, and February 13, 2010.
10) Semiannual membership report and one club officer list submitted on time (either term): Achieved with both as of September 25, 2009, but also both done again as of March 17, 2010!
Way to go, Big “D”! You really Made It Happen in 2009-2010!
— David Medart, Secretary (July-December 2009, April-June 2010) |
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Newly earned and awarded: Angelo Pereira, ACB, and Eric Dyson, ACG, ALB
In one big double-whammy, at the regular meeting of the Big “D” Toastmasters Club on Thursday, June 24, 2010, Angelo Pereira earned his Advanced Communicator Bronze award (ACB) and Eric Dyson earned his Advanced Communicator Gold award (ACG)!! Wow! Not only are ACGs not completed very often, but if must be quite unusual—especially among clubs that are not advanced—to have two of its members complete the requirements for advanced communication educational awards in the same evening. On top of that, these two gentlemen have now been members of Big “D” the 8th and 9th longest.
It is so very appropriate for these two particular members of Big “D” to do this: Eric was our vice-president for education for the terms of July 2007-June 2008, with the motto of Big “D” Toastmasters—“A Perfect 10”—which we achieved the week ending May 23, 2008, and with five weeks left in the year!
Meanwhile, Angelo was club secretary for January-December 2007, and was recognized as Outstanding Club Secretary in District 50 for July-Dec. 2007. He followed Eric as VPE for July 2008-July 2009. With Angelo's astute guidance, we again earned the DCP “Perfect 10” the week ending June 12, 2009.
What a journey Angelo took us on in two speeches from The Entertaining Speaker manual, “The Long Road to Constantinople” on June 10 and its sequel “The Longer Road to Brunei”! Eric conducted an outstanding workshop with us for the Success/Leadership program “How to Conduct an Effective Meeting.” Eric went past his scheduled time but was voted Outstanding Toastmaster of the Meeting.
Congratulations to you both, and thanks again for all you have both done for Big “D” these last four years! |
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During Keri Boyce's evaluation of Eric Dyson's presentation
The regular meeting of the Big “D” Toastmasters on June 24, 2010, was called to order at 6:29 p.m. President-elect Diane Kirksey, ATMB, CL, give the inspiration and led the Pledge of Allegiance, and then Vice-President for Membership Chase Miller took over at 6:32 as presiding officer and Toastmaster of the Evening. The minutes of the previous meeting were not read.
Chase entertained and educated us on the theme of “Old School” for about ten minutes; occasionally throughout the evening, he successfully engaged us in audience participation.
Table Topicsmaster Jim Wolff, CTM, was enthusiastically welcomed to the lectern by the club in its customary manner and then asked questions of four speakers who were anything but passé. Angelo Pereira, CC, then gave his sequel to “The Long Road to Constantinople,” telling us how his intercontinental wedding and reception concluded in “The Longer Road to Brunei.” After the break, Eric Dyson, ACS, ALB, led in his distinct way the program from the Success/Leadership Series called “How to Conduct an Effective Meeting,” especially a business meeting. General Evaluator Victoria Perez oversaw the individual evaluations by Mac McAdams and Keri Boyce, CC, and then quite effectively evaluated the entire meeting.
The meeting’s awards went to Linda Martin, CTM, for Best Table Topic, Angelo Pereira for Best Prepared Speaker, Keri Boyce for Best Evaluation, and Eric Dyson for Outstanding Toastmaster of the Meeting. Angelo and Eric were especially recognized for have just become an Advanced Communicator Bronze and an Advanced Communicator Gold, respectively! Big “D” accomplishing the resulting “Perfect 10” in the Distinguished Club Program (DCP) was then celebrated with cake and great fanfare. With the meeting now running a little behind, Vice-President for Education gave abbreviated thanks to everyone who made it happen. This makes three straight years Big “D” has achieved the DCP “Perfect 10” and for 4 of the last 5 years! It also makes us a President's Distinguished Club for the fifth straight year.
Our guests were Clint, Shawnda Corker, former member Doris Bobo for the second time, Big “D” friend Wanda Campbell, and Past President Melody Hudson. The meeting ended at 8:35 p.m., and a very good time was had by all. |
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About an hour and a half after the last meeting of District 50's 2009-2010 Executive Committee, Town Norh and Vista Divisions hosted what became more of a "mini"-speech-a-thon, apparently because so many of the clubs and areas in those divisions have already achieved the most goals in the district. Two scheduled speakers didn't show up, but two others of us did. As we got underway, a third speaker arrived.
Jon Ball, a member of Eagles and Metrocrest, gave a speech called “I'm a Bookie,” which at first seemed a curious title for Competent Communication manual Project #9—Persuade With Power. After his rather humorous opening, we realized he wasn't admitting to being a gambling bookmaker but rather is an avid reader of books in any form. Effectively using his trademark humor throughout, he persuasively encouraged us to read as much as we can, also.
I didn't have as much time to organize my thoughts as I did the week before, but I spoke on "Perseverance and Toastmasters” for CC Project #7—Research Your Topic. Metro Division Governor Denise Cothern thought of the title since I couldn't think of one. I spoke on the historical impact of Toastmasters, beginning with the reason Ralph Smedley started his first Toastmasters club in 1905 at age 27. It took 19 years for his concept to catch on because each of the first 3 clubs he started failed less than a year after he was promoted away. The histories of Toastmasters, District 25, and District 50 are fascinating and explain why T.I. is what it is now. In 85 years, the organization has grown from one group of men to more than 250,000 Toastmasters worldwide.
We agreed that the third speaker was the best because her speech inspired us to overcome obstacles in life and was so well-phrased and organized. (I apologize, but I don't remember her name or her speech's title.) I think someone suggested she could improve it and use in next year's International Speech Contest.
Jon and I evaluated each other's speeches; Vista Division Governor Millicent Godfrey hosted the event and evaluated the third speaker. Denise was the timer; and Area 62 Governor Georgia Wargetz evaluated in our CL manuals the speech evaluations by Jon and myself. The Toastmaster of the Speech-a-thon I believe is a member of a club in Vista Division.
This finally made it possible for me to achieve CC by June 30 but still with no guarantee; it also put Jon one speech closer to making Eagles Toastmasters at least a Select Distinguished Club.
Thank you, Denise, Danni, Millicent, and Town North Division Governor Debra Sanford for wanting to wanting give speakers additional chances to help their clubs complete their DCP communication goals! I hope these become annual events! |
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District 50's Senior Seven Leaders for 2010-2011: Paulette Harvey (soon-to-be immediate past district governor), Christine Wilson (secretary), Georgia Wargetz (public relations officer (PRO)), Timothy Pike (treasurer), Monnica Lamb (lieutenant governor for marketing (LGM)), Danni Babik (lieutenant governor for education and training (LGET)), and Susan Gardner (district governor). What had just happened above is Susan had just realized that Tim will be the only man on her team. The called-out comment from Denise and a couple others was that Tim is the group's "token male"—to which Tim beat his chest and responded, "Hey! I'm all man!" That was the best laugh we had all day!
 
Paulette Harvey's final comments and exhortationas district governor to her District 50 Executive Committee. Current Division Governors Denise Cothern, Millicent Godfrey, and Monnica Lamb in a mini-conference. (Monnica turned around a little too fast for my cell-phone camera to adequately capture her terrific smile). |
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Just after our post-lunch and final break-out session: In front, Zhanat Elliston (incoming Area 31 assistant governor), Dan Dodd (Area 34 governor and incoming D50 Sgt-at-Arms), Metro Division Governor Denise Cothern, and an incoming area governor. District 50 Governor Paulette Harvey introducing the district's leaders for the coming year.
District 50's 2010-2011 Senior Three: Monnica Lamb (lieutenant governor for marketing), Danni Babik (lieutenant governor for education and training), and Susan Gardner (district governor). Susan expressed heartfelt gratitude to Paulette and then led the EC in thanking her with round of applause. |
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