My Final SPOTLIGHT for 2020-2021
As District 39 Director, this is my last published spotlight for the 202-21 Toastmaster years. This is a very special one indeed, for this spotlight must be shared. This recognition goes to all those who stepped up to leadership for this year in District 39. Club Officers kept their meetings going, absorbed the discomfort of membership loss in some cases, and kept right on meeting the needs of your members. You altered your agendas, adopted virtual meetings, continued Pathways, and you remained on a steady course. Area Directors worked hard keeping clubs together, making club visits, completing reports, and mentoring club leaders. You asked questions and provided answers. You dared to lead even when the pandemic was at its worst. You are commended. Division Directors, you set the tone for survival in a most challenging year. The leadership you displayed, holding your Divisions together this year, was a classic example of determination in the face of adversity. Your Divisions survived. Some thrived. As a group you were indomitable. You set an example for how other Division Directors should respond in a difficult year. Well done. Our Teams of Club Mentors, Coaches, Trainers, our Pathways Ambassador and Training Supervisor, and all advisors and helpers were invaluable providing support and advice that helped meet the needs of our membership. You did not quit when things got tough. You got tougher. You are admired. The Executive Team of our Finance Manager, Administration Manager, Public Relations Manager, Logistics Manager, our Parliamentarian, and advisors Wes, Joey, George and Brian who worked tirelessly expending long hours (sometimes around the clock) supporting this District and ensuring we (and I) operated in the best interest of each member and club. Last, but certainly not least, I had a chance to work with two seasoned veteran Toastmasters to form a Trio that helped to guide us through this most challenging year. Because we learned to work and grow together, the future looks bright for 2021-22. Thank you Nancy and Denise for all you did. The torch will soon be passed on and I will have ended my run. I am grateful to have served alongside all of you, from Sergeants-at-Arms to Program Quality Director. I learned much and grew as a leader. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to serve with you and for you. You deserve special recognition indeed for keeping “39” strong. Bravo Zulu for “doing the right thing”.
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
This week we are expanding our Toastmaster of the Week spotlight to incorporate a Club Spotlight. Our Club Spotlight is The Original Articulators. What club is President’s Distinguished, has developed seven Area Governors, has grown a Past District Governor, Lieutenant Governor of Marketing, Public Relations Manager, Administrative Manager and Division Governor? Who has developed or attracted over nine Distinguished Toastmasters to their club and coached the first female District 39 International Speech Contest winner in ten years? The Original Articulators, that’s who! In 2006 “The Articulators” began as a club to support administrative staff at the Sacramento City School District. Members received educational credit to increase their paychecks, but as is often the case, many did not take advantage of the opportunity. Still, the club chartered on June 30, 2006, and is going strong. The club became “The Original Articulators” when District 39 chartered a new club called The Articulators. Over the last 15 years The Original Articulators has had a lot of fun while building leaders. Some innovative members introduced the Iron Chef Competition in which members compete by speaking about their favorite dish made with a secret ingredient. Members have enjoyed Toasts to the New Year and Oscar night. Music and Lyrics is a fun night where members can sing, read the lyrics to a favorite song, play the guitar, or share an inspirational piece. Fifteen years later, three charter members still call The Original Articulators home. The club boasts many members who have been in the club for over five years, and they still attract new members every year. The Original Articulators will celebrate 15 years of “Toastmastering” the last week in June 2021. Please join District 39 in celebrating a club that consistently embodies the Toastmasters motto, “Where Leaders Are Made,” and see what they are made of. Club meetings are on Zoom every Thursday from 6:15 pm -7:30 pm PST For more information, contact Club President, Noralee Cole, DTM, 916-524-5895 ncole2010@gmail.com Congratulations to The Original Articulators! “39” salutes you! Ed Johnson, DTM District Director ed.johnson@district39.org
Thank You, John!
Musical genius Sting once wrote, “If you love somebody, set them free.” Maybe he’s right. District 39 loves John Pasamonte. He is a loyal club member, trainer, club sponsor, an incredible Zoom Master, a member of Nancy Pott’s Training Team, our District 39 Webmaster, aide to our Region 1 Advisor, and now in demand at Toastmasters International for his impeccable services. He is well liked and respected by all who know him. I recently spoke with John about all his many duties and responsibilities. He never says “no.” Sometimes someone else has to say that for him. Because of John’s numerous duties and responsibilities, and the demand for his services and technical assistance at higher Toastmasters levels, we agreed that he should relinquish some of his District 39 duties for a while. Effective September 30, 2020, John will no longer serve as our Webmaster. He has agreed to provide advice when needed, as well as remain in all his other current roles, including as a member of both the Training and Public Relations teams and as advisor to the District. Thank you, John. We appreciate your willingness of spirit, your generosity, and certainly your skills! We wish you the best in your newly added roles with Region 1 and Toastmasters International.
District 39 Address – Do The Right Thing
District Director Ed Johnson – addresses our leaders District 39 at the July District Executive Committee Meeting 2020. Ed talks about the challenges and opportunities to work together during the 2020 – 2021 Toastmaster year.
Zoom accounts and Virtual Club Support
Dear Division Directors, In order to better support your members and clubs during the COVID-19 group size limit, the Trio has authorized funds to purchase two Zoom Pro accounts per Division. The two Zoom accounts will provide each Division virtual meeting options for Club, Area, and Division meetings and Contests in lieu of cancelling meetings. These accounts will be reimbursed during the months of March, April, May, and June. Here is what we need for each Division Director to do: Find 2 people in your Division that will serve as Zoom Masters for your Division. Each Zoom Master will : Acquire and Manage 1 zoom Pro account for your Division Schedule virtual zoom meetings for Clubs, Areas and meetings in your Division. Serve as Tech Support for Zoom meetings in your Division. Collaborate with Zoom Masters in other Divisions to help share needed resources. Share Division Zoom Master contact information with the Trio Submit 2 zoom receipts in Concur for reimbursement in April, May, and June Contribute to the Zoom Masters group discussion A Zoom Masters page will be created that has information regarding virtual meeting best practices, Zoom Master contact information and other collaborative information to help support our members & our clubs. As always, we appreciate your patience and your willingness to work together for the good of District 39. Thanks, Wes
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Updated March 17, 2020 FAQs have updated, please review ASAP. The Trio is aware of the impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on members and clubs in our District. We are in regular communication with Toastmasters International and are closely monitoring the situation and taking the necessary steps to support our members. Please revisit this page often. We will update it as new information becomes available. Guidance from Toastmasters International – www.toastmasters.org/COVID (Additional Resources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and California Department of Public Health.) Due to safety and government restrictions, Toastmasters International understands that clubs may not be able to meet in person. Therefore, they encourage you to meet online if in-person meetings are not possible or preferable. Frequently Asked Questions Will Division speech contests be canceled? No. The District Executive Committee decided on 3/16 to continue the 2019-2020 contest cycle. Between March and June 1, 2020 all contests will be conducted virtually. Will District Conference be canceled? Toastmasters has mandated that all Area, Division, and District Events can no longer be conducted in person prior to June 1, 2020. The District Conference has therefore been postponed until June. The April venue will be cancelled. All tickets sold will be refunded. The District will reschedule the event in June. Once we have determined the price for new tickets, we will move ahead with a June Conference. Will District Council meeting be canceled? No. The District Council meeting will be conducted virtually on May 9th, 2020. District Business covered: Club Alignment Elections Proposals What will be the format of the Online Meeting? Online meetings shall have the same format with the regular meeting agenda. The only difference is the medium. Some best practices to follow would be: Unmute only when speaking to reduce noise etc. Turn off all the webcams except the speaker and the timer’s webcam, so that the timing signals can be seen by the speaker. Table topic master can call out the member to respond, at which point the member can unmute and speak. We understand that it’s a far diminished experience in comparison to the in-person club meetings. As soon as in-person meetings are possible, the clubs are expected to switch back to regular meetings at their venue. Tips and Resources Stay at home from community events if you: Feel sick or have symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, etc.) Recently had contact with an individual known or suspected to have COVID-19 Or if you are at a higher risk (elderly or immunocompromised) Traveled to China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Italy, Iran or other high-risk areas in the past 14 days. Check the CDC website for more details. If your club is holding meetings In-person Completely avoid shaking hands and other physical contact (use elbow bumps, or wave hands, etc.) Create physical space to minimize close contact (one arm length, sit every other seat) Provide hand washing capabilities or hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes, and tissues Avoid touching your face or high touch surfaces with your bare hands (use a tissue) If you’re not able to access your meeting space, meet Online using available video conferencing applications such as: https://www.freeconferencecall.com/ https://hangouts.google.com/ https://www.webex.com/ https://www.zoom.us/
Marching to the goal
It’s the first week of March. There are 17 weeks left until June 30, 2020. Deadlines: Mar 31, 2020 – Membership Renewals Apr 17, 2020 – District Spring Conference May 31, 2020 – Club Visit report submitted (Area & Division Directors) Jun 30, 2020 – Traditional DTM (all requirements completed) Club Status: April Dues renewal status March 4, 2020 57 Clubs – (Part of the quorum) – verified complete – 8 paid members, 3 from previous renewal period 28 Clubs – (Not in good standing) – low – less than 8 members 25 Clubs – (Not in good standing) – ineligible – less than 3 members from last renewal period 48 Clubs – (Not in good standing) – no member dues received Clubs in Good Standing: Minimum renewal requirement is eight paid members – at least three of whom were members of the club during the previous renewal period. Clubs not in good standing are ineligible to cast a vote at District Council or Annual Business meeting and are not included in the quorum. Division Directors Finalize Division Contest Club Visits Retain Clubs New Clubs Area Directors: Finalize Area Contests (help your fellow Area Directors, and Division Director) Club Visits New Clubs Club Leaders: Membership Renewals – make sure your club is in good standing – March 31, 2020 Review Club Success Plan – Education Awards Update Club Success Plan for growth opportunities Club Officer Elections & update Officer assignments in Club Central – May 31,2020 Members: Support your Area / Division contests Renew your membership Take on a new Club Officer role Complete a Path Level Start a New Path
Nominated Candidates
The following active members of District 39 have gone through the Nominating process by the District Leadership Committee. Thank you District Leadership Committee and DLC Chair Noralee Cole for all your hard work and commitment to excellence.
D39 Vision 2020
Greetings District 39 Toastmasters, Why did you join Toastmasters? Why do you stay? I joined to improve my communication skills. I stay because of what I have learned and the wonderful people who have become my friends along the way. I hope you have a similar story you can share. The Toastmasters New Year begins on July 1st. There are a few changes this year, but our Mission is still the same. If we focus on doing the right things at the right time, we will achieve amazing things this year. How will we know what the right things are? We need to plan for Success. I am asking all leaders in our great District to collaborate with each other and plan for a President’s Distinguished year. Let’s be One Team heading down One Path becoming One District that everyone wants to join! District Mission: We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence. Vision Statement: District 39 will achieve President’s Distinguished status before May 31, 2020 Slogan: Focus Together on the Most Important Thing Motto: One Team • One Path • One District What is the Most Important Thing? (Execute Success Plan) Core Values: Integrity, Respect, Service, Excellence Big Picture: President’s Distinguished District The One Thing: Execute Success Plan Guiding Principles: Speak with hope about the toughest of issues. Be Solution focused rather than problem focused. Refrain from reacting and giving voice to pessimism, criticism, self-criticism. Speak about problems to the right people in the right way. Replace negative words and thoughts with positive and encouraging words. First 100 days (June 6 – Sep 14): Success Plan – District, Division, Area, Club Training – Division, Area, Club Club Visits – Know your clubs Retention – No member loss, No club loss Growth – New Members, New Clubs Second 100 days (Sep 15 – Dec 24): Quality – 100% Trained Growth – Add net 5 members Distinguished Clubs – Distinguished in December Club Visits – submit reports Nov 30 Third 100 days (Dec 26, 2019 – Apr 4, 2020): Training – Club Officers Contests – Club, Area, Division Final months (April, May, June) Conference Succession Planning Distinguished Clubs Club Visits – submit reports May 31 District 39 Vision 2020