there is no way I would have been able to do it. How many other organizations today offer so many different opportunities to improve yourself and serve and mentor others in a positive and fun atmosphere?” The above “testimony” is only one of several challenging opportunities that I have received because of Toastmasters. One point to remember, these are not challenging opportunities because they are hard to do…..they are challenging opportunities because they force me to step way, way out of my comfort zone. One of my next challenges is coming up on February 16th. I have been invited to be a panelist on a Webinar that usually has 200-300 attendees. How about you? Are you ready to be challenged? District 63 has started the process of finding District leaders for the 2011-2012 year. Are you up to the challenge? If so, or if you have questions, feel free to contact myself, Andrea Burnette, or Don Bittick. We are here to help you face your challenges!

This past weekend, I was given a unique opportunity while attending the mid-year training for the Top 3 District officers in Chicago. Toastmasters International is videoing several people giving their personal testimony from each of the seven mid-year trainings being held around the world. Some of these videos may be used to promote Toastmasters in the coming months. I was given the opportunity to be in one of these videos. In preparation for the video, Kristen Rolapp, District Service Manager for Toastmasters International, provided several questions ahead of time so I would know what to expect. I was thrilled to see that quite a few of the questions revolved around leadership. In one way or another, each of you have contributed to me being where I am today. Since there is no guarantee that my video will make it to the website, I am sharing my testimony with you via this newsletter (trust me, it sounds a lot better in the written form): “To me, leadership is about more than offering guidance

to the other District officers to ensure their responsibilities are complete and our District goals are met. More importantly to me, leadership is about using the opportunity I have been given to serve my members and officers as a mentor by being there when they need me and to lead by example. In addition to improving my communication and leadership skills, Toastmasters has given me the opportunity to build my self confidence. Because of the combination of communication and leadership skills that I continue to improve upon, when my son’s National Guard unit was deployed to Afghanistan, I was able to present the signed “Family Promise” to our soldiers during their farewell ceremony…..WITHOUT crying. Believe me, without the skills I have learned in Toastmasters,

District Governor Charlie Rosenquist

Public Relations Award Submissions Are Due

Does your club promote itself and Toastmasters? Why not receive credit for all your hard work? The District recognizes clubs that participate in at least 4 of the following areas of public relations: 1. Three Club Newsletters

2. Public Service Announcement

3. Feature Article published 4. Publicity Plan submitted

for the year 5. Press Release 6. New Webpage or 3

updates to an existing Club Website

7. Guest Package 8. Table Top Display Please send copies and/or pictures verifying qualifications by March 15th to Kristi Herring at d63toast@gmail.com.

Energize Your Future and Achieve Greatness Together

District 63 News

Inside this

issue:

2

2

3

3

3

Club Website?

4

Our year is past the halfway mark and I’m asking for assistance from each member for the final 5 months of this Toastmasters year. If you will remember, we set some very realistic stretch goals for the year back in June. Toastmasters International’s goals for us were even lower; however, our year is getting away from us and we aren’t even halfway to meeting those goals. It’s time for some catching up.

While reviewing our District Reports I noted that only 2 of our Divisions are currently above a Division average of 50%; 1 Division actually has 0 Advanced Communicator awards; and all Divisions except D are below 50% in the Competent Communicator and Advanced Communicator categories as well as in member payments.

As most of you know I am a strong believer in leadership

by example, so I am asking that each District, Division, Area, and Club leader set a goal to complete at least one education and/or leadership award prior to mid-June. If we do this, we can meet our District goals and we will be encouraging all of our members to step up and meet their own personal goals. We, as leaders, need to set the example to encourage others. I’m game…how about you?

START PLANNING NOW TO JOIN US FOR THE SPRING CONFERENCE APRIL 15 - 16, 2011

MANCHESTER CONFERENCE CENTER/ COMFORT SUITES

MANCHESTER, TN

Not only are we going to have a roaring good time, we need to have a quorum as we will be electing officers for the coming year.

Lt. Governor of Education - Leader Support

the District 63 Proxy Chair, Immediate Past District 63 Governor Allan Daniels. If you are a club President or VPE when you receive your proxy certificate fill in the club name and number. Fill in your name and then your office, president or vice president education. Sign the proxy certificate at the bottom. If you will not attend the conference, then fill in the fourth line with the name of the active club member who will vote in your place. If you are a DEC member, fill in your name and district office,

then sign the certificate. If you are carrying a proxy, bring it to the Spring Conference and deliver it to the proxy chair. Times and a location for delivering proxies will be listed in the conference agenda. You may scan the certificate and e-mail it to Allan Daniels at spenseralley@msn.com but please bring a hard copy to the conference as well. If you have questions about the proxy certificates, contact Allan Daniels at the e-mail address above.

Proxies for Spring Conference - Allan Daniels

As part of the District 63 Toastmasters 2011 Spring Conference on April 16th District 63 will conduct their bi-annual District Council business meeting at the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center, in Manchester, TN. The District Council is comprised of the District Executive Committee (DEC) and all club presidents and vice presidents of education. In order to conduct business, such as the election of district officers, a quorum is required. To determine whether or not a quorum is achieved proxy certificates will be collected by

Page 2 District 63 News

NEWSLETTER

CONTEST

Does your club have a

newsletter? How about

your Area? Division?

The District has a

newsletter contest so if you

answered yes to any of the

above questions you could

win the annual District

Newsletter Contest.

All you have to do to enter

is email a copy of your

newsletter to the District

PRO, Kristi Herring, at

d63toast@gmail.com.

Deadline for entries is

March 15, 2011.

Spring Slide Show Submissions Thank you for your help making the one slide show in the Fall such a success. We would love to have another one at the upcoming Spring Conference. It’s a fantastic opportunity for those in attendance to see what’s been going on around the district. This is only possible with your help. Please send picture submissions to Kristi at d63toast@gmail.com or let me know how I can obtain the photos. The more we can get from the different clubs and events around the District - the better!

Can you believe that we only have 5 months left in this Toastmasters year? We have a long way to go with membership and club growth, especially after losing several clubs at the beginning of the year. To meet our goals, we will need to charter at least 10 more clubs before June 30th. More importantly, it is our responsibility as Toastmasters that we expand our network of clubs and help provide greater numbers of people

the opportunity to benefit from the Toastmasters program. I want to challenge each of you to deliberately seek out opportunities for new clubs and members. Please remember that you have the full support of district officers to help with these efforts. I also want to remind you that the Talk up Toastmasters membership

contest will run from February 1st through March 31st. Clubs that add 5 new, dual, and/or reinstated members during this time will be eligible for this award. Thank you in advance for your help in expanding the network of clubs and helping to provide greater numbers of people the opportunity to benefit from the Toastmasters program.

Marketing - Clubs and Membership Update

Congratulations are in Order!

The Numbers (as of 1/29/11)

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 7

Welcome to

District 63!

Big A

Toastmasters

Club #1588574

Our newest club

of the year!

Active Clubs 95 Membership Goals 4028 CC's to Date 63 AC's to Date 24

Paid Clubs 89 Paid Memberships 1867 Goal for June 30 140 Goal for June 30 40

Goal for June 30 97 Goal for June 30 4106 Still Need 77 Still Need 16

Still Need 8 Still Need 2241

District 63 DTM List 10 - 11:

Sal Cannata

Annamarie Collins

James P Moore

Charlie Rosenquist

The mission of the District is to

enhance the performance and

extend the network of Clubs,

thereby offering greater numbers of

people the opportunity to benefit

from the Toastmasters educational

program by:

Focusing on the critical

success factors as specified by

the District educational and

membership goals.

Insuring that each Club

effectively fulfills its

responsibilities to its members.

Providing effective training

and leadership development

opportunities for Club and

District officers.

2010 - 2011 District 63 Team:

www.d63toastmasters.com

WINTER TLI TRAINING INFOMATION

Division C -

Division D, E, F - Caterpillar Financial, 2120 West End Avenue, Nashville

February 10th 5:30pm Registration opens at 5pm

Registration form and agenda can be found on the District website.

Please contact your Area or Division Governor for more information.

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Time: 5:30 – 9:30 (registration and refreshments @5)

Location: Unum, 500 Walnut Avenue, Chattanooga, TN

Contact: Jamie Rohrbaugh 294-2365 or Debby Gignilliat 294-5381

All welcome, meal will be provided. Please let us know if you’re coming.