Black Swan December 2017 / January 2018
Editorial
Welcome to the December 2017 / January 2018 edition of the Black Swan newsletter. I'm excited to be taking on the role of editor going forward, and I'd like to give a very big thank you to Lisa Martin for her excellent work over the last 18 months. I attend Northern Lights Toastmasters in Woodvale, where I currently hold the Club Officer position of VP PR. We have a busy and exciting year ahead in District 17 as we are 5 months away from our district convention and we begin hearing the first speeches from Pathways. I hope you and your families enjoyed a very festive season and a happy new year and that you are full of inspiration for new speeches this year!
Jeremy del Pino
Black Swan Editor
We encourage articles from members, this newsletter is 'written by Toastmasters, for Toastmasters'. Refer to Guidelines for authors and how to submit.
District Director News
by Sue Fallon
Club Growth Director Role
Thanks to Peta Rakela for taking on the role of Club Growth Director. Peta has decided to resign from the position and I acknowledge the work, time and effort Peta has put into the role this past six months. Please contact me in relation to any of the roles of the Club Growth Director position at this time, including new clubs. Maybe the company you work for could benefit from an in house Toastmasters Club? Contact details below.
Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contests
November through early Decembers has seen the completion of the 2017-18 Humorous Speech and Table Topics Division Contests. Both Northern Division and Central Division have held their contests now. Congratulations to our Division Winners. The winner and 2nd place getters move forward to the District Contests – held during our May 2018 Convention.
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NORTHERN |
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TABLE TOPICS |
1st Place |
2nd Place |
3rd Place |
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Martin Soh |
Maree Pickens |
Kym Godfrey |
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HUMOROUS |
1st Place |
2nd Place |
3rd Place |
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Bikram Koirala |
Olga Hounsell |
Shakeela Yezdery |
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CENTRAL |
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TABLE TOPICS |
1st Place |
2nd Place |
3rd Place |
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Michelle Field |
John Bethell |
Keith Cundale |
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HUMOROUS |
1st Place |
2nd Place |
3rd Place |
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Keith Cundale |
Olga Smithson |
Tim Blackburn |
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Visit by Region 12 International Director – David Fisher
David was welcomed to District 17 by visiting a number of clubs, sharing a presentation with our Region 12 Advisor Robert Cockburn on Saturday 18 February, prior to the District Council Meeting and taking to the floor to share his knowledge of District officers at our Emerging Leaders meeting on Sunday 19 September in Subiaco.
Thanks you to Co-burners, b-Toasty, Stanley College, Leading Lights and Curtin GSB Sundowners for your hosting David at your clubs.
David enjoyed the program we had organised, and we appreciated the time spent by both David & Robert in sharing their knowledge with their presentations prior to the DCM.
Mid Year District Officer Training
Patricia and I have just completed the Mid-Year Training along with District Leaders from Region 11 and Region 12, and the International Directors and region Advisors and Dan Rex and Kate Raynorson from TI
We have been privileged to meet with other District Leaders from across Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, UK, Ireland, Europe, Africa, Saudi Arabia. Bahrain and Dubai
It was a wonderful two days and we head back soon to begin the second half of our year refreshed and raring to get started.
The District 17 District Council Meeting
The District Council Meeting was held on Saturday 18 November 2017 at Technology Park Function Centre 2 Brodie Hall Drive, Bentley.
A number of personnel changes in the District:
Thanks must go to Catherine O’Brien who had to stand down from her PRM role. Thank you Catherine for the program you developed for the year and your assistance for the Quiz Night program. Our replacement PRM is Cathy Kunzel., who will be looking for public relations opportunities that clubs carry out.
Our Black Swan newsletter editor Lisa Martin has also finished her role during November. Thanks you Lisa for all of the terrific amount of work you undertook to streamline and update the Black Swan Newsletter in your year and a half in the role. Our replacement editor is Jeremy del Pino, please welcome him by sending him and article for the next Black Swan.
Area C5 has been without an Area Director for a few months and thanks to Dan Beeston from Curtin GSB for stepping up to the role for the rest of the year. Please support Dan when he comes for a visit C5 Clubs
There were no motions to be discussed this year and the meeting progressed quickly.
Convention Bids - There were 2 Convention Bids – the first for Toodyay and the second for The Pagoda Hotel, South Perth. The bids went to a vote and The Pagoda, South Perth was successful.
Area Directors Visits and Lodgement of Reports
My congratulations to our Area Directors who have managed to achieve brilliant results in their firstt round of club visits and lodgement of reports by 30 November 2017. You all achieved at least 75% or higher results
Central Division 95%
Eastern Division 100%
Northern Division 96%
Southern Division 100%
To qualify for the Distinguished Area Program, Area Directors must submit an Area Director Club Visit Report for first round visits for at least 75% of their clubs before November 30.
TLI/COT is scheduled for February 2018
There will be 4 sessions across February and I encourage you to take this opportunity to learn more about your role and about the Pathways journey for your members.
Training is also scheduled in the South West and Kalgoorlie
The December session was very well received by the 90 officers who attended and I am sure you will have lots to take away to assist you in the coming year.
A Happy New Year from All of Us at District 17
I wish you a wonderful 2018, may you enjoy both your time this year with family and friends, and also with your fellow members and the new members we should all be inviting to Toastmasters, as we move forward with Pathways into the future.
I hope you enjoyed your break and I look forward to being of service within the New Year!
Sue Fallon
District Director 2017-2918
District 17
Education Awards
by Patricia D'Cruze
November has been a ‘golden’ month here in District 17 with 50 members achieving an educational award. What a tremendous achievement for members achieving their personal goals. We are proud to celebrate these terrific achievements – 24 Competent Communicators, 9 Advanced Communicator Bronze, 1 Advanced Communicator Silver, 2 Advanced Communicator Gold, 11 Competent Leaders, 2 Advanced Leader Bronze and 1 LDREX (HPL Award)
In December we slowed down and had only 28 awards educational lodged. 10 Competent Communicators, 5 Advanced Communicator Bronze, 9 Competent Leaders, 2 Advanced Leader Bronze, 1 Advanced Leader and 1 DTM.
Congratulations to Graham Watson on achieving his Distinguished Toastmaster Award.
With the start of 2018, be sure to let your Vice President Education know about your personal goals and fill in your clubs Forward Planner to give your speech or take on a meeting role. Inspire and motivate your fellow members to achieve their goals. Remember a goal is a dream with a deadline.
Continue to lodge your educational achievements and contributing to the Distinguished Club Program for your Club, Area, Division and District
Educational Awards
| Award | Date | Member | Club |
| Competent Communicator | |||
| CC | 1st Nov | Elizabeth Fisher | Banyandah Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 3rd Nov | Denzil Talbot | Butler Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 5th Nov | Santosh Keshav Menon | Canning Vale Toastmasters |
| CC | 8th Nov | William Y Tian | Willetton Toastmasters |
| CC | 9th Nov | Janette Edwards | Mundaring |
| CC | 13th Nov | Leon P. O'Brien | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
| CC | 13th Nov | Julia Sutton | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
| CC | 13th Nov | Jen Harland | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
| CC | 13th Nov | Nickolas Rapos | Belmont Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 14th Nov | Don Koralagamage | Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 15th Nov | Eroshani Nadika De Silva | Water Corporation Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 15th Nov | Monica CM Malaga | Western Founders Toastmasters Club, |
| CC | 16th Nov | Lucille V Desai | Risky Toast |
| CC | 21st Nov | Monica CM Malaga | bToasty Perth Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 21st Nov | Tom Bielski | Sunday Sundowners Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 21st Nov | Tom Bielski | Curtin Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 21st Nov | Amanda Jane Owen-Tucker | Bunbury Club |
| CC | 21st Nov | Jane Anderson | Bunbury Club |
| CC | 22nd Nov | Olaf Schubert | Bunbury Club |
| CC | 23rd Nov | Stephanie Wan Ying Ching | Gosnells Foothills Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 26th Nov | Giulietta Dall | Southern River Toastmasters |
| CC | 27th Nov | Drazen Babic | Stirling Club |
| CC | 29th Nov | Quinton Smith | Stirling Club |
| CC | 30th Nov | Frank Crisafio | Canning Vale Toastmasters |
| CC | 5th Dec | Dianne Grewar | Mundaring |
| CC | 6th Dec | Shane Hodge | Durack Club |
| CC | 6th Dec | Robyn Lloyd | Durack Club |
| CC | 6th Dec | Timothy Borsje | Persuasive Speakers |
| CC | 6th Dec | Shane Bartholomeusz | Persuasive Speakers |
| CC | 8th Dec | Biju Moothery | Victoria Park |
| CC | 10th Dec | Darrin Marx | ToastiES |
| CC | 10th Dec | Janice Ann Schubert | Bunbury Club |
| CC | 10th Dec | Ian A. Pickens | Banksia Speakers Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 12th Dec | Graham Paul Watson | Southern River Toastmasters |
| Advanced Communicator Bronze | |||
| ACB | 1st Nov | Shun Y Li | Willetton Toastmasters |
| ACB | 15th Nov | Qicheng Zhu | Water Corporation Toastmasters Club |
| ACB | 15th Nov | Jenny De Wind | Canning Vale Toastmasters |
| ACB | 16th Nov | Jill Kadota | Victoria Park |
| ACB | 20TH Nov | Monica CM Malaga | bToasty Perth Toastmasters Club |
| ACB | 22nd Nov | Roger Harold Stanley Davis | Bunbury Club |
| ACB | 22nd Nov | Rob Turner | Victoria Quay Club |
| ACB | 24th Nov | Troy P Voller | Bunbury Club |
| ACB | 29th Nov | Paula Kosowitz | Noranda Toastmasters Club |
| ACB | 3rd Dec | Gary Goh | Plain Speakers |
| ACB | 3rd Dec | Justin P Massam | Rising Stars Club |
| ACB | 5th Dec | Almarie Meyer | Butler Toastmasters Club |
| ACB | 8th Dec | David Peter Slater | Stirling Club |
| ACB | 11th Dec | Leon P. O'Brien | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
| Advanced Communicator Silver | |||
| ACS | 42777 | Robyn A. Richards | Canning Vale Toastmasters |
| Advanced Communicator Gold | |||
| ACG | 26th Nov | Graham Paul Watson | Southern River Toastmasters |
| ACG | 26th Nov | Vijayakumar Vijayaratnam | Murdoch Southsiders Toastmasters Club |
| Competent Leader | |||
| CL | 3rd Nov | Duncan Harris | Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club |
| CL | 3rd Nov | Ross Phillip Wilkinson | Bonanza Toastmasters |
| CL | 7th Nov | Shirley Browning | Bunbury Club |
| CL | 15th Nov | Caroline Devenish-Meares | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
| CL | 20th Nov | Angela Millicent Burchardt | Butler Toastmasters Club |
| CL | 21st Nov | Tom Bielski | Curtin Toastmasters Club |
| CL | 21st Nov | Tom Bielski | Sunday Sundowners Toastmasters Club |
| CL | 26th Nov | Rachel Liu | Murdoch Southsiders Toastmasters Club |
| CL | 27th Nov | Caroline Devenish-Meares | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
| CL | 30th Nov | Devenish-Meares, Caroline | Victoria Quay Club |
| CL | 3rd Dec | Daven Rasaratnam | Willetton Toastmasters |
| CL | 4th Dec | Scott Smith | Butler Toastmasters Club |
| CL | 5th Dec | Gladys Doreen Lavell | Mundaring |
| CL | 10th Dec | Ian A. Pickens | Banksia Speakers Toastmasters Club |
| CL | 11th Dec | Robyn Lloyd | Terrace Speakers Toastmasters |
| CL | 11th Dec | Jen Harland | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
| CL | 11th Dec | Chi You Raymond Hiew | Willetton Toastmasters |
| CL | 12th Dec | Sidy Morin-Ka | Plain Speakers |
| Advanced Leadership Bronze | |||
| ALB | 27th Nov | Jessica Breadsell | Stirling Club |
| ALB | 28th Nov | David Crispin | Armadale Toastmasters |
| ALB | 4th Dec | Leon P. O'Brien | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
| ALB | 5th Dec | Almarie Meyer | Butler Toastmasters Club |
| Advanced Leadership Silver | |||
| ALS | 3rd Dec | Mark Zijian Zhang | UWA College Row Toastmasters Club |
| High Performance Leadership | |||
| LDREXC | 15th Nov | Leon P. O'Brien | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
Triple Crown
Here in District 17, the qualifications for earning a Triple Crown has remained unchanged with the introduction of Pathways.
A member will continue to receive a triple crown award for achieving 3 awards either in the traditional program or Pathways.
Patricia D'Cruze, DTM
District 17 Program Quality Director
Program Quality Director Update
Second Round TLI/COT Training Sessions
Join us at the upcoming TLI/COT training sessions scheduled for February. These sessions will deviate from the traditional TLI/COT held in the past.
Here are some keys areas the training will include to help your club transition to the new Pathways learning experience.
- Overview of Pathways
- A demonstration of an Ice Breaker Speech and Evaluation from the Pathways program.
- Discussion around the new evaluation process
- Maree Pickens will present a Change Management Workshop followed by a Q & A session.
- All Club Officers will receive a general Pathways information session covering the Base Camp Managers role and responsibilities.
- The Base Camp Managers (Vice President Education, President, and Secretary) will receive a joint training session to step them through the roles and responsibilities.
- Club Officer Breakout sessions will be led by the various Pathway Guides and others leaders.
- FAQs session about Pathways.
Please bring your laptop/tablet with you if you canand ensure you have charged the device at home. Free WiFi is available.
REGISTER NOW
When club officers are well-trained to perform their duties, club members are better served. This makes the member experience more positive, which leads to a quality club experience and increased member retention. With the roll out of Pathways some roles have additional duties so find out more.
Please register to help with catering and seating arrangements. As the Thursday night session was very popular in July, we have added an additional Thursday session to avoid overcrowding.
TLI/COT #2 Thursday 8 February 2018 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Enterprise Room, Innovation Centre | Technology Park | 3/9 DeLater Way | Bentley
Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tli-club-officers-training-2-thursday-8-february-2018-tickets-40071435743
TLI/COT #3 Saturday 10 February 2018 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Enterprise Room, Innovation Centre | Technology Park | 3/9 DeLater Way | Bentley
Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tli-club-officers-training-3-saturday-10-february-2018-tickets-40071627316
TLI/COT #4 Sunday 18 February 2018 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Enterprise Room, Innovation Centre | Technology Park | 3/9 DeLater Way | Bentley
Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tli-club-officers-training-4-sunday-18-february-2018-tickets-40115136453
TLI/COT #5 Thursday 22 February 2018 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Enterprise Room, Innovation Centre | Technology Park | 3/9 DeLater Way | Bentley
Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tli-club-officers-training-5-thursday-22-february-2018-tickets-40115461425
South West Sunday 4 February 2018
Kalgoorlie Sunday 25 February 2018
Contact Patricia DÇruze Program Quality Director by email padcruze@gmail.com or phone 040278046 with any queries.
Patricia D'Cruze, DTM
District 17 Program Quality Director
Club Growth Director Update
Membership Building Contests
by Patricia D'Cruze
Talk Up Toastmasters – 1 February–31 March 2018
Join up five new, re-instated or transfer members during the months of February and March and your club will be awarded the annual ‘Talk Up Toastmasters’ contest. If your club qualifies, you’ll will receive a ‘Talk Up Toastmasters’ ribbon to display on your club banner. It is important that the dates members join or re-join are within the period for the contest (1 February 2017 – 31 March 2018).
Marvellous Membership
This contest is a District 17 Membership Contest which runs from 1 July 2017 – 30 April 2018.
The first criteria for the Marvellous Membership Contest is that your club must:
- Obtain the 1st DCP point for 4 new members
- Obtain the 2nd DCP point for 4 more new members
- That is eight new members in total across the competition period.
The second criteria is the semi-annual payments for 20 members must be paid by the due date (30 September 2017 and 31 March 2018).
Membership Awards will be presented at the 2018 District 17 Convention in May in Scarborough.
Patricia D'Cruze, DTM
District 17 Program Quality Director
Last call for 2018 District Leadership Nominations
by Leonor Ragan
Nominations are still open for elected and appointed District Officer positions for District 17 for 2018-19. Further information on ‘District Leader Qualifications and responsibilities can be found in the Call for Nominations document. We are encouraging and accepting self-nominations.
Elected Positions
The deadline for applications for candidates for elected positions is COB Thursday 15 February 2018.
Candidates for District Director, Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, and Division Directors must submit their nominating form and release form and be prepared to attend Nominating Committee telephone interview beginning the week of 11 March 2018. Please email forms and any queries to Leonor Ragan Chair 2018 District Leadership Committee at lragan@raganit.com. You will be notified by email the details of the date and time of your interview.
Appointed Positions
Candidates for appointed positions - District Administration Manager, Finance Manager, Public Relations Manager, and Area Directors must submit their nominating form and release form by March 1st, 2018.
Please email forms and any questions to Leonor Ragan at lragan@raganit.com Candidates may nominate themselves or another person. Appointments will be made by the newly-elected District Director in early June.
Mandatory District Leader Training will be held two weekends in June. Please save dates if you are applying. These are two different training events and you must attend both. Elections for elected positions will be held at the District 17 May Convention at the District Council Meeting on Saturday, May 26th at time to TBA.
We are looking forward to your nominations and service to District 17. Our members need you as a leader to lead the way to a successful and enjoyable learning experience in communications and leadership.
Leonor Ragan, DTM
District 17 Immediate Past District Director
District 17 Nominating Committee Chair
District 17 Pathways Guide
Growing, Changing and Having Fun
by Cathy Kunzel
As some of you are already aware, I recently took over the role of District Public Relations Manager. I look forward to working with the District Members and assisting you with your promotional questions and the PPP.
“Who will you Bring?”
Something is stirring in the southern corridors, Cannington Communicators has been a struggling club for several years, yet the winds of change have turned in this small club in the form of 5 new members in the last couple of months.
Four of these came as a direct result of the efforts of their new President, Jarrad Mahon, who has been in Toastmasters less than a year and yet his infectious enthusiasm for this club has resulted in a membership now in double figures, if you think this is insignificant, talk to any one of the members they are all excited about where their club is going.
Well done Jarrad Mahon for the work you are doing to turn Cannington into a Club to be noticed!
Time to be Challenged
Have you ever wanted to be a keynote speaker, consider WA Speakers Bureau Toastmasters? This is headed up by Tim Blackburn as President and meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6.30pm – 8.00pm at 931 Albany Hwy East Victoria Park
This speciality club is about training Toastmasters to take their speaking skills to new heights in public speaking. Do you think you have the skills to be an efficient keynote speaker, contact Tim at tblackburn@yuleada.com.au. You are very welcome to visit and see if it is the challenge you have been looking for, don’t worry if you are not at that level yet – you will be.
Cathy Kunzel, DTM
District 17 Public Relations Manager
Adapt Your Evaluation Style
by Stephanie Chan
Are you flexible in your evaluations? Or do you apply a regimental list of factors in your CRC (commend / recommend / commend) observations?
I like to visit different Toastmasters Clubs whilst overseas, to observe the different styles demonstrated at their meetings. Recently, I visited a big Club with 50 odd members where a new member was to present his Ice Breaker.
I silently evaluated the speaker as being confident in standing before a large audience and humorous in his presentation in alignment with the high standard of wit and comedy already manifested in the meeting. There were subtle signs of nerves nonetheless, as shown by tense clasping of hands, fast-paced delivery and the ubiquitous ums and ers. Overall, it was a well-crafted speech which told a noteworthy story with a local flavour. Inconspicuous use of notes. A noble attempt.
Then came the formal Evaluation which made my jaw drop and locked in the unenviable position of an open gape of disbelief throughout.
The Evaluator picked up on the niceties of confidence and relatable story-telling style then proceeded to the recommendations. “Vary your tone and use vocal variety. Your voice was monotonous throughout”, he advised. “Use the stage more” as he demonstrated with examples. “You should gesture [like this]”, with support to his suggestion. To his defence, he adhered to the CRC method.
Perfectly reasonable recommendations, I agree, BUT more appropriately applied in the context of later speeches! The poor speaker, already nervous in his maiden delivery, does not know anything about vocal variety, body language or stagecraft. Such overwhelming detailed suggestions are likely to be lost on him or even be a stumbling block of discouragement. Recommendations for Icebreakers (in my personal opinion) should be confined to a more macro (bigger picture) observation and address the project objectives of confidence and self-discovery.
As Evaluators, we have to be mindful of whom we are giving feedback to and the level of detail in which we analyse the speech. That is why it is always a plus to evaluate according to the project objectives, albeit that voice, visual engagement, movement, vocabulary and mood generated etc. are overriding factors which enhance the colour and richness of the presentation.
While not always possible, our Club tries to assign members who evaluate “down”, that is having a more “senior” member evaluate a newer member. We also endeavour to avoid having a pre-Competent Communicator evaluate a long standing advanced speaker / DTM. This is to optimise the quality of evaluations as well as not to overwhelm newer members.
Feedback is meant to be pertinent, enlightening and encouraging. We need to exercise flexibility to provide appropriate evaluations depending on the level of the speaker, the project objectives and the context of the delivery i.e. at a meeting versus an Evaluations contest versus judging at various speech contests. Some members struggle to find recommendations. If we are more conscious of adaptability, then perhaps we can enjoy providing our observations in a more poignant fashion.
Stephanie Chan
Southern River Toastmasters Club, VPM
End of Term Report Card
by Stephanie Chan
December has rolled in at lightning speed signalling the end of the first Toastmasters term for the year. This is an opportune time for Southern River Toastmasters to review our accomplishments for the first 6 months without the distraction of ubiquitous noise and flurry of meetings, events and activities.
When we think “accomplishments”, very often the Distinguished Club Performance (DCP) program comes to mind. In this article, however, our performance audit deals not with quantity (numbers and points) but QUALITY (value).
Our 2017/2018 Performance Goals relate to:
- Self-improvement and confidence building
- Self-motivation
- Club harmony and Toastmasters family unity
- Adhering to proper Toastmaster protocols
- Preparedness and professionalism
Here’s our report.
Self-improvement and confidence building
- We see one young member clearly come out of his shell. The shy and reticent demeanour is now masked over by a braver, more confident and willing to try version.
- One Member volunteered to take on a Contest Chair role and volunteering to re-attempt the undertaking because he felt his initial endeavour wanting.
- 4 members who joined between January and October have stepped up to take on the VPE, SAA, Secretary and VPM roles for Term 2. This is a vast contrast against historical Club Officer Elections which can satirically be described as an exercise of pleading, arm twisting and cajoling.
Self-motivation
- A few members seized the opportunity of a captive High Performance Leadership (HPL) guidance committee and synergised to produce 3 HPL projects, culminating in a Member achieving his DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster).
Club Harmony and Toastmasters Family Unity
- Be it neighbourhood demographics or an unconscious attempt at welcoming multiculturalism and cultural pluralism, Southern River Toastmasters now boasts of a rich heritage of non - native Australian members. The diversity of our Members’ respective backgrounds is interwoven into their eye-opening speeches. What a wonderful time of sharing with their personal stories!
- The proof in the pudding can perhaps be demonstrated at the Club’s year-end party where members brought not just their immediate family but also an in-law, college mate and international exchange student.
Adhering to proper Toastmaster protocols
- Much effort has been put in to maintain our Club Constitution and Addendums; update our Visitor & Membership packs; refine our Membership forms plus email procedures to tighten control over privacy and confidentiality.
- Club President created a “President’s Corner” blog to re-align practices to Toastmasters guidelines
- Club President also presented a workshop on Renton’s Rules to elucidate on proper meeting procedures.
Preparedness and Professionalism
- Documents and processes found to be deficient have been tweaked and maintained in accordance with rules, guidelines and social norms.
- Contest forms and documentation, Visitor and new Member packs are readily available; Visitor’s Book is available on site.
- Meetings / activities programs are scheduled through to the 2nd term and routinely reviewed for currency.
Vigilance and planning will continue with a new team meeting in early January 2018..
Stephanie Chan
Southern River Toastmasters Club, VPM
What is the Speakers Bureau?
…your next step in becoming a professional speaker.
Our mission is to connect our members with speaking engagements that add value to the community, promote Toastmasters, and advance the speaker’s career.
We support the community by providing outstanding speakers for local businesses and organizations. At the same time, our members get the opportunity to showcase their presentation skills to the community they wish to serve in alignment to their own interests/talents.
Speakers Bureau members cater for members at two different levels, those who want to develop keynote speeches and those who are qualified D17 speakers.
In order to become a qualified speaker there is Qualifying process, whereby you prepare a 20-minute presentation just as if you were going to speak in the community. Dress appropriately, choose your topic, and practice! You’ll speak before a group of judges. They will vet you on their perception on how well you will represent D17 Toastmasters in the community, and on how much value you will bring.
Speaking engagements arranged through the District 17 Toastmasters Speakers Bureau are a complimentary community service. If you wish to make arrangements on your own for a subsequent presentation to the same group, there is no restriction.
Member Benefits
- Develop your signature speech, in supportive environment that challenge you to bring out the best in you
- Chance to work with accomplished Qualified Speakers who will mentor and guide you
- Connect you to speaking engagements throughout the state of Western Australia
- Bridge the gap between speaking for free and speaking for a fee
- Expand your personal and professional network and net-worth!
- Training on how to promote yourself as a professional speaker, coach, consultant, trainer
- Valuable resources to develop great speech materials and a speaker’s biography
- Opportunities to promote your expertise and professional services to your target market/community you want to serve
- Free advertising that enhances your visibility and social contact with the local communities
- Access to a pool of presenters for training, Speechcraft, club meetings, your other organizations
- Promote District 17 Toastmasters
Tim Blackburn DTM
WA Speakers Bureau, President
Newsletter Guidelines for Authors
- Articles must be relevant or of clear interest to Toastmaster members.
- Articles must reflect the TI core values; integrity, respect, service and excellence.
- Articles must reflect the education and communication programs and goals of TI.
- Preferred length 300-400 words. Articles must not exceed 500 words without prior agreement.
- Please supply images with the best picture quality available
- Supply names of people shown in images.
- Please supply an up-to-date profile picture of yourself (profile pictures can be natural and informal, but appropriate for use)
Please e-mail articles to the Black Swan editor: jeremy.delpino@gmail.com