Black Swan February 2018
Editorial
Welcome to the February 2018 edition of the Black Swan, a newsletter for District 17 Toastmasters. Thank you to everyone who submitted articles, it's great to see the passion and enthusiasm from members in our District, and interesting to read what is happening at other clubs, so keep them coming! February saw the second round of Club Officer Training completed and International Speech and Evaluation contests being hosted at Club levels. I'd like to wish all contestants all the best for the upcoming Area finals.
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
Hello District 17 Members
Pathways is now insitu, and I hope that you have at least logged in and had a look at the program. It is like getting your feet wet at the beach – a toe first, then slowly walking into the water, until you are emerged completely.
You do not have to start on the journey as yet – but I hope you soon will. Whichever way you choose to continue, the district is behind each and every member, and here to assist you’re in reaching your goals.
Semi Annuals - Have you sent out your semi annuals invoices yet? All clubs should aim to pay them to TI by 26 March.
Club Award Progress - Well done to the 15 Clubs who provisionally meet Distinguished status or greater in the district. The result will become official after the 2nd round of training and 2nd round of renewals are complete in 2018.
Contestants - Please keep in mind that members who are competing are required to be members in good standing of a club in good standing.
Evaluation and International Speech Contests
The Clubs are all moving towards their second round of contests.
The member who wins the International Speech Contest on behalf of District 17 at the International Speech final on Saturday 26 May 2018 will go forward to compete as a semi-finalist for the World Championship of Public Speaking, during the Toastmasters Convention in Chicago in August 2018.
If you are the winner of your semi-final in Chicago – you will become an entrant in the World Championship of Public Speaking final.
Good luck to all of our contestants over the coming months!
TLI/COT sessions were completed in February 2018
The December & February sessions have been very well received by the officers who attended and I am sure you will have lots to take away to assist you in the coming year.
Sue Fallon
District Director 2017-2918
District 17
District 17 Convention 2018 Early Bird Tickets released
They are selling fast - book your ticket soon!
FOLLOW YOUR PATH TO RENDEZVOUS
The District 17 Convention 2018 is coming to Scarborough from May 25-27, 2018 at the Rendezvous Grand Hotel.
What we are offering?
Delegates will be treated to a weekend of a keynote address and master class by Lark Doley, International President-elect – Toastmasters International, amazing speakers competing at the four speech contests, three workshops, district council meeting and club banner parade. You will also have the opportunity to make friends with members right across the District and interstate and overseas.
There is a ‘First Timers’ quiz where all first time District 17 Convention attendees will have an opportunity participate.
There’s also going to be an amazing Gala Dinner Dance on Saturday night based around the theme ‘The Great Gatsby’ which will be full of fun and frivolity.
The DTM Recognition Breakfast on the Sunday morning is an awards ceremony-cum-breakfast, where new DTMs talk about their journeys. All past, present and future DTMs are invited to the breakfast.
Don't miss your opportunity.
We look forward to seeing you at the District 17 Convention 2018 at the Rendezvous Grand Hotel.
Follow your Path to Rendezvous
The District 17 Convention Committee
Education Awards
by Patricia D'Cruze
Our members in January 2018 achieved 32 educational awards. 12 Competent Communicators, 5 Competent Leaders, 8 Advanced Leader Bronze, 1 Advanced Leader Silver and 4 HPL projects.
Congratulations to Chandana Weerasekera on achieving his Distiguished Toastmasters Award. Chandana will be presented his DTM medal at the District 17 Convention 2018 by the International President-Elect Lark Doley. He will also have the opportunity to share his journey at the DTM breakfast. Find out more.
District 17’s first Pathways Awards was submitted in January 2018. Congratulations to Huntley Cutten on submitting the first Pathways Award for District 17.
Ross Wilkinson completed his Level 1, a week after Pathways was rolled out in December 2017. The club he gave his award to had not updated the club’s email address to include Base Camp Managers so there was a delay in submitting his award. He missed out on being the first official member of District 17 completing a Level in Pathways.
There are 2 workshops on Sunday 11 March to help you navigate your way around Pathways and approve and submit your members educational awards.
| Award | Date | Member | Club |
| Pathways Level 1 | |||
| MOTSTRL1 | 29th Jan 2018 | Huntly Nicholas Cutten | Plain Speakers |
| Competent Communicator | |||
| CC | 13th Jan 2018 | Nimalan Gnanendran | Canning Vale Toastmasters |
| CC | 6th Jan 2018 | Garry I Scadding | Sunday Sundowners Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 7th Jan 2018 | Ian Pickens | City of Perth Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 10th Jan 2018 | Michelle Ho | City of Perth Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 9th Jan 2018 | Margaret Burke | Armadale Toastmasters |
| CC | 17th Jan 2018 | Lindsay Walton | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
| CC | 20th Jan 2018 | Sara Cuevas | Dynamic Speakers |
| CC | 21st Jan 2018 | Allen Edward Hahn | Durack Club |
| CC | 22nd Jan 2018 | Judith Allen | Terrace Speakers Toastmasters |
| CC | 22 Jan 2018 | Warren Raphael | Guildford Stars Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 24th Jan 2018 | Gail Allen | Victoria Quay Club |
| Competent Leadership | |||
| CL | 13th Jan 2018 | Sheldon Bielarczyk | Canning Vale Toastmasters |
| CL | 9th Jan 2018 | Huntly Nicholas Cutten | Plain Speakers |
| CL | 17th Jan 2018 | Laila Abudulai | City of Perth Toastmasters Club |
| CL | 21st Jan 2018 | Robyn Lloyd | Durack Club |
| CL | 25th Jan 2018 | Kevin Neil Sansome | Applecross Toastmasters |
| Advanced Leadership Bronze | |||
| ALB | 3rd Jan 2018 | Monica Malaga, CM | bToasty Perth Toastmasters Club |
| ALB | 3rd Jan 2018 | Amit Suresh Sardal | Plain Speakers |
| ALB | 13th Jan 2018 | Emmie Maunder | Banksia Speakers Toastmasters Club |
| ALB | 17th Jan 2018 | Andres Fermin Llopis-Pascual | Bunbury Club |
| ALB | 17th Jan 2018 | Robyn Lloyd | Terrace Speakers Toastmasters |
| ALB | 25th Jan 2018 | Kevin Neil Sansome | Applecross Toastmasters |
| ALB | 25th Jan 2018 | Troy P Voller | Bunbury Club |
| ALB | 9th Jan 2018 | Sidy Morin-Ka | Plain Speakers |
| Advanced Leadership Silver | |||
| ALS | 19th Jan 2018 | Chandana Weerasekera | Canning Vale Toastmasters |
| Distinguished Toastmaster | |||
| DTM | 19th Jan 2018 | Chandana Weerasekera | Canning Vale Toastmasters |
| High Performance Leadership | |||
| LDREXC | 11th Jan 2018 | Gary Goh | Plain Speakers |
| LDREXC | 11th Jan 2018 | Amit Suresh Sardal | Plain Speakers |
| LDREXC | 11th Jan 2018 | Huntly Nicholas Cutten | Plain Speakers |
| LDREXC | 11th Jan 2018 | Chandana Weerasekera | Canning Vale Toastmasters |
Patricia D'Cruze, DTM
District 17 Program Quality Director
UPCOMING TRAINING WORKSHOPS
by Patricia D'Cruze, DTM
GET FREETOASTHOST WORKING FOR YOU
Learn how to get your Club's FreeToastHost Website working for you, your current and potential members.
Date: 11th March Time: 9:15 am
Venue: Technology Park Function Centre, 2 Brodie Hall Drive, Bentley
Presenter: Tom Bielski
Bring your laptop or tablet as this session is interactive. Free WiFi available. You will also need the Site Administrator password to your club's website.
Register here: FreeToastHost Workshop
NAVIGATE YOUR WAY AROUND BASE CAMP WORKSHOP
Do you want to learn how to navigate your way around Base Camp as a Base Camp Manager? This support session for Presidents, Vice Presidents Education and Secretaries. Future Base Camp Managers are also welcome.
Date: 11th March Time: 1:15 pm
Venue:Technology Park Function Centre, 2 Brodie Hall Drive, Bentley
Presenters: Rey Lacson and Mark Richards
Bring your laptop or tablet as this session is interactive. Free WiFi available.
Register here: Navigate Basecamp Workshop
SPEECHCRAFT TRAIN-THE-TRAINER WORKSHOP
Have you heard about Speechcraft? Have you wanted to learn just what it takes to organise and conduct a Speechcraft Program and didn’t know where to start?
Now’s your chance to learn from our experienced District 17 Speechcraft Manager, Maree Pickens at her Speechcraft Train-the-Trainer Workshop.
Date: 18th March Time: 12.30 pm
Venue: Tom Dadour Community Centre,363 Bagot Road,Subiaco
Presenter: Maree Pickens
Register here: Speechcraft Train the Trainer Workshop
Patricia D'Cruze, DTM
District 17 Program Quality Director
Speech Contests
by Patricia D'Cruze
Speech contests are an important part of the Toastmasters International educational program. Contests provide an opportunity for proficient speakers to gain contest experience, and they provide interesting educational programs for members and the public. They also allow those Toastmasters who are not participating in the contest to learn by observing proficient speakers.
Since so many members participate in contests, it’s important that all contests be conducted fairly and that they follow the rules.
On the Toastmasters International website, you will find information, FAQs and tutorials that offer fundamental principles to help members understand speech contests. The tutorials include Overview and Roles, When you are Judging, and Judge’s Guide and Ballot.
Contest Resources
All the resources – Contest Chair Scripts, Judging Ballot and other forms you require to run a successful contest is available on the District 17 website under Contest Resources.
Eligibility
- To be eligible to compete in any official Toastmasters speech contest, a member Must be a paid member of the club, area, division, and district in which he or she is competing AND the club must also be in good standing.
- To be eligible to compete in the International Speech Contest, a member must have completed six speech projects in the Competent Communication manual or have earned a Certificate of Completion in Levels 1 and 2 of any path in the Toastmasters Pathways learning experience.
However, a charter member of a club chartered less than one year before the club contest is permitted to compete without having completed this requirement. The club must have officially chartered before the area contest.
Please refer to the Speech Contest Rulebook – July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 for more information.
Patricia D'Cruze, DTM
District 17 Program Quality Director
Go Lawn Bowls!
by Laila Abudulai
To kick of the New Year, Area S31 members kicked off their shoes and went lawn bowling at the beautiful Thornlie Bowling Club. Despite the unrelenting sun that afternoon, Area S31 Toastmasters were ready to make the first goal of the year! This social afforded members an opportunity to socialise and get to know the other Toastmaster members in the area. It was also an opportune moment to welcome the newest club to Area S31: Communicate, Inspire, Lead (CIL). CIL chartered on December 6, 2017. Their club is highly enthusiastic and I can see some future District champions in the making!
Planning an area social is an excellent opportunity to complete an HPL towards DTM. My purpose for organizing this event was to facilitate a collegial atmosphere in the area. We are not individual clubs in an area, but a collective area S31 team! Working together as a cohesive group helping our area achieve great successes.
Laila Abudulai
Area Director S31 2017-2018
The Positive Promotion Premiership 2017/18
by Cathy Kunzel
The Positive Promotion Premiership is run to encourage clubs to actively promote themselves as well as motivate members to get involved with district events. This will run from the 31st July 2017 until the 30th April 2018. Any promotional activity conducted between the 1st and 30th July will be accepted if evidence is sent to me before the end of August. For activities within the Participating Outside of the Club, please let me know which club you would like to have receive the points except for any training. For training, I will use the club that was listed on the registration.
Promoting Your Club
| Activity | Points | Conditions. |
| Produce a Club Newsletter | 5 | Maximum of 4. |
| Facebook Event | 5 | Maximum of 10. |
| Meetup Event | 5 | Maximum of 10. |
| Blog on Website | 5 | Maximum of 15. |
| Meeting Summary on Website or Social Media | 5 | Maximum of 15. |
| Article in Local Paper | 25 | Evidence Required. |
| Article in Black Swan | 20 | |
| Article in West Australian | 40 | Evidence Required. |
| Radio Interview | 25 | Evidence Required. |
| Magazines | 10 | Photo evidence. |
| Bookmarks | 10 | Photo evidence. |
| Stall at Shopping Centre or Community Fair | 20 | Photo evidence. |
Participating Outside Your Club
| Activity | Points | Conditions. |
| Visit Another Club | 15 | Copy of Agenda or Confirmation Email. |
| Judge at an Area or Division Contest | 15 | Chief Judge to Send List. |
| Help at a Division Contest | 10 | List of Helpers Required. |
| Attend Any Training Run by the District | 15 | Must Register Beforehand. |
| Attend Club Officer Training. | 10 | |
| Present at a Training Session | 25 | Must Attend Any Training. |
Cathy Kunzel, DTM
District 17 Public Relations Manager
Power up your Success
by Stephanie Chan
As we start a new calendar year and 2nd Toastmaster term, we may be gripped by a renewed urge to make the upcoming period a success. We dust off our 2017 goals list or review the progress made on our plans.
So much literature has been written about goals setting you can probably spout some constructive advice of your own. On the contrary, many people have also diligently avoided making any attempt, in case they don’t meet their goals. Individuals who don’t have any goals in life could wander through the daily grind of routine. There’s nothing wrong with routine for those who like familiarity, no surprises and no disappointments. Though surely there needs to be a direction, course or legacy to make life more challenging and appealing. It is that higher purpose destination that goal setting helps us attain success. If you have yet to start making plans, it is never too late to begin.
As Toastmasters, we have already made a commitment to improve our lot in life. We set goals for ourselves and our clubs throughout the year to facilitate that path.
What are your goals in Toastmasters?
Start with the end in mind. How do you want to feel once you have achieved your purpose? Then think about what needs to happen for you to fulfil that sensation. The “what needs to happen” are your targets. Assess whether your objectives fall within the personal or organisational (Club / Area / Division / District) realm or if they overlap. Write these down, as visual or motivational reminders.
Planning your Roadmap
Plot your route and prepare fall-back plans for foreseeable stumbling blocks. Put your strategy into a time frame, working backwards from your final destination. In your roadmap, remember to log down intermittent markers to show that you are on the right track. They are also your celebration milestones. That’s why awards, certificates and acknowledgements are important in motivating us to keep going.
Enlist help
In Toastmasters, we are never alone. Approach your mentors, Club Officers or fellow Members for views, guidance and teamwork. Remember, enthusiasm begets enthusiasm and this may even spur them to think about their own personal goals.
Stay on course
“The spirit is willing and the flesh is weak” goes the adage. Some may drop out due to apathy, support or seemingly unsurmountable problems. Periodic progress checks, reviews and acknowledgements may encourage perseverance. Tangible results can be a major motivating factor.
Open your mind to possibilities
Personally, I find Positive Reinforcement to be an effective motivational tool. I try to imagine the sights, sounds, sentiments and self-talk upon reaching success to keep me inspired. In stepping outside my comfort zone into the creative realm, I open my mind up to possibilities rather than limitations.
What are your Toastmaster goals – to achieve your CC/CL; DTM; liven up Club meetings; or help your Club get President’s Distinguished? The time to start is right now.
Stephanie Chan
VP Public Relations
Southern River Toastmasters Club
Hold on Tight for Change
by Stephanie Chan
“There is nothing permanent except change.”
Heraclitus (535 – c. 475 BC)
The adage that “change is the only constant in life” has proven true since the beginning of time. It’s the invisible impetus that prompts man to reason, invent and progress over time.
I attended the District’s COT/TLI session in December and was pleasantly surprised to see a change in the modus operandi of the training. Whether by design or coincidental synchronised ESP between presenters, the emphasis was clearly on Change & Transformation. Takeaway messages were based on embracing change, quality over quantity, open minds and journey of adapting to change.
The December SMAC (Sponsors, Mentors and Coaches) workshop also resonated CHANGE. The selected venue at Guildford broke away from the traditional Technology Park or Community / Sports Centre type locations. A variation in physical surrounds set the stage
for an instantly visual way to change perceptions and expectations of what is to come. The out-of-the-box thinking was further reinforced by selecting 2 speakers from the same club. The “risk” in choice of presenter who shares personal hands-on experience in club rebuilding but who has never coached a club in labour, was a cleverly calculated move away from the ubiquitous What & Why to the poignant How coverage in the message.
Pathways has come to District 17 and is probably the most prominent revolution to reach our shores. This is a good example where we respond to change out of necessity (because 2 years after the final rollout, this will be the only education system available).
In our Toastmasters lives, we face and invoke changes constantly. A new team of Club Officers is formed every 6 or 12 months. We vary our meeting programs to infuse fun and eliminate routine and inertia. We adapt our Public Relations media to synergise with events and capture fresh attention. We update our personal goals in / through Toastmaster routinely. The least conscious change is that we learn from fellow Toastmasters, adapt and transform ourselves in confidence and proficiency. Change keeps us on our toes. Every Member’s perception, acceptance and response to new introductions is different and it is our responsibility (regardless of amount of input and effort) to support each other through such transitions.
At Club level, Southern River Toastmasters endeavours to instill a change culture into our DNA. Our immediate challenge will be in handling the operating changes introduced through Pathways and managing the gap between those in the traditional and the Pathways education systems so that no Members get left behind while others forge ahead.
On a personal front, embracing change means stepping outside my comfort zone to venture into new directions. I embarked on the Pathways assessment and was recommended Innovative Planning. Is this artificial intelligence profiling by Toastmasters International or karma leading me out of familiar grounds into a creative space?
Hold on tight for changes coming your way but remember, you can control the speed dial of response.
Stephanie Chan
VP Public Relations
Southern River Toastmasters Club
Daniel Departs!
A well loved member leaves Currambine Toastmasters
by Sam Walsham
The Currambine Toastmasters Club is preparing to farewell one of its most quirky,
ambitious and philosophical members, Daniel Roberts. Having been a member of
Currambine Toastamsters for nearly 2 years, Daniel is leaving the club has he embarks on
a brand new adventure as an English teacher in China.
Daniel will be based in Jinan, a city of 8 million people located South of Beijing. The urban
centre is affectionally known as ‘Spring City’ due to the abundance of underground water
throughout the area. The weather will also take some adjusting to as Jinan is no stranger
to snow during the Winter months.
With his departure from Perth and the Currambine Club looming, Daniel took some time
to reflect on his experience at Toastmasters. “…Toastmasters has provided the relevant
skills and training that will apply to this Job” he said. “[Because of] The comprehensive
resources, manuals and…mentoring from veteran speakers, I have been able to develop
these skills”. However, It was not just the practical skills Daniel recalled as he shared the
impact of the stories he had heard at the club, “Toastmasters has helped open the world
up for me”.
Daniel will be missed not only as the thoughtful and fun loving member he is, but also as
a shining example of what Toastmasters can do for people. Having entered the club with
a habit of rushing his speech, Daniel now speaks with an excellent pace that makes it
easy to hear the wonderful wisdom he shares. Reflecting on his time with the Currambine
Club, Daniel was thankful saying that he ‘always felt welcome’ and that “It’s been exciting
and fast, while at the same time reflective and meaningful”.
The Currambine Club wish Daniel the very best success as he embarks on his exciting
adventure in China. Every time Daniel has spoken at Currambine we have been treated to
a deep philosophical way of seeing the world and the amazing things within it. Daniel
concluded by saying “Toastmasters is a vital foundation for people to build the world
around them…and who knew it could be so fun?”
Sam Walsham (Currambine VPPR)
Currambine Toastmasters, VPPR
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.
- Preferred length 300-400 words, must not exceed 500 words
- 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 (can be natural and informal, but appropriate for use)
Please e-mail articles to the Black Swan editor: jeremy.delpino@gmail.com