District Leadership Committee for the 2022-23 year, has finalised their report for the upcoming District Council Meeting but we still have a number of roles to be filled.

If you are interested in a leadership role for the 2022-23 Toastmasters Year, there are a number of roles to be filled.

Division Director
Area Director
Finance Manager
Administration Manager
Public Relation Manager
Parliamentarian

Please read the attached role descriptions and eligibility [hyperlinked].

If you know a member who is passionate and willing to take the next step, you can nominate them as well. Training and support will be provided for ALL roles.

Being a District Officer is one of the most rewarding and respected roles.

So come on, members. Our District needs you!

You can speak with Henry Yau if you have any questions.

Henry Yau, DTM

Chair, District Leadership Committee
Immediate Past District Director 2021-2022
District Director 2020-2021
Program Quality Director 2019-2020
Club Growth Director 2018-2019
District 17 Toastmasters International

M: +61 437 457 396

Conference 2022 is almost here

Smoke signals, Carrier Pigeons, Telegrams, WhatsApp and Zoom.

Throughout the ages, humankind have continued to find increasingly efficient ways to communicate with each other.

We could say they have strived to become… connected.

Today’s technologically enhanced communication methods have made communication easier in many ways but neither can we discount the value of in-person interactions, as we are - after all - human.

We want to connect and we have the Power To Connect.

This May's Power to Connect Conference, District 17 Toastmasters offers you the best of both worlds. This event channels the Power to Connect through both worlds; right to the tech device at your fingertips listening to esteemed speakers, and stepping out in style mingling in the real-life presence of fellow toastmasters.

It's an action packed agenda.

Saturday 14 May 2022: Online

Leverage off the experience of our energetic keynote speaker, Charles S. Gates from Virginia, USA
Take your pick of our facilitated online workshops by cherry-picked speakers, covering contemporary topics
What everyone waits all year for the District Council Meeting in virtual style this year

Sunday 15 May 2022: Online

Humorous Contest: Laugh along with our witty finalists
Evaluation Contest: Pick up some pointers from our experienced finalists

Saturday 21 May 2022: Online & In-Person

International contests: Zoom into see the potential next World Champion.
Table Topics Contest: Watch our District finalists at their best with their quick-thinking responses
Wrap up your weekend in style at our Gala Dinner

Lock in these dates in your calendar. To find out more and to book use the following links. Get in before they fly off our virtual-shelves!

EOY Dinner Tickets

Registrations open for the 2021/22 District Contests

The District Contests will be held online as per the following timetable – register now!

15th May, 2022 - Humorous Contest
9:00am Humorous Contest Briefings Commence

Contestants, role players and audience - register at tinyurl.com/D172122H

15th May, 2022 - Evaluation Contest
12:30pm Evaluation Contest Briefings Commence

Contestants, role players and audience - register at tinyurl.com/D172122E

21st May, 2022 - International Contest
9:00am International Contest Briefings Commence

Contestants, role players and audience - register at tinyurl.com/D172122I

21st May, 2022 - Table Topics Contest
12:30pm Table Topics Contest Briefings Commence

Contestants, role players and audience - register at tinyurl.com/D172122TT

Julie Dall, DTM
Program Quality Director 2021/22

Education

Reach out to an ‘Already’ Distinguished Club

Congratulations to the 6 clubs in District 17 that have reached distinguished club status after the March renewals.

Professionals
Durack
Sunday Sundowners
Belmont
bToasty
Canning Vale

For some people reaching distinguished club status in the DCP might seem like a bit of a competition but its real strength is being a tool to measure how healthy your club is.

The end of the Toastmasters year is still several months off so why are we highlighting these clubs now?

The reason is that they are all doing some things right in what are challenging times for many clubs, impacted by COVID restrictions, etc.

If your club is struggling, try reaching out to one of these clubs to get some ideas on how you might be able to help your club become a healthy club.

Club News

Imagine 2 years and 4 months stuck on an island

Many of you might recognise the man speaking in this picture, SS Desai from Professionals Toastmasters club based in the Perth CBD, he has been involved in various speech contests and is a regular guest at many clubs but do you know his story?

Desai has been stuck in Australia for the last 2 years and 4 months unable to return home to his home in Bangalore, India, stuck in WA due to COVID restrictions both here and in India.

So, what do you do when you are stuck on an island? You visit lots of Toastmasters clubs and join a few.

Desai was a member of a club in Bangalore, a club with 70 members so our clubs are a bit different in size but still have that Toastmasters desire to learn in a fun and inviting environment.

Desai left Perth during the week after finally being able to return home and he gave his final in person speech at his club, Professionals on Tuesday. It was an interesting speak and a number of the members commented how Desai’s English had improved while he has been here.

Technology and the way that we use it has changed club meetings so much during the last few years, and so while it may have been Desai’s last face to face meeting, we may get to see him again online and you never know but he might be back to visit our island sometime in the future.

Thanks Desai for the memories.

Zoom-Masters welcomes their new member, Dick Mills from Vermont & Florida, USA…

Zoom-Masters, District 17’s only fully online clubs recently gained a new member – an American, not a WA based one but on from Vermont & Florida in the USA.

Dick been a Toastmaster for a while and joined Zoom-Masters to see the world. Here is a little bit about Dick.

Early in life I panicked and froze on stage at a technical conference. I had to walk away in disgrace. Subsequent teaching assignments taught me to become comfortable speaking to groups. I learned to love public speaking. I did business presentations. I spoke at scientific conferences. I taught at a junior college. I even enjoyed doing a TEDx Talk. You can see it here.

I joined Toastmasters to keep in practice, but I soon learned that there was much I could do to improve. More important, Toastmasters gives me opportunities to help younger people to also become comfortable and effective speakers. At one point, I was a member of three Toastmasters clubs, the sponsor of three gavel clubs inside prisons, and a coach for TED speakers.

Seniors appreciate contacts with ambitious young people. Mental challenges help them to stay sharp.

If you would like to learn more about Dick then you can join a Zoom-Masters online meeting and meet him and other members from around WA and the world. Check out their website for meeting details - ZOOM-MASTERS

Education Awards: Recognising our Educational Award Recipients

Congratulations to all our awards winners in March 2022.

We have 41 level ones, 25 level twos, 10 level threes, 10 level fours and 5 level fives submitted this month - along with, two Pathways Mentor Program awards for David Parkinson and Graham McDonald and a Distinguished Toastmasters Award for Saman Perera.

Congratulations all!

Julie Dall, DTM
Program Quality Director 2021-22
District 17, Toastmasters International

Submitting Articles to Black Swan

Want to submit an article next month? If you have any news, stories and tips that would like to share with your fellow Toastmasters within District 17, write to us by the end of the month! Complete the Black Swan Submission Form and email to blackswan@toastmastersd17.org

Articles must have a relevant news category
Articles must be relevant or of clear interest to Toastmaster members.
Articles must reflect the TI core values; Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence.
Length must not exceed 300 words
Please supply images with the best picture quality available
Supply names of people shown in images.

Gavin Hyslop, DTM
Stand In Black Swan Editor
2021-2022

The Official Newsletter of Toastmasters District 17

Contents

District News

Calling for leaders for next year