Black Swan Newsletter February 2022
The Official Newsletter of Toastmasters District 17
Contents
|
District News Our District needs new Leaders |
|
Education Club Officer Training |
|
Club News Developing Online Presentation Skills with the ‘Selfie’
|
|
Member Stories |
|
Education Awards: Recognising our Educational Award Recipients
|
| Submitting Articles to Black Swan |
District News
Our District needs new Leaders
Dear District 17 members,
Our District needs new Leaders that can take us to the next level for the 2022-23 Toastmasters Year.
As the Chair of the District Leadership Committee for the 2022-23 year, I am seeking your assistance to take the next step towards your Leadership Development.
We seek nominations for the following elected positions for the 2022-23 Toastmasters Year.
- District Director
- Program Quality Director
- Club Growth Director
- Central Division Director
- Inner City Division Director
- Northern Division Director
- Western Division Director
- Eastern Division Director
- Southern Division Director
Please read the attached role descriptions and eligibility [hyperlinked].
The District Leadership Committee will interview all nominated candidates for their role, with the process not lasting more than 40 minutes.
Interview times have been set, and we will confirm with each candidate after nominations are received.
The other roles are appointed by the District Director elect. The appointed roles do not require interviews.
Expression of interests should be emailed to myself, Chair of the District Leadership Committee on hyau1964@hotmail.com, and I will then send relevant information and paperwork.
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!
Nominations are now open and will close on February 28th 2022.
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
Online Facilitation Skills Panel Discussion and Workshop
What a night! I, on behalf of District 17, had the honour of moderating a panel discussion on Online Facilitation, with three fun and engaging panellists – Srinivas K M, DTM, Hishan Jiffy, DTM and Fursey Gotuaco.
There were attendees from around the world – from early morning in the USA to late night ‘over East’.
Some of the things that the attendees will be putting into practice that they learnt from the sessions are:
- Use slido. In my next online training
- Engaging Ice Breakers
- Put more attention on engaging the audience
- play games to engage the audience
- Try to stand up when facilitating a meeting
- Engagement tips - virtual handshake, wordfall, whisper, give my audience house tour etc.
- Focus down on the camera - avoid seeing everyone on the screen. Look at your audience i.e. make virtual eye contact.
- Raising a virtual hand, I didn't know previously that it brought you to the front of the queue and made you visible
- try to stand more and be more energetic
- Speaking directly to audience members during a session
- Changing camera arrangement/sizing for better presentation
If you missed the evening the video of the panel discussion is available here: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkT6T_q-LXaFkMAsALh6sZPE86-TXw?e=Pl9lXW
The workshop breakouts were not recorded.
For any questions about the workshop, please contact julie.dall@toastmastersd17.org
District 17, Toastmasters International
World Champions of Public Speaking videos available
Did you know that the video library of World Champions of Public Speaking is available on our District 17 website?
If you are participating in the international speech contest at your club, or simply want to improve your public speaking, this is a must-visit resource.
Visit https://toastmastersd17.org/wcps/ to view speeches by World Champions of Public Speaking since 1995.
District 17, Toastmasters International
Education
Club Officer Training
Club Officer Training for 2021-22 is coming to a close soon.
Two sessions left in Club Officer Training for this period. Check out session details and register at the links.
| Date | Time | Location | Registration Link |
| Sun 20/2/2022 | All Day | Zoom | Tinyurl.com/D17COT24 |
| Thu 24/2/2022 | 6.00 – 9.00pm | Zoom | Tinyurl.com/D17COT25 |
** With the all-day sessions, you need to attend the breakout training for your club officer role to get credit. You are welcome to attend as many or as few of the other sessions as you wish. Details of the sessions are on the registration link.
Non-club officers are welcome to attend any of these sessions.
Contact: julie.dall@toastmastersd17.org
Julie Dall DTM
Program Quality Director 2021-22
District 17, Toastmasters International
[Workshop] Leadership Transferable Skills
Are you a leader in your club, a new leader in the District, or someone who is looking at improving your leadership skills in the future?
Our very own Program Quality Director Julie Dall DTM, is the Keynote Speaker and other passionate Leaders from the Southern Division will be sharing with us their journeys. Don’t miss this brilliant opportunity to get to know them and learn from their experiences.
During the event, there will be plenty of time for networking with current, past District leaders and future leaders. This event will be held throughout the year in each Division so that clubs in each Division will have easy access to one of the events.
The goals of Aspiring Leaders are to inspire all Toastmasters members in District 17 to step into leadership roles and to assist aspiring leaders on their journey from club leadership roles into District leadership roles and leadership roles outside of Toastmasters.
Aspiring Leaders is a Toastmasters club that aims to:
- Deliver leadership education
- Learn from Successful Leaders
- Help our Area Directors to make their role easier.
In between the education, information and networking events, the club holds regular meetings to plan and organize the next session, and to provide mentorship and further education to club members. The club meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month starting at 6.30 pm.
Interested in finding out more about the District leadership opportunities, please contact Leonor Ragan Email: Leonor Ragan or Ross Wilkinson Email: Ross Wilkinson@hotmail.com
To attend this Event, please RSVP by registering for this event at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aspiring-leaders-southern-division-visit-workshop-online-tickets-199006262087 .
Registration closes on Thursday, 17th February at 4:00pm.
Leonor Ragan DTM
Past District Director
District 17, Toastmasters International
Ask the Parliamentarian
Membership fees are due.
March is not that far off and all our Treasurers should be sending out reminders that members need to pay their Membership.
Your Club will collect and submit membership dues payments to Toastmasters International World Headquarters. See Policy and Protocol, Policy 8.0 Dues and Fees.
Remember that if you do not pay your renewal fees, and Treasurer does not forward them to Toastmasters International before the 31st of March, you will lose access to Pathways Basecamp. And you will not be eligible to take part in contests.
A Paid Member is a member whose Toastmasters International membership dues payments have been processed by World Headquarters for the current dues period.
Unpaid Members are members whose Toastmasters International membership dues payments have not been processed by World Headquarters for the current dues period. Unpaid members are not considered to be in good standing by Toastmasters International.
All current club officers can easily and conveniently submit materials, such as membership applications and membership dues payments, through Club Central.
Reminder for Base Camp Managers
Many base Camp managers are approving Pathway levels in Base Camp but not following through with the next step. There are 2 steps …. to approve and submit your members level completion request and it is imperative both are completed.
The Basecamp Manager needs to:
- Approve Level Completing in Basecamp
- Submit Award in Club Central
This will ensure your Educational Awards go towards your Distinguished Club Program.
All Educational awards need to be submitted to Toastmasters International by mid-June to avoid an overload to the Toastmasters International Website that occurs each year.
Parliamentarian Hint of the month:
Are you considering competing in the upcoming International and Evaluation Speech Contest?
Visit the District 17 Website to print off your very own copy of the Speech Contest Rulebook 2021 -2022 to ensure you know the rules pertaining to the contest you are entering.
The booklet contains all the information for contestants, role players and judges.
Have a Parliamentarian question you need answering?
Contact the Parliamentarian for any queries or assistance you may need.
I am available to help you find the answer to your question.
If you have a subject you wish me to address please contact me.
I am always happy to assist in any way I can.
pat.king@toastmastersd17.org
Pat (Patricia) King
Parliamentarian 2021-22
District 17, Toastmasters International
Club News
Developing Online Presentation Skills with the ‘Selfie’
In January at Bunbury Toastmasters, we have been collating a ‘Summer Series’ on our members “#why I Joined Toastmasters.
It was launched as a series of member recorded online videos, inspired as a PR effort to generate awareness for prospective new guests and members. It aimed to provide a ‘bite-sized’ insight into a Toastmasters journey.
The feedback from our club members taking part is that there has been great learning (& some challenges) adapting the skills gained from in-person meetings to an online presentation recording a personal video!
We can see presenting online as another opportunity to develop our leadership and speaking skills. Whether we enjoy being in front of a camera or are challenged by it presenting online videos, interviews, meetings can be a fun experience and a useful medium to become more visible online and develop more confidence.
Clare Flynn
Vice President Public Relations
Bunbury Toastmasters Club
District 17, Toastmasters International
Celebrating a Milestone - 300 Meetings!
We started the new year the same way we finished 2021 – with a party! To make our 300th meeting even more special, we decided to host an Open House to mark the occasion.
Even though the Covid-19 outbreak reduced the number of attendees, we had 18 people who decided to spend an evening celebrating the huge milestone for Cannington Communicators. We were pleased to entertain representatives from the Curtin, Butler and Belmont clubs, 2 first time visitors and 2 guests who decided our club is too good not to join.
Three speeches were presented during the meeting and all of them were impressive and powerful. Kai Low delivered a thoughtful ice breaker, Cathy Kunzel told us the history of Cannington Communicators which she described as a ‘roller-coaster ride’ and our keynote speaker – Desmond Miranda – shared his tips on how to make the meetings more fun and dynamic.
To finish the meeting on a high note, we had an award for Hannah Rainsforth who was celebrating 5 years since joining Toastmasters in January 2017.
A party wouldn’t be successful without some food and a huge cake in the end. Having lots of laughter, networking and fun was inevitable. Our first time visitors both have asked to have a role at the next meeting.
The family of Cannington Communicators is steadily growing – we have 10 members who want to improve and help our club thrive.
No doubt 2022 is going to be challenging but with our can-do attitude and newly found energy, we are determined to make it one of the best years the club has had so far!
Amber Stocker
Vice President Public Relations
Cannington Communicators Toastmasters Club
District 17, Toastmasters International
Member Stories
Reconnect in Toastmasters
William (left), VPPR Fremantle Gateway TM with Jade (right), VPPR Young Guns TM
We often say how Club Officer Training is a great way to network with other clubs.
Well, I found out it’s also a good way to reconnect! I work as a community physio and today I met William, one of my clients whom I haven’t seen in years! This time we met as fellow Toastmasters and Club Leaders.
What a pleasant surprise! 
Thank you D17 committee.
Jade (right) with her fellow Young Guns members.
Jade Chan
Vice President Public Relations
Young Guns Toastmasters Club
District 17, Toastmasters International
Education Awards: Recognising our Educational Award Recipients
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.
Mina Cho, DTM
Black Swan Editor
2021-2022