Black Swan Newsletter January – February 2023

A Word from the Editor

20230101_111159

Is it February already?

Wasn't the New Year just a couple of days ago? Where did January go?

You may have noticed the absence of the Black Swan in January.
That is because the Black Swan, together with a couple of friends, took a well deserved, he thinks, break from the every day.

We hitched up camper trailers to our soft-roaders and took a drive around the south east of WA. Twelve days of roughing it at caravan parks and camp sites, hiking, swimming (some of us), and bush and beach driving. But mostly freezing. Who would have thought that Kalgoorlie can be 42 degrees during the day, and just 10 degrees at night. Brrr! And Wave Rock and Esperance even colder.

One benefit of roughing it is that slowly, day by day, you start weaning yourself off electronic devices.

The first two nights I spent two hours on the laptop catching up on emails, planning meetings, organising events, and other activities (gaming!).

But by day three I noticed that I spent less time on "real-world" matters and started getting into the groove of holiday matters. So much so, that by day five, we only switched on the laptops to watch Netflix.

Relaxing at Wave Rock Salt Spa

Wave Rock

Beach Driving Esperance

Finally relaxing.

And then the rest of the holiday went by really fast.

Upon our return I was reluctant to power up the laptop. Just a couple more days off-time, away from the every day of responsibility.

When I finally switched on the computer - 300+ emails across all my different accounts, from Toastmasters, to Community Association, to personal messages. And a whole more than that of work emails.

Important lesson learned there. Everyone needs some time to switch off, to unwind, to relax. But it is important to be able to switch into the off-mode quickly; make the most of the time you have off. And it is just as important to be able to switch back "On" quickly.

Half way through February I think I am fully in the On position. Until my next break in June.

 

black-swan-footer

Leader Message

Are your members receiving District communication?

Spam

We all hate getting spam, email messages that we simply do not have the time to read, because they represent so little value. That is why they are called spam, though fans of the canned meat protest at the metaphor.

The most efficient way of distributing the Black Swan Newsletter to members is through a third party email marketing platform. We use Campaign Monitor.

The newsletter editor has noticed that many members have decided to opt out of receiving the newsletter; that is perfectly understood. We get so many emails everyday it is hard to sift through them; the editor does not take your decision personally.

But did you know that this is also the most efficient way of the District Leaders contacting members with important information as well?

I recall the difficulties I experienced trying to contact members when I was a Division Director some time ago. I messaged my area directors, asking them to contact the Presidents of all clubs, asking them to forward information to members. But the messages were getting lost, somewhere. Then I tried emailing all members directly. I pasted the email addresses of all members in the To: field, making it visible to everyone. A big privacy no-no. So then I pasted the email addresses into the BCC: field, but many email clients flag your message as spam and do not deliver it. What a nightmare.

Campaign Monitor makes it easy to contact all members directly. When they do not unsubscribe.

So, if you have decided to remain a loyal subscriber, thank you. But perhaps some of your club members have unwittingly unsubscribed. If you are a club officer, please remind your members that they may be missing out on important news from the District.

If they wish to resubscribe, ask them to do so here. If they prefer to remain unsubscribed, please keep them informed of any important district news.

On another note, if your members use a company or university email as their main contact, chances are that they will not receive messages from District 17 and Toastmasters International.

Tom
Editor, Black Swan Newsletter

black-swan-footer

Events

Do you want more Guests to your Toastmaster Meetings?.

TLIPracticalWorkshop

TLI Training Group is hosting a Practical Workshop to Learn how to develop a Marketing Plan and How to use Facebook Events to generate guests!!

Do you want to want more guests attending your meetings?

Do you want to learn how to develop a marketing plan for your Toastmasters Club?

Do you want to identify who and what makes up your Toastmasters Club community?

If the answer to these question is "yes" then you need to attend this workshop.

In this program you will learn:

  • How to identify the community around your Toastmaster Club
  • How to connect with the community online and how to get them to follow you
  • Learn what content to use
  • Learn Facebook features and to optimise your target audience.
  • The 7 key steps to promote your events using Facebook Page Events.

Every participant will receive handouts and be prepared to develop a plan for your club. Supper Provided

There are limited places available.

Get you tickets here: https://tlimarketing.eventbrite.com.au

Event Details – Marketing Plans & Using Facebook Events

Date: Thursday 2 March 2023
Time: 6pm for 6:30pm start – 8:15pm
Venue: Tom Dadour Centre, 363 Bagot Rd, Subiaco

Cost: Free
Contact: timbtoastmasters@gmail.com

 

Tim Blackburn
District Director Tim Blackburn

Do you want to be a Professional Public Speaker?

HowtobecomeaProfessionalSpeaker

WA Speakers Bureau is hosting a Practical Keynote & Professional Public Speaking Workshop to learn the fundamentals of Professional Speaking.

Are you already a good speaker and ready to take your speaking to the next level?

Do you want to be a Professional Public Speaker?

Do you want to master the art of Keynote Speaking?

If the answer to these question is "yes" then you need to attend this event.

In this program you will learn:

  • Fundamental Elements to Effective Keynote Speeches
  • Inspire & Motivate your Audience
  • Defining & Finding your Audience
  • How you can best serve your Audience
  • Build your Personal Brand
  • Master Advocacy.

Get you tickets here: https://waspeakerstm2.eventbrite.com.au

Event Details – Keynote Speaker Fundamentals

Date: Tuesday 21 February 2023
Time: 6pm for 6:30pm start – 8:00pm
Venue:  Blackburn Accounting Level 1, 931 Albany Hwy East Victoria Park

Online: Once registered you will receive the Zoom Link

Cost: Free
Contact: timbtoastmasters@gmail.com

 

Tim Blackburn
District Director Tim Blackburn

black-swan-footer

Club News

Christmas at Victoria Park Toastmasters

VicParkChristmas

With Christmas decorations, Christmas crackers, Christmas puzzles along with Christmas themed Bingo, Table Topics and food, it was no surprise that the theme of Victoria Park Toastmaster’s final meeting of 2022 was Christmas.

We were pleased to welcome our Division Director Karen Tregenza to the meeting along with club coach Carole Bruce, former member and past President, Sebastian and some first time visitors.

Toastmaster Keith entertained us with his specially written Christmas ode to start the meeting, then Andy inspired us with his inspiration. Jagan’s speech on “How to Find Happiness” encouraged us all to look at the things that really make us happy; a great message for this time of the year.

Table Topics provided some interesting and humorous responses followed by the pulling of Christmas crackers and the reading of jokes. We were surprised to find that some jokes were actually funny.

After supper we listened intently and as quickly as possible, crossed off Toastmaster and Christmas related words as Sally ably led us through the Bingo. Successful participants received small prizes, with Ian being the overall winner.

Ian’s thoughtful and well delivered General Evaluation finished off the evening. It was a fun night and an excellent way to finish the year.

We are looking forward to another year of developing our skills, continuing to grow our numbers and encouraging each other on our Toastmasters’ journeys.

 

Denise Rhodes
Victoria Park Toastmasters

West End Toastmasters 550th Meeting!

Pic_4.jpg

West End Toastmasters Club was chartered on 26 January 2002 – Club number 5607. In February 2023 the club will celebrate meeting number 550.

As the club's current President, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Patricia D’Cruze, our current Vice President, Membership,  and Immediate Past President, who has been a great inspiration in the success of the club since it’s inauguration; and who has been instrumental in keeping the club going strong every year.

I would also like to thank all existing members, and past members, who have contributed to the success of the club over the past 21 years. There have been many fascinating stories over the years; and it is always interesting to hear people’s perspectives.

To celebrate our 550th meeting, we will meet on Wednesday 22nd February at 140 William Street in the City, 12:30pm to 1:30pm.

As a corporate, lunch time-based club we meet every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at Level 2, 140 William Street, Perth – with all meetings finishing by 1:30pm to allow members to return to their day’s schedules.

Membership is open to all, and we are a friendly club that always encourage guests and visitors to attend meetings to experience what Toastmasters is all about.

 

If you can make it along to our 550th meeting celebration; or any future meeting please let myself know at nathbrown5@protonmail.com or 0409 090 065.

 

Further details about our club can be found at:

West End Toastmasters Club (toastmastersclubs.org)

Regards

Nathan Brown
President, West End Toastmasters

Review Night at Victoria Park Toastmasters

Sawan giving his review of Black Box Thinking
Sawan giving his review of Black Box Thinking

How do you get to know your fellow members and get some good recommendations for books, movies and board games? Hold a meeting of reviews of course.

The Victoria Park Toastmasters Club reconvened after a five week break over the festive season by holding meeting of book, movie or board game review. Each review was evaluated and the evaluators evaluated. The aim was to introduce a relaxed and novel change to the usual meeting format and provide a gentle reintroduction to the serious art of speech making after a few weeks merry making. The only guideline was that the review was something that had been watched, read or played during the break between meetings.

The number of participants determined the length of the speeches which ended up being three minutes for a review and two minutes for an evaluation.

With some members still on holiday eight members attended with one member giving her first speech being a review and evaluation. One of the guests also stepped up and did an impromptu review.

The wide range of interests of members was revealed as Eugene revealed his romantic side with a review of the movie Titanic, Ian’s love of classics was demonstrated with a review of the 1969 movie Paint Your Wagon which included a brief rendition of Lee Marvin’s controversial performance and ultimate number one song ‘Wandrin' Star’. Sally told of being kept up until the early hours of the morning playing a fun word game, Decrypto, while Loan recounted a moving real life story of an Australian peacekeeper caught in the crossfire of war between Israel, Syria and Lebanon. Denise and Keith let us know about their philosophical interests while Sawan’s review of Black Box Thinking encouraged us to embrace failure as a path to success.

All members and guests agreed that the meeting was a refreshing change and opportunity to reconnect with an energised shared sense of purpose and worth repeating. It highlighted the power of voice, the importance of public speaking and the joy of connection.

 

Sally Willmott
Victoria Park Toastmasters

black-swan-footer

Member Stories

January Fever

Teresa Huber

It has been eight months since I started my Portugal journey.

I began my 2023 chapter all afresh like the smell of coffee beans on a Sunday morning- fresh with a strong sense of adrenaline.
I joined a new Toastmasters club, Sunday Sundowners Toastmasters Club in Australia.

Life throws some lemons now and then, oh yes plenty of them, but I’m quickly making tequilas 🙂 which make me go wobbly sometimes. Life also has been giving me many great topics for my story. Toastmasters is the reason for my bravery. I get more anxious about delivering my speeches than emigrating to some foreign land.

Moving to a different toastmasters club, I panicked because of the unknown . Do I really need that? Do I needed to add more stress into my new life in Lisbon? Yess! I have to reinvent myself. I’ve been called for interviews and I realised that after all that fear of the unknown, there was someone out there who wanted me to be a part of their team. It is never too late to begin. January was a month to eliminate what wasn’t constructive and pedal to where things were promising. January came and I went out there kicking my way in and remembering why I decided to move to where every small detail is different from home.

Finally, I was called to begin work as hairstylist in one of the astonishing parts of the city - Centro Comercial Vasco da Gama.
Cheers from Portugal everyone!

Teresa Huber
Sunday Sundowners Toastmasters Club

Global Youth Championship of Public Speaking 2023

GlobalYouthGavelClubs

Global Youth Championship of Public Speaking 2023 organised by the Global Youth Gavel Clubs Group was held online on 28th January 2023. Global Youth Gavel Clubs Group consists of 182 Gavel Clubs with more than 5,500 Gaveliers around the world.

Yonal De Vas from Canning Vale Gavel Club was among the 11 finalists of Global Youth Championship of Public Speaking 2023. Yonal won the Club International Speech Contest held in December 2022 and progressed into Group H International Speech Contest (semi-final). Group H International Speech Contest was represented by 9 contestants from Gavel Clubs in India, Sri Lanka and Australia. He won the Group H contest in early January 2023 and qualified to represent Group H in the Global Youth Championship of Public Speaking 2023. Yonal delivered an excellent speech at the Global Youth Championship with the title “Real Superheroes”.

Yonal, aged 12, is currently studying in year 7 at Rossmoyne Senior High School, Willetton.
He is also the son of Saminda De Vas, member of Kenwick Toastmasters Club.

Congratulations Yonal for your fantastic achievement!

Kevin Sansome
Gavel Club Coordinator, District 17
Toastmasters International
Gavel Club Kevin Sansome

black-swan-footer

Education Awards: Recognising our Educational Award Recipients

pathways-achievement-badges

In December 2022 and January 2023, 46 members from District 17 lodged 54 awards! Congratulations to everyone who earned an award.

This brings the total number of awards for the year to 263.

Congratulations to Vijayakumar Vijayaratnam, form Melville Toastmasters, who earned his 2nd Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award. (According to district records)

Eight members completed their level 5, Amanda Langton (Banyandah), David Mazzotti (Murdoch Southsiders), Mark Richards (Canning Vale), Matthew McCoy Butler), Liz Fisher (Noranda), Toni Heaton (Speak Easy Ellenbrook), Lyn Beaumont (Zoom-Masters), and member 7409869 (Noranda). Congratulations!

Four more members completed the Pathways Mentoring program: Amanda Langton (Banyandah), Chris Gray (Speak Easy Ellenbrook), Elena Halvorson (Speak Easy Ellenbrook), and Todd Halvorson (Speak Easy Ellenbrook).

Chris Gray and Elena Halvorson, both from Speak Easy Ellenbrook, earned three awards in these two months

This year so far, Ross Wilkinson, DTM, has achieved an incredible 10 awards.

The Club with the most awards these two month is Speak Easy Ellenbrook with a whopping 16 awards which brings them into 3rd position for the year, with Canning Vale still with the most awards  at 24.

 

The most popular path so far is Presentation Mastery with 71 awards, while Effective Coaching still on only 10 awards. Come on all you Coaches! Let's work on getting some awards.

These are the individual awards for the months of December and January:

 

 

Member Name Club Name Path Level
Lin (Olivier) Xu CPA Toastmasters Motivational Strategies 1
07919743 CPA Toastmasters Presentation Mastery 1
07919743 CPA Toastmasters Presentation Mastery 2
Lisa Di Paolo Banyandah Toastmasters Club Dynamic Leadership 1
Amanda Langton Banyandah Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 5
David Mazzotti Murdoch Southsiders Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 5
00716819 Fremantle Gourmet Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 1
00424139 Cannington Communicators Leadership Development 3
Lei Liu Canning Vale Toastmasters Presentation Mastery 2
Mark A. Richards Canning Vale Toastmasters Presentation Mastery 5
Eloyise Braskic Canning Vale Toastmasters Visionary Communication 2
Michael Lester Harrisdale Piara Waters Toastmasters Club Strategic Relationships 1
07803755 Sunday Sundowners Toastmasters Club Strategic Relationships 1
Matthew McCoy Butler Toastmasters Club Engaging Humor 5
00424139 Cannington Communicators Leadership Development 4
07409867 Noranda Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 5
Eko Sukoco Perth Rainbow Toastmasters Innovative Planning 2
Vijayakumar Vijayaratnam Melville Toastmasters Club DTM M
00382097 Murdoch Southsiders Toastmasters Club Effective Coaching 4
Matthew Skipworth Jetty Toastmasters Engaging Humor 2
Dustin Lewis Northern Gourmet Toastmasters Presentation Mastery 1
Rose Goodman Northern Gourmet Toastmasters Effective Coaching 1
Angela Burchardt Northern Gourmet Toastmasters Presentation Mastery 3
Viola Dondo Sunday Sundowners Toastmasters Club Motivational Strategies 3
07698673 Belmont Toastmasters Club Innovative Planning 1
Vic Sakthi Belmont Toastmasters Club Leadership Development 1
Adele Teh Belmont Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 1
Rashmi Watel Belmont Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 3
Louise Esplan Durack Club Engaging Humor 2
Elizabeth Fisher Banyandah Toastmasters Club Engaging Humor 4
Amanda Langton Banyandah Toastmasters Club Mentoring M
Mark Walker Noranda Toastmasters Club Persuasive Influence 1
Elizabeth Fisher Noranda Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 5
Elana Halvorson Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Engaging Humor 1
Heather Burrett Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Engaging Humor 2
Chris Gray Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Innovative Planning 3
Elana Halvorson Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Innovative Planning 3
Chris Gray Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Leadership Development 1
Anne Claxton Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Motivational Strategies 1
Jacob Palinski Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Motivational Strategies 1
Dinusha Kalupahana Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 1
Duncan Harris Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 1
Glen Torrens Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 1
Richard Alila Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 1
John (Joao) De Castro Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 2
Toni Heaton Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Visionary Communication 5
Chris Gray Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Mentoring M
Elana Halvorson Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Mentoring M
Todd Halvorson Speak Easy Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club Mentoring M
Renata Kanagaratnam Melville Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 2
Raj Thethy CPA Toastmasters Dynamic Leadership 1
Lyn Beaumont Zoom-Masters Presentation Mastery 5
Maria T. Huber Sunday Sundowners Toastmasters Club Motivational Strategies 1
Janet I. Baker Banyandah Toastmasters Club Presentation Mastery 1

 

Do you see a number instead of a name?

When a member decides to not make their name public, only their number will be shown.

If you wish to change your privacy options, log into Toastmasters.org and go to your Profile. You will see a section called Privacy and Consents. The last part is Your Name on Public Reports. You can set that to display your name or not.

black-swan-footer

Help with the Website

This is my second year as the webmaster for District 17. This year I would like to dedicate more effort to updating our website, and I am looking for Contributions from You!

Do you have any District 17 memories to share? Do you have any stories you can contribute?

I am looking for any and all of the following, and more:

 

  • Photos and videos from district events, like District Conventions/Conferences;
  • Fliers, brochures, marketing material from past events;
  • Videos of great speeches, from contests or from your club;
  • Toastmasters Success Stories;
  • Testimonials/ Good news stories;
  • anything else relating to the district.

 

Any of these materials will make our website rich in content for our members as well as for any visitors and prospective members.

Please send any material to webmaster@toastmastersd17.org

Tom Bielski, DTM
Webmaster
2022-2023

black-swan-footer

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!

You can now submit your article online! Click here to submit using Google Forms.

Or, 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 400 words
  • Please supply images with the best picture quality available
  • Supply names of people shown in images.
  • Attach your profile picture

Gavin Hyslop, DTM
Tom Bielski, DTM
Stand In Black Swan Editors
2022-2023

Leave a Comment