Black Swan Newsletter May 2021
The official newsletter of Toastmasters International District 17.
Contents
District News
District Director Address
We are now down the home stretch as we approach the final few months of the year.
What a year it has been with so many challenges and uncertainties.
Our primary focus from the start was the health and safety of our members, and we are glad we continued to monitor this throughout the year. Whilst we are lucky to be able to have face to face meetings, we are conscious that our clubs can serve our members with zoom meetings as well.
Going forward, we still have a lot to do to finish the year on a more positive note.
We have over 40 clubs that are very close to achieving Distinguished status, requiring either a few more new members to be added or 1 or 2 DCP goals. I would encourage all clubs to have a look at their club’s DCP progress and do their best to ensure that you can get there. If you need assistance or guidance, please contact your Area Directors for advice.
At our annual Awards Night on Saturday, July 24, I would dearly love to present and recognise your club for achieving the Distinguished status this year. I understand and acknowledge that all of you are doing the best you can to service your members and your clubs, and that is all I ask of you. For this, I sincerely thank everyone for your efforts.
Clubs with low membership
During the year, we lost some clubs and may lose some more, and this is due to the uncertainties and nature of what is currently occurring all around the world. We are not alone in this situation. Toastmasters International is fully aware, and the Board of International Directors are working tirelessly to provide support to all Districts.
If your club is struggling and you have very low numbers in membership, please consider requesting a club coach. Also, consider seeking financial assistance from the District to assist in the promotion of your club. If all else fails you might want to discuss an option to dissolve the club and allow your members to join other clubs. Please contact us if you need guidance on the process.
Special events
District 17 will have our very first online Conference starting May 14.
The District Program Quality Director and his team have worked tirelessly to ensure we provide you, our members, the conference experience from the comfort of your own home. Please register here to attend. You will take part in workshops with special guest presenters and watch the District Speech Contest Grand Finals.
We are also scheduling a special event on May 29 Saturday night for all our members to celebrate the year. At this event, we will present Trophies to all our District Contest Champions in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. For the first time, we will recognise some of our long-standing member’s membership milestones of our District. We will also pay tribute to our past members who have left us in a moving In Memoriam segment. You will have music throughout the evening to entertain us all. I would love to see as many members attend to have some fun and network with your fellow District members.
At our District Council Meeting scheduled for May 15, it is crucial to have your say in voting for the next District Team for 2021-2022. Currently, we still have vacancies for 4 Division Directors roles, and I need you to consider putting your hands up (if you qualified) to be part of the future of our District.
Details of this special event will be promoted through our Website and District Facebook, so please keep an eye on it.
Thank you
It has been a pleasure and honour to serve as your District Director this year.
I thank you all for your enthusiasm and passion and, more importantly, your support and service to our members.
Henry Yau
District Director
Events
Register for District 17 Virtual Conference
After a year of hard work, we love to reward you with complimentary (FREE) tickets to learn from the very best from the comfort of your own home. We have put together an amazing line up of keynote speakers, educational workshops and contests that highlights the very best speakers in District 17.
We cordially invite you to join the Inaugural District 17 Virtual Conference held on Zoom on:
- 14 May 6.30 pm – 9 pm
- 15 May 9 am – 4.15 pm
- 22 May 9 am – 2.30 pm
Get your free tickets by clicking here
Click here for the full program
Click here for the details of the speakers
The Keynotes Speakers
- Darren LaCroix CSP AS – 2001 World Champion in Toastmasters International Speech Contest & Certified Speaking Professional – On the Stage – Will motivate you to shift your speeches from GOOD to GREAT
- Gihan Perera CSP – One of Australia’s highly sort after Certified Speaking Professional – Fit for the Future – During change, we are in search of leaders – This could be you!!
- Charlie Starrett DTM PID – Past International Director – Lead with Love – Learn the “secret sauce” to connecting & building relationships
The Educational Workshops
- Tim Wilson DTM – All the way from the USA, he will teach you the step by step method for laying out a speech that will engage and pull your audience
- Angela Tomlinson – Will teach us the 7 basic story narratives you use in speeches and how it impacts you and your presentation
- Cherie Wallace DTM – Will teach you how important your role is at the District Council meeting and how you go about it in a practical how-to session.
District Contests
- International Speech Contest – The Winner will progress onto the Regional Quarter-Finals
- Humorous Speech Contest
- Evaluation Speech Contest
- Table Topics Contest
The event is open to the public. Please pass on this invitation to your friends and family.
Should you have any queries about the Conference, please contact me at timbtoastmasters@gmail.com.
Tim Blackburn DTM
Program Quality Director
District 17
Applecross’ 10th Anniversary & Open House
In August 2011, Applecross Toastmasters charted with Toastmasters International. Ten years on, we are holding an open house meeting to celebrate this significant milestone. So come join us at our anniversary meeting and toast for another ten prosperous years to come.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday 30 June 2021
Time: 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm
Venue: Church Hall of The Anglican Church of the Holy Cross, 56 McLean STREET MELVILLE 6156
Cost: FREE
RSVP: Sheri McCarthy to spmcprbr@gmail.com
Contact: spmcprbr@gmail.com
Sheri McCarthy
Club President
Applecross Toastmasters
Club News
A fun meeting that nearly wasn’t
We nearly cancelled the Curtin GSB Sundowners Friday night meeting as the venue was unavailable. However, a new member asked us not to, and found us a venue. Only five people turned up, none of whom were the scheduled speakers.
I was on the agenda to present an educational on “something”.
In the lift, on the way up to the room, I was racking my brains for an idea which incorporated an educational element, was fun, involved everyone and used up about 20-25 minutes. By the time I got to the room, I had a glimmer of an idea – by the time the Toastmaster introduced me, I knew what I was going to do.
I handed all members a piece of paper and a pen. Then I spoke about how to construct a speech. Gave some ideas on what makes a good opening, two ways to construct the body of the speech, and what the closing should include.
Then I told them they were all going to write and present a speech. The speech’s theme was “two truths and a lie”. The body of their speech was a story with three elements, or three stories where two elements were true, and one was a lie. They needed an introduction, and a suitable conclusion, along with a title. The speech was a 2 – 3 minute speech.
We had about 7 minutes to put some ideas together.
Then we all, in random order, presented our speeches.
It was a lot of fun, and everyone enjoyed the challenge of coming up with a quick speech – of trying to lie and make it believable, and then of trying to guess which element of everyone else’s speeches was the lie.
Did I really hitch hike through Scotland? Did I climb the Eiffel Tower? Or did I live with Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem? Who knows?
Julie Dall, DTM
Club Coach
Curtin GSB Sundowners
Northern Gourmet New Day & New Venue!
Exciting changes for Northern Gourmet! We now meet on the 2nd and 4th TUESDAY of the month! – no more Thursdays.
To make the meeting more convenient and attractive for guests and new members, we decided on the big moves – our meeting time and venue. We will be meeting at the Wanneroo Tavern on Tuesdays. This opens up new possibilities as we will be drawing on a new demographic in a built-up area to introduce Toastmasters possibilities for personal and professional growth in a supportive environment!
Meetings are as follows:
2nd Tuesday of the month on Zoom (which keeps our international members/visitors happy)
4th Tuesday at the Wanneroo Tavern & Zoom.
If you’d like to visit us we’d love to welcome you. Please get in touch with either myself or our VPE Jeremy del Pino or call me on 0419 113 621
Angela Burchardt
President, Northern Gourmet Toastmasters
Popping Up in the Park – Terrace Toastmasters
Yes, in Victoria Park at Robyn’s favourite garden café.
The outing was well supported by our members, and the café staff complimented that with good service and snacks. Apologies were acknowledged, and we were treated to the company of two guests who contributed to the outing.
JP inspired us encouraging us to dream and set goals; something to think about.
What is Toastmasters? Sue was asked to ‘please explain’ and she did, setting the meeting mood and context.
The geraniums were in full bloom, as were our members, responding to the occasion, with Louise delivering a delectable selection of Table Topics to tempt the senses and the brain. Robyn was so consumed by the ambience and the aromas she nearly overlooked her role as TT Evaluator. Wake up Robyn!!!
A tasteful treat followed, with Bee sharing her contest-winning inspirational International speech, ‘It’s Never Too Late’. This provided the opportunity for us all to bask in her positive aura. Thank you, Bee. And I am sure Bee appreciated a well-crafted and thoughtful CRCS evaluation delivered by Louise.
Ahmad came prepared ‘tennis anyone?’ having diverted to join us while on his way to his usual tennis schedule. Thank you for your commitment to making this a successful event, Ahmad, and for keeping us on time.
Everything is evaluated, and Lize demonstrated her skills rounding off a pleasant and productive ‘mini’ Pop-Up Meeting, a meeting that had it all!.
Promoting Terrace Toastmasters, networking with great company, chatter and fellowship, all the ingredients for a fantastic Saturday special event.
Thank you fellow Terrace Members, and I look forward to our next ‘public’ Pop-Up outing soon.
Watch this space.
Robyn Lloyd DTM
President Terrace Toastmasters
Member Stories
The day I went inside a men’s prison and came out of a women’s jail
The heavy gate clanged behind me at Casuarina prison, signalling an hour of learning at our weekly Gavel Club meeting for inmates of the highest security prison for men.
Last month, it was my turn on the roster to help conduct the meeting at Casa, as it is colloquially known. Together with my esteemed TM colleagues, Judith Allen and Kevin Sansome, we take turns to go to prison each week. The Gavel Club consists of 10 inmates. This is the hour that they all have a voice to speak. And we, as Toastmasters, have the rare opportunity to hear their stories and learn about their lives inside.
It was last month that I went from Casa to Boronia, a pre-release corrective centre for women. I saw that there was hope for these individuals who have lost their civil rights to be free. This is our special chance to be able to speak in a very different setting indeed.
The prisoners want another chance to better themselves, make right their wrongs and be free again with a confident voice. As Toastmasters, we are able to help them be better versions of themselves on the outside.
It has been a rewarding year for Judith, Kevin and me since we started going to prison each week. If anyone is intrigued, come and talk to one of us, and maybe you too can learn from this experience.
Juliana Kelly
Speechcraft Manager
Toastmasters International, District 17
International Speaking Opportunity
Being involved in International events is one of the highlights of my Toastmasters’ experience. I have presented at a few workshops in District 102, but this weekend I had the opportunity to be involved in a Pathways marathon, known as the Pathways Virtual Fest.
I was asked to present two sessions – one on the Team Building project in the Motivational Strategies path, and the other on the Leading in your Voluntary Organisation project in the Strategic Relationships path.
Not only did I have the honour of presenting these sessions, I was also able to listen to other sessions on the Public Relations Strategy, the Podcast elective and the Lead in any Situation pathways project. I really enjoyed hearing other speakers from around the world share their experiences with Pathways.
I encourage others to look for opportunities to be involved with these international events and expand your Toastmasters network.
Julie Dall
Central Division Director
Toastmasters International, District 17
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
2020-2021