Black Swan Newsletter November 2020
The official newsletter of Toastmasters International District 17.
Contents
District news
Google Workspaces and more – Free for the District and Members
We live in a technologically enhanced world. We have access to ways of communicating that the previous generation could only dream of. But we are also entering a world where the social conscience is growing, and volunteering is getting the recognition it deserves.<
District 17 is part of Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit where volunteers help members achieve their communication and leadership goals. And big business is there to help.
Last year, by chance, I stumbled across Google for Non-profits. The tech giant offers its Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) to non-profits for free. I quickly signed up District 17 through Connecting Up (member of Tech Soup non-profit) to see what we would get. It turns out we can have unlimited users at our domain, @toastmastersd17.org, a domain calendar where all users can see events, a domain Google Drive for access to documents, and even Google Meet video conferencing for up to 100 participants, and much more. All free of charge.
Buoyed by this discovery, I looked for more. I found Canva.com offering a free 18-month trial of their design platform for up to 100 users. We are about half-way through the trial with only 12 users, but it is proving a boost for the members who joined in and their clubs.
Not every free offer has turned out to be great though. I trialled boards.com and found that their board meeting platform was simply overkill for district needs and decided to pass on it.
A great benefit to clubs was the offer from Zoom.us which offered a half-price subscription to their annual Pro and Enterprise plans. An Enterprise plan is for 10+ accounts and would allow us to be able to host webinars for up to 1000 participants, unfortunately only 8 clubs responded to the offer, and received an annual Pro subscription at half price.
There are many other platforms offering their services to non-profits free or at reduced cost. I hope to find many more great ones and share them with the district. If you would like to take advantage of Google Workspaces or Canva please let me know at tom.bielski@toastmastersd17.org. If you would like to be updated about any new offers also let me know.
PS: Check out Connecting Up. They offer some amazing training cheaply or free. If you want to take advantage, let me know.
Tom Bielski
Google Workspaces Administrator
Toastmasters International, District 17
FREE Pathway for You from Toastmasters International!
In recognition of the challenges that we’ve all faced this year, and to continue to help us all meet our professional and personal development goals, Toastmasters International are offering a FREE Pathway to any Toastmaster who renews their membership for the October renewal period by 31 December 2020.
To take up this offer of a FREE Pathway, visit the Toastmasters International website www.toastmasters.org, sign in then click on your name at the top of the page to go to your profile. From there click the “Choose A Path” button, and follow the normal path selection process to redeem your FREE Pathway before 31 March 2021.
For more information go to https://www.toastmasters.org/education/free-path-faq
While this email has gone out to all currently PAID and UNPAID Toastmasters, VPs Membership this is a great opportunity to reach out to Toastmasters who have not yet renewed with your Club in the October renewal period.
REMEMBER: You must renew by 31 December 2020 and you have until 31 March 2021 to take advantage of the FREE offer!
Kind regards
Cherie Wallace DTM
District 17 Administration Manager 2020/21
on behalf of
Henry Yau DTM
District Director 2020/21
Toastmasters International
Where Leaders Are Made
W: toastmastersd17.org | www.toastmasters.org
Events
Think You Could Be A Writer?
Do you think you have the skills and talent to become a published writer? 
Have you wondered how to go about that?
How do you transition from your current career to writing?
Is writing a book similar to writing a speech?
Canning Vale Toastmasters will be hosting local Author, High School and University Science Lecturer, Dan Churach on Tuesday November 17th
Dan has some amazing life stories to tell about how he transitioned to become a successful published author, insight into his books and he will answer all of your questions.
 |
 |
 |
Come along to this FREE event and bring out your creativity. This will be an entertaining evening of fun, information and diversion.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday November 17, 2020
Time: 6.15pm – 8pm
Venue: The Last Drop Brewery, 507 Nicholson Road, Canning Vale
Cost: FREE!
RSVP: Friday November 13, 2020 to president@toastmasterscv.net
Contact: President – Christina Ng
Workshop: Evaluations For Your Personal Growth
Facilitator: Caroline Devenish-Meares DTM
This workshop will give participants the knowledge, motivation and skills they need to become more effective evaluators.
Every participant will receive a workbook and a certificate. It is important to download and print out this workbook prior to attending. The workbook will be emailed to participants along with the Zoom link following registration via Eventbrite.
Places are strictly limited so be sure to register today!
To register for this workshop, go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/online-workshop-thrusday-december-10-2020-from-600-pm-800pm-tickets-124051097171.
Cherie Wallace DTM
VP Public Relations 2020/21
TLI Training Group
Pop-up Meetings
Social media may be the way to go to spread the word about Toastmasters and to attract new members, but there is still a place for good, old-fashioned face-to-face promotion.
Having a stall at a community fair or market, holding a pop-up meeting in the CBD or participating in Open Days at universities are excellent opportunities to promote Toastmasters and put a face to the organisation.
My recent Pathways DTM project involved developing a package for clubs in District 17 to get the most out of a promotional stall or pop-up meeting. I began in March, not the most auspicious time to source local and regional events, but in true Toastmasters’ spirit, my committee and I went ahead so that the package would be ready when restrictions were lifted.
The package includes a database of markets, fairs and festivals, a checklist and tips for organising and holding an event drawing on the expertise of Robyn Lloyd and Janette Edwards, as well as templates for recording expressions of interest and bookmarks etc. and will be available on the district website soon.
Promotional posters, designed by Janette, and printed and laminated by D17, will be available through each Division, for clubs to use.
Holding an event such as a stall or pop-up meeting gives clubs the opportunity to engage with the community and to raise awareness of the organisation. Ideally, you will gain new members, but most importantly, you will have sown seeds which will germinate when the time is right.
When you are setting your goals for the coming year, include holding a promotional event in your local community as one of your strategies. It is a rewarding and fun experience where members can work together outside the club to increase membership.
Judith Allen DTM
President: Mundaring Toastmasters
VPE: Swan and Heritage Towns Toastmasters Clubs
Club News
Rossmoyne Gavel Club International Debate
What an exciting debate we had.
The Global Youth Gavel Club Group held a series of debates that included a team from our own Rossmoyne Gavel Club. We debated the issue that “Artificial Intelligence is a Boon to Mankind”.Our debate closer, Zoe Taylor won the award for Best Closer on the day. Samriddha Bhetwal was moderator of the debate between Aurum Gavel Club of Chennai and Budding Stars Gavel Club of Delhi, and did an outstanding job.
Our opening speaker, Aly Carton and our rebuttal speaker, Simran Virk also were extraordinary.
It is truly amazing to see Rossmoyne participating on the world stage and being so successful.
Our esteemed District Gavel Club Coordinator, Kevin Sansome along with John Palmer, the Rossmoyne Gavel Club Counsellor arranged for the club to participate in the debate against the KRM Gavel Club in India.
What is the next step? Possibly the World Championship of Public Speaking for Gaveliers!
Anyone wishing to assist with Gavel Clubs in District 17 please contact Kevin on 0401 987 739 or John 0429 001 337.
John Palmer
Rossmoyne Gavel Club Counsellor
Back to Top
Mandjar takes part in Mental Health Wellness Week
Members from the Mandjar Speakers were out and about during Mental Health Wellness week.
With an event tent set up at the Mandurah foreshore, a few of the members answered questions from many of the locals and visitors to Mandurah. The tent was visited by many. Some were Toastmasters from a time gone by who were happy to regale in stories of their previous Toastmasters journey. There was even a couple who had belonged to a Toastmasters club in South Africa.
There was a lot of interest and invitations were given to join Mandjar Speakers at a meeting. Definitely a successful exercise and one to be repeated to get the Toastmasters message out there.
Pat King
President
Mandjar Toastmasters Club
Off-the-Cuff Toastmasters Club has Arrived
A new and fascinating Toastmasters club has been launched this month.
Off-the-Cuff Toastmasters had its demo meeting on Thursday 5th November at Mike Palmer’s office in Midvale. It is an advanced club, open to anyone who would like to experience and become proficient in impromptu speaking.
We had 3 fantastic speeches; “Life Sucks and Then You Die”; “Make Love Not …”; and “The Battle to End All Battles”. Could you give an unprepared 5-7-minute speech on any of those titles?
We also held an impromptu debate where speakers were chosen at random. Liam Palmer came up with the debate topic on the spur of the moment. Two speakers for and two against did a great job of entertaining us all. Without a doubt it was the most hilarious meeting I have ever attended; the laughter kept coming and coming.
Come and join us on 3rd December at 14 Farrall Road Midvale and have dome fun!
John Palmer
Mentor, Off-the-Cuff Toastmasters Club
Perth Rainbow Toastmasters Club
Did you know that there’s a Toastmasters club in Perth that’s designed to provide a safe place for the LGBTIQ+ community? Let me introduce you to Perth Rainbow Toastmasters and answer some questions you might have of us.
Firstly, no, you don’t need to be “in” the Community to join. But if you are, you’re welcome to come along. You might be a parent, friend, sibling of a person in the community or just someone who wants to support the club. This is a place where you can discuss topics, do speeches, and even ask questions which you might feel uncomfortable doing in a ‘standard’ Toastmasters Club. And no, not every speech, Table Topic question or theme is LGBTIQ+ focused. Some are, some aren’t. It’s up to the members doing the speech or running the Table Topics session to talk about what they’re interested in.
We don’t vet you at the door and ask uncomfortable questions 😊 If you want to discuss your sexual orientation in a speech – that’s great. If you’re not comfortable talking about personal matters – also great, talk about what interests you.
Basically, we’re a friendly, non-judgemental group of people who meet every 1st and 3rd Sunday from 2 – 4pm, Level 1/931 Albany Hwy, East Victoria Park and on Zoom. If you’re interested in knowing more feel free to contact:
Tim on 0403 051 081 or timbtoastmasters@gmail.com
Julie on 0435 939 210 or julie_dall@outlook.com
Adam on 0451 116 480 or adamduda@hotmail.com
Member Stories
Canning Vale Mourns Much Loved Charter Member
Jean presenting the Welcome to Country at Swan Song on the Swan Convention in 2011
It is with great sadness that I advise the passing on Sunday October 25th of Jean Boladeras, one of our wonderful and favourite Charter Members.
Jean was an amazing storyteller and always put so much preparation into her roles at Canning Vale. I remember her speeches about dyeing her hair, barbecues with the family, the touchy subject of “The Black Dog” and from a time almost forgotten of riding a steam train with her father as a child. She was never afraid to give strong recommendations in her evaluations and will always be an inspiration to me. I have structured my evaluations over the years in her style.
Jean was a proud Indigenous Elder and won a Naidoc award for her work in indigenous research in 2013, whilst she was still a member of our club. Some of you may remember Jean giving the Welcome to Country at the Swan Song on the Swan convention in 2011. It was our honour to have her present this.
Jean was always happy to research anything for you. I remember calling her when our District 17 was a fledgling District and we needed a name for the award for the club that had the most members attending convention. Jean researched an indigenous word that translated to many, Balang. The Balang Award was so named and is still presented each year we hold a convention.
In her later years Jean opted to retire quietly from Canning Vale to spend cherished time with her husband Vern and family. We missed her presence and her vibrancy.
From all of us at Canning Vale Toastmasters, to all of Jean’s family, including Peter Jordan, her much loved son and past member, we send heartfelt sympathy for your loss. May your happy memories sustain you as you grieve your cherished loved one.
She will always remain an indelible print of fond memories on our hearts. The world has lost a beautiful soul.
Rest peacefully Jean.
Robyn Richards
Back to Top
Walking Outside Your Comfort Zone
St Georges club member, Brigitte Julien, has been missing for months. To challenge herself, she’s walked the Bibbulmun Track, 1,000km from Perth to Albany.Facing wind, rain, steep hills, river crossings and snakes, she will have plenty of stories to tell.
Gavin Hyslop
St George’s Toastmasters Club
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 submission form and email to blackswan@toastmastersd17.orgBlack Swan Submission Form
- 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