Black Swan November 2017
Editorial
Howdy, Toastmasters!
Here is your news for November. We are halfway through our Division contests - Southern and Eastern Division winners are revealed below, and I would like to extend my congratulations to them, and also to all the contestants who gave up their time and energies to compete at club, area and division level. We look forward to hearing about the Northern and Central Division contests to come over the next couple of weeks.
Read also about the Quiz Night, hosted by a dapper Martin O'Connor, and won by the jubilant Canning Vale Club. Check out the photos.
And there is more....
Enjoy!
Lisa
We encourage articles from members, this newsletter is 'written by Toastmasters, for Toastmasters'.
Guidelines for authors are at the end of this newsletter.
Lisa Martin
Black Swan Editor
District Director's Update
by Sue Fallon
Hi District 17 Members
Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contests
October has been extremely busy, finishing with Area Contests and moving forward to our Division Contests. Both Southern Division and Eastern Division have held their contests and Nothern is next on Sunday 26 November and our final contest for this year will be Central Division in Saturday 2 December
Congratulations to our Division Winners. The winner and 2nd place getters move forward to the District Contests – held during our May 2018 Convention.
| SOUTHERN | ||||
| TABLE TOPICS | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Placee | |
| Sue Fielding | Amanda Owen-Tucker | Ciara Pearson | ||
| HUMOROUS | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Colin Gan | Helen Clark | Dave Finnimore | ||
| EASTERN | ||||
| TABLE TOPICS | 1st Place | 2nd Place | ||
| Ian Hart | Martin Lindsay | |||
| HUMOROUS | 1st Place | 2nd Place | ||
| Tom Bielski | Gaye O'Louglen | |||
The District 17 District Council Meeting
To be held on Saturday 18 November 2017 at Technology Park Function Centre 2 Brodie Hall Drive, Bentley.
District Officers all carry one vote and all Club Presidents and Vice Presidents of Education have a vote each in order to represent and vote for their clubs at the meeting. If either or both of these officers cannot attend they may proxy their votes to each other or to another member of the club who can attend.
It is important that we have quorum of voting members at the Council Meeting in order ???
Area Directors Visits and Lodgement of Reports
Area Directors please lodge your club visit reports. As they are due by the end of the month.
My congratulations to six of our Area Directors who have managed to achieve 100% lodgement of their repots (as of 14 November)
To qualify for the Distinguished Area Program, Area Directors must submit an Srea Directors Club Visit Report for first round visits for at least 75% of their clubs before November 30.
Please submit online through District Central.
Quiz Night
The Quiz Night was held at a new premise this year – The Maylands Bowling Club. It was a terrific venue and it offered a good range of beverages and most tables brought wonderful suppers to share around their quiz groups.
It was a fun evening and had an 80s theme, which was demonstrated by a fair number of our guests. Our best 80s dressers were Bali and Jon Teh. Thanks for all of our members support in the raffles, auctions and heads & tails.
My sincere thanks go to Emmie Maunder, Charles Fisher, Pascale Amberville-Colby, their families and friends and Catherine O’Brien for getting this Quiz Night up and becoming a successful event.
Congratulations to Canning Vale Toastmasters Club for their win! Job well done.
Sue Fallon DTM
District Director 2017-18
Educational Awards October 2017
by Patricia D'Cruze
Congratulations to the Toastmasters who have earned themselves awards this October. Fabulous job.
| Award | Date | Member | Name |
| CL | 10/24/2017 | Anderson, Jane E | Bunbury Club |
| ACS | 10/04/2017 | Brandt, Laura V. | Currambine Toastmasters |
| ACG | 10/25/2017 | Cutten, Huntly Nicholas | Plain Speakers |
| LDREXC | 10/25/2017 | Davenport, Roger J G | Southern River Toastmasters |
| ALB | 10/02/2017 | De Wind, Jenny | Canning Vale Toastmasters |
| ALB | 10/05/2017 | Goh, Gary | Plain Speakers |
| CL | 10/14/2017 | Hart, Ian Van | Fremantle Gourmet Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 10/14/2017 | Hart, Ian Van | Fremantle Gourmet Toastmasters Club |
| CL | 10/17/2017 | Haylock, Jonathon David | Bunbury Club |
| CL | 10/17/2017 | Healy, Rhian P | Curtin GSB Sundowner Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 10/11/2017 | Hughes, Colin | Armadale Toastmasters |
| CC | 10/21/2017 | Hutzell, Elliott | Bunbury Club |
| ACS | 10/18/2017 | Lindsay, Martin | Ellenbrook Toastmasters Club |
| CL | 10/25/2017 | Macdonald, Graham R. | Applecross Toastmasters |
| CL | 10/23/2017 | Maunder, Emmie | Banksia Speakers Toastmasters Club |
| ALB | 10/29/2017 | McMurray, Cathryn E. | Banyandah Toastmasters Club |
| CC | 10/02/2017 | Nicholas, David R. | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
| CL | 10/23/2017 | Rajapaksa, Thulani | Applecross Toastmasters |
| ACB | 10/10/2017 | Steddy, Tracey | Fremantle Quaynote Speakers |
| CL | 10/30/2017 | Talpur, Noor | Canning Vale Toastmasters |
| ALS | 10/17/2017 | Watson, Graham Paul | Southern River Toastmasters |
| CC | 10/22/2017 | Whorrall, Didi | WesCEF |
| CC | 10/26/2017 | Wilkinson, Ross Phillip | Fremantle Gourmet Toastmasters Club |
| CL | 10/24/2017 | Zaeper, Ralf | Western Founders Toastmasters Club |
| LDREXC | 10/23/2017 | Zhang, Mark Zijian | UWA College Row Toastmasters Club |
Patricia D'Cruze DTM
District 17 Program Quality Director 2017-18
Ready, set, go! Are you Pathways ready?
1. Has your club got a club email address? Is it up to date? 
Pathways is arriving in your club soon! Part of your role as VPE includes periodically performing tasks in Base Camp. You will receive emails notifying you when certain actions are required.
Your club president and secretary will be responsible for performing these tasks in Base Camp, if you are ever unable to do so. For this reason, it is recommended you use an email address that all three of you can access.
Base Camp emails will be sent to the address listed in Club Central; please update your club email address if necessary.
If you have any questions about performing tasks in Base Camp, contact your Pathways Guide or email the Education Services team at World Headquarters.
2. Be sure to log in
One of the first things to do to prepare for Pathways is log in to the Toastmasters website.
You can’t begin your Pathways journey without doing that. It is very important you know your login information now so you can enrol in Pathways without delay once it becomes available to you in early December 2017.
To log in, you need your username and password.
Pathways leaders recommend that clubs conduct an early in-club session to help members establish their username and password if they haven’t.
If you are unsure please reach out to your club officers who will be more than will to help you.
Where will Pathways take you?
When Pathways becomes available in you soon in early December, be sure to enrol. Your Pathways Guide who visited your club would have encouraged you to log in and explore the new Pathways program.
Break the ice
Begin your Ice Breaker and start learning. If you still want to finish some work in the traditional education program, that’s fine— you do not have to stop working in the traditional program once you start Pathways.
Current members can work in both education programs, if they want, for two years from the time Pathways rolls out in the last region. This is the transition period. However, new members who join clubs where Pathways has already rolled out will only be able to work in Pathways. After the transition period ends, every member will work in the new program.
Get answers to your most frequently asked Pathways questions by visiting the Pathways FAQ page.
Patricia D'Cruze DTM
District 17 Program Quality Director 2017-18
Upcoming TLI/COT sessions
TLI/Club Officers Training (COT) provides effective training for club leaders. When club officers are well-trained to perform their duties, club members are better served. This makes the member experience more positive, which leads to a quality club experience and increased member retention.
This series of training will deviate from the traditional TLI/COT sessions and will include a demonstration of an Ice Breaker Speech and Evaluation from the Pathways program, how to lodge an evaluation online and upload a scanned evaluation form to Base Camp.
Maree Pickens will present a Change Management Workshop with a short Q & A session.
All Club Officers will receive a general Pathways information session covering the Base Camp Managers role and responsibilities. The Base Camp Managers (Vice President Education, President and Secretary) will receive a joint training session to step them through the roles and responsibilities. There will be Pathway Guides on hand with laptops/tablets to answer any questions and demonstrate the login and navigation process.
Club Officer Breakout sessions led by the various Pathway Guides and others leaders.
Please bring your laptop/tablet with you if possible, as we will have an interactive session to familiarise club officers with the new Pathways program.
Here are the details of the upcoming sessions. Please register to help with catering and seating arrangements. As the Thursday night session was very popular in July, we have added an additional session to avoid overcrowding.
TLI/COT #1 Sunday 10 December 2017 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Enterprise Room, Innovation Centre | Technology Park | 3/9 De Laeter Way | Bentley
Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tli-club-officers-training-1-sunday-10-december-2017-tickets-39921111118
TLI/COT #2 Thursday 8 February 2018 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Enterprise Room, Innovation Centre | Technology Park | 3/9 De Laeter Way | Bentley
Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tli-club-officers-training-2-thursday-8-february-2018-tickets-40071435743
TLI/COT #3 Saturday 10 February 2018 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Enterprise Room, Innovation Centre | Technology Park | 3/9 De Laeter Way | Bentley
Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tli-club-officers-training-3-saturday-10-february-2018-tickets-40071627316
TLI/COT #4 Sunday 18 February 2018 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Enterprise Room, Innovation Centre | Technology Park | 3/9 De Laeter Way | Bentley
Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tli-club-officers-training-4-sunday-18-february-2018-tickets-40115136453
TLI/COT #5 Thursday 22 February 2018 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Enterprise Room, Innovation Centre | Technology Park | 3/9 De Laeter Way | Bentley
Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tli-club-officers-training-5-thursday-22-february-2018-tickets-40115461425
South West Sunday 4 February 2018 Time/Venue to be advised
Kalgoorlie Sunday 25 February 2018 Time/Venue to be advised
Patricia D'Cruze DTM
District 17 Program Quality Director 2017-18
SMAC & Building Better Clubs
by Peta Rakela
A reminder that the SMAC/BUILDING BETTER CLUBS workshop will run on the afternoon of Saturday 9th December, at The Mechanics Hall, Guildford (see below).
We would love to see you there and feel confident that you and your club will benefit from the experience.
Mina Cho, Marty O’Connor, Roger Davenport and Graham Watson have all proven to be effective players in club revitalisation, sponsorship, mentoring and coaching.
This is our opportunity to “pick their brains” and pick we shall! Also thought a change of scenery might be rather nice, and for those of you not familiar with Guildford there is indeed lots to do, eat, and drink, so why not catch the train and make a day of it? Talking of change, I have to confess that I crave a bit of variety in Toastmaster club meetings. I know, I know… the structure we have works… and works well, but…
Let’s be honest… having the same old, same old can become boring and predictable. Apart from the “yawn factor” I need and appreciate a good laugh, and a challenge too! As our founder, Ralph Smedley said “we learn in moments of enjoyment”, so whilst it is important to focus on helping our members reach goals, and maintain an effective education environment, we can and definitely should have FUN, and I do mean F-U-N exploring new ways of learning.
To do this the club experience needs to be varied, and it must be alive.
Is this how you perceive your club to be - electric with energy?
If not, why not? What can YOU do to change this?
Just an email away: pests@skymesh.com.au
Just a workshop away:
There is no cost to attend, but you do need to register using this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/building-better-clubs-saturday-9-december-2017-tickets-38697670775
Building Better Clubs…the spiel
Ever wanted to start your own club, help another club, or just think your own club needs some oooomph, then this is YOUR chance to network with those who know just how to go about it:
Mina Cho, Marty O’Connor, Graham Watson, Roger Davenport and Peta Rakela
Why not JOIN OUR EXCITING INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS?
Mechanics Hall 20 Meadow St Guildford (a few minutes walk from Guildford Train Station, close to restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, interesting curio shops, glorious park, pizzas and pubs (for those who’d like to socialise after the workshops with a glass or two…)
Saturday 9th December 12.15 for 12.30- 4.00pm
Session 1: CLUB BUILDING
Sponsors, Mentors and Coaches (SMAC)
Session 2: CLUB SUCCESS
Bringing VARIETY and FUN into club meetings
Peta Rakela DTM
Club Growth Director 2017-18
Renewals and Membership
by Peta Rakela
Getting Those Renewals
I was checking out some other clubs, from other parts of the world, and came across this one. It's maybe worth a try:
“For the last three program years, the Toastmasters of La Jolla club set and achieved its membership goals. The club attributes its success to ramping up the club’s public relations efforts with “open houses” and community-related events. During the renewals period, members received email reminders six weeks before the deadline. Two weeks before the renewals deadline, the club president sent emails to those who had not yet renewed, asking how they felt about the club and what could be done to turn their experience around. In March, the club had achieved an 84 percent renewal rate, with 48 out of 57 members paying on time.”
At Verbivores our Treasurer had a draw for all those who had paid their membership fees by the designated date (two weeks before due, I might add). It worked a treat.
If you had an idea that worked in your club, let us know about it.
Sponsoring New Members
Bring a friend
Our District Director’s slogan for 2017/2018 is “Who will you bring?”.
It’s time we recognise those of you who have brought/will bring friends along to club meetings since July 1 2017- December 30, 2017 , and those of you who will bring friends along from January 2018- June 2018 with a few “ REWARDS” including, perhaps, recognition in the Black Swan newsletter.
Two categories
- Bring a friend - add to guest book- no conversion into membership
- Bring a friend - add to guest book- conversion to club member
How to participate
Your VPM will need to contact me end at the end of December2017 and then again June 2018 with the name of the club winner, second and third place. The overall winner in each category, for each 6 monthly period, gets the goodies.
Example: Contender Category 1
Duncan Harris from Ellenbrook Toastmasters
Duncan, proud owner of Harris Organic Wines, in the Swan Valley, brings lots and lots of his unsuspecting “woofers” to Ellenbrook Toastmasters meetings. These “woofers” come from all parts of the globe, and in most cases, contribute in club meetings with gusto. Although they don’t join Ellenbrook Toastmasters, as their stay in WA is generally very short, they often say they will join Toastmasters when they return to their homelands. Thus the message they take with them is a good one for Toastmasters in general. It is certainly a win win situation for all.
Thank you Duncan for enabling so many others to share the positive Toastmaster experience at Ellenbrook and carry that with them in their life journeys.
Young Members
Ever thought how rewarding it would be to share your Toastmaster journey, and the wisdom and skills you gain, with the younger members of our society?
I know when I participated in the Youth Out Loud program in the City of Swan, under Judith Allen, it was kind of amazing to see these kids using their voices, discovering their inner potential, and realising that there are people out there who really want to help them grow.
Thankfully Adam Duda and Kip Cameron are working with the tireless John Palmer and Ronnie Giandzi, and a few eager others to ensure that the younger members of our society will continue to be exposed to Toastmasters through Gavel Clubs, which currently operate in the southern division.
We also have a couple of enthusiastic newbies, Kylie and Bali from Ellenbrook, who’ve indicated a willingness to get involved- to also be part of the Young Members Team!
What about you?
I tend to think that kids who speak up are less likely to find other ways to express themselves; especially out of the frustration of “no one listens to me!”
Let’s show them that we toastmasters DO care, DO listen, and DO want them to find their voice and use that voice for the greater good.
So how about YOU putting YOUR experience to a practical yet marvellously moral use?
“You find your voice and inspire others to find theirs”.
For more info contact me pests@ skymesh.com.au or John Palmer @ johnpalmer@iinet.net.au
Peta Rakela DTM
Club Growth Director 2017-18
District Leadership 2018-2019
by Leonor Ragan
Greetings dear District 17 Toastmasters
I have been appointed Chair of the District Leadership Committee and we are happy to announce that we will be accepting nominations for these positions for the 2018-2019 Toastmasters year.
- District Director
- Program Quality Director
- Club Growth Director
- Central Division Director
- Eastern Division Director
- Northern Division Director
- Southern Division Director
Elections will be held at the District Council Meeting on Saturday, May 26, 2018 for the above positions.
An “Expression of Interest” should be submitted for the following positions:
- Area Director (19 positions)
- Public Relations Manager
- District Administration Manager
- District Finance Manager
- District Logistics Manager
The above positions shall be appointed by the elected 2018-2019 District Director.
Please follow this link to the District 17 Website to locate copies of the documents listed below: . https://toastmastersd17.org/resource/district-leadership-nomination/
District Leader Responsibilities Form, District Leader Competencies Form, District Leader Nomination Form and the Officer Agreement and Release Form. All positions are covered in these documents
To be nominated, elected or appointed, a person must be a member in good standing of a Toastmasters club in good standing, meet the qualifications of the position, consent to being nominated or appointed and must sign the Officer Agreement and Release Form.
You may submit more than one person’s name (including your own) for each position. The District Leadership Committee will consider all candidates received by the deadline, COB Tuesday February 15, 2018.
If you would like to nominate for office, submit an expression of interest or if you wish to nominate another member of District 17, please complete the attached District Leader Nominating Form and the Officer Agreement and Release Form. They can be submitted to me by email at the address below.
We are looking forward to receiving your nominations. Our members needs you as leader to lead the way to a successful and enjoyable learning experience in communications and leadership.
Leonor Ragan DTM
Your Immediate Past District Director 2017-2018
District 17 Nominating Committee Chair
Pathways Guide District 17
Always at your service
M: +61 422 709 646 email: L Ragan
Southern River Toastmasters President’s Corner builds trust and learning
by Stephanie Chan
Interviewer What is the President's Corner?
Graham The President's Corner is an event-driven blog where I share my views on relatable issues arising from incidents, emails or discussions with fellow Toastmasters. It is written from a Club President's perspective on serious and real concerns which need addressing. My primary audience is the Southern River Toastmasters. It is all about building trust between members within the Club & the Toastmasters organisation and to provide a point of discussion towards continuous improvement.
Interviewer What incidents prompted you to come up with this idea?
Graham The seed for this idea was planted at the June 2017 Club Officer Training whilst discussing ideas for the President’s role. One Club President had an open door approach to answer questions posed by their members via email. It was only a few weeks ago that a Toastmaster’s concern had prompted me to share it with all members. My communique provided a background and reasons why the issue is of concern and that club members can only be empowered by knowing about the matter. These triggered a notion to proactively share my thoughts whenever I come across topics of relevance.
Interviewer What is the mission, vision & purpose of the President’s Corner?
Graham The mission is for the Club President to make members aware of serious and difficult issues that affect them and the Club through a proactive avenue. I envisage an ongoing blog portal that is handed over from one President to another for education and betterment of its members. The purpose is to build trust between club members and the President. Personal or general concerns raised will be addressed confidentially but the crux conceptually shared with all members for their benefit.
Interviewer Share with us some of the topics you have covered in your blogs.
Graham I have given my perspectives on different effective ways of introducing speakers; avoiding the use of sensitive words that may offend the audience; tone and manner in providing offline feedback. My next observation will cover the controversies of bending the rules.
Interviewer What are your aspirations for the President’s Corner?
Graham I hope that the President’s Corner becomes embedded in the club culture as an open channel for all club members to raise questions with the assurance of being addressed and that all Presidents will assume the responsibility of researching the answers and sharing experiences. I hope that this will eventually lead to open group discussions with the President moderating. I am optimistic of a successful future, with feedback starting to roll in from club members with each blog posted, creating opportunities for further discussions or one-on-one interaction.
Interviewer What are your thoughts on the potential benefits that could be reaped were this concept expanded across and up the leadership hierarchy?
Graham I believe that this could inculcate a culture of asking questions on matters that occur within and outside of club meetings. There’s an immense potential for leaders to connect with members at different levels. While relevance and confidentiality are vital, it would be useful for the leadership team to keep the Presidents apprised of such topics so that the knowledge can be shared through their President’s Corner for meaningful discussion and learning.
Graham Watson (President) in conversation with Stephanie Chan (VPM), Southern River Toastmasters Club.
Stephanie Chan
Southern River Toastmasters Club, VPM
A Great New Gavel Club
by Ronnie Giandzi
A new Gavel club was formed this year at Canning Vale College, the location of the Canning Vale Toastmasters Club. Several members of Canning Vale Toastmasters are involved with running the club, under the guidance of Ronnie Giandzi.
One clever innovation at this club is its start time. We start at 5:00pm and run for about an hour, at which time the Toastmasters club arrives in time for their 6:30 start. Another advantage of a late start is that kids from other schools have time to get to Canning Vale College. We now have kids from John Wollaston, Leeming High, Applecross High, Emmanuel Catholic, Byford Secondary, and Fountain College in addition to Canning Vale College. 13 kids from 7 different high schools – would you believe it! Well done to Ronnie and her team.
The members of Canning Vale Toastmasters no longer need to set the room up for their meeting as this is done by the Gavel club. Another savings for the club is that we can use the lectern and timing lights for both the Toastmasters and the Gavel clubs. Having a Gavel club so closely associated with a Toastmasters club provides a golden opportunity for Toastmasters to participate with the kids and even complete a Youth Leadership program for their Advanced Communication Gold award.
Anyone South of the River, looking to provide their children with Toastmasters education need look no further than Canning Vale Gavel Club. For further information contact John Palmer on 0429-001-337 or Ronnie Giandzi on 0415-655-033.
Ronnie Giandzi
Canning Vale Toastmasters Club, VPR
The adventures of John... part 3
by Ray Roach
Tonight was Johns
First time as a member,
Will be a night
He will always remember,
He volunteered, last meeting
To give an inspiring story,
Something uplifting
And nothing gory.
John was so nervous all week
That he nearly didn’t attend
But he was prepared
His story was penned
When his name was called
And he heard the applause
He was quite calm
Because he remembered his cause...
To not be so shy
Be calm like the ocean,
Improving his speaking
Will help with his promotion.
Johns talk was short
But he gave it his best,
Everyone was clapping
As he sat down for a rest,
The rest of the night
Went so fast quick
But before it ended
Next to his name was a tick
Before John left
Because he wanted to speak more,
He volunteered to do an icebreaker
Before he walked out the door.
Ray Roach
Kwinana Toastmasters
Black Swan Newsletter Guidelines for Authors
Criteria
- Articles must be relevant or of clear interest to Toastmaster members.
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- Articles must reflect the education and communication programs and goals of TI
Document Format
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- A template is available for easy use on the D17 website
- Please save document as YourName.ArticleTitle_MM_YYYY eg JoeBloggs.Toastmasters_are_amazing_ 11_2016
- Preferred length 300-400 words. Articles must not exceed 500 words without prior agreement.
- Please use Headings 2 for title.
- Please use Headings 3 for subtitles.
- Please use arial or calibre font – including signature There is a template available if you want to make it really easy (just request by email: lisamartin.tm@gmail.com)
.
Image format
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- In the text:
- indicate where to insert eg Insert Picture 1 about here
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