SEPTEMBER 2015

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

District Highlights...pp 2-4
Renew Your Dues...p. 5
Public Relations
Happenings...p6

Get Ready to.Speak! Its Contest Season!

Best Practices from A Club on
the Road to Presidents
Distinguished Status...p6

Congratulations To Our New International President!

Jim Kokocki, DTM

Fall Conference...p7

Core District Officers

Lovely Lall, DTM
District Director
Lynn Wylde, DTM
Program Quality Director
Amy Brener, DTM
Club Growth Director
Angela Davis, ACS, CL
Public Relations Manager
Juliette Brown, DTM
Finance Manager
Rhondra Willis, DTM
Administration Manager
Victor Jimenez, TM
Logistics Manager
Joe Jarzombek, DTM, PID
Parliamentarian
Mahesh Patil, DTM
Immediate Past District
Governor

Video welcome by International President

Jim Kokocki, DTM

Jim Kokocki, DTM, is an entrepreneur and business consultant residing in Saint John, New Brunswick,
Canada. As a volunteer, he is a member of the board at LArche Saint John, part of a worldwide network of communities for people with intellectual disabilities. He also serves as Director of Business
Development for Mudge Engineering Associates. Kokocki previously worked at telecommunications
provider Bell Aliant and its related companies for 30 years. He recently completed a masters degree in
business administration at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John.
Kokocki has also worked with other volunteer organizations, including the Saint John Board of Trade
where he served as co-chair of its Business Education Committee. For other organizations, he delivers
presentations on leadership, protecting self-esteem, managing conflict, business modeling, and public
relations and marketing.
A dedicated Toastmaster for 27 years, Kokocki served on the Board of Directors from 2002 to 2004. In
addition to having held a number of high-profile leadership positions within Toastmasters, Kokocki also
attained the Distinguished Toastmaster designationthe highest level of achievement in the organization. "Over the years, I've met many people who tell me that their Toastmasters membership enabled
them to hone skills that were important to their success personally and professionally. I look forward to
serving and leading the organization's efforts to extend our reach and provide communication and leadership skills to even more people around the world," he says.
As International President, Kokocki is a working ambassador for the organization. He works with the
Board to develop, support and modify the policies and procedures that guide the organization in
fulfilling its mission.
~Toastmasters International

District Highlights

Message From the District Director

"Toastmasters: An Amazing Experience!"
If someone offers you an amazing opportunity, and you aren't sure
you can do it, say yes-- then learn how to do it later. ~ Richard Branson
I still recall my first amazing opportunity while sitting nervously and listening to a flawless speech at my
second club meeting. Wow! So many questions were going through my head. How was I going to
evaluate the 1991 World Champion of Public Speaking Dave Ross? Voila! The next thing I knew, I had
found a constructive point to make in my very first time serving as an evaluator. If you were to add a
little smile, that would definitely help you captivate your audience even more. The champion smiled and
thanked me for my feedback. I realized then that Dave Ross had provided me an opportunity which
helped boost my confidence. That was a huge contributor to where I am today - just 5 years later.

District Director
Lovely Lall, DTM
dd@tmd29.org

Toastmasters is a learn by doing laboratory - a place where opportunities are in abundance to be taken
if you just say yes and to be given as well.
Without suitable conditions there would not be any butterflies. Similarly, we human beings need and
want suitable conditions. Most of us yearn for, and need, a warm, safe, friendly, and positive environment that encourages us to go beyond our comfort zone and experience our full potential. Often, our first
interaction or impression is the key deciding factor in why we join Toastmasters and it continues to impact why we stay in Toastmasters.
The Moments of Truth module from The Successful Club Series addresses first impressions and
much more. It is a tool that facilitates sustained club quality through a guided analysis from each club
member. It leads to targeted recommendations for club improvement. I encourage all District 29 clubs to
conduct Moments of Truth every six months. It will help your members and your club to excel and to
enjoy the journey and the success.

Talk of the District

This Toastmasters year every
flutter with Purpose will be the
Talk of the District! Celebrate the accomplishments of
your club and fellow members
on this new initiative featured
on our website.

The simple fact is that we grow or learn or work better when we enjoy what we are doing, and this is
essentially the secret of success in Toastmasters. Our meetings are made enjoyable by a fine, helpful
fellowship, in a pleasant, social atmosphere, with activities carefully planned. Ralph Smedley, Founder,
Toastmasters International organization
Let's Fly Together by making Each Toastmasters Experience Memorable for our guests and members!

Area Director Spotlight! Shana Terry, ACB, ALB

While the Division Director is the captain of his or her ship
(division), the Area Director is his or her Areas heartbeat.
Reaching out to clubs and providing the support and leadership
to clubs and members is a vital part of the leadership hierarchy
within the district. It is all for you, the member, to become as
successful as possible on your Toastmasters journey.

District Director Club

Award

Check out video resources

from Toastmasters Internationals video library to empower your club members.
Topics range from how to
choose a speech topic to gestures and much more.

In this issue, we are highlighting an Area Director who helped

her clubs make remarkable strides completing multi-level tasks
while providing vital support to her clubs. She encouraged and
helped each of her clubs work on their Club Success Plans and
submitted her Area Success Plan. We extend kudos to Shana
Terry, ACS, ALB for her display of exemplary leadership!

Club Success Plan 101

If you are a club officer, have you heard of it? What is it? Why is it important for your club and for the
clubs members? How should you and your other club officers collaborate in preparing it?
The club executive committeewhich includes all seven officers and the immediate past president
develops a Club Success Plan based on the needs and goals of club members. Check out more on our
website on the Club Success Plan information page.

District Highlights,
continued

Message From the Program Quality Director

Soar to New Heights!

Toastmasters Fall 2015 Conference
Saturday, November 7, 2015
8:00am

Program Quality Director

Lynn Wylde, DTM
pqd@tmd29.org

Upcoming Events
The Fall Speech Contest
season is upon us with Humorous Speech and Table
Topics Contests being held
at the club and soon
Arealevels.
For all your contest needs
please visit the contest
information page on our
website.
District 29 has a very active
Youth Leadership program
to serve our communities. To learn more, please
visit the Youth Leadership
information page on our website.
Kudos to more than 30 clubs
where all 7 officers were
trained at the summer Toastmasters Leadership Institute.
Your club has earned bragging rightsyou are a Golden Toaster Award Club and
will be recognized at the Fall
Conference on November
7th, 2015.

Its time for the Toastmasters Fall Conference! This

years conference will be held in the beautiful meeting center of the Capital One Headquarters in
McLean, Virginia (next to the McLean Metro Station), on Saturday November 7th, beginning at 8
a.m. At this conference well Soar to New Heights,
in a day filled with fun, education, delicious food,
and of course the District Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contests.
The keynote for the conference will be presented by
Daniel Rex, Chief Executive Officer of Toastmasters
International. Daniel Rex leads the Toastmasters
World Headquarters team in providing service, resources and support to 313,000 members in 15,000
clubs in 126 countries. We will also have a General
Session led by Accredited Speaker Barbara
Khozam, teaching us to Zap Negativity, Ignite Your
Life and Your Results. Other activities include Educational Sessions, Hall of Fame, Business meeting, Contests, and more!

Online registration is now available at an Early Bird

discounted rate of just $79!
This special price will only be available until October 11th, so now is the best
time to register!
For more information, and to register online, visit
http://www.d29fallconference2015.eventbrite.com/

Lodging
For those interested in an overnight stay, we
have booked a block of rooms at the nearby
McLean Hilton (with free shuttle service available) at a group rate of $89/night (group rate available until October 6th). Reserve a room online at
http://bit.ly/1LyIlqi or call 1-800-HILTONS and
mention the group code TSTMST.

See you at the Conference!

District Highlights,
continued

Message From the Club Growth Director

Welcome New Toastmasters!
Please help me welcome TSA IAD Toastmasters Club to the Toastmasters fold! Charter paperwork for
this club was submitted on August 25 th! TSA IAD joins GEICO Fredericksburg Toastmasters as our two
newest clubs! Clubs that charter between district conferences this year will receive two half price registrations to the next district conference. So look for members of both GEICO and TSA IAD at the Fall
District Conference on November 7th conference and introduce yourself!
Since July 1st we have added 334 memberships to our District ranks! Lets keep up the good work!
Were in the middle of the Smedley Membership campaign. Add 5 new members between August 1st
and September 30th and receive recognition from both the District and Toastmasters International!
The District will reimburse each club up to $40 for expenses incurred for an Open House. Please visit
http://tmd29.org/open_house.html for helpful hints as well as a link to the reimbursement form.

Club Growth Director

Amy Brener, DTM
cgd@tmd29.org

Smedley Award
Program

Dues are Due by September 30, 2015!

Its that time of year again! Dues for the 6 month period October 1, 2015 March 30, 2016 are now
payable on line. Those clubs that pay dues for at least as many as their base numbers (i.e. the number
recorded at the Dashboard will be recognized at the District Fall Conference on November 7 th. Prizes
will be given to those clubs that increase their membership numbers the most between July 1st and
November 1st.

August 1st September 30th

Receive a "Smedley Award"
Ribbon to display on your
club's banner.
Qualifying
clubs will also receive a special discount for 10% off their
next club order from the TI
Store. (The discount code
expires six months from the
date of issue and is not valid
with any other offer.) The
District will reimburse clubs
up to $40 for an open house
(maximum two per year).
Visit the Open House information page for reimbursement details.

Training and Sharing Opportunities

Beginning at 7pm on the third (3rd) Sunday of September, I will be offering on line training and sharing
opportunities targeting the Vice President Membership (VPM) role but open to anyone who wants to
participate. Ill be sending an email directly to the District VPMs with the agenda and connection information, so if you want to participate, please let your VPM know!

Membership is the key to success for any club...

Why add new members?

Better club programs; more variety, experiences, and resources to draw upon and enrich
the entire program

Depth of club leadership

Greater representation of Toastmasters throughout your community or organization

to the

Greater financial resources for club programming and projects

District 29 Family!

More enthusiasm and energy at club meeting with new ideas

More individuals to take on roles at the meeting

Potential future leaders

More people served and helped by Toastmasters programs, thereby, helping us fulfil the
mission of toastmasters International Organization: "We empower individuals to become
more effective communicators and leaders".

Welcome Newly
Chartered Club

TSA IAD
Toastmasters Club
Congratulations and Kudos
to all the clubs who have
added members to achieve
the Membership goal #7 in
the Distinguished Club Program (DCP). See the list of
clubs here.

Adding 4 more members twice during the year helps fulfill the # 7 goal and # 8 goal for the
Distinguished Club Program. Visit to learn more: Membership building

District Highlights,
continued

Message From the Finance Manager

Renew Your Toastmasters Membership * September 30, 2015
Why did you join Toastmasters? Why do you stay? Are you getting out of the Toastmasters program
what you joined it for? If not, have you communicated your needs to your club?
Toastmasters is a self-motivated, self-paced program that creates lasting change for personal and professional growth. Within each club are tools for the advancement and enhancement of everyday life.
Within each meeting we are provided opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. The investment in the
Toastmasters program cannot be experienced anywhere else but within the club environment.
In order to maintain our involvement with one of the most prestigious, most valuable, most beneficial
organizations in the world, it is important to keep our membership current. This action begins with dues
renewal. Dues renewals occur in September and March of each Toastmasters year, with a simple payment of $36 plus club dues.

Finance Manager
Juliette Brown, DTM
frm@tmd29.org

Our dues give us access to the benefits of Toastmasters International. We are provided manuals and
workbooks to help us become effective leaders and communicators. We are given access to contests
and conferences which enhance our network and widen our experiences. We receive monthly newsletters that inspire and educate. We become part of a family.
District 29 and Toastmasters International are grateful for your membership with our organization. We
hope that you are receiving the promised benefits that Toastmasters offers. We are grateful for all of the
ways in which you serve your club and the members. We hope that you stay with us throughout this
coming year and beyond.
Before September 30th, we welcome you to renew your membership with the Toastmasters organization. Dues should be renewed with your club treasurer. If you have any questions or concerns about
dues renewal, please feel free to contact me at fm@tmd29.org.

Avoid the "Dues Blues" - Submit dues by September 30th

Toastmasters Basics:
Toastmasters
Education
Program
The education program enables you to develop your
communication and leadership skills one step at a time.
Visit Toastmasters Internationals Resource page on
the Education Program for
more
information.
Club Meeting Roles
The success of a club meeting depends on the program
participants. In Toastmasters, you learn by participating. There are many roles to
fill and all meeting participants play an important part
in making the club experience educational and enjoyable. Visit the Membership
section of Toastmasters International for more information.

To submit renewals online, go to www.toastmasters.org/clubcentral and log in with

your username and password. Next, follow these steps:

On the Club Central home page select the club name and number you want to
pay renewals for.

On the Conduct Club Business page, select Pay dues.

On the Pay Dues for My Club Members screen, select In the future and click
on the Submit button.

All orders with a future membership end date will appear.

Select the members you wish to pay for, provide your payment information and
follow the prompts to process your payment.

Consider these important details when processing membership payments:

Renewals can be submitted online, by mail or by fax. Financial information by

email is not secure.

Orders can be paid online if using a credit card.

Tip: Membership Retention

Evaluate Interest
Find out members needs
and goals so you can help
them reach their objectives.
The Member Interest Survey
(Item 403) is a useful tool for
accomplishing this.

If paying by check, print the Pay Dues for My Club Members screen indicating
the renewing members and mail it, along with payment, to Toastmasters International. Make checks payable to Toastmasters International.

For a club to remain in good standing, policy requires that at least eight members
must pay dues and three must be renewing.

The due date to pay October renewals is September 30, 2015.

Public Relations
Happenings
Visit our Social Media sites
Become fully engaged during your Toastmasters
journey. Visit one of District 29s growing suite of
social media sites and find resources and networking opportunities to help you learn and grow.
Also, our website at www.tmd29.org to connect
to our social media sites!

The PRM Awards

This award, developed by your Public Relations
Manager, will be given to following recipients:
Have Fun and Be Successful Best Club
Website Contest winner
Let It Shine Best Club Newsletter Contest
winner
Best Public Service Announcement (PSA) Video & Audio Contest winner
Successful Toastmasters International Video
Brand Contest Entry (during any month from
July 2015December 2015)
Successful Toastmasters International
Magazine Submission
Complete details can be found by connecting to
our website via the hyperlink for each award.
Awards will be given during the Spring 2016
Conference.

Best Practices: One Clubs Journey On

the Road to Presidents
Distinguished
As our District Director Lovely Lall, DTM said, I am hoping that you are flying together along with your fellow club members in this metamorphic year.
I would like to share with you that my experience as President of Lake Ridge Toastmasters Club has been incredible since I started in July 1, 2015. I have a great team
of Executive Officers who have been extremely diligent by delivering outstanding
results in each of their roles.
Lake Ridge Toastmasters Club has been recognized to be a President's Distinguished Club for many years, and our commitment to maintain and reach every
DCP goal is part of our responsibility as members of this amazing club.
I had a great learning experience while I was part of the Colombian Military almost
20 years ago. I led a team of 18 soldiers, and I started developing my leadership
skills since then. While I was there, I learned that leading by example is an approach to support, guide, and empower all your team members. If I can do it, you
can do it too!
Empowering your team members to go above and beyond their responsibilities is
part of our roles as team leaders because effective leadership is defined by our results as a group. Recognition is a way to motivate your peers while working as part
of a team, and our Executive Officers are constantly delivering excellent results.
I have no doubts that we are working very hard to help our club reach another level.
We are constantly seeking ways to improve what we do at Lake Ridge Toastmasters Club while maintaining the approach from our most experience Toastmasters.
I encouraged all officers to be trained before we started our officer roles, and I developed a project scope to finish our Club Success Plan by July 31, 2015 where
every officer completed their portion on time. I am responsible to lead my executive
team, and we are responsible to succeed in our mission as a team. If we succeed,
we will succeed together! If we failed, we will fail together!
Lake Ridge Toastmasters Club has been helping community members for more
than 22 years to develop their public speaking and leadership skills. We are hoping
to continue adding value to our club for many years to come.

Did You Know?

The August 2015 issue of
Toastmaster magazine is
chock full of information
relative to public relations, marketing and especially branding. Vital
tips on club promotion
are also included. Take
the time to peruse this, and every, issue of
Toastmaster magazine. You will always learn
something new and beneficial for your Toastmasters journey in communication and leadership! If
you cant stop with the August issue, visit the
toastmasters.org magazine page by clicking here
and read past issues online!
Angela Davis, ACS, CL
Public Relations Manager
prm@tmd29.org

Oscar Mondragon, CC, President

Lake Ridge Toastmasters Club
president-8913@toastmastersclubs

Hearty kudos to all of Lake Ridge Toastmasters Club Officers

Oscar Mondragon, Abubakar Bello, Paul Raby, Jen Jones, Matthew
Keyser, Kira Mandel, Clifton Douyon