JANUARY 2016

We wish you and yours a very

Happy, Healthy, Joyful and Prosperous New Year!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Messages from District Core
Officers...pp1-3
Message from District
Logistics Manager...p4

THANK YOU for your individual and team contributions towards the success of
District 29 during the past six months of the Toastmasters year, 2015-16.
Let's Continue to Fly Together and Strive to Fly Even Higher in 2016!

Message From the District Director

Best Practices: Reflections on

the Youth Leadership
Program Experience...p6
Reflections on the Contest
Experience...p2 & pp7-8
District Director
Lovely Lall, DTM

January Club Officer

Check List
1.
2.

3.

4.

Register & plan to attend

winter TLI.
Hold Executive Council
meeting and review club
progress against report at
Toastmasters International and work on Club Distinguished plan.
Plan the open houses
and Speechathons for
the next six months.
Conduct Moments of
Truth - check out the
club resources page.

CLUB OFFICERS:
This is a must watch video
that will empower you to perform in your role as an officer.

District 29 Family,
Where there is Quality, Quantity is sure to follow, Lovely Lall
World Champion of Public Speaking Lance Miller asks, Would you eat in a restaurant where the food is
bad, the dishes are dirty and the service is poor? Most of us would not. I love that analogy. Quality
counts in the success of restaurants and in the success of Toastmasters clubs as well.
"But instead of serving quality food, a top-notch club delivers Quality Communication and Leadership
training --- with great service!" Lance says that one distinguishing factor separates strong clubs from
struggling ones: the successful clubs have high quality standards for speeches and evaluations.
This link will take you to Lances full article - Quality of your Club Experience .
Members thrive in clubs with high standards. What standards does your club have? Does the club meet
the needs of its members? Does the club entice guests - its potential future member? If no then the
Club Executive Committee needs to meet and discuss how to develop stronger club standards.
Winter TLI season has begun. I encourage all club officers to attend TLI. Focus on learning more about
improving club standards. Dont be shy. If there are questions, raise those concerns at TLI. I also ask
that all members ask for help early. That is why we have club and District officers to serve members.
Share your Toastmaster experience wherever you can. Talk about why you joined, what you have
gained, and why you stay in Toastmasters. Deliver your message with fun and enthusiasm. You will be
able to empower others by attracting new members to your club, and to Toastmasters. Membership is
important for high club standards. Top-notch meetings are also important. Founder, Dr. Ralph Smedley
pointed out two other factors that greatly contribute to club standards. Mentoring and evaluations create enthusiasm, and once you light that fire the only thing it needs is some kindling."
Let's continue to fly together, and strive to fly even higher in 2016.

District Highlights,
Continued

Message From the Program Quality Director

District 29 Club Officers,
We have a geographically diverse set of TLI sites to accommodate our geographically diverse membership! Please sign up today by clicking on the registration link for the TLI that is the best fit for you.
Don't delay - sign up today! See you at TLI!

DATE - TIME

LOCATION

REGISTRATION LINK

Sat, Jan 23

Verizon Headquarters, Ashburn, VA

http://d29-tli-jan23.eventbrite.com

Navy Fed Credit Union, Vienna, VA

http://d29-tli-jan28.eventbrite.com

McLean Bible Church, CNM,

Tysons Corner, VA

http://d29-tli-feb06.eventbrite.com

McLean Bible Church, Manassas, VA

http://d29-tli-feb13.eventbrite.com

Prince William Ferlazzo Building,

Woodbridge, VA

http://d29-tli-feb20.eventbrite.com

8am 12pm
Program Quality Director
Lynn Wylde, DTM
pqd@tmd29.org

Thu Jan 28
5:30pm 8pm
Sat, Feb 6

Why TLI's, more

TLI's, Winter Stats

8am 12pm
Sat, Feb 13

CONGRATULATIONS
TO OUR DISTRICTS
FALL EDUCATIONAL
AWARD WINNERS!

8am 12pm
Sat, Feb 20
8am 12pm

October Educational
Award Achievers
November Educational
Award Achievers

Serving as a Contest Judge

Martha Padgette, CC, CL, Area 33 Director

Get ready for the Spring

Contest Season:

Have you ever been asked to serve as a judge for a speech contest at the
Club, Area, Division or even the District level? Perhaps you felt the same
way I did when I was first asked --- Why me? I am not an advanced
speaker. I havent finished my Competent Communicator (CC) manual
yet. How could I possibly judge the speaking ability of someone else in a
contest? However, if you have already completed 6 speech projects from
your CC manual (a requirement to serve as a contest judge beyond the
club level); you have already learned the basics of good speech craftsmanship and delivery.

Evaluation and International

Speech Contests
The District 29 winner from
the International Speech
contest goes on to participate
in the Semi-finals at the
Toastmasters
International
convention and has a chance
to win the title of "World
Champion of Public Speaking".
Schedule your club contest
for the month of January or
February.
Area and Division contests
are being scheduled for the
months of March and April
and will be posted soon on
the website calendar as well
as shared with the clubs by
the District leaders.
Check out this link for information on contestant eligibility as well contest resources.

For example you already know the key criteria of speech delivery such as:
How to organize a speech with a sound opening, body and conclusion.
How to use body language (gestures, eye contact, etc.).
How to employ vocal variety (volume and pitch), and even humor, to convey your message.
You have listened to others give their CC and Advanced manual speeches and have experienced what
a good speech (and one that is not so well developed) sounds like. Yes, you are ready to serve as a
judge. Now take the opportunity!
Keep in mind your primary goals when serving as a judge are to:
Be ethical in your selection by showing no bias or favoritism;
Listen carefully to each contestant and weigh the criteria carefully; and,
Select a winner!
And you will gain other benefits. Attending the various contests has broadened my experience substantially and helped identify ways to improve in my delivery of speeches and evaluations.
Sometimes we all need a gentle nudge to step out beyond where we are comfortable. I hope this offers
you that gentle nudge towards your next experience serving as a contest judge.

District Highlights,
Continued

Message From the Club Growth Director

As a member of multiple Toastmasters clubs, I am often asked why someone would join more than one
club. The answers are as numerous as the number of dual members, the name for those who belong to
more than one club. Different Toastmasters clubs have different things to offer their members. Some
clubs focus on leadership; if you are looking to grow not only your Toastmasters leadership skills, but
also your professional supervisory and managerial abilities, then you may want to check out Dedicated
to Mentoring or Galloping Governors, just to name two. If you want to take your speaking skills to the
next level and need longer speaking slots for some of the advanced communication manual projects,
then To Be Advanced (TBA) and Virginia Advanced (VAST) may be for you. Looking for opportunities to
socialize while learning? Check out Sparkling Speakers and Traveling Tastemasters. Want to give
back to the larger community? Volunteer at, or donate funds to, A Life Like Yours (ALLY), a club for
adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Club Growth Director

Amy Brener, DTM
cgd@tmd29.org

These are just examples of some of the clubs which provide unique opportunities to their members and
guests, and is not a comprehensive list. Check out a longer list at http://tmd29.org/
Advanced_and_Speciality_Clubs.html, and come back often, as this page is updated frequently. Were
in the process of updating some club names and adding some specialty clubs now under formation,
including one focusing on humor and another targeted at authors. And if your club belongs on this list
as well, please email me at cgd@tmd29.org and well make sure your advanced or specialty club is
added.

Have an Open
Theme Party!

Toastmasters exists to serve the members. If your needs as a member are not being met, please contact me directly and I will try to find a club that can help. And if we cant find one that covers your area
of interest, maybe we can work together to start one!

House

The timeframe of the upcoming winter months is a perfect

time to host Open House
theme parties at your club.
Have fun and grow your club
at the same time. District
will reimburse the club up to
$40 for each open house.
Help the guest become a
member.

Best of luck and continue to have fun along your Toastmasters journey.

PROSPECTIVE CLUBS FORMING IN DISTRICT 29!

Club Building
Award:
Clubs that charter before
May 14th, 2016 will receive two half-price registrations to the District
Spring Conference!

Welcome Newly
Chartered Club
to the
District 29
Family!

Walmart
Technology East
Toastmasters
Club

First and 3rd Sundays, Ashburn Library

Contact Division E Director, Harminder Lall, DTM hlall.dtm@gmail.com

Loudoun West Toastmasters Club

Join us for a new Toastmasters club in the Western Loudoun County.
Second and Fourth Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
Purcellville Library, 220 E Main St, Purcellville, Virginia 20132
For more Information Contact: Division E Director, Harminder Lall, hlalldtm@gmail.com

Transform Authors to Speakers (TAS)

Are you an author but not yet a Best Selling author?
Are you a writer who has not yet published your first book?
Are you a published author but need to sell more books?
For details please contact Area 62 Director, Serena Reep, ACS, CL, at
serenasez@gmail.com, 410-294-0177

District Highlights,
Continued

Message From the Logistics Manager

When asked, Why did you join Toastmasters? I used to respond with the common answer, I joined to
practice becoming a better speaker. But someone recently asked me a question that made me realize
something important and unrecognized. They asked, What surprised you most about Toastmasters
after you joined? As I answered, I realized something not about why I joined, but about why I remain a
Toastmaster.
What surprised me most was how quickly I improved. I improved quickly, not because I was a quick
learner; in fact, the reason had less to do with me and more to do with the others I became associated
with as a member of an active club. As I reflected on my skills growth, I found that after just two meetings I felt comfortable speaking on any topic in front the members of our group. These were people
whom I did not know only a few weeks prior!

Logistics Manager
Victor Jimenez, TM
lm@tmd29.org

Core District Officers

After two to three months I was familiar with a common meeting format which I modify and use successfully at work. After six months I felt like I now recognized my own style of presentation and knew what I
needed to improve. At work, I began to receive thanks and compliments for my assistance in keeping
meetings on track and for contributing to overall project communication effectiveness. I received praise
just for repeating actions which I had practiced in organizing and participating in club events. After a
year, my friends and family commonly remarked that I seemed more outgoing and relaxed with leadership roles. To myself I recognized that I could now easily take on challenges that I would have avoided
out of feelings of ambivalence about my ability to succeed.
I have realized that I never lacked the ability to do these things, rather I lacked the practice area to accelerate my improvement. Toastmasters provides me with a community of peers who are genuinely
interested in my own advancement and skill development. This is why I remain a part of this community.

Lovely Lall, DTM

District Director
Lynn Wylde, DTM
Program Quality Director
Amy Brener, DTM
Club Growth Director

Public Relations Happenings

The PRM Awards
This award, developed by your Public Relations Manager, will be given to following recipients:

Angela Davis, ACS, CL

Public Relations Manager

Have Fun and Be Successful Best Club Website Contest winner

Juliette Brown, DTM

Finance Manager

Let It Shine Best Club Newsletter Contest winner

Rhondra Willis, CC, ALB

Administration Manager

Best Public Service Announcement (PSA) - Video & Audio Contest winner

Victor Jimenez, TM
Logistics Manager

Successful Toastmasters International Magazine Submission

Joe Jarzombek, DTM, PID

Parliamentarian

Complete details can be found by downloading information via the above hyperlinks for each award.
Awards will be given during the Spring 2016 Conference.

Mahesh Patil, DTM

Immediate Past District Governor

Do people know your club exists?

Place Toastmaster magazines with a small sticker with your club contact information and place in

ATTENTION CLUB VICE

PRESIDENTS PUBLIC
RELALTIONS:
Does your club need a
website?
Is your website current
and responsive?
Need help in increasing
your websites effectiveness?
Please let us know at
prm@tmd29.org

Libraries
Barber shops
Physician offices
Dental offices
Community Centers

Hand out cards with contact information.

Make a flyer and place at the

Local coffee shops

Barber shops
Post office
Panera bread (Board)
Grocery stores ( board)
Community centers

Advertise in the local newspapers (free for non profits), patches, gazettes.
Find local events. Talk, Talk, Talk!

Kudos to these Area Directors Who Have Also Completed 100% Club
Visits!

Rudy Moralez, ATMS, ALB

Area 12, Division A

Bharat Patel, ACS, CL

Area 21, Division B

Rhea Simpson, CL
Area 31, Division C

Martha Padgette, CC, CL

Area 33, Division C

Monica Nguyen, CC, ALB

Area 35, Division C

Valerie Lamont, ACS, CL

Area 36, Division C

Abe Katz, TM
Area 42, Division D

Victor Angry, ACB, CL

Area 51, Division E

Bernadette Catalon, ACB, ALB

Area 54, Division E

Valerie Gilkerson, ACB , ALB

Area 61, Division C

Bethany Richard, ACS, ALB

Area 63, Division F

Bill Tanner, CC
Area 32, Division C

Attention: Nominations Are Now Open

Nominations for Toastmaster year 2016-2017 are open. The Nominations Chair is immediate Past District Governor
Mahesh Patil, patilmaheshwar@yahoo.com There is an official nominations process with guidelines set by Toastmasters
International.
If you would like to nominate yourself for the next level in Leadership, please visit the following nominations link for details:
http://tmd29.org/Call_for_Nominations.html

Best Practices:
Reflections on the Youth Leadership Program
Experience

If you have conducted the Youth Leadership Program (YLP), you

know it is a rewarding experience, right?
My journey with Toastmasters has been enriched with the experience of working with students of the Union Tae Kwon Do studio
in the local community in South Riding, Loudoun County. Master
Faleski, who is the Dulles District representative on the Loudoun
County Advisory Commission on Youth, is an untiring advocate
for youth leadership. His enthusiasm to support youth matched
the Toastmasters YLP objectives. Dulles South Club sponsored
its first YLP at Union Take Kwon Do studio in August 2014 with
11 students, followed by four additional courses, which yielded the total of 53 YLP graduates by the end of May 2015.
Working with young students through the YLP made my life filled
with more joy. The best part of each YLP course was a speech
contest - this is how we celebrated their graduation. The students demonstrated their progress in front of their parents. Graduates from the previous YLP courses also participated by performing the contest roles. I was touched to see the students
grow through practices during the YLP.

These students are high achievers. How can we help them continuously gain benefits from this experience? The answer was
the Gavel Club.
On October 25, 2015, the Union Take Kwon Do studio held a
founding meeting for the Union Gable Club. We had 19 students
from a pool of the past YLP graduates. During the meeting, seven Club Officers were selected, followed by a demo meeting.
I am very grateful to witness their achievement from the YLP to
the Gavel Club. I am already dreaming that in a few years later,
these Gaveliers will become Toastmasters to carry on the Toastmasters International mission - empower individuals to become
more effective communicators and leaders.

Chiharu Bullock, ACB, ALB

Area 52 Director

HEALTHY CLUB GUIDELINES:

Club leaders attend training provided by the district.

Club leaders fulfill their roles and responsibilities.

Meetings are well planned, have good attendance, start on time, end on time, are varied and fun.
New members are inducted during a formal ceremony.
New members receive an orientation to the Toastmasters program, focused on what they want to achieve.
Members are involved in every aspect of the club.
Members always speak from Competent Communication (Item 225) and Competent Leadership (Item 265) manuals.
Guests are made to feel welcome.
Guests are given information about the benefits of Toastmasters and are asked to join.
Member accomplishments are recognized.

Reflections on the Fall District Speech Contests

Congratulations to the Winners of the Fall 2015 Table Topics Speech Contest!
First Place WinnerTable Topics Speech ContestWes Rocki, TM
Reflections on winning the Table Topics Speech Competition
I learned to love the Table Topics Competition as it uncovers the creativity and empowers one to shine through overcoming the most fundamental human fears of public speakingthe unknown and frozen thinking the deer in the highlights syndrome.
It (Table Topics) was not love at first sight. Actually I did not like Table Topics at all, which was reflected in the fact that at the Area level
contest I came in second. Frankly I was happy with that outcome. But the Universe is persistent with its law; what you are running away
from is chasing you! The 1st place winner could not make it and I was automatically qualified to continue the race in the Table Topics competition.
At the Division 29 competition I was really scared of making a complete fool of myself if I could not handle the question. Actually I spent
plenty of time in the mens room overcoming my body which created major diarrhea to have me quit saving me from the public shame.
The saving grace was listening to two keynote speakersone who mentioned that public speaking allows you to step outside the limiting
boundaries of ones ego by offering something significant to the public. The second speaker talked about the supportive environment which
Toastmasters offers. Yes, I was ready for both and that helped me to win.
My advice to Table Topics competitors:

Practically it is impossible to predict the question;

Paradoxically, you have a right answer to any question, because you are the only expert with regards to your response;

Make yourself comfortable with the possibility of the deer in

the headlights moment. If you accept - it shall pass promptly. If
you resist it you may lose plenty of time from your speech;

Involve the audience, play with them, it will provide you with
energy and creativity

The audience is on your side; they admire your guts of putting

yourself in the pickle of the Table Topics contest;

A long stop in the bathroom before the green room is optional,

but dont panic if it happens. Just make sure that you are not dragging to the stage toilet paper attached to your shoe.
Looking forward to competing with you the next time around!

Second Place WinnerLisa Holliday, TM

Third Place WinnerBill Malthouse, DTM

Reflections on the Fall District Speech Contests

Congratulations to the Winners of the Fall 2015 Humorous Speech Contest!
First Place WinnerHumorous Speech ContestNarayanan Doraswamy, DTM
A Demonic Experience
The video of the speech can be found here: https://youtu.be/_-2Yb3Jmg4M
Anyone who has driven from VA to NJ on the Turnpike can share in my misery of traffic, slow drivers,
crazy drivers and speed demons!! So it was natural that I spoke about becoming one!
I usually enter all contests, whether I am ready for it or not. I firmly believe, a la David Brooks, 1990
World Champion of Public Speaking, that preparing for and entering a single contest is worth three
months of progress in regular meetings. I have lost more than I have won but that doesnt stop me. The
only person I am competing against is myself and the last rendition of my speech. Can I be better than
the last time I delivered that speech? If so, I have won! That is why I am able to coach and help fellow
contestants because we are all here to do our best and let the judges decide.
I have to prepare for every contest as if it is the finals. I cannot afford to be sloppy for the Club contest
thinking I can improve at the next level. My club, Winners Circle Club # 4049551, is full of excellent
speakers and contestants. I HAVE to bring my A game every time I compete. After every win, I go
back and revisit my entire speech. I always videotape
myself so that I can give myself feedback after the contest, regardless of whether I won or lost. Did the various parts of my speech gel together? Should I omit
some parts of the speech? Should I tweak the words?
How was my delivery? Was I pacing? And being a nonnative English speaker, was I intelligible? Could people understand me through my accent?
And then the rewriting and retooling begins. My club is a tremendous help to me during this
aspect. I am constantly making changes and they minimize as the contest nears. For example, I was practicing my speech at the contest venue in the afternoon when one of my
club members suggested that I add a new gesture that would make the speech funnier! So
I incorporated that into my presentation and sure enough it did!!
If you want to improve your speaking skills, give it a shot in the arm it needs, compete!!
There is nothing like it!

Second Place WinnerEmilia Snider, DTM

Third Place WinnerDeborah Gillham, ACG, ALB

www.toastmasters.org

District #29
www.tmd29.org