Ignite Your Passion Stories

This year had numerous stories of members and clubs whose passions were ignited. There were ten District 38 clubs that were distinguished for the first time in seven years. Seven years is as far back as the Toastmaster International on-line records go. Here are their stories.

From Deb McKee, Mentor for Albridge Noon

Albridge Noon club which is being mentored by Lisa Snyder and myself. The noon club has been the most exciting club to work with and mentor. They were like sponges from the very beginning and absorbed everything they heard. We sent them a lot of forms, information, suggestions, and charts to track progress. They took our suggestions and made them even better. They have an outstanding President, Dammy Olorunnisola, and the most outstanding Vice President of Education, Karen Greco. Of course, I would be remiss if I did not give credit to Michelle Ullmann who was the driving force behind the formation of both Albridge Clubs.

This club was so enthusiastic from the first meeting they held. They pledged to become Distinguished in their first year and they held true to form. They pledged to obtain 5 out of the 10 points and here they are getting 7 out of 10 points. I thought it would be impressive for them to be Distinguished but they shocked me by taking it one step further and becoming Select Distinguished.

Having mentored new clubs in the past, I have learned that it is the members more than the mentors that make a successful club. Yes, you need good mentorship but without the GREAT leadership of the officers and the enthusiasm of the members, it is hard to get new clubs to understand, let alone accomplish what this club has accomplished. I am so proud of them and have enjoyed every meeting that I have attended. They are professional and fun. The speeches are always interesting. In fact, their speeches are so professionally put together and presented that it is hard to believe that some of them are actually their ice breaker speeches.

The Albridge Noon Toastmasters are such an Amazing group of Toastmasters that I just had to brag to someone.

From Sue Amin, Area 11 Governor for Toastmasters in Camp Curtin

A hearty congratulation goes to Camp Curtin Club for again making it miraculously to the highest Award of "President's Distinguished Club" (10 out 10 Goals achieved) in such a short amount of time. As an Area 11 Governor I feel proud and privileged to serve such a dynamic club with simply amazing membership. (Less than a month back they were Nine members and few goals short to the Distinguished Status!)

What happened yesterday was something impossible. The credit goes to Judy Townsend (incoming Division Governor). She took my suggestion to the Club to make it happen and made it possible by working very hard in finding the possible candidates, staying with it all the way during its progress. She kept me in the loop and guided the membership. Another and the most importantly and especially credit goes to Linda Dean (a Miracle lady and incoming Area Governor) for doing all the leg work, finding answers to all the issues, turning all the "NO" to "YES" and staying up late, using resources like Library and making a genuine efforts to get things done. Together they both have made this happened. They both have truly Ignited their own and our Passion. They set a Toastmasters example to live by..

I am glad to be their friend!