CHRIS' CORNER

Volume 2, Issue 3

September 29, 2006

Fellow Toastmasters,

Here is the 3rd issue of Volume 2 of Chris’ Corner – a little later again this month:

There are several items of interest; well at least they should be of interest.

• Training:  Check your numbers, get ready for Winter Training
• District Conference – We need help; Early bird special ending soon
• The new CL Book – What do you do with it?
• Recognition for Educational Awards – Janice Swierczek & Lauren Kuik
• Paula - I promised (for the second time) to mention Paula and spell her name correctly:  No I did not spell Paula wrong it was Tomko.
• Your successor in office – This is of great interest to me!!

• Training Numbers are recorded at TI:  I lied - September 30 is not the real deadline, but since training is over, it is important to get all the numbers in.  You don’t get to know the real deadline.  Please go to our district website and check the numbers.  I have updated some numbers at TI (since the last posting) but do not mind being asked again.  Special thanks to Jim Samuel, Division B Governor.  When I sent out the first list, he immediately reviewed it and found some significant omissions.  Many of you have given me updates – please continue since this counts towards your Distinguished Club Program.

Repeat paragraph form last month, since it was so good.  District Sponsored Winter Club Officer Training will be held on December 16th.  Steve, Ronni and I will be even smarter (if you can believe that) because we get re-trained on December 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  Please let us know what topics you would like presented.  Divisions will sponsor club officer training (notice they don’t get capital letters) in January and February.  At the risk of repeating myself – check the website. The sessions will be posted, courtesy of Jim Marshall.

• District Conference:  Sign up by October 7 and you save 10 bucks.  That’s enough to take me to lunch, I’m a cheap date.  Please let me know if you want to help with the contests.  We have a Chief Judges (yes plural), John and Lillian Foster – many thanks.  We also have a Humorous Speech Contest Chairperson, and Table Topics Master.  Division Governors should all supply a judge. Please contact the Fosters and me if you are interested.
        Phone:  610-326-6846             e-mails: sopranodtm@aol.com, jefdtmpid@aol.com
  

We also need: Ballot Counters, Time Keepers, an Interviewer and a couple of people for who knows what.  Please let me know if you would like to help.

• New CL Book:  Many of you have it – new members get it – PLEASE GET IT AND USE USE IT.  Almost all meeting roles are included.  You can literally work on part of any project at most any meeting.  The next Chris’ Clinic, October 9, will deal with how to use the book.  Many people have questions and are confused – even more than I (me for non-Toastmaster).

• Recognition for Educational Awards – Janice and Lauren have been sending out notes of congratulations (on behalf of the top 3) for all who have achieved an educational goal this year.  Thank you all, we are off to a great start.  This means people are going to meetings, using the program, and reaping the benefits.

• Paula – a few issues back I spelled Paula’s name incorrectly (actually a typo).  The next month I tried to fix it and deleted the wrong letter – spelled the name wrong a different way.  I promised to fix it the next month and forgot.  So Paula Tomko, I did it, and thank you and Herb and the rest of the Team for running the Fall Conference.

• Your successor in office:  Any club or District Officer should be thinking about someone to take his/her place next year.  It is not too early.  Please let me know of anyone who might want to take a district office next year – especially Area Governor.

What Happened Recently

• Monday Night Toastmaster, Chris’ Clinic, You Make the Call.  The sixth call was September 11 and we had a monologue followed by a discussion on mentoring.  About 15 people phoned in, and the reception (at least to my ear) was positive.  Remember, these are your calls and you can add agenda items.  Several people asked about the new CL Book, so it will be discussed first on the next call.
• Lots of us went to the International Convention in DC.  It was great!  Holly is preparing a speech on the Convention. I will ask her to have it poster on the district website.

Closing Thoughts

• Websites:  www.toastmasters.org - club information and statistics, on line club business, Toastmasters store, educational achievements, and all sorts of Toastmasters information
                    www.tmdistrict38.org - sign up for the conference, district calendar and other information, Chris’ Corners, District Staff Contact information, and much more.
• Many Toastmasters are not aware that there is a district out there.  Please spread the word.  A great way would be to print out and distribute a coveted collection of Chris’ Corner.  Seriously, let everyone know about Area, Division, District, and Regional events.  Your dues pay for them!
• Please let me know your thoughts, needs, concerns, complaints … whatever.  I try to answer all correspondence.  I get a lot. I am not perfect. I miss some. So …. If you do not hear back from me – write back, call back or physically assault me.  Be careful though – I am tougher than I look, so I don’t recommend the 3rd option.

So long ‘til next time, Chris

NEXT CHRIS’ CLINIC, October 9 @ 9:01pm – Subject:  New CL Book
605-772-3200 code 354724#

chris.rio@verizon.net
609-390-2326 (h)
609-485-6421(w)
609-425-5472 (c)