CHRIS' CORNER

Volume 2, Issue 9

April 10, 2007


EXTRA, EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT. SPECIAL PRE-CONFERENCE EDITION

Fellow Toastmasters:  Unlike the last 12 Issues this one has some important information!
Also GOOD OLD CL NEWS – CHRIS WAS WRONG…CCs COUNT for OLD CL!

This 9th issue of Volume 2 of Chris’ Corner (1st special Edition), will also cover:

• Spring Conference Update:                   Lots of Room left – but sleeping rooms limited
• District Realignment Update:                 Please study and be prepared to Vote
• Proxies                                     Print out and Take your Club Proxy
• Nomination Update                              Nominations From the Floor accepted.
• Silent Auction Update                           Items still needed
• Special Chris’ Clinic                             Sunday April 15, 8:01pm – How to cheat on taxes

District Realignment

• IMPORTANT OLD CL UPDATE.  ANYONE CAN GET AN OLD CL.  Verified with TI.  Irrespective of when someone joined or joins Toastmasters or when they got their CTM or CC – All you need do is complete the requirements using a CC or CTM before June 30, 2008.  No new CL is needed, but if you have a new CL you can get an Advanced Leader Bronze.  Either of those awards can be used for the new Advanced Leader Silver.

• Spring Conference:  There are about 75 people signed up so far.  We have room for many more, and would love to have you.  Here is a link to the Conference Flyer http://www.tmdistrict38.org/Conference/Spring07/docs/SpringConf2007Trifold.pdf
  Craig Valentine (Past World Champion of Public Speaking) will be presenting, 2 Speech Contests will be conducted, there will be 6 educational workshops, a Friday Casino (no money so you can’t loose) fun night, a special visit from a want-to-be celebrity pretending to be a real celebrity, and much more…well a little more anyway. PLEASE SING UP
  
  Hotel Space is Limited.  There are other Hotels close by, that the Holiday Inn can direct you to. If you wish to share a room, Ellen Demaree (edemaree@state.pa.us) has graciously agreed to help coordinate.

• District Realignment:  This is always a difficult topic.  But it need not be.  Relax, its only Toastmasters.  All realignment does is affect what Area and Division you compete in.  You can do all your other business the same way you always did, you can even have your joint contests the same way, etc.  We have presented it to district leaders, who by an overwhelming majority approve.  I have attached an excel spread sheet (a Laino/Rio production so watch out) that details in 4 pages (use the little tabs at the bottom), what we are doing.  Page one is some background, page, 2 has the details, page 3 shows you a comparison of the old/new alignment side by side, and page 4 is nothing – a waste of time – don’t even look.
  
  Please read and understand the attached spreadsheet and let me or Ronni have your feedback.  Please ensure that your clubs get informed.  We will be discussing this starting at  8:01 pm Sunday Evening on Chris’ Clinic.

• Proxies:  Your vote(s) count(s).  District Level:  You need to fill out and bring a proxy from your club. Presidents and VPEs can sign them.  Each Club gets 2 votes.  Governors get 1 vote.  Here is the link.  http://www.tmdistrict38.org/PDF/ProxySpring2007.pdf
  Proxies must be presented at the Credentials Desk of the District 38 Fall Conference.
  
  Regional & International Proxies:  Club Presidents should have received them in the mail.  Your club can 1)  Attend and vote,  Assign another Toastmaster to vote for your club, or 2) return a proxy to the District Governor (Stephen Fingerman) who will cast your vote at Regional, and give to the incoming DG for the International Conference.  Please either deliver to Stephen at the District Conference or Mail your proxy(ies) to the return address - Bill Zdankiewicz.  His name/address is on the form. He will ensure your proxy gets forwarded to Stephen or the incoming DG.
• Silent Auction Update:
  Shhhhhhh……….We are having our First Silent Auction!  One donates items to be bid on secretly.  Details below.

Where: District 38’s Spring Conference           When: April 28–29, 2007
FLYER  http://www.tmdistrict38.org/Conference/Spring07/docs/SHHHHHH11.pdf
All monies raised wll be used for toatmasters education purposes.

Donation Suggestions

• Books, CDs, Holiday items, Gift Certificates, Wine, Craft items,
  Collectibles, Gift baskets, Videos
  
  Bring these or anything else you can think of that someone would want to buy.

For more information, contact:
Nancy Holder at 717-293-7198
What I would like to see happen – still.

• Sunday Night Toastmasters, Chris’ Clinic, You Make the Call:  My vision – a few people call in on time.
• Educational Awards:  My vision – people will get their books signed and turn in their awards.  Maybe even use the CL book too.  If you help with a contest, a membership drive, a PR campaign, or even take part in a meeting – get credit!  It’s easy.
• Area Governor Visits:  My vision – Area Governors will visit each club, give a manual speech, and complete one assignment in the new CL book at each visit.  YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO COMPLETE YOUR VISITS and recommend a successor.  Many thanks to those that have already done this.
• Training:  My vision – All Incoming Area & Division Governors will attend the June 16th District Sponsored Training.

• District Conference:  My vision - 200 Members will attend, all clubs will be represented, and we will accomplish realignment without the outbreak of World War III.
  
  So long ‘til next time, and hoping my vision is clear, Chris

NEXT CHRIS’ CLINIC, Sunday April 15, 8:01pm
Subjects:  District Realignment Can be Peaceful & Q&A
605-772-3200 code 354724#

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