District 53 Blog

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D53Blog

District 53 Toastmasters, As many of you are aware there are 4 core goals, often referred to as "The Core Four", which the District is measured on by Toastmasters International. The "Core Four" are: 1) Club Growth, 2) Member Payments, 3) CCs, and 4) ACs.

The District goals are established by Toastmasters International based on the beginning of year numbers plus a set percentage. The 2010 - 2011 District goals for ACs was 63 and I am pleased to announce that you have already met that goal. 

CONGRATULATIONS! This is a great accomplishment and I know that the number of ACs will increase but that is not what is of ultimate importance, at least not in my opinion. What is important is that the Toastmasters who have achieved their ACs are striving to continually develop their skills and are dedicated to accomplishing their goals. Members' achieving their goals....regardless of numbers isn't that really the bottom-line?

I am also happy to announce that you are well on the way to achieving the CC goal with only 81 more needed. This goal is easily within reach. With 19 days to go until SC2011 how exciting would it be to hear announced that both educational goals had been reached? Keep striving for your goals and you will achieve them.

Richard E. Peck,
D53 LGET

Division B Contest Results

Congratulations to the Winners

Division B, District 53

Spring Speech Contest
held Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Winner:            Terry Bedard
1st Runner Up:   Scott Gawlicki
2nd Runner Up:   Steve Lombardi

Tall Tales Speech Contest

Winner:               Nate Wilson
1st Runner Up:    Michael Aron
2nd Runner Up:   William O'Neal

We hope to see each of you at the Spring Conference, May 21, 2011 at the Clarion Inn in East Windsor.  Please come out and support your Division and fellow Toastmasters.

Click here for more information.

A Message From BAC Talkers

     We hope your club never faces the situation which our club recently experienced.  BAC Talkers #6090 lost our Club President, Maureen Murray on March 8th, due to a horrible accident which took her life.  Her unexpected passing, at such a young age shocked all of us. We felt helpless, confused and wanted to do something but weren’t sure what we could do for her family and co-workers. With less than two weeks away from our next Toastmasters Meeting, we had to face reality and  begin to work through our grief. After all members had been called, we got in touch with our Area C1 Governor, Sharon Roth. Her support and compassion was greatly appreciated. The following day, she emailed us with her condolences and offered to do a Toastmasters obituary. Sharon did a magnificent job based on input from club members and co-workers.  This was greatly appreciated as we were all in shock. Answering a simple list of questions and responding back to Sharon helped us start the grieving process. Click Here to read Maureen's obituary. 

     Being a corporate sponsored club, we decided to partner with Maureen’s co-workers and host a Memorial Meeting to celebrate her life. We chose to schedule this celebration on Maureen’s favorite holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. Her family happily accepted our invitation. Following the Toastmasters meeting guidelines, everyone was greeted by a Toastmasters member and all were given an agenda, a green carnation and a name tag.  People hugged and shared Maureen stories. It was obvious by the attendance of past members that Toastmasters is not just a club, it’s an extended family. Their support, shown by their attendance, was overwhelming. We were honored to have our District Lieutenant Governor of Education and Training, Richard E. Peck, DTM in attendance.

The theme of our meeting was, "A Celebration of Maureen Murray’s Life."

The Toastmaster welcomed everyone and extended a special “Thank you” to Maureen’s family for joining us. It was announced that the Toastmasters format would be followed and the meeting would be informal, with no timing or evaluations. Everyone was asked to help themselves to refreshments of pizza, cookies and water. Guests and members mingled and admired the “Maureen Murray Memory Board” created by co-workers as well as a video of various pictures of Maureen and an Irish poem. 

The Presiding Officer  gave opening comments about how Maureen touched everyone’s hearts and read Maureen’s favorite invocation, "An Irish Blessing."

Three Speakers; a peer, a manager and a minister,  spoke of their relationships with Maureen. At the close of this segment, all were invited to join hands in prayer.  

The Table Topics Master asked selected attendees to talk about what they remembered most about Maureen.  Four people spoke, including Maureen’s daughter.

     At the close of the meeting, everyone was thanked for coming and helping each other during a difficult time.  Some left quickly and others mingled, revisiting the memory board and reminiscing with co-workers, friends and family.  Some members' remarks include:

     "This was probably the best BAC Talkers meeting we ever had."   

     "This shows not only to our own club members but also to guests, that Toastmasters is an extended caring family." 

     "I'll always remember this memorial."   

     BAC Talkers Board reports that many attendees renewed their memberships, a past member rejoined, and some guests expressed interest in attending their next meeting.