REACH!

Mr. District Governor, Past International Director, Past District Governors, distinguished head table, and most importantly, you, the members of District 53 Toastmasters … I am most honored to be amongst you this evening as your newly-elected District Governor.

Have you heard the news? A new Toastmaster’s year is upon us! July 1, 2002 will mark the beginning of a grand adventure. It will be an opportunity for each of us to re-discover out individual greatness and collectively REACH! for the unlimited potential we can experience as Toastmasters.

This year will be a year of servitude to District 53 and a year of service to its members. For without you, the member, our District cannot thrive ... without the goals and aspirations of you, the member, our District would be but a geographic symbol - disjointed parts of three states. Quite simply, District 53 would not exist.

So there it is … we must individually aspire to collectively succeed. We must REACH! beyond our material realm to capture the unlimited potential of our dreams.

We must REACH! beyond our personal inhibitions to attain a long awaited goal. Is that elusive CTM, ATM, or DTM in your future? Have you postponed your real desire to serve as a District leader much too long? We must REACH! from right inside here to out there to aspire to that greatness.

My personal goal is to REACH!…REACH! Beyond my frailties to fulfill a long-hoped for dream. You have made it possible through your support and encouragement. This year I promised myself two things: that I would REACH! to lead with a vision…and that I would dedicate my journey to two remarkable people in my life. Tonight, I am on the verge of doing both.

My vision, my hope, is that this year will mean something intrinsic to every member of this District. Our collective vision, our focus, will be the ‘member’ – the most important element of our organization. You, the member, will realize your potential, that awesome potential you possess inside by simply REACH!ing out to experience the Toastmasters program at its highest level. I promise you, that this dynamic Sr. Leadership Team will be mission-focused on the membership of our District. We will bring you interesting, informative, and educational TLI’s, District Conferences, and Membership campaigns to inspire you to greatness within your Clubs. We will support every level of effort to establish new clubs and to retain our current members with an innovative, and creative approach. AND…most importantly we will add a sense of humor to our networking and gatherings and promise not to take ourselves TOO seriously!

I remember Tim Keck, Past International President of Toastmasters, speaking to us about the servant leader at the Spring 2000 District Conference. It was the year I was elected LGM, and his words have sustained me and given me the confidence to REACH! towards a dream and make it a reality. I stand before you tonight feeling the impact of his words. My vision is becoming a reality – to enable the success of each member through servant leadership.

My opportunity to serve as your District Governor is dedicated to two individuals who have influenced my life and directed me on this path. My dad, Valentine Robert Morgan, gave me the initial confidence to persevere beyond any adversity and REACH! towards the limitless possibilities life offers. He was a man of few words, but mighty in his actions. He respected and admired hard work and perseverance. If he were here tonight, he would be truly proud. Oh not of me, but of you and what each of you have contributed to the success of District 53. He would have admired your hard work and attention to excellence.

And then, there is a small child, named Stefan Albert Lipowitz, aged 4 – my only grandson. Stefan is a truly amazing little boy. He is the smallest angel in my life…and every time I look at him I think of the gifts Toastmasters has given to every member. How is that so? He is autistic… he struggles daily to communicate and interact with others. He faces hidden fears every day of his life that make the Icebreaker Speech a walk in the park. He, through his autism, reminds me of the true blessing of having the ability to communicate. We are so fortunate to have a program that enables and empowers us to REACH! beyond our fear to be more effective communicators ... we must vow to renew its importance to our personal growth at each and every opportunity.

Our theme this year will be simple – it’s just one word, but a very important watchword for us to maximize our accomplishments, and empower us to succeed. A password, so to speak, that will unlock the door of our opportunity.

RENEW your commitment to Toastmasters every day!
ENVISION your dreams and achieve!
AWAKEN your potential and succeed!
CREATE limitless possibilities for yourself and others! for
HORIZONS! they are endless…EXPLORE!

! - And that exclamation point … Our entire life should be governed
by the exclamation point. That is the symbol of our greatest achievements. The exclamation point defines our zeal, our enthusiasm, our commitment!

REACH! and be mighty in your achievement.

I would like to thank the Past District Governors of District 53 for their support, advice and encouragement. We will rely on your guidance throughout the coming year. I would also like to congratulate the current Sr. Leadership Team, Joe and Frank, for your dedication to the mission of success we have made a reality this year. I gratefully acknowledge the members of North Atlantic 6983 and North Country 6295, you are officially the ‘home clubs of the District Governor’! And to the members of District 53, I applaud your dedication to excellence that is the hallmark of this District.

And finally, to our newly-elected Sr. Administration Team…Frank and Rich, get ready boys! … this WILL be a year of exclamation points… to REACH! with our members toward the unlimited potentials that exist for all of us in Toastmasters…

WE WILL REACH! TOGETHER!!! What a nice concept!!!

Val Albert , DTM
2002 - 2003 District 53 Governor