But where shall we go? Our members, District and Club leaders need to propel this bicycle forward, with clear motives and a definite destination in mind. And thus we come to the theme for the 1995-1996 District year. Toastmasters: Do it with a Vision!
In our imagination, what we behold we become. From our visions
of success we open our mind to recognize opportunity. And our
recognition of those opportunities inspires each of us to pursue
far-reaching possibilities. Vision power - from imagination to
new possibilities. The man standing on the top of Mt. Everest
just didn't fall there, he had a vision - what the mountain climber
imagined became a reality. It will be the visions of all Toastmasters
in District 53, 1800 strong, that will propel our Model 53 bicycle
forward. As we move forward with a definite direction, with clear
motives and a selected destination, we will have the poise, the
balance and the equilibrium of a proud Toastmaster movement;
a very Proud D53 indeed.
We must not forget the individual member - the solid foundation
of Toastmasters International. I have known many members who
joined Toastmasters with specific visions or goals. From those
who joined to prepare to face the town selectmen at a town meeting,
to those who joined to prepare for a class reunion speech. Members
know the value of effective communication skills. Many members
who experience the power of imagination and recognize the potential
of TM enlarge their visions. They see the far-reaching possibilities.
They visualize themselves achieving and participating at higher
levels of success. As your newly-elected District Governor, I
have enlarged my vision. The coming 12 months will bealearning
experience for us all - speakers and leaders. It begins with
the following quiz. Are you ready for this "pop" quiz?
Although the brain is only 2 percent of the total body weight,
it consumes 25 percent of the body's oxygen. What does this mean?
- People without brains need 25 percent less oxygen.
- We should spend 75 percent of our time doing something other
than thinking.
- If you feel short of breath, stop thinking.
- The body considers thinking an important activity.
A visionary knows that thinking is important. In our imagination,
what we behold we become. If we want something different - something
greater - we must think greater thoughts, we must have greater
visions. Walt Disney said, "To dream is to see what is not
there - a visual lie; but visual lies can turn into visual truths."
What is your vision for tomorrow? We are responsible for the
thoughts, dreams, and visions that we put in our mind. Write
your vision on the back of your personal Vision Card and review
it often. Write it as a leader as well as a speaker. We are responsible
for thoughts we hold in our mind. In our imagination, what we
behold we become. We will be positive with our visions; and we
will believe in them. After all, one person with a belief is
equal to a force of 99 who only have interests. Losers only visualize
the penalties of failure but as winners we will visualize the
rewards of success.
I am looking forward to the coming year as your District Governor
... What I see in 1995-1996 is:
- Members of District 53 turning dreams and visions into reality
- meeting their personal goals.
- Maximum participation - maximum involvement- maximum learning
opportunities.
- Members sharing visions with others and creating mutual opportunities
- inspirational opportunities with far-reaching possibilities.
And, as a result of all that visionary power, we can together
set some very real, quantitative goals - selected destinations
for our Model 53 bicycle.
- 1000 new members joining our Toastmasters"
movement" as Dr. Smedley would have us say - many to become
great speakers and communicators; and many to become great leaders
and teachers. To attract 1000 new members into Toastmasters should
not be a difficult task. The product, the Communication &
Leadership Program of Toastmasters International sells itself,
it is a valuable commodity, and it is very attractively priced.
- 100 Clubs in District 53 - extending the network of Toastmaster Clubs so that many more
individuals can have the opportunity to practice and enhance
their communication skills.
No longer will we be the next to the smallest District in
Region VII. Over 10 years ago (1982-1983 exactly), "53 Clubs
in District 53" was our slogan. Our present day size of
nearly 90 clubs was beyond their wildest vision. Yet in the imagination
of the 12 District Governors and leaders since, what they held
as a vision we became. It will be our vision to break through
and have more than 100 clubs in District 53.
Our visions of success will open our minds to recognize the
wonderful opportunities that we have in this great Toastmasters
movement. The Model 53 bicycle will be up-right, poised and proud
as we keep moving forward. Today, I say Toastmasters: Do it with
a vision! When the 1995-1996 term draws to a close, each one
of us will say:
Toastmasters do it with a vision! |
