You Made a Difference
International Dir. Kokocki, Past International Dir Bradshaw, Distinguished head table, honored guests, fellow Toastmasters and friends.
I’m here tonight to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that just because you are the District Governor, that doesn’t make you the best speaker. In fact, by the time I’m finished you will be totally convinced of my honesty in this regard. I’m reminded of a time in 1998. I was presenting my 7th speech in the Basic Manual, when I lost my place and thought I was going to die, right there, as my life passed before my eyes. It was so embarrassing, I did not think I would ever come back and finish my CTM, but a fellow member of my club took me aside and gave me some of the best advice I have ever received. “Don’t rehearse the speech, rehearse the idea”. I didn’t quit Toastmasters, and I am proud to stand before you as your District Governor tonight. I’d like to thank Ruth Zafian for her confidence in me that night, 6 years ago.
I would also like to recognize those individuals that helped me to hopefully Make a Difference as your District Governor this year. When I chose our Theme, Make a Difference, my main intention was to have every one of us do our best to set a good example for each other, and I’ve witnessed many of you doing just that. I have also personally benefited by the many individuals that offered me advice & support throughout the year. Among those, have been virtually every active PDG in our District. Among them are Roger Brown, Joe Carney, Deb Grehn, Arnie Grote, Ray Johnson,
Don Logie, Clyde Talley, Joe Zafian, and our IPDG, Val Albert. Val has been especially helpful in keeping me out of trouble. Except for the chair incident.
Now that the statute of limitations on personal injury has expired, I can talk about this. A couple of years ago Val was answering a question from the audience during a TLI workshop, when I came in after her a being ever so careful not to disrupt the class, quietly moved behind her to sit down. In doing so, I moved her chair even more quietly, and sat down next to her. When she was through, she also sat down. Unfortunately, her chair was not where she left it and proceeded to go down all the way to the floor, on her back, looking up at the ceiling. She was not hurt, other than her pride, but we all got a good laugh over that, I think.
Val and I manage to speak on line several times a week. She has edited many of my emails and announcements before I sent them, or in some cases, warned me not to send them out at all. Thank you Val.
Our District 53 Team of LT Gov’s Rich Couture and Paul Young helped me in other ways, most importantly, they respected my decisions and supported my viewpoint in almost every aspect of managing our District. I believe this Team did their best to keep a united front in all matters important to our member’s success. Having 2 hard working LT. Governors, dedicated to the District Mission made it possible for me to focus on the areas that required my time and attention and not have to worry about every detail in that Mission.
Your District Governors and Area Governors have all supported me by having the Members needs uppermost in their minds. All of these individuals managed to take time out from their personal lives and attend the Executive and Steering Committee meetings each month. You should know that these meetings are always on a Saturday and they were always well attended, even during the coldest days of winter and even some of the nicest days of the year. While most people were planning outings with their families or friends, your Division and Area Governors spent many a Saturday meeting, planning for your Clubs and fellow Members benefit.
I think this would be a good time to ask everyone I mentioned to stand and be recognized by your fellow Toastmasters. This means PDG’s, Div and Area Gov. and all members of District 53’s Educational and Administrative Teams. Thank you all for Making a Difference for us.
My Dear Fellow Toastmasters and Friends,
This is the last time I will be speaking to this body as your District 53 Governor and as such, I want to begin by saying Thank you our Members. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to realize my personal vision for leadership. You have all shown more respect for this office than one could ever wish for. During the past year I have had the opportunity, and privilege to travel throughout our District, to attend Training events, Area & Division Contests, Charter Ceremonies, Demo meetings, and even regular Club meetings. Each time I was greeted with the heartfelt enthusiasm that only a
Toastmaster can provide. I firmly believe that I have made some lifelong friends, and I hope the feeling has been mutual.
Your acceptance of our District Theme; Make a Difference, was overwhelming and appreciated. I hope that it has inspired you to continue to not only focus on your personal goals but to appreciate your fellow Members desire to be the best they can be. We really are a mutually supportive organization, more so than any I have ever been associated with. You should all be very, very proud of your accomplishments this year. regardless of your final numbers, most of you have strived to perfection.
This time of year we face the unknown. Will we be Distinguished as a Club, Area, Division and District? Will our Clubs continue to prosper and grow? How will our new officers, at every level, react to their new responsibilities? Will they learn to work together for the common good of every member, every Toastmaster? How will prevailing economic conditions, corporate mergers and acquisitions, and personal life style changes, impact our District in the number of Members and Clubs we presently enjoy? These, and many other outside influences, well beyond our control can and will continue to have an effect on our successes. Keeping this in mind, it is more important
than ever for every Member of District 53 to work together, especially during our transition period in June/July of this year. I ask you to continue to focus your personal and Club goals between now and June 30th. You have all done so much to help make our District successful for the benefit of each member, but we need you to continue to concentrate on your educational goals, new members, and new clubs so we can finish the year as a Distinguished District. For this reason, I am asking you to again consider what you can do to Make a Difference?
Further, I challenge the incoming Senior Team to Make a Difference next year. To never lose sight of why you were elected to lead our District. Always, always, ask yourselves this question before making a decision. “What is best for the District?” I have complete confidence in each of you to keep our members best interests at the forefront of everything you do. May I remind everyone; being a Member of Toastmasters is a real commitment. It occasionally will take some extra effort, and from time to time, maybe even a few hours to do your share. As I recall some of the friendly faces I have had the pleasure and privilege to know, I am confident you are prepared to face the unknown, if you face it together, as a Team, as Toastmasters, and as friends. Thank you all for your confidence in me this past year. You are a special group of individuals and I am extremely proud to have been part of your lives. I shall never forget this opportunity you have given me, to hopefully, Make a Difference in your lives as well.
God bless you and Good Night.
Frank Kane, DTM |
