🎃Wednesday, October 30, 2024🎃
What’s Up Wednesday!!
“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” —Rudyard Kipling, author
FALL FUSION 2024
Empowering Leaders, Building Connections
District 50’s Fall Fusion at Collin College Frisco brought together Toastmasters and leaders from across the region for a transformative day of learning and community. With a vibrant schedule of educational sessions, keynote speeches, and panel discussions, participants left energized and equipped with new tools for their leadership and communication journeys.
We’re grateful to everyone who attended, presented, and volunteered, making Fall Fusion an unforgettable experience. Here’s to building on the connections and lessons learned as we continue the journey together in District 50!
3 cheers for Fall Fusion!
A HUGE shout out to the Program Quality team and co-chairs Undrea Gray, LaToya Dyer and all of the volunteers for hosting District 50’s first ever Fall Fusion. We heard from fantastic featured speakers, learned about PodCasting, visited with past District Directors, experienced a Mock Table Topics contest where IPDD, Kellie McMaster took home first place and so much more. We made memories together!
Congratulations to the Hall of Fame Winners and our Best of Last year winners!
Hall of Fame Winners:
IPDD – Gene Gray, DTM
President – Richard Goodrum, DTM
Sgt. at Arms – Joe Nave, ATM, ALB
Secretary – Lillian Drab – Braddick, PM2
Treasurer – Ann Mason, DL1
VP Membership – Caroline Hughey, DTM
VP Education – Eva Zhu PM2
VP Public Relations – Jyo Pai, DTM
Of the Year Awards!
Heart of the District – David Dunn, SR5, MS3
Toastmaster of the Year – Leslie Gibeault, DTM
Area Director of the Year – Christopher Williams, DTM
Distinguished Division Director of the Year – MJ Presley, DTM
Division Director of the Year – Brian Doan, DTM
Dynamic Duo Award – Amy Bemis and Brad Johnson
Spotlight Award – Cle Kimble, TC5, MS3
Rookie of the Year – Jade Bridges, LD3
Base Camp is Back!!!
In case you haven’t checked it out, you should. Base Camp is back in action and has a new look and feel. To access, go to your home page and select “Base Camp” to view all things with this new refreshed tool, it’s beautiful. Curious on how to navigate and get into Pathways? Pathways chair, Dan Reeder has a Pathways session Thursday, November 21st. Sign up here.
Volunteers Needed!
Quality Contest Chair: It’s contest season folks and the Program Quality team is looking for a Quality Contest Chair and team to work with our Area Directors and help our members have an amazing contest experience.
Spring Conference Chair: This is a unique and rewarding experience. Join the Program Quality team through your assistance in planning and coordinating the 2025 Spring Conference. This is a VIP backstage pass to help create an amazing D50 experience through speakers, education sessions, meals, DTM ceremonies, and more. You can also earn Pathways credit for this project and put it towards your DTM!
Please reach out to Program Quality Director, Denise Castille at pqd@d50tm.org and she can fill you in on the details of what we’re looking for.
Coaching Available!
If your club has 12 or less members, you can request a club coach. All you need to do is reach out to Yvonne Broach, our Club Coach Chair at clubcoach@d50tm.org and she can help work with you to find a fit. Don’t wait! Reach out today to get started!
It’s Homecoming Season!
With fall comes football and homecoming. Each club that hosts a club homecoming and invites 10 prior members will receive $20.00 District 50 Bookstore Bucks!
What’s in a word?
This week’s Word of the Week is Commemorate: Verb. Definition: To honor or celebrate the memory of someone or something, especially through ceremonies or special events. In a sentence: “This year, Toastmasters is excited to commemorate its 100th anniversary—a century of helping people become better speakers and leaders! Join us to celebrate this milestone and grow alongside us.”
Challenge: Use “commemorate” in your speeches and conversations this week! Whether you are honoring a personal achievement or celebrating a community event, make your words memorable!
More Membership Ideas!!
Here are 5 fresh new ideas that you can use and bring to your club! If any of these work for you, we want to hear about it!
Extend your invite online and don’t forget people in other geographical areas. Bilingual clubs can invite people associated with a festival or from a country that speaks the language. Invite past language teachers or college age students enrolled in programs to learn.
Host an appreciation night: Honor a community member at a special meeting, (e.g., a teacher appreciation event). Ask the guest to say a few words promoting Toastmasters. Have lots of guests to help express your appreciation.
Design a template for email and encourage current members to use it for personal invites.
Design and print paper invites specific to your club meeting time to hand deliver or mail
Post your club meeting details in a local information app (e.g., Patch).
This past weekend at Fall Fusion was a whirl of a good time. It was lovely to meet so many new people, reconnect with familiar members who I haven’t seen in a while, and cheer on so many of our members who achieved great things in the District last year. We were able to celebrate our past District Director as well as host some visitors from other Districts outside of our own. I’m never surprised at how much fun and affirmation why I Toastmaster, it’s these times that I get from spending a day with all of you. You are what makes this District who we are. You are who will continue to use our core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence to achieve great things through this year. Continue to speak, continue to lead, and continue to be unique and kind to each other. I can’t wait to see more success stories, and meet new members soon.
Enjoy this “cooler” fall weather,Would you like to share something with us? Remember that D50 Cares.
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