Monday, June 30, 2025
THANK YOU FOR RISEing with Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence!
Doesn’t it go by in a Blink?
It’s day 365 of this Toastmasters year, and this year and the past 6 years truly went by in a blink.
Last year, when I embarked on this year of leadership, I was met with many people offering help, showing their support, and sending the loveliest encouraging words. First, thank you to Past International President, Pauline Shirley. Pauline offered her congratulations and support and joined us for our Area and Division Director training in August. We had a ringside view, listening to her and District 50’s First District Governor, Alice pour out their energy, love, and passion for our District and Toastmasters. They had the entire room captivated. You see, District 50 is special. We were born from our neighboring District 25, double the number “50,” and to date, we are the District with the highest number of chartered clubs ever in the world. Pauline and incoming International President Alletta Rochat were the inspiration to RISE, and to be a Distinguished District.
Our District is home to two past International Presidents (both women), Past International Directors, Past Region Advisors, President Citation Winners, World Champion of Public Speaking winners, and finalists. I get to say, I was here. I got to be a part of a District with soul, purpose, amazing leaders, mentors, and members.
Second, thank you to my formal and informal mentors: Past International Director Monnica Rose, Past Region Advisor Charlene Burroughs, and Past District Directors DaWane Wanek and Kristy Pedersen. There was never a time I couldn’t ask them for advice or a listening ear. Third, thank you to my accountability partner Jim Baloun up in District 30, who met with me at least once a week and was the biggest blessing to me, our Trio, and District 50. THANK YOU!
A MASSIVE thanks to the team that said YES! Finance Manager Tim mastered Intact, Tim’s crazy finance ways, and was always just a text away from any question I had. Public Relations Manager Tiffany created something new this year with our Word of the Week and kept the What’s Up Wednesday newsletter alive, even if I had to miss a week. She didn’t! I’m so grateful. Thank you to co-Admin Managers Leslie Gibeault, who started us off strong with scripts, counsel, and organization like no other person, and Nancy Manning, who helped us finish out this year strong.
To our Trio, Rhonda and Denise, working 365 days with you this year has been a blessing. Thank you for upholding our core values of Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence. I am grateful for the healthy conflict and, more importantly, resolution, and for always having each other’s backs. You truly embody what it means to be a team, and I am grateful.
Thank you to six fantabulous Division Directors: Herb, Tommy, Cle, Daniel, Roderick, and David, for being leaders who led. Leaders who never asked anything of their team that they wouldn’t do themselves. They led with RISE every day, and I am proud of them as members, leaders, and friends.
To our members, thank you for allowing me into your inbox every week and for allowing me to serve you and our great District this year. This has been the capstone to my 6 young years within our organization. You have coached me, taught me many lessons and held me accountable to what RISE really means.
SUCCESS
Inspired by our District’s legacy, we set out to become a Distinguished District. While that goal was not achieved, we had some pretty fantastic milestones that haven’t been accomplished in several years. We were able to get a Select Distinguished Plains Division, a President’s Distinguished Area 42, Select Distinguished Area 41, two Distinguished Areas 21 and 51. We were able to achieve a variety of levels, not just Distinguished. I am so proud of our clubs, our Area Directors and Division Directors who put their all into serving this year.
What’s Next?
I look forward to a new year and achieving new goals in my life. I look forward to being President of Confident Leaders and a member of Bossier Speakers where I will continue practicing speaking and leading in a safe space. Sterling will miss getting as much screen time with so many people and zooming pets as he has had in the past several years but don’t worry, he won’t be lacking for treats and lovin’s. My office may see a little less of me at night and I think it’s ready for the quiet.
As my email box quiets, and the incoming team takes over, my wish for our leaders and all of you is to offer each other grace, kindness, and to never stray far from our values: Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence.
With a RISEing heart,
Kimberly Ross, DTM
District Director 2024 – 2025
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