What’s Up Wednesday!

Wednesday, May 29, 2025

WHAT’S UP WEDNESDAY!

RISE with 

Integrity.

Respect.

Service.

Excellence!

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” ~ Unknown

We need YOU!

The new Toastmasters year is almost here, and District 50 needs YOU!! We need you to say “yes” and help serve our members by being an Area Director. Every year, our District works with members who are looking for the experience of leading in a volunteer organization.

Perhaps there are areas you would like to experience, improve, or simply get to know more people. Being an Area Director is the backstage pass to really understanding how so many things work as well as connecting with the heart of our District, our members. If you are interested in taking this next step, or simply curious about what it means to be an Area Director, please reach out to District Director Kimberly Ross at dd@d50tm.org and let’s have a chat. I already have a couple of meetings on my calendar, and am excited to connect and share the benefits and details with you!

The Road to Distinguished

Congratulations and a shout out to the below clubs for being Distinguished, Select Distinguished, or President’s Distinguished. In order to make these designations, clubs must be at 20+ members or have added +3 members to their base as well as earn the needed DCP Points. The year is not over yet, and we know that many clubs are working hard to get those needed requirements to get their names added to these lists. Keep it up, don’t let up off the gas!

Distinguished – 5 DCP Points and +3/20 Members
Arts District Club
Big “D” Toastmasters
COPART TOASTMASTERS
Dallas ISD Talk It Up!
LUV Toastmasters
Oncor Dallas Toastmasters
Tyler Morning Toastmasters Club

Select Distinguished – 7 DCP Points and +3/20 Members
Allen Toastmasters
Frisco Speaks Up
Leadership Lambda Toastmasters Club
McKinney Motivators *
Metrocrest Toastmasters
Park Central Toastmasters
PMI Dallas Toastmasters
RKT Toastmasters
Shreveport Club
TNT Toastmasters Club
Verbal Expressions Club #5736

Presidents Distinguished – 9 DCP Points and +3/20 Members
BCBSTX Toasties
Best of Dallas Toastmasters **
COS Freedom Speakers
Plano Talkers Club **
Texas Dragon Toastmasters Club
Toastmasters of Rockwall Club
Unique Toastmasters **
Waxahachie Toastmasters
Word Wranglers Club
Wylie Wisecrackers


* = Moved from Distinguished to Select Distinguished
** = Moved from Select Distinguished to President’s Distinguished

What’s in a Word?

Memorial Day Weekend : Word of the week is: valor. Noun. Pronunciation: /ˈva-lər/. 

Definition: Great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. 

In a sentence: “On Memorial Day, we honor the valor of those who gave their lives in service to our nation.” 

Challenge: Use the word “valor” in your next Toastmasters speech, Table Topics response, or evaluation. 

Bonus points if you tie it to themes of service, bravery, or personal leadership. 

Why This Word? As we reflect on the sacrifices made by brave men and women in uniform, “valor” reminds us not only of their courage but also of the values we aspire to embody as Toastmasters: Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence.

A Warm Welcome

Since January 2025, our District has gained 350 new members! If you joined District 50 this year, we are so glad to have you here!! There are so many opportunities for growth in both speaking, communicating, leading, and being a part of the team!

Curious about where you can help out? Want to learn more? Make sure you don’t miss our New Member Orientations led by Jyo Pai and Valynda Fulz! Our next New Member Orientations dates and times are below. If you are curious about District 50, Toastmasters, or just need a refresh, check out this 1-hour session, designed to help our members stay connected and understand what’s next! Click on the date to register for the 1st session. Check the calendar for all future events and opportunities to register.

Memorial Day

As we just celebrated Memorial Day, it is so important to remember all of the sacrifices of those men, women, and animals, who have fallen, in sacrifice to our country. When looking for quotes for today’s What’s Up Wednesday, it was tough. There are so many amazing quotes out there, here are some more…. What are some of your most favorite Memorial Day quotes? 

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” —Ronald Reagan

“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt

“We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.” —Unknown”

Sincerest regards,

Kimberly Ross, DTM
District 50, District Director

❤️Would you like to share something with us? Remember that D50 Cares. ❤️