What’s Up Wednesday!

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

What’s Up Wednesday!

RISE with Integrity. Respect. Service. Excellence!

 “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

– Martin Luther King

Be the Change You Wish to See

District 50 is excited to share that applications are being accepted for district leadership. Leading in D50 is a fulfilling journey that will enhance your skills and allow you to give back to the community. This is a fantastic opportunity to grow, lead, and positively impact. Want to learn more? You’re in luck!!!

We are hosting a leadership fireside chat! We will have a variety of different leaders as panelists. You will be able to talk with them and learn why they have served and what they have experienced so far as a leader within our District.

When: Thursday, January 30th Time: 7 pm Register today!

Available roles are below and will provide you with 1-year of service.

Roles that will need an application are:

  • District Director
  • Program Quality Director
  • Club Growth Director
  • Division Director (6 positions available)

Other positions that are appointed by the District Director include:

  • Area Director (26 positions)
  • Finance Manager
  • Administration Manager
  • Public Relations Manager

Elected positions have forms that need to be filled out.  Please consider this opportunity to give back to District 50 as well as yourself and apply today by clicking here.

If you have any questions, please email: leadership@d50tm.org. 

District 50 is on LinkedIn

Let’s welcome Yujun Liang, our new LinkedIn ambassador. Yujun is going to be spreading the Toastmasters news and needs our help! Please join and follow our D50 LinkedIn page, like his posts, and re-share the posts on your personal page. These actions will bring more awareness to others who are not currently members. Our goal is to get noticed and have more people join us in our passion for Toastmasters.

Using Meetup to Grow Your Toastmasters Club

Looking to increase visitors and membership for your Toastmasters Club? Meetup.com is a powerful platform to connect with people interested in improving their public speaking and leadership skills.

What is Meetup?

Meetup.com is an online platform designed to help people find and join groups based on shared interests. Whether it’s learning new skills, exploring hobbies, or connecting with like-minded individuals, Meetup helps users discover local events and communities. With over 50 million users worldwide, it’s an excellent tool for promoting your club’s meetings and attracting new members.

How to Use Meetup for Your Club

Create a Meetup Group: Start by setting up a dedicated page for your club. Include:

  • An engaging description of your club
  • Your club’s purpose, and benefits
  • Highlight what makes Toastmasters unique—personal growth, networking, and a supportive environment.
  • Post Regular Events: 
    • Add your meetings as events on the platform. 
    • Include details such as time, location (or Zoom link for virtual meetings), and what attendees can expect. 
    • Clear and inviting descriptions will attract more visitors.

Engage with Members: Respond to questions or messages promptly and welcome new members to your events. Engagement helps build trust and interest.

Leverage Keywords: Use terms like “public speaking,” “leadership,” and “confidence-building” in your descriptions to make your group discoverable to people searching for these topics.

Encourage Word of Mouth: Ask your members to join the Meetup group and share it with their networks. The more active your group, the more visible it becomes on the platform.

Why Meetup Works

Meetup attracts individuals looking for growth opportunities and new experiences—making it a natural fit for Toastmasters. With a well-maintained page and regular updates, your club can reach potential members who may not have discovered you otherwise.

Start your Meetup group today and let the platform help you grow your Toastmasters Club!

TLI – Get Trained out in Eastern!

It’s not too late! Eastern TLI is happening Saturday, January 25th, and will kick off with a Keynote from Past District Director, Distinguished Toastmaster, Kellie McMaster. Easter TLI will be held at Tyler Junior College West. Don’t miss the opportunity to have breakfast tacos as well as level up and connect with your officer peers and make the morning fantastic at this in-person training opportunity! 

Not only will you get to have some fun, but getting your 4 officers trained can get you closer to that DCP point! You will not need a parking pass. Visit the TLI webpage and click to Register.

  • Saturday, January 25th, 9:00 AM – 12:50 PM, Eastern TLI at TJC West
  • Tuesday, February 4th, 11:00 AM – 1:50 PM, Mid-Day Zoom TLI
  • Saturday, February 15th, 9:00 AM – 11:50 AM, Last Chance Zoom TLI

CONTEST SEASON IS HERE!

Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, John Henry…. Create your own Tall Tales and compete in the upcoming Tall Tales contest. Do you have an inspirational or funny story to share? International speech contests are made for you! Get competing and we’ll see you soon at one of the Area contests! Clubs should have their Club contests or showcase to decide who will be representing them at the Area contests. Area contests begin Saturday, February 22nd, and will run through Saturday, March 15th. Winners from the Area contests will advance to the Division level contests where you will compete against others within your District 50 Division.

For more information on the contest schedule, you can visit the Contest Page on the D50 website.

Speechcraft Opportunity

Speechcraft was created for experienced members to help non-members become the best communicators they can be! 

Frontier Division Director Tommy Kenyon, Amy Bemis, and Felicha Stanley have seized the opportunity to host a Speechcraft beginning Tuesday, February 4th from 8:30 am to 10 am and meeting weekly for six consecutive weeks at 10379 Plano Road, Dallas, TX 75238.   

Speechcraft is conducted like a Toastmasters club meeting.  If you are interested in developing non-members into better communicators, please complete the Google form(s) at https://d50tm.org/cg/ for a selection of roles and dates for the Speechcraft.  Your assistance is greatly appreciated.  For more information about the Speechcraft, please contact Club Growth Director Rhonda Bunte at cgd@d50tm.org.

What is Speechcraft? Learn more here!

What’s In A Word?

This week’s Word of the Week is Equality: Noun.  Definition: The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. Why it matters: As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy, “Equality” reminds us of his unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, and equal rights for all. In Toastmasters: Equality also resonates with our values—creating a space where everyone, regardless of their background, has a voice and an opportunity to grow. In a sentence: “The notions of equality and liberty were anathema to him!”  Challenge:

Challenge: In your speeches or table topics this week, incorporate the word “Equality.” Reflect on how it shapes your life, your community, or your Toastmasters journey. Share examples or stories that inspire others to embrace Equality in their own way.

Building Connections

Last weekend, the TLI team put on a heckuva in-person TLI event, and are getting ready to repeat that in-person event in Tyler, Texas this coming Saturday. What I enjoy about gathering and learning together is when I gain new ideas and connect with people I haven’t seen in a while. I love getting a smile, a quick hello or maybe a hug to remember that we’re not just Toastmasters members, but friends… and many, chosen family. Many clubs are looking at ways to be creative, have fun, and find new members to bring along on this journey we have found so rewarding. I met a member who is going to be doing a modern-day take on a banner raid. Before Covid, a club would get a bunch of their members together, visit another club, and take their club banner! For that club to get it back, they in turn would need to join the club in possession of their banner for a meeting. In modern “Zoom” days, that may be a little tougher to do. However, one club is finding a way to do a “Club Crawl”. They will connect with clubs within their area, visit each other’s meetings support each other, and have some fun! What are you doing to create a fun atmosphere? How are you welcoming guests? Keep sharing your ideas! People are out there and want to find us! I am encouraged to see so many people getting excited for contests, and so much more that is happening in the coming months. Keep connecting, keep sharing with each other, and continue to take those first steps, even when you may not see the whole path. 

With Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence,

Kimberly Ross, DTM
District 50, District Director
Would you like to share something with us? Remember that D50 Cares.