Pauline enjoyed the FridayNight Fun, too. What else could anyone expect from a Toastmasters event? Fall Conference brimmed with friendship, fun, and an altogether helpful atmosphere. From the first timer reception to the final banquet, everything was thoroughly planned and well-executed. Highlights for me were hearing Merrie Spaeth’s insights about effective communication, learning Robi Ley’s formula for the art of storytelling, and having an opportunity to meet President John and Rebecca Lau. I also enjoyed helping in the hospitality suite, and mingling with members from around the District. The suite was a great place to share ideas about effective club...

First Timers take the stage! District 25 Fall Conference – The Greatest Show on Earth was the theme and never having been to a Toastmaster conference before I really didn’t know what to expect. When I think of conferences I think of boring meetings, lousy food and a lot of unfriendly faces. But back in October, Cindy Hinckley, the Fall  Conference Chairman, had guaranteed me that if I would come that I would have a great time. So I thought I’d give it a try; after all she was quite persistent in getting me to sign up and go. And...

Defining moments in your Toastmasters journey happen rarely, and you should never let them pass you by. I had one such moment last week. As Area 64 Governor, I kept promoting the value of effective communications and the District Conference every chance that I got. Then last week I received an email from the Fall 2012 Conference Chair that I had won the Area Governors’ contest to have dinner with International President John Lau and our leadership team. I was very excited and at the same time, thinking all this would be is another CIO-type event. I was so wrong...

Lights! Timers! Contestants! ACTION! Let the Show begin!  The greatest show on D25 Toastmasters Earth, the District Championships began with a spark!Friday night the “Clowning Around” began with the ‘funtastic’ and fabulous Contest Toastmaster, Michael Sheridan lighting up the room with the Clown’s prayer.Test Speaker, Cameron Rivers (Top Flight Toastmasters) delighted the audience with his spellbinding tale of “The Magic in my Life, or How the Circus Came to Me”. Demonstrating the tricks of the magic trade, Cameron concluded the real magic is in touching the life of others and helping them discover their own strength and talents.Six dynamic and talented...

Fourteen District 25 Toastmasters recently received the Distinguished Toastmaster award (DTM), the highest certification level in Toastmasters. The awards were conferred in a special ceremony Saturday night, November 17, 2012, at the D25 Fall Conference. The awards were presented by District Governor Bonne Stroman, assisted by Toastmasters International President, Dr. John Lau, who personally congratulated each recipient. The newest District 25 Distinguished Toastmasters are: Michael Bancale of Fish Pond ToastmastersMittie Blackburn of Clearly Speaking Toastmasters Bonnie Crawford of Fort Worth Project Management ToastmastersKaren Hagar of Fighter Enterprise ToastmastersChris Loney of Top Notch ToastmastersChuck Mencke of Top Notch ToastmastersLauren Midgley of...

Becky Miller and Pauline Lesch of Cooke County Area Toasters, two of the masterminds of the Hospitality Suite of the Fall 2012 conference. I had the least important job on the conference committee; I was in charge of the Hospitality Suite. The reason that I say that the job was the least important job is because the Fall Conference would still have been a huge success if there hadn’t been a Hospitality Suite. The keynote addresses would have been just as inspirational and the educational sessions would have been equally as informative. The dinners would have been served on time...

The Outstanding Officers, flanked by International President John Lau, Bonne Stroman and Diana Patton. L-R: Barnes, Templeton, Timmons, Tyran, Shukayr, and Martin. Not shown: Bradley. The awards were presented at the Awards Luncheon at the Fall Conference for the members who showed outstanding service for Toastmasters as an officer for their club for the period of January through June, 2012. Thanks to all of you who were in attendance to congratulate the recipients. Below is a brief from the many nominations received for the officers of District 25 that was read at the conference when presenting the awards on November...

  First off, my eyes are actually blue.  However I was definitely “green around the ears” walking into the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Friday evening. It was your usual organized mayhem for anyone who doesn’t know where to go or what to do. But this isn’t just any professional conference. This was a Toastmaster District Conference which means anyone who was wearing a name badge was an enthusiastic source of information for you to use.   I really don’t think you can be a wallflower at this event. Encouragement and inclusion are not at a premium, they are in abundance....