My first time experience at the District 25 Spring Conference 2012 was amazing! This was not only my first time attending an entire conference, but my first time serving on the conference committee as the First Timers Chair. I admit I had no idea what to expect, but I knew it would be a good experience. And it turned out to be exceptional. I worked with many great people on the committee to help with the planning of this great event. I was impressed to learn how the committee provides hard work and dedication for months to make it successful....

Rose Timmons, Warren Ehn and Hope Hill Click on photos to enlarge. The 2012 Spring Conference was the best conference I’ve ever attended. Hotel check-in and rooms were great. The conference committee worked tirelessly for months, planning and preparing. Registration was painless to pick up badge, tickets, and quality goodie bag. Decorations and programs complemented the theme, “Ignite the Flame!”  The First Timer’s Booth was “womaned” with friendly and enthusiastic ladies who welcomed new conference attendees with additional activities andgoodies. Dean Lampman and Ron Clark The Banner Parade kicked off the event. After a delicious dinner, many attendees put on their...

Click on photo for larger version.   Twice yearly, those who received Toastmasters highest education recognition, the Distinguished Toastmaster award, are honored and celebrated during the Distinguished Toastmaster Award ceremony. At this conference, there were seven recipients being honored. The ceremony began with the lighting of the DTM candle, followed by the procession into the ballroom, of the seven candle carrying recipients, led by the DTM Ceremony chair, Maurice Taitt.   After taking their seats in alphabetical order by last name, they were each presented their DTM plaques and medallions by District 25 Governor, Distinguished Toastmaster Diana Patton. They were...

The District 25 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests were held at the Spring Conference and were incredible. It is a tremendous achievement to make it to the District competition. Everyone competing did a magnificent job. They certainly did their part in “Igniting the Flame” of the members of District 25. Thank you to the following for their participation. Tall Tales First Place: Bret Hauser, Savvy Sayers Second Place: Oliver Cozby, Speakers Exchange Third Place: Inga Shivers, Southlake Also competing in alphabetical order:  Phil Apgar, Flower Mound Toastmasters; Jody Helton, Top Notch Toastmasters – TNT; Belinda Mays, Quicksilver Express International...

Yes, 50 and counting! 50 is a fairly substantial number, wouldn’t you say? A 50th birthday is certainly a milestone. A 50th wedding anniversary is definitely something to celebrate, quite an achievement. I want to talk about another achievement. Brenda Daniels, a member of Afterburners, this past weekend attended her 50th District Conference. Yes, 50! Over the past 25 years, she’s never missed a conference. She knows they are that important, so she’s never missed a conference since she joined Toastmasters. I hope to reach her milestone someday in the future but right now I have attended five consecutive conferences...

Kathy Brewer, Amelinda Salas, Chuck Mencke, Greg Pick, Tisha Randle, Mike Kinser Six new division governors are poised to step into their new leadership roles after being elected at the District Council meeting. Here’s a little bit about them. Division A: Mike Kinser, ACB, ALB has been the Area 14 Governor this year. He has served his home club, Weatherford Toastmasters, in several officer roles. Division B: Tisha Randle, ACS, ALS has previously served the district as Awards Chair and Area 54 Governor in addition to holding several offices in her home club, Inner Voice Toastmasters. Division C: Greg Pick, ACS, ALB has...

Saturday evening, May 5, at the District 25 Spring Conference, the newly elected officers were installed by International Director David McCallister, DTM. Leading the team is District Governor-Elect Bonne K. Stroman, DTM. Bonne has been a member of Toastmasters for eleven years and has served the district as Training Chair, Area 11 Governor, Lt. Governor Marketing, and Lt. Governor Education and Training, her current title. She has also served on several conference committees. Bonne was honored as 2007-08 Toastmaster of the Year and with the Toastmasters International Marketing Award in 2010-2011. Bonne’s home club is Weatherford Toastmasters 4963. Elected to the position of Lt. Governor...

Did you have Fun at the District 25 Spring Conference, “Ignite the Flame?” I definitely did! My flame is ignited, and I cannot wait for Fall Conference. I am 100% positive that there was no comparison between District 25 Toastmasters and any other group at the Sheraton. Of course, I may be a little prejudiced, but those high school table tennis players and bull riders don’t have anything on Toastmasters Rocking the Sheraton and Having Fun!   Starting the entire weekend, the Banner Parade was so like the parade of nations. The parade was led by the Toastmaster of the Year Susanne Nickerson and Rookie...

The Spring Conference was a HUGE success and I believe it “Ignited the Flame” of those who attended. I like this picture as it was taken when the conference registration opened. It captures the smiles of several conference committee members as well as a smiling First Timer! Add in our fabulous LGET (and District Governor-elect) Bonne Stroman and it tells the Toastmasters story . . . whether new or experienced, we all are learning together. This photo was taken by the Fall Conference Chair (me). I had so much fun helping Mary Feltman (Spring Conference Chair) and the Spring Conference...