District 25 Key FactorThe

D25 Toastmasters Unlock your potential

November 2008Volume 7, Issue 5

The keys to unlocking your potential Part 4: Network with your peers

From the district governor

Peggy holloway dtmpeggyholloway@ d25toastmasters.org

You are familiar with the statement, “no man is an is-land.” It is part of a quotation by author John Donne, which means human beings do not thrive when isolated from oth-ers. Networking has always been a means of unlocking our potential, and there’s no better place to network with our peers than at a Toastmasters’ district conference. There is much you can gain and experience by net-working with your peers at the upcoming Fall 2008 conference.

You will gain a new perspec-tive of Toastmasters. The new friends, ideas, tools and keys you obtain from the confer-ence may enable you to start a business, earn a promotion, and unlock untapped potential. You will gain training and education. In addition to numerous educa-tion sessions from a commu-nication and leadership track, highly trained and renowned keynote speakers will enlighten

and educate us with keys to unlock our potential.

You will gain knowledge and insight into the business side of the district. A member of your club, usually the president and vice president for education, should attend the district busi-ness meeting to vote your club’s proxy and to learn what’s hap-pening in the district.

You will experience enjoy-ment and fun. On Friday night after the main event, we will dance the night away. If you are like me and haven’t tapped into your dancing potential, don’t worry about it. It’s fun to watch others, and maybe we will find the courage to unleash hidden potential that we didn’t know we had. You will experience the joy of watching winners from our six division contests compete in the District Evalu-ation and Humorous Speech contests. By watching the best,

Conference information

The Key Factor is the officialpublication of District 25, which serves Toastmasters throughout North Central Texas.

In this issueAre ready for the Fall Conference? Everything you need to know about the semi-annual District 25 get together is in this newsletter.

Continued on Page 6

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D25 Fall Conference: You Hold The KeyNow is the time to Unlock your Po-tential! Educational presentations will be jam-packed with relevant, useful information. Online registration is now available.

When: November 21 and 22 Where: Marriott Solana WestlakeCost: Full registration $100, includes admission to all educational ses-sions, meals, contests and ceremo-nies. A la carte pricing also available. Room registration: Toastmasters room rate is $99 per night. Use booking code D25D25A.

Interested in serving on the conference committee? Express your interest to Tammy Bailey and find out how you can complete your High Performance Leadership project by serving on the committee. Email tammybailey@d25toastmasters.org.

Wave your banner and show your pride! This is your chance to shine — and to show off your club!

The Banner Parade opens the Fall Conference on Friday evening. It’s an impressive sight – like the opening day of the Olympics with all the flags. It is your time to be proud and strut your stuff – so come on out and feel a part of our history by being at this conference and being in the Banner Parade! Then listen and be inspired by our Friday night Keynote Speaker. This event will get you off to an energizing start for the rest of the conference!

Clubs participating in the Banner Parade will receive a special limited edition District 25 Fall Conference ribbon to attach to your club banner and commemorate the event. Clubs will receive the ribbon at the conference.

Remember all banners hang in the main room after the parade, so we get to look at them throughout the confer-ence and get inspiration from the older clubs with all the beautiful ribbons for accomplishments over the years.

Questions? Email our District 25 Sergeant at Arms Greg Wyatt at gregwyatt@d25toastmasters.org.Register online at www.d25toastmasters.org/bannerparade.

District Council meetingAttention Club Presidents & VPs of Education:You are invited to attend the meeting of the District Council on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Mariott Solana, 5 Village Circle in Westlake. The meeting is free and open to all members of District 25. As a member of the District Council, if you cannot attend, please send a member of your club and your signed proxy to ensure your club is represented. Additional information will be sent to you in the coming weeks. For more information, see back page.

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District 25 Fall Conference: Meet your keynote speakers

Lashunda Rundles, CTM/CLLashunda Rundles, a Toastmaster and motivational speaker in Dallas, Texas, emerged victorious and claimed the title of 2008 World Champion of Public Speaking. Her speech, “Speak!” encouraged people to use their voices to change the world. Rundles is excited about being the first African-American woman – and only the fourth woman, ever – to win this prestigious competition. She hopes to become the national spokesperson for the Lu-pus Foundation of America. As a lupus survivor, she says she feels particularly qualified to speak on behalf of other patients. – Toastmasters International

Jeff CrilleyJeff Crilley is a vet-eran television broad-caster who retired from TV news after a 25-year career to start his own PR firm. He has appeared on CNN, CNN Headline News, FOX News,

The Discovery Channel, Good Morn-ing America and The CBS Early Show. He has won an Emmy Award, the Na-tional Headliners Award, the Edward R. Murrow Award, the Thurgood Marshall Award and in 2004 was named Texas’ Best TV Reporter by The Associated Press.

Pauline Shirley, DTM Pauline Shirley, Presi-dent of LeadersOnFire and a principal partner of the Entrepreneur Leadership Center, educates executives and employees in val-ued leadership skills such as how to listen

better, organize their thoughts, communi-cate more effectively in all situations, give powerful presentations and lead happier, healthier, more prosperous lives. In 1994-95, Pauline became the second woman elected International President of Toast-masters International.

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Meet your District 25 Fall Conference education speakers for 2008!

Pause It, Mack Mercer2005 World Championship finalist Mack Mercer unveils the “secret weapon” that championship speakers use to set themselves apart. Mack will use actual World Cham-pionship videos, along with audience participation to show how this one element, once mastered will have a tremendous impact on your speaking presentations.

High Polished Luster, Cindy M. Warmbrodt-BreamanAre you struggling with ideas for you High Performance Leadership project? Do you want a project that shines brightly and gets people talking? Then let’s put the High Perfor-mance in the HPL! In this session we will focus on using the Toastmasters HPL project so that you gain real leadership skills that will make a difference in your life and the lives of your community.

Speaking as a Profession, Ron ForyInterested in using your Toastmasters expertise to create “revenue enhancement” op-portunities? Just how do you go about transitioning from a Toastmaster to a trainer or professional speaker? How do I get started? Where do I get potential clients? These are just a couple of questions that will be addressed in Ron’s presentation. Bring a sharp pencil and an open mind as you develop your skills in becoming a successful trainer.

The Answer Is Inside, Mike MeierDo you want to take your public speaking to the next level? Learn how your natural abili-ties impact your speaking style. Mike Meier is the 2008 District 25 International Speech Champion and a certified professional in aptitude assessments. He will share how natural abilities relate to speech preparation and delivery and how to use your unique talents effectively.

Making Time, Roxienne AlbertinaDoes time always seem to slip away from you? Learn creative ways to take care of your-self and all of your responsibilities while still finding time for Toastmasters. Roxienne is a TV producer, secretary for the Curacao Sport Federation and among other titles, is past president of the Concordia Toastmaster Club in Curacao. She will share secrets on how we can have a fulfilling life by taking care of ourselves first.

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Just announced: More Fall Conference speakers!

Stagecraft, Dodi FosterGreat delivery is the key to a winning speech! Come unlock your potential in this class, which will focus on the many usages of the stage area, connecting with the audience, impact techniques and bringing your personality to life.

The Secrets of Storytelling, Dave LieberFor nearly 30 years, Dave Lieber, humorist, storyteller and award-winning columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, has used stories to change the world. Nothing motivates people more! Dave feels that stories about positive change help people change positively and gives you a special con-nection to the audience. A great speech has to have a great story. Dave reveals the exact formula you can use to create compelling speeches.

Flip That Club, Bonne StromanDo you know a club that is in desperate need of a ‘makeover’? Often times, even good clubs need a little extra TLC to get back on track. Join Bonne as she shares her ideas and tactics that helped a club go from distressed to distinguished.

Why Leaders Fail, Ron BlandYou are the leader, what are your plans to stay on top? Leadership is influence, plain and simple. Find out why leaders continually fail and why they keep making the same mistakes over and over. In Why Leaders Fail, you will learn the three “warning signs” of approaching failure and what leaders can do to meet them head on.

Leadership Panel DiscussionModerated by Pauline Shirley, DTMTap into the combined leadership experience of a panel of distinguished experts who have served as presidents or governors of president’s, select and distinguished clubs and districts. Learn from these Toastmasters as they share their experiences as leaders and what it takes to achieve club, area, divi-sion and district success.

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we unlock our potential to use humor in our speeches and be-come better speech evaluators. You will experience excitement as the district recognizes our outstanding club officers and high achievers, including our newest Distinguished Toastmasters. When we see others achieving their goals, we know we have the potential to do the same.

It’s true, no man is an island. We

all need others to thrive and remain active in life. Toastmasters’ confer-ences provide us a special occasion to leave our island and network with our peers. You never know when you will need a friend you met or the knowledge you gained at a conference.

So don’t be an island, register today for the 2008 District 25 Fall Conference and use this key to unlock your potential.

Continued from Page 1

Newsletter informationThe Key Factor is published monthly and is available to the members of District 25 Toastmasters and clubs.

One-year subscription by mail is $36. Back issues areavailable online.

StaffPublisherPeggy Holloway, DTMPeggyholloway@ d25toastmasters.org

Public Relations OfficerDavid Martin, ACB/ALSdavidmartin@ d25toastmasters.org

EditorKate Gormannewsletter@ d25toastmasters.org

PhotographerMark Novak, DTMmarknovak@ d25toastmasters.org

Submissionsn Length: Please do not exceed 250 words (about one typed, double spaced page).

n If possible, include pictures along with information about who is in the picture and what is going on.

n Deadline: Now get those articles in! Deadline for submittals is the 25th of the month. All articles are subject to editing.

n Send submissions and letters to newsletter@ d25toastmasters.org

Save the date: Winter TLIMark your calendars now for the winter Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) sessions. Online registration: Begins Nov. 1 and is complimentary for all members of District 25 Toastmasters. For more information visit www.d25toastmasters.org/tli

District 25 calendarNovember 2008n All month: Hold Area and Division Council Meetingsn Nov. 1 through Nov. 15: Division Speech Contestsn Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 Fall Conference – Marriott Solana, Westlake, Texas

December 2008n All month: Hold Area and Division Council Meetingsn Club Table Topics & International Speech contests begin (Area contests begin in Feb-ruary)n Dec. 5: Toastmasters Leadership Institute – IBM Irvingn Dec. 13: Toastmasters Leadership Institute – TCU Fort Worthn Dec. 31: Last day to submit Club Officer List ONLINE for DCP credit!

Promotion winnersCongratulations to the winners of District 25’s Go For the Gold promotion and Toastmasters International’s Smedly Award.

Plymonth Park Toastmasters Div. B Area 21 5 New membersAAFES Toastmasters Div. F Area 65 5 New membersConnection Communicators Div. B Area 24 5 New membersQuicksilver Express Div. A Area 15 6 New membersFlagship Speakers Div. B Area 21 7 New members

Smedly Award and Go For the Gold membership contests ran from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30. These clubs will receive a Smedly Award Ribbon for their banner from Toastmasters International and their choice of one module from: The Better Speaker Series, The Successful Club Series or The Leadership Excellence Series. They will also receive from District 25, membership pins for new mem-bers added during the contest and choice of one module from the above series for 5 new members, choice of 2 modules for 7 members. Flagship Speakers also wins a new wireless remote control set of timing Lights lfor adding the most new members.

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It seems just like yesterday that we were holding the first area contest in Wichita Falls, but in fact it was more than 70 days ago. The first contest was held August 16, and the final contest was conducted Octo-ber 24.

As this newsletter goes to print the division contests should be completed and everyone looking forward to the district competition for Speech Evaluation on Fri-day, November 21 and Humorous Speech contest on Saturday afternoon, November 22.

Here are a few numbers related to the fall 2008 District 25 area contests:

Days from first area contest to last area contest: 70

Clubs represented: 88Contestants: 162Laughs: Too many to count!Terrific contests were held in Wichita

Falls, Waco, Abilene, Denton, Irving, Fort Worth, Coppell, Bedford and other loca-tions within the District 25 boundaries.

The numbers can’t begin to represent the fun that was had by all or the dedication and commitment of everyone involved. It was a growth opportunity for club mem-bers, club officers and area governors. It was fun to see people that had never been part of the contest process participate by competing or volunteering. It was espe-cially gratifying to see some of the newest

clubs in the district not only compete but even host an area contest.

Let’s all take a deep breath and get ready for the spring 2009 contest season. The spring 2009 contests will be International Speech and Table Topics. If you are a sea-soned Toastmaster or a new member of our district, I encourage you to be part of the contest process. I will be conducting Con-test Quality Training at the Toastmaster Leadership Institute’s (TLI) in December and January. I encourage each and every Vice President of Education to attend as well as anyone that plans on being a con-test chair. This is your opportunity to im-prove your skills in planning a club contest or to find out just how it is done if you’ve never had a club contest. Training will also be held for chief judges and contest judges.

I hope to see more club contests being held and each and every club sending a contestant to compete at their area contest. The area contest dates have been selected.

Now is the time to start planning, pre-paring and practicing that speech you’ve been thinking about that would be incred-ible for the International Speech competi-tion. Don’t forget to brush up those Table Topics skills at each and every opportunity.

Let’s make the numbers for the spring 2009 contest season surpass those for the fall 2008 season. This is another opportu-nity to unlock your potential.

diana Patton ACB/ALSdianapatton@ d25toastmasters.org

FRoM THe ConTeST QuALITy CHAIR

And you thought the fall contest season was fun... Spring 2009 season is just around the corner!

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Welcome new District 25 Toastmasters!Ravi Katiyar AAFCU Flying Toasters ClubNancy Nunez AAFES Toastmasters ClubKaren Skinner AAFES Toastmasters ClubDebbie Karl Abilene Toastmasters ClubMarina Nemir Abilene Toastmasters ClubLois Shafer Afterburners ClubMadonna Horcher Airport ToastmasterMaria Sztyk Airport ToastmasterBecky Matthews Arlington Nooners Toastmasters ClubDede Hart A-Team ClubJudy Kham-Holland A-Team ClubYolanda McGee A-Team ClubSandi Lane Baylor Orators Toastmasters ClubChristopher McCowan Bell Helicopter ClubSteven Quick Bell Helicopter ClubAnthony Warenskjold Bell XworX ToastmastersCrystal Parra BNSF Toastmasters ClubReagan Smith BNSF Toastmasters ClubTereance Dennis Chrysler Financial ToastmastersPatricia Matthews Chrysler Financial ToastmastersJulia Patterson Chrysler Financial ToastmastersGerald Bailey Cleburne Toastmasters ClubJoe Garcia Cleburne Toastmasters ClubChad Renfro Cleburne Toastmasters ClubCheyne Royce Cleburne Toastmasters ClubMark Wood Cleburne Toastmasters ClubJose Cabuslay Connection Communicators ClubJahanara Rahman Daybreakers ClubElizabeth Garrett Denton Toastmasters ClubRuth Irwin Denton Toastmasters ClubJennifer Lovvorn Do-Gooder Hill Toastmasters ClubRandall Loyd Energizers Toastmasters ClubNancy Cariker-Moon Eye Can Toastmasters ClubGermaine Fields Eye Can Toastmasters ClubSergio Delgadillo Fighter Enterprise Toastmasters ClubJames Kirk Fighter Enterprise Toastmasters ClubSharon Montoro Fighter Enterprise Toastmasters ClubJoy Brown Flagship Speakers Toastmasters ClubRajalakshmi Loganathan Golden Triangle Toastmasters ClubLetecia O’Mally HealthmastersRosa Ethridge Hewitt Fastenators ClubJustin Shaeffer Irving Toastmasters ClubLavonne Burleigh Keller Communicators ClubSteven Donskey Keller Communicators ClubJoe Reilly Little Elm ToastmastersSamuel Evans LM AeroSpeakers ClubTerry Griffin Lonestar ToastmastersMack Kyles Lonestar ToastmastersGabriela Morgan Lonestar ToastmastersSherry Strayer Lonestar ToastmastersSandra Thompson Lonestar ToastmastersMelissa Fowler Manna ToastmastersSherilyn Neudauer Manna ToastmastersJodi Johnson Medtronic ToastersGabriel Johnston Medtronic ToastersAdaryl Davis Mid Cities Evening Toastmasters Club

Hua Deng Mid Cities Evening Toastmasters ClubJessica Graves Mid Cities Evening Toastmasters ClubMichael Hermens Mid Cities Evening Toastmasters ClubAlison Attanasio Motorola ClubJesus Coronado Motorola ClubSharon Huang North TX ClubRitu Lilani Oration Plus Toastmasters ClubCecile Crosby Plus-Two ClubJon Crosby Plus-Two ClubAmanda Boston Plymouth Park ClubScott Bradshaw Pro A.M. Toastmasters ClubAngie Gallaway Pro A.M. Toastmasters ClubThaddaeus Lanthripe Reveille ClubKort Laughbaum Reveille ClubRandall Meinen Reveille ClubTuanh Nguyen-Dao Shining Stars ClubMelissa Sanchez Shining Stars ClubMaria Anguiano Southlake ClubKeegan Drake Southlake ClubBill Eden Southlake ClubMatt Greenway Southlake ClubApril Healy Southlake ClubLily Ma Southlake Evening ToastmastersGnalen Nabe Talk Blue Toastmasters ClubBurnett Taylor Talk Blue Toastmasters ClubSonya Penny Tanglewood ToastmastersKelley Henderson TCU Toastmasters ClubRyan Rich TCU Toastmasters ClubLogan Stanbery TCU Toastmasters ClubMargarette Mattern Texas Stars ClubAnita Perez Texas ToastersSandra Reeve Texas ToastersJosie Gutierrez Texas Wesleyan SpellbindersCatherine Holland Texas Wesleyan SpellbindersRobin Comparini Toast the Blues Toastmasters ClubValerie McKinney Toast the Blues Toastmasters ClubGina Pierson Toast the Blues Toastmasters ClubHenry Demond ToastvestersLynnie Johnson ToastvestersHammad Mansoor ToastvestersDavid Shumate ToastvestersGilbert Ybarra Top Notch Toastmasters - TNTCynthia Atkins T-Toasters ClubAdrienne Cook T-Toasters ClubJanice Pearce T-Toasters ClubMaria Sanchez T-Toasters ClubBianca Tillis T-Toasters ClubCarl Weckenman T-Toasters ClubPaul Shafer Unique Toastmasters At Vista Ridge ClubGrace Esimai United Communicators ClubLena Chambers Verbal Eyes ClubElvira Garcia Verbal Eyes ClubLinda Losekamp VHA ToastmastersKatherine Woodlee VHA ToastmastersChristopher Watkins Waco Tale Twisters ClubLarry Witt Waco Tale Twisters ClubErik Batiste Xerox Capital Toastmasters

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What makes a successful Toastmasters club? The standard answer is: One that meets or exceeds the Distinguished Club Program Goals. But this is only a way to measure success.

As Dr. Ralph Smedly said, Toastmasters is the only organization out there based on the individual. It is what the program offers to the individual members and their success that affects the success of the club.

Refer to this part of the mission of Toast-masters International:

Through its member clubs, Toastmasters International helps men and women learn the arts of speaking, listening, and think-ing-vital skills that promote self-actualiza-tion, enhance leadership potential, foster human understanding, and contribute to the betterment of mankind.

When the individual member has the ability to experience all aspects of the program, with the mutual support and en-couragement of all other members, then the entire club benefits.

So success is about making sure that ev-ery member is getting what they need from the program.

How do we do that? Plan for Success.n Ask the member what they want to

accomplish. This goes for both new and experienced member.n Have a new member induction cer-

emony (refer to the Presidents Handbook.)n Get the Basic Communication Manuel

and Leadership Manual to new members as soon as you can.

n Assign mentors to new members as soon as possible.n Encourage new members to give their

Ice Breaker as soon as possible.n Assign new members meeting roles as

soon as possible.n Ask an experienced member to present

a module from the Better Speaker Series or the The Successful Club Series.n Make sure all speeches are Manuel

speeches.n If possible, have a library of Advanced

Manuals for members to look at.n Provide all members with online re-

sources (toastmastersinternational.org and d25toastmasters.org )n Encourage members to attend District

training and functionsn Always have a printed meeting agendan Start meeting on time, end on time.n Hold scheduled club business meet-

ings.n Have the Toastmaster of the meeting

call participants before the meeting.n Encourage evaluators to talk with

speakers before the meetingn Recognize achievement.n Officers attend District 25 sponsored

training.All of the above will contribute to the

individual’s success, which leads to the clubs success.

“If you go to work on your goals, your goals will go to work on you. If you go to work on your plan, your plan will go to work on you. Whatever good things we build, end up building us.” Jim Rohn

dodi Foster dtmdodifoster@ d25toastmasters.org

FRoM THe LT. GoVeRnoR FoR MARkeTInG

Making your club a success

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D25 Phoenix AwardEligible clubs: Any club with 13 or fewer members on July 1, 2008Goal: Build club to 20 members by June 30, 2009Award: Receive a Phoenix Patch to proudly display on your banner

Is yours a 5-Star Club?Five Star Club Membership Requirements: n Dues renewal on time by October 10 n Add 4 new members n Add 4 more new members n Dues renewal on time by April 10 n Club has 20 members or net growth of 5 by June 30

Privileges Include: n Exclusive ribbon for club banner n Honorable mention in District Newsletter n Publication in Spring Conference Program* n Announcement on District Website Hall of Fame n Special recognition at Spring Conference Awards Lunch*

Details: Clubs must submit dues on time during both renewal periods. Dues must be submitted no later than October 10, 2008 and April 10, 2009 to receive on-time credit. On June 30, 2009, clubs must have 20 paid members or a net growth of 5 members if the base membership was below 20 as reported on July 1, 2008. Clubs must add 4 members, which are defined as new, dual, or reinstated members, and an additional 4 members between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. Results will be tracked from reports provided by Toastmasters International. Clubs have until June 30, 2009 to complete all five requirements.

* Clubs that complete all 5 by April 30, 2009 will be recognized at the Spring Conference Awards Lunch and in the Program.

Web site contestWhen: Through Nov. 15, 2008What to do: Register your club Web site with the district public relations officer by Nov. 1, 2008. Send club name and URL. Prize: Your club will receive recognition at the District 25 Fall Conference and a $30 gift certificate to use at the district store.

There are a lot of reasons to use a comma, which is perhaps why they’re so often misused. The num-ber one mistake people make with

commas is using them to indicate where they’d pause if they were speaking.

Contrary to what you might have been taught in school, com-mas for pause

are not good grammar.Properly using a comma requires

understanding a lot of grammar rules, so let’s take them one at a time. First, compound sentences.

Join two or more complete sen-tences with conjunctions, and use a comma before the conjunction (“and,” for example). Now, you’ve got a compound sentence.

In the example above, I could have said, “Kate wrote this column.

John helped her.” The two sentenc-es stand on their own because there is a subject and a verb in each.

The common mistake is using a comma in a sentence that has more than one verb but only one subject or vice versa. For example: “Kate wrote this column and went to the gym.” In that case, using a comma before “and” is incorrect.

kate Gormannewsletter@ d25toastmasters.org

Compound sentenceIn plain English: A sentence that has more than one subject-verb set. Those sets are usually joined by a conjunction such as “and” or “but.”Example: Kate wrote this column, and John helped her.

THe GRAMMARIAn’S CoRneR

Thanks, but no thanks, on that comma for pause

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Calling all Coaches! Be a Hero!Your experience and enthusiasm can be a valuable asset to a club that needs a little help in rebuilding. For more information go to d25toastmasters.org > Marketing and Membership

Prospective new clubs leadsSt. Marks Catholic Church, Denton; Alzheimer’s Association, Dallas; City of Irving, Irving; TIAA-CREF, Lewisville; Covenant Church, Carrollton; Omni Hotel, Fort Worth; Aubrey Texas, Aubrey; Tenaska Power, Arlington; Sikorsky-DCMA, Fort Worth; Phoenix Education, Irving; Killeen Renegades, Killeen; TXU, Irving; Peterbuilt, Denton; BNSF, Fort Worth; Gaylord Hotel, Grapevine

Get Ready For Club ElectionsIf your club elects officers semiannually, it’s time for upcoming club elec-tions. Here’s a helpful timetable:

Appoint a nominating committee (see Club Bylaws): The commit-tee is to be run by the immediate past president or the most recent past president available.

Schedule date for nominating committee report: (If the nominating committee does not have a report, postpone the election until one week after the meeting at which the report is given.)

Elect club officers: Remember to call for nominations from the floor. Nominations begin with the president and proceed in descending order. Remember, a quorum is 51 percent of active members.

Announce the results: All clubs must be on a July 1– June 30 annual term, or on July 1– December 31 and January 1–June 30 semiannual terms. (Please note: Clubs that meet weekly have the option of electing officers for either a semiannual term or an annual term. Clubs that meet less frequently must elect officers for annual terms.)

Submit officer list to WHQ by December 31, 2008: The fastest, most efficient way to notify WHQ is to submit the information online. You can enter the club business section of the Web site at members.toastmas-ters.org > Club Officers > Conduct Club Business > {Club Log In} > Change my club’s meeting and/or club officer information. To get on-time credit in the Distinguished Club Program, the information must be en-tered or postmarked by Dec. 31, and received at WHQ by Jan. 7. Also be sure your club officer information is up-to-date so your club won’t miss any mailings or information from WHQ.

Attend club-officer training: Check your district’s Web site for informa-tion. Club officer manuals (one for each office) were mailed to each club last June. If you are just taking office, be sure to get these manuals from the outgoing club officers. Additional copies can be purchased online members.toastmasters.org > Shop. You can also view the content of each manual online. Navigate to members.toastmasters.org > Officer Resources > Club Officer Resources > Club Officer Roles.

It was a roaring good time as 16 mem-bers of Afterburners Toastmasters squared off against each other in the The Great Debate.

Two debates were held during the regular schedule meeting of the club. Four teams of four squared off against each other to resolve two emotionally charged questions.

Two teams of four battled in a heated de-bate to resolve the question: Should choco-late be the only flavor of ice cream?

Team captains, Steven Thorn (against) and Jodie Sanders (for) did a great job in organizing their teams and presenting both factual and emotional arguments on this important topic.

In the second debate, team captains John Wozniewski (for) and Theresa Eller (against) rallied their teams to argue: Does love at first sight exist?

A panel of four guest judges, made up of members from other clubs, had a tough time handing down a decision.

In the end, Steven Thorn’s team won the right to have a choice in ice cream flavors, and John Wozniewskis’s team proved that love at first sight does actually exist. All winners received an advanced communica-tion manual of their choice.

Club VP of Education Pat Quick did a great job of organizing this event. It was such a success that members vowed for a rematch.

What a great way to add interest and va-riety to the Toastmasters program. Try this in your club!

Chocolate and true romance: Afterburners tackle life’s tough questions

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NOTICE OF MEETING - DISTRICT COUNCILDistrict 25 Toastmasters Fall 2008 District Council Meeting

Saturday, November 22, 2008 4:30 pm Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Solana, 5 Village Circle, Westlake, Texas 76262 USA

AGENDA Call to order Peggy Holloway, DTM Mission of the District Gregg Wyatt, DTMWelcome Peggy Holloway, DTMIntroduce Parliamentarian Jim Monahan, DTMIntroduce Secretary Marcheta Gardner, DTMCredentials Committee Report Bill Haas, DTMAdoption of Agenda Peggy Holloway, DTMMinutes from Spring 2008 District Council Marcheta Gardner, DTMConfirmation of 2008-2009 Appointed District Officers Peggy Holloway, DTMAudit Committee Report Harry Schneider, DTMPresentation of 2008-2009 District Budget Earl Hill, DTMTreasurer Report Earl Hill, DTMPublic Relations Report David Martin, ACB/ALSMarketing Report Dodi Foster, DTMEducation and Training Report David McCallister, DTMD25 International Director candidate endorsement Peggy Holloway, DTMSpring 2009 Conference Update Diana Pittman, CTM/CLSelect 2009 Fall Conference Host Club Peggy Holloway, DTMTime and place of next meeting Peggy Holloway, DTM(DFW Marriott Hotel & Golf Club, Fort Worth, TX – May 2, 2009)Adjourn

......................................................................detach here ......................................................................

Business Meeting is Free *** PROXY FORM*** Business Meeting is Free

District 25 Council Proxy Form

Division: ______ Area: ______ Club no: ______ Club name: __________________________

name of Proxy: _______________________________________________________________

I hereby certify that the Toastmaster named above is a member in good standing with the above club, and authorize him/her to cast any ballots and represent the club in all matters to be conducted during the District 25 Council business meeting.

officer’s Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ___________________

**This form is to be used only if the Club President and/or Vice President, education cannot attend the business meeting. each club casts two votes. This proxy must be exchanged at the Credentials Desk for voting ballots. Please designate a person you know will be attending the Council meetings to represent your club, or leave blank for any club member who attends to represent your club.)