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Professional Development Training and Awards Event (PDTA)

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Are you ready to invest in your personal and professional development?

Join us at the Professional Development & Training Event in Columbia on October 19th!

Purchase Your Tickets Here >> PDTA Tickets   

Charles S. Gates, DTM
Keynote Speaker
Our keynote speaker is New Jersey native, Charles S. Gates. Charles is an entrepreneur, coach, trainer, emcee and transformational speaker who takes his audience and clients from mundane to magnificent, using his TOP HAT leadership philosophy.
 
Charles has been featured in the New Journal and Guide, Virginia’s oldest African American owned newspaper, The Suffolk News Herald, WAVY News 10 (Norfolk), WODU’s Let’s Face it Radio Show with Wil Strayhorn and WNSB’s Nonprofit Exchange Radio Show with C. Richard Gillcrese. He has also appeared on The Common Show with Juanita, WHRO’s Another View and the now defunct Cheryl Wilkerson Presents television shows.
 
Charles serves on the boards of a handful of community based non-profits and is the current Region 7 Advisor for Toastmasters International.
         Totlyn Oliver, ACB ACL EC1
      Presenting “Stand on Your Speaking Block: Forget Your Anxieties”
 
Totlyn is a communications professional with over 20 years experience in broadcast media, sales, and education. With an Master of Education in Lifelong Learning (Adult Education), Totlyn always seeks to share insights on becoming a more effective speaker in talks, seminars, and coaching sessions through her company Goldspeak LLC.
 
As a member of Toastmasters, Totlyn is the current president of Saturday AM Toastmasters as well as Area 42 Director on the District 58 Executive Council. In addition to winning several Toastmasters District competitions within the past two years, Totlyn has also received awards for Advanced Communicator Bronze, Advanced Leader Bronze, and most recently, Effective Coaching Level 1.
 
Totlyn’s presentation will explain how investing time in certain proven activities can help anyone overcome public speaking anxieties. The right activities can effectively combat lifelong fears, worries, and anxieties that have become speaking blocks. In her interactive workshop session, Totlyn will help attendees transform their individual speaking blocks into a firm foundation for delivering winning speech presentations.
                Martha Kirby, ACS, ALB
             Presenting “Developing A Productive Meeting Using FreeToastHost”
Martha has been a Toastmaster since 2009, belonging to three clubs in that area. She is also a member of the District Leadership Committee as Division C Director. 
Martha’s workshop will describe how meetings are a vital communication tool for producing understanding, eliminating confusion, clarifying goals and objectives, defining roles and responsibilities, solving problems, and disseminating information.
Attendees will learn what a productive club meeting looks like and how FreeToastHost can simplify the process while keeping current members informed and interested.
                                                                                                   Vassil Karamanov, CC
   Presenting “Find Clarity & Empower Yourself: A Look into Neuro Linguistic Programing & Flow State”

Vassil is an experienced business owner who has been running Maverick PT LLC in Columbia, SC for 7 years. He is triple certified as a Transformation Life Coach, Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher, and Neuro Linguistic Programming Coach. This year, Vassil reached the District 58 Finals for the Public Speaking Championship of the World. He is an enthusiastic member of three Toastmasters clubs including Saturday AM, Richland 2500, and The Lowcountry Toastmasters. He best describes himself as a conscious empath and loves traveling to new places with 13 countries currently under his belt. 

 

Vassil’s workshop will uncover powerful NLP techniques that will bring clarity to reaching personal goals faster. Additionally, attendees will discover the importance of combating stress and avoiding “cloudy brain” by tapping into Flow State. After all, life isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving!

Alison Boyce, DTM, PCG

Presenting “Plot Your Path: A Map to DTM”

Since Alison Boyce joined Toastmasters over 25 years ago, she has seen the Toastmaster education program change three times–each time learning to adapt amidst ensuing confusion. Perhaps that’s why Alison’s Toastmaster passion is helping members achieve success in the program. While Alison has at some point during her Toastmasters career served at every leadership level, from club to Council, she is currently Area Director of two areas, and she was the District 58 Toastmaster of the Year for 2018-2019.

Alison’s upcoming presentation, “Plot Your Path: A Map to DTM” will be an interactive session designed to help Toastmasters navigate their journey to Distinguished Toastmaster. Whether, you are a new Toastmaster or a leader in your club, you’ll leave this 50-minute presentation with plenty of valuable and applicable information.

             Heather Collins

      Presenting “Successful Thinking: It’s a Know-Brainer”

Dr. Heather Collins is a Cognitive Neuroscientist with expertise in how the brain learns, remembers, and thinks about information. She empowers business professionals through brain science by creating power thinkers and catapulting confidence. She has been an enthusiastic member of the MUSC Toastmasters Club since 2011.

In Heather’s 50-minute presentation, “Successful Thinking: It’s a Know-Brainer,” she will address questions like: Are you a successful thinker? Are you an expert learner? What could you accomplish if you knew how to quickly assess a situation, take in information, and act on that information in a meaningful way? Join Heather as she digs into the science of expert learning and successful thinking and reveals simple ways of applying these skills to your professional life.

Chakisse Newton
Presenting “How to Build a Personal Brand That Opens Doors”
What could you achieve if you had a compelling personal brand? Great business brands inspire trust, attract both people and revenue, and shorten the path to success. Your brand can do the same for you both personally and professionally. Learn the keys to building a personal brand that opens doors to opportunity and helps you get noticed, get respect, and get ahead.
 
Chakisse Newton is an award-winning speaker, strategist and consultant, and president of Cardinal Consulting. Since 2006 she has specialized in helping organizations build relationships, brands, and business. She is a dynamic and engaging presenter, known for her communication and influencing skills as well as her ability to teach practical techniques to improve both business and personal performance. She is also a public servant and was elected to Richland County Council in November 2018.
 
Chakisse has experience both in the executive office and in the field. For more than 20 years, Chakisse led a variety of local, national, and global sales and marketing efforts. Her industry experience includes small business management, healthcare, high-technology and software, nonprofits, higher education, franchising, accounting and law. She has seen firsthand how world-class organizations grow, innovate, and interact with clients. Her experience in both sales and marketing allows her to quickly identify problems, tweak strategies, and improve execution to achieve desired business outcomes.

 

Alan Mitchell

Presenting “Sponsor, Mentor, or Coach; Targeting New or Existing Clubs”

Alan’s session will highlight the new roles of the Club Sponsor or Mentor and the existing Club Coach. Not designed to be an in-depth training, Alan’s presentation will provide an overview of these roles in order to help attendees discover which role or roles they would be best suited for you as a new or advanced Toastmaster.

Alan is a seasoned professional in the fields of Architecture, Construction, and Facilities Management. He is currently the owner of Mitchell Construction Systems where he is a management consultant.

As an active member of two Toastmaster clubs, Alan has served in nearly every officer position.

Previously, Alan has worked with District 58 Leaders to produce successful TLI’s, Speech Contests, and other professional development events. He has also served as a successful Club Coach, Area Director, Division Director, and is currently serving as District 58 Club Growth Director.

Robert Luhn
Presenting “Because Order Matters”
Robert’s interactive session will explore the qualities that make up a high-caliber, productive meeting. Learn how to address conflicting interests that can develop during meetings to ensure decisions are made fairly and in an orderly manner.
Robert Luhn, Jr., (ACS, ALB) is a Constable for Charleston County and a multifaceted expert holding several degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Technology Management. His breadth of leadership experience in Toastmasters International includes his present role as the District 58 Parliamentarian and previous roles as Division B Director and Area 22 Director. Robert enjoys challenging himself and continuously looks for ways to learn and grow so that he can help others do the same. 

International Speech Contest Results – 2019 Annual Spring Conference

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1st Place – Marlo Hogue

D-58 International Speech Contest 1st place winner: Marlo Hogue
(from the Upstate)

Congratulations to District 58, International Speech Contest, 1st place winner, Marlo Hogue. Marlo moves on to the International Speech Contest, Region Quarterfinals. Those winners, move on to the semi-finals held at the Toastmasters International Convention in August. 

2nd Place – Lefford Fate

D-58 International Speech Contest 2nd place winner:
Lefford Fate (from the Midlands)

3rd Place Phillip Woody

D-58 International Speech Contest 3rd place winner:
 Phillip Woody (from the Lowcountry)

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District 58 Elections Results

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District 58 is pleased to announce the results of the District 58 Elections held at the annual business meeting on Saturday, May 18. For the 2019-20 Toastmasters year, elected were:

District DirectorLisa Berry
Program Quality DirectorTrent Kenelly
Club Growth DirectorAlan Mitchell
Division A DirectorLee Nettles
Division B DirectorHarry Nettles
Division C DirectorMartha Kirby
Division D DirectorWardah Ameen
Division E DirectorJim Hatchell
Division F DirectorLori Pruett
Division G DirectorLinda Huckaby

Spring 2019 Prison TM Newsletter

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Prison Clubs District 58 Toastmasters May 17, 2019

TODAY’S NEWS

D-58 Toastmasters, Do you want to make a difference ?

Violence is a treatable disease

What we know is that violence is a disease and we can reduce the spread of violence using the same strategies that epidemiologists use to treat other infectious diseases. It’s a simple model: interrupt the spread of violence, treat those at high risk of becoming infected, and change unhealthy community norms.

 

Inside a Prison Club

By Jodie Randisi, Treasurer, Ridgeland Toastmasters

Prison volunteers have firsthand experience and insight that others don’t have regarding the lives of prisoners, how they’ve gotten to where they are, and how they cope with and accept their crimes. It is easy for to assume these men are evil. What isn’t easy is choosing to remember that there have been circumstances (often unimaginable to us in our secure lives) that have landed these men in prison. For the most part, these men are entirely conscious and aware of their wrongdoing. They are very interested in learning how to turn their mess into a message. With their release in mind, prison club Toastmasters are working to reestablish themselves in their communities and especially within their families.

How does Toastmasters help prisoners?

Until people recognize, embrace, and heal those wounded parts of themselves, they cannot be whole; they cannot heal. However, healing is wired into our DNA. We were born with
everything we need to live and thrive. Willingness to face and embrace pain enables us to grow, evolve, and to become our best selves. Being able to share thoughts, ideas and stories has changed the mindset of prison club members.

Clyde Smith, Connie Buehner, Diana Hardy, and others District 58 Toastmasters have seen inmates go from being unable to express themselves with clarity to being confident speakers, which has helped them relationally as well. That’s why I believe prisons are a great place to cultivate people potential and Toastmasters is ideal soil to grow a crop of better men.

Prison Clubs, Why?

Toastmasters gave me the confidence I need to pursue a business career. I now have hope and courage. I am a positive vocal leader, preparing to be a motivational speaker. I have so much inside of me. I was too shy to let it out. I’m ready to speak to the youth about making good choices before they reach this level.

 

Meetings are an Oasis of Encouragement

Despite confinement, we meet weekly to share ideas, learn about each other, and regain humanity. Attendance in a prison is subject to many variables not encountered in
the outside world: lockdowns due to stabbings, medical appointments, parole hearings, work assignments, and family visits, all of which occasionally get in the way.

Our meetings are an oasis of encouragement for a brighter future as well as a respite from an otherwise often hostile environment. Meetings become a springboard for frank conversations about faith, fortitude, friendship as well as loss, anger, loneliness and redemption. For men of low to average education, I’m impressed by their deep insights and observations. I wonder whether they have always been so perceptive, or did these insights comes after incarceration.

If you’d like to get involved, contact:  jodie.randisi@gmail.com.

D-58 Candidates for 2019-2020 Toastmasters year

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The District 58 Leadership Committee (DLC) is pleased to announce the following candidates are approved for the elections for the 2019-2020 Toastmasters year:

 

  • District Director: Lisa Berry, DTM
  • Program Quality Director: Lynn Ragland, DTM
  • Club Growth Director: Trent Kenelly, DTM
  • Division A: Lee Nettles, ACS, ALB
  • Division B: Harry Nettles, ACS, ALB
  • Division C: Martha Kirby, ACB, CL
  • Division D: Eve Kayte-Taylor, CC, ALB
  • Division E: Jim Hatchell, ACB, CL
  • Division F: Lori Pruett, ACB, ALB
  • Division G: Linda Huckaby, ACS, ALS

 

The elections will be held during the District 58 business meeting on May 18th, 2019.  This will be during the Spring Conference at the Embassy Suites Greystone in Columbia, SC.

 

Additional candidates may still run from the floor.  Any floor candidate must submit the proper paperwork to the DLC Chair prior to the business meeting.  No paperwork will be accepted during the business meeting.

 

The DLC members are:

  • Dana Swarner (chair), DTM IPDD
  • Sharon Durgin, DTM PDD
  • Kim Love, DTM PDD
  • David Premo, DTM

 

Pathways Incentives

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Exciting 2018-19 Pathways incentives for you and your club!

Embracing Change – Committed to Pathways

First 5 clubs through May 1, 2019, who have 100% of members enrolled in Pathways and ALL have completed their Ice Breaker, get:

  • 5 Pathways pins
  • Club Ribbon Pack
  • 10 Navy Lanyard
  • Icebreakers 20
  • Clubs will be recognized at the District Spring 2019 Conference and receive the “One Team Award” certificate.

To claim, club VPEs, should contact Lisa Berry, PQD,  programqualitydirector@toastmasters-d58.org with snapshot of member progress from Base Camp.

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First Time Distinguished First with Pathways

The first 10 clubs that achieve Distinguished Club Status by May 1, 2019 and meet the following criteria will be recognized at the District Spring 2019 Conference, where they will receive:

  • $50 District store gift certificate
  • “One Team Award” certificate
  • Banner Stand

To qualify, clubs must have:

  • Never achieved Distinguished status in any prior year(s)
  • Have achieved at least four Pathways educational goals

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Pathways Pals

Good for the first 100 pairs of Pals

Any enthusiastic member who volunteers to be a Pathways Pal (mentor) to another member for rest of the Toastmasters year, will get a Pathways Mentor ribbon. The mentee will receive the Enthusiasm Award ribbon. Mentors will work with their Pal to help them learn the system and work on projects.

All Pathways Pals will be entered into a drawing at the District 58 Spring Conference where one Pals pair will win the following:

  • Pathways T-shirt
  • Pathways pin

Qualifications: Both must be enrolled in Pathways and provide the name of the Paths they’re working on.  If interested being a Pal, email the Program Quality Director, Lisa Berry @ programqualitydirector@toastmasters-d58.org with pair member names and home club names.

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Pathways Levels 1 – 5 Award

Eligibility: All Toastmasters in good standing

To Claim: Awarded automatically and sent quarterly*  to members who complete Pathways Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Receive a Pathways Ribbon for Each Level & Path Completed. (*October, January, April, June)

  • Complete Level 1 to earn a Level 1 Ribbon
  • Complete Level 2 to earn a Level 2 Ribbon
  • Complete Level 3 to earn a Level 3 Ribbon
  • Complete Level 4 to earn a Level 4 Ribbon
  • Complete Level 5 to earn Proficiency ribbon for your Path

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Pathways Triple Crown

Members who submit three Pathways levels between September 1 and April 30, will be recognized at the District 58 Spring Conference, May 2019 where they will receive the coveted Toastmasters Triple Crown award.*

Legacy Triple Crown

Members who submit any 3 legacy education awards or a combination of 3 Legacy and Pathways education awards between July 1 and April 30, will be recognized at the District 58 Spring Conference and receive the coveted Toastmasters Triple Crown award.*

*Members can receive one of the two awards only

DEC meetings and Host divisions

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D-58 is planning to implement Division Hosts for each DEC meeting.

The host Divisions will work together to help plan and provide the refreshments for the meeting.  The district will reimburse up to $50 for food and supplies (which are not available from the store room).

Also, the hosts can choose one or more members to provide an education session during the meeting.

Here are the list of meetings and host Divisions:

  • 11/10/18 – Host: Divisions A & D

  • 1/19/19 (full day)  – Host: Divisions B & C

  • 3/16/19 – Host: Divisions E & F

  • 4/13/19 (new) – Host: Division G & Top 7

If you have an education session for your “host date,” reach out to PQD, Lisa Berry to coordinate.

Thanks,

Bob Swarner, DTM

District Director

Toastmasters District 58.

Banners !

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Lowcountry Toastmasters raids Daybreak Toastmasters and captures their Banner! Let the fun begin!

Greenwave Gabbers Toastmasters raid Trolley Talkers Toastmasters.
Pirates!

Fall 2018 Speech Competitions

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Based on the August 2016 decision of the Toastmasters International Boards of Directors (p.35) the discontinuation of the Fall Conference goes in effect this year; Fall 2018. This means there will no longer be a Fall District Speech Contest; however, in District 58, we will have Fall speech competitions at the club, area and division levels only. 
  • Fall 2018 competitions are Table Topics and Tall Tales (Spring contests – Evaluation  and International Speech)
    • Tall Tales –  Contestants present a speech on a topic that is highly-exaggerated and improbable in theme or plot.
    • Table Topics –  An impromptu speech, all contestants are assigned the same topic, told to them when they are introduced by the contest chair.
  • Speech Contest Rulebook  2018-19
  • AREAS with 4 or fewer clubs – can send 2 contestants from each club to each competition.
  • DIVISIONS with 4 or fewer Areas can send 2 winners who placed, to each of the Division contests.  (Divisions B and D can send only 1)
  • Eligibility – Page 6-7 (very important to review)
  • Speech contest tutorials  and Speech contest information review and get familiar
  • Tall Tales contest materials – download zip file 
  • Table Topics contest materials – download zip file
  • Area Contest results are due to me by October 22nd.

Latest Updates

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  1. Club Dues Renewal Status can be be found here.
  2. Speech competitions will be held this fall for Table Topics and Tall Tales contests.  It has been a long time since we had a Tall Tales contest in our district, so this should be a fun learning experience for everyone.  Contact your Area Director for information about your Area contest. Division level contests are targeting November 3rd. There will NOT be any District level competitions for these.

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