Our Mission: We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence
In accordance with Toastmasters International District bylaws, the District Leadership Committee (DLC) is pleased to submit our report with the following candidates approved as DLC nominated candidates for the 2021-2022 Toastmasters year. Click each candidate to read their bio: [Read more…]
2018 World Champion of Public Speaking Ramona J. Smith will keynote District 58’s Spring Conference.
Ramona J. Smith 
Kelly A. McCormack. 
Join our first-ever hybrid conference!
You are invited to give, give, and give… We need items of value for the Silent Auction that will be held through the BiddingOwl and the live auction during District Conference, 05/14/21 – 05/16/21! This is a fundraiser for our Prison Clubs.
Go to your merchants, come up with a theme for a gift basket, ask others if they have something they would like to donate of value. These are tax deductible; and your cooperation is highly beneficial to the ongoing success of our Toastmaster’s Prison clubs.
Start the giving by going to the flier and putting your information in..
Toastmasters District 58 is seeking nominations for District Leaders to serve for the upcoming 2021–2022 Toastmasters year.
Are you interested in nominating yourself or another member for a district leader position? The District Leadership Committee (DLC) is looking for you! [Read more…]
What are District Bucks?
District Bucks is an account that the district runs for your club. Every time the club wins an incentive, the money goes into the club’s District Bucks account. This system will allow you to make bigger purchases than you could before.
Why did we need to create it?
Before the Pandemic, money awards would be used to help pay for food and other meeting expenses. Now, in-person meetings are no longer possible, but we still want to encourage open houses, club excellence and club growth with awards.
What can clubs buy?
Anything that helps the club mission and promote the club’s growth. Such as, Projectors, cameras, microphones, ribbons, pins, and other items the club needs to conduct business.
What can they not buy?
Alcohol.
How do they redeem district bucks?
When the club buys an item, they submit the expense receipt to the District Finance Director. The item cost must be equal or less than the money accumulated in the club’s District Bucks account.
How long do bucks last?
Throughout the year but before May 1, 2021.
How can I check how many bucks I’ve earned?
A spreadsheet will be available on the D58 website for all club members.
All new members who have been a member for 12 months or less, complete at least 6 Pathways speeches, attend a TLI Training and demonstrate leadership skills in the club (per VPE)will be recognized during the District Conference. This is an award, not bucks.
The Triple Crown Award is awarded to any District 58 Toastmaster member who earns three or more educational awards between July 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021. Two (2) of those awards can be any Path, any level. The third award must be Level 3 or higher. See if you’ve earned your award here.
Award recipients will be recognized at District events such as the monthly District Executive Committee Meeting, Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI), our Annual Conference and our Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon. If you are not present at any of these events to be recognized, your award will be distributed to you by an Area Director when they visit your club.
There will be a drawing for a special prize for all Triple Crown Award winners before May 1, 2021 at the Annual Conference. This drawing will consist of a Toastmasters backpack filled with Toastmasters items (value A $100.00 or more.)
Every Area Director who submits both rounds of reports will receive an award.
Every Area Director who submits the 1st round of reports on time. This is an actual award, not bucks.
Every Area Director who submits the 2nd round of reports on time will receive an award. This is an actual award, not bucks.
A $50 District Gift Card for all Area Directors who have a Distinguished Area or higher by May 1, 2021.
A $50 District Gift Card for all Division Directors who have a Distinguished Division or higher by May 1, 2021.
Clubs that charter on or after 01 July 2020 and become Distinguished or better in 2020- 21.
Clubs that achieve 5/10 Goals by 30th Jan. 2021. – $25.00
Clubs that achieve 7/10 goals by April 1, 2021 – 75.00
Clubs that achieve 9/10 goals by M ay 1, 2021 – 100.00
This is a cumulative award.
Want to Experience Excellence? Earn rewards tailored to your club. Every club has 2 personalized goals to accelerate your success this year. Earn a $25 reward for each goal. The reward will be a $25 or $50 district bucks.
What are your personalized goals?
Emerald goals for clubs that weren’t a Distinguished club last year (2019-2020):
Sapphire goals for clubs that were Distinguished last year (2019-2020):
Ruby goals for clubs that were Select Distinguished last year (2019-2020):
Golden goals for clubs that were Presidents Distinguished last year (2019-2020):See your personalized club goals
This one day professional development virtual event is offered to anyone who has the desire to take their learning, communication, and leadership skills to the next level. With inspiring opening and closing keynote speakers and 4 dynamic breakout sessions, this opportunity for self-growth and development is a must attend FREE event.
In addition to the breakout sessions is the Hall of Fame session and traditional roast of the immediate past district director. The Hall of Fame session recognizes club and member achievements, and the awardees being honored for their leadership and service over the past year to Toastmasters members in District 58.
SPEAKER LINEUP:
Dana Swarner, DTM, PDD, Region 7 Advisor – South
Sharon Hill, DTM, PDD, PID, Region 7 Advisor – North
LaMondre Pough – Entrepreneur, Podcaster, Coach
Amjad Ali, DTM – Author, Executive Coach, Motivational Speaker
Alisha Taylor, DTM – Life Coach, Podcaster, Engineering Program Manager
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The Virtual Contest Kit includes: a contest planning checklist, all the files, forms and training modules for every role, to help you plan and conduct a successful contest. We’ve also included a copy of the presentation slides and a link to the video replay of the training session, in case you were not able to attend or would like a refresher.
Click to access and download the contents of Virtual Contest Kit available via Google Drive. If you plan to use the Google Forms method for ballots, be sure to review the 1 Read Me First file in the folder. The remaining contents of the Contest Kit are in a zip file for quick download.
District 58 is proud to announce that Douglas Wilson, DTM, PDG is the First Pathways DTM of our District.
Douglas Wilson, Speaker, Coach and Trainer
Congratulations Douglas.
Does your club needs help? Do you need a coach to show you the way to become a great and successful club? Click HERE to request a club coach.
A club coach is an experienced Toastmaster who coaches a club to rebuild membership and restore quality to the club environment. The goal of a coach is to help the club achieve recognition in the Distinguished Club Program, which is accomplished by:
Please contact D-58’s Club Growth Director Martha Kirby, DTM for any questions or details.
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May 28, 2020 Club Officer, There is cause for celebration. As Toastmasters clubs around the world adapt to the effects the coronavirus crisis is having on in-person events and meetings, Toastmasters International is taking note of the overwhelming positive energy and resiliency. With year-end approaching, many of you have risen to the very difficult challenge of continuing to achieve membership and education goals, despite what is going on around you, and for this, you and your clubs are an inspiration and deserve special recognition. The Board of Directors is sensitive to those clubs that have been dealing with membership challenges brought on by the current crisis; in fact, the Board and World Headquarters has received much feedback requesting a modification of the Distinguished Club Program (DCP) or even postponing the program year-end date to a later time. After careful consideration, the Board determined that any recognition program change to lower the qualifying requirements or goals would be unfair to those of you going above and beyond—and amazingly, still striving toward achieving Distinguished status! To ensure all clubs, Distinguished or not, are recognized for their outstanding efforts, new club-level awards have been created for the 2019–2020 program year only. They were designed with the same enthusiasm so many of you displayed to earn them: Online Ovation/Education Award Silver, Online Ovation/Education Award Gold Clubs will qualify for these awards by meeting both of the following criteria by June 30, 2020:
The Great Revival Award This award will be presented to clubs that were suspended by April 1, 2020, then reinstated between April 1 and September 30, 2020. Membership Consistency Award, Membership Resiliency Award Based on a club’s membership base as calculated on July 1, 2019, the first award is presented to any club that experienced no net member loss; the second award is presented to any club that experienced a net member gain by June 30, 2020. You can find descriptions of these awards and check your progress by visiting the Recognition Awards tab on the COVID-19 page of the Toastmasters International website www.toastmasters.org/covid-19. Recognition for a club that achieves any of the awards described above would be listed in Club Central under Club Awards. For any questions on how your club can achieve any or all of these awards, please contact our Club Quality and Member Support team at clubquality@toastmasters.org. Toastmasters International admires and appreciates the truly extraordinary efforts of club officers who are diligently supporting club meetings and actively encouraging members to achieve their year-end goals in these unprecedented times. If you can achieve this today, there is no telling what you will accomplish tomorrow—and we look forward to continuing to recognize you. Sincerely,
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Toastmaster water bottles for every member of the club
Add 10 new members during this period
Receive $50 District Bucks or Store Certificate
Toastmasters District 58 Last Quarter 2019-20 Incentives
Divisions, Areas, Clubs
Distinguished Divisions
Distinguished Areas
Distinguished Clubs
*To collect the distinguished club incentive, club must reflect distinguished status on the toastmasters.org dashboard. Qualified clubs will be contacted for their choice of award.
*Club, Area and Division incentives will be processed weekly.
Let’s work together and finish the year strong!
#teamsport
Please visit the District 58 COVID-19 page to keep up with the latest developments and guidance on club and district activities from the Toastmasters International Board of Directors, regarding the increasing challenges and impact associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19). [Read more…]
The Board of Directors of Toastmasters International has made the following decisions regarding current and upcoming District events, effective immediately: [Read more…]
Incentives are a way for you to share the benefits of Toastmasters with others and help your club grow! [Read more…]
First 3 Areas through May 1, 2020, who have 100% of members enrolled in Pathways and ALL have completed their Ice Breaker, get:
To claim, Area Directors, should contact Trent Kenelly, PQD, Email PQD with evidence.
First Division through May 1, 2020, who have 100% of members enrolled in Pathways and ALL have completed their Ice Breaker, get:
To claim, Division Directors, should contact Trent Kenelly, PQD, Email PQD with evidence.
The first 10 clubs that achieve Distinguished Club Status by May 1, 2020 and meet the following criteria will be recognized at the District Spring 2020 Conference, where they will receive:
To qualify, clubs must have:
Members who submit three Pathways levels between September 1 and April 30, will be recognized at the District 58 Spring Conference, May 2020 where they will receive the coveted Toastmasters Triple Crown award.*
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
Division C Table Topics Contestants
1st Place – Vassil Karamanov with D-58 Director Lisa Berry & Div C Director Martha Kirby
2nd Place Candace Thompson
3rd Place – Charles P. Austin Jr.
Please feel free to download or view PDTA 2019 PowerPoint presentations & PDF docs from the following link. Courtesy of Trent Kenelly, DTM Program Quality Director, District 58, Toastmasters International
THE BIGGEST LESSON I HAVE LEARNED IN SPEAKING
By Brian Woolf DTM, Advanced Communicators (#4472)
Introduction
I joined Toastmasters in New Zealand in 1966. Yet the biggest lesson I have learned occurred only recently, here in South Carolina, when writing my latest book, The Speaker’s Blueprint.
The lesson? The most important part of a speech is not what you say—it’s whether you are connecting. Expressed another way: If you don’t connect, you have no effect. When you don’t connect, your words lie cold and comatose because connection always precedes persuasion.
I wish I had known this—and how to correct it—decades ago. I would have been a much better speaker as my focus would have moved from perfecting words to perfecting connecting.
Connection occurs when you are engaging the minds of those in the audience. And the stronger the engagement, the deeper the connection, and the more they are absorbed in what you are saying.
How to Connect
Once you become aware of this reality you will start seeing, finding, and thinking about ways to become a better connector. (The issue is so important, a quarter of my 240-page book is devoted to it.)
Connection has a three-part foundation stone: Mind your U’s and Q’s—and P’s too. Do this, and you are on your way. Translated, it means we should pepper our speeches with You’s and Questions, and sprinkle in some Participation invitations, too. Let’s discuss them in turn.
Mind Your U’s (You’s)
In other words, Yousify your speech. Let each listener knows you are talking to him or her individually, and not to the audience as a group. When audience members feel you are talking to them individually they take more notice.
The following are examples of Yousification:
As you can see…
I don’t know what you learned growing up but I …
I sense you are extroverted but at times you find yourself quite shy.
You can imagine her response…
You already know this but …
Mind Your Q’s (Questions)
When you ask your audience questions, you are demanding more of their minds than when just making statements; you unobtrusively move them from a passive to an active state of involvement. You have them listening, processing, thinking.
Asking a question is a great way to open a speech, for it immediately grabs their attention and engage their minds. And using U’s and Q’s in the same sentence steps up your connection power as seen in Darren LaCroix’s opening of his winning WCPS: Can you remember a moment when a brilliant idea flashed into your head?
Questions can have a humorous twinge too, as demonstrated by Vikas Jhingran:
The year was 1989 —I was a teenager and my parents were desperate.
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
Speakers commonly use connecting one-liner Questions, such as:
But sometimes things don’t work out well, do they?
Have you ever noticed that…?
Don’t you hate it when…? (eg, your spouse is right and you are wrong)
May I ask you a very personal question?
What do you think happened next?
Mind Your P’s (Participation invitations)
Participation involves talking directly to your audience like U’s and Q’s but, in addition, invites them to participate. For example, by asking them to raise their hand; asking them to think about something; or shouting out an answer to a question; or inviting them to repeat a key phrase. You don’t just plant a seed; you invite the audience to help you plant it—and when they do there is a sense of co-creation and co-ownership creating a stronger connective thread between them and you. Participation takes audiences from passive listening to active involvement as they become more engaged.
Participation examples include:
Repeat after me—When in trouble, ask questions. (Michael Aun)
It’s my way or— [Wide, one-arm wipe inviting audience to complete] —the highway.
Hands up those who have heard me before—or today are hearing me for the first time!
Besides U’s, Q’s and P’s, other connecting techniques to consider include:
The Bottom Line
In speaking, to sell our ideas and message we must first connect because audiences must relate to us before they will buy from us. Therefore, when preparing a speech, ensure your connectors are in place. Remember, they are the most important part of your speech for …
If you don’t connect, you have no effect
Purchase Your Tickets Here >> PDTA Tickets
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.
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.
1st Place – Marlo Hogue
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
P
Winner and Participants of Evaluation Speech Contests
First Place
Matthew Koppenheffer
(From The Upstate)
Second Place
Totlyn Oliver
( From Midlands)
Third Place
Glenn Stafford
(From The LowCountry)
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 Director | Lisa Berry |
| Program Quality Director | Trent Kenelly |
| Club Growth Director | Alan Mitchell |
| Division A Director | Lee Nettles |
| Division B Director | Harry Nettles |
| Division C Director | Martha Kirby |
| Division D Director | Wardah Ameen |
| Division E Director | Jim Hatchell |
| Division F Director | Lori Pruett |
| Division G Director | Linda Huckaby |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
