The District 58 Leadership Committee (DLC) is pleased to announce the following candidates are approved for the elections for the 2020-2021 Toastmasters year. Click each candidate to read their bio: [Read more…]
Call for 2020-21 District Officer Nominations
District 58 is seeking nominations for District Leaders to serve for the 2020–2021 Toastmasters year.
Are you interested in nominating yourself or another member for a district leader position? [Read more…]
PDTA Press Release
D58 Event Photos
2019 Annual District 58 Conference Photos
International Speech Contest Results – 2019 Annual Spring Conference
1st Place – 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

Phillip Woody (from the Lowcountry)
P
The Evaluation Speech Contest Results – 2019 Annual Spring Conference
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)
Spring 2019 Prison TM Newsletter
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
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
Fall Incentives
Please contact Lynn Ragland D58 Club Growth Director for more details.
Fall 2018 Speech Competitions

- 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.
Pathways Incentives
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
Latest Updates
- Club Dues Renewal Status can be be found here.
- 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.
Congratulations D58 Int’l Speech Champion Anita Davis

Anita Davis, 1st Place winner (R) Randy Adkins, 2nd Place (C), Wardah Ameen, 3rd Place (R)
2018 DISTRICT 58 INTERNATIONAL SPEECH CONTEST WINNER
Congratulations are in order for Anita Davis, 1st Place winner in the District 58 International Speech contest on April 21, 2018. Anita, a member of Greenville Club, will go on to the semi-finals for the 2018 World Champion of Public Speaking. Best of luck to you Anita in Chicago!
Following right behind in second and third place respectively, was Wardah Ameen and Randy Adkins. Well done everyone!
Randy Adkins is District 58 Table Topics Champ
Winter TLI Columbia 2018 gallery
Call for 2018-2019 Nominations
The Toastmasters District 58 Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2018-2019 Toastmasters’ year for the following elected positions:
- District Director
- District 58 Club Growth Director
- District 58 Program Quality Director
- Seven Division Director positions (Divisions A, B, C, D, E, F, and G)
Nomination deadline is December 15th, 2017 and must be submitted on the official candidate application and accompanied by a completed officer agreement and release form.
District Leader Nominating Form
Officer Agreement and Release Form
If you are interested in any of these elected positions or would like more information please contact Nomination Committee Chairperson Kimberly Love, DTM at 803-446-6721 or lovequick27@gmail.com.
Elections will be held during the District Spring Conference in Charleston SC on April 21st, 2018.