Registration is Now Open!
Dates: Fri, May 19, 2023, 4:00 PM – Sun, May 21, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT.
Keynote Speaker: Lark Doley, DTM, Past International President
Our Mission: We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence
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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…]
by Akhtar Malik
by Lisa Berry
by Akhtar Malik
by Akhtar Malik
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
by Akhtar Malik
by Akhtar Malik
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.
by Akhtar Malik
The District 58 Leadership Committee (DLC) is pleased to announce the following candidates are approved for the elections for the 2019-2020 Toastmasters year:
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:
by Akhtar Malik
by Akhtar Malik
by Lisa Berry
First 5 clubs through May 1, 2019, who have 100% of members enrolled in Pathways and ALL have completed their Ice Breaker, get:
To claim, club VPEs, should contact Lisa Berry, PQD, programqualitydirector@toastmasters-d58.org with snapshot of member progress from Base Camp.
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:
To qualify, clubs must have:
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:
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.
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)
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.*
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
by Akhtar Malik
by Lisa Berry
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!
by Lisa Berry
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The Toastmasters District 58 Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2018-2019 Toastmasters’ year for the following elected positions:
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.
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