District 58 is proud to announce Membership Incentives as well as Individual and Club Incentives for 2021-2022. Please see details below:
Our Mission: We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence
by Akhtar Malik
by Mike Ward
This is your friendly reminder that dues renewal is open. As we are already in September, it is very important to encourage all of your club members to renew their dues. Remember to get your payments submitted to Toastmasters International by October 1st. If you have any questions about retaining your members, please feel free to reach out to any of your District leaders for answers.
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:
You could personally help catapult Toastmasters into a new place by volunteering to become a Club Coach. District 58 is currently looking for experienced and brand new Club Coaches to help clubs. This year we are focusing on rebuilding our clubs and helping them have quality club meetings. Club Coaches can bring new ideas, motivation, and even some reprieve to club members and help a club return to greatness! Please send an email to cgd@d58tm.org or fill out the Club Coach form online at https://forms.gle/1pfYpuW8L8GSGyVT8.
Do you have an idea for an amazing new club? We are currently looking for ideas to help us create new clubs within District 58. This year, our focus is to help build new clubs that are focused on a specific topic. These clubs are often referred to as “Specialty Clubs”. Reach out to CGD Mike Ward at cgd@d58tm.org to discuss your idea.
New clubs that have Club Sponsors and Club Mentors are typically more successful than clubs that try to start without this support. Club Sponsors and Club Mentors create the critical support system that they need to help new clubs get going. If you are interested in helping with starting or supporting new clubs this year, please send an email to cgd@d58tm.org or fill out the Club Sponsor & Mentor form online at https://forms.gle/KzsSUSGd5cJY758H7.
Our Marketing Team is growing. If you are interested in sharing marketing ideas, helping with committees, helping with our District communications, or just be involved in being “in the know” please send an email to cgd@d58tm.org and CGD Mike Ward will invite you to the next Marketing Team Meeting.
by Akhtar Malik
A Professional or Personal Development event (aka Open House) is an opportunity to not just attract new members, but an opportunity for members to step out of their comfort zone, to put their leadership skills to work and shine. The first step is understanding the way you need to market this event. To help market to potential members, we’re rebranding as a Professional Development Event (PDE) and recommend you advertise it this way too!
Think BIG! When you give your guests more than they expect, your event will be a huge success. Plan it all out and put everyone in the club to work. Put names next to items and have check-in process meetings
Follow these easy steps:
This is a great opportunity as a Pathways project or a High Performance Leadership (HPL) project.
Open House Chair ______________________________________________
Post event (one week after event)
by Akhtar Malik
Incentives are a way for you to share the benefits of Toastmasters with others and help your club grow! [Read more…]
by Akhtar Malik
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
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 editor
Calling all aspiring hollywood actors and directors! Your mission: create a video to promote your club and the benefits of Toastmasters. Your goal is for your club video to get social media Likes and Shares via Facebook and/or Twitter.
Entries will be shown at the Spring Conference. Social media engagement activity results and conference votes will decide the winner who will be announced at the conference.
Prizes:
Imagine how visitors find your club. They likely visit the TI find-a-club tool. Search results return several club candidates. They mull through them and pick one. This means your competition are the clubs in the geo footprint around you. Make your club stand out and get those visitors.
A video shows a visitor the look and feel of your club. They get a warm fuzzy feeling. It helps lessen the anxiety that often accompanies new visitors. This commercial should solely focus on a message a first-time visitor would find appealing.
Contest Rules:
On Jan 1, check the D58 Facebook page for a video contest post. You’ll reply with your submission to that post to enter the contest. This way, everyone’s entry is conveniently listed together.
Ensure to post in time for Spring Conference voting. Earlier postings benefit with like, comment and share points. Also check out these additional video tips.
by editor
Six club banners in District 58 will be adorned with 2016-2017 “Smedley Award” ribbon. Wild Dunes Sweetgrass Toastmasters rocked the challenge with seven new members! The following clubs also won Smedley Awards by enrolling the required five new, dual, or reinstated members during August and September: Achievers Club, El Cid Toastdawgs Toastmasters Club, Fort Mill Toastmasters Club, Greater Greenwood Club and Piedmont Executive Club.
Congratulations to them and all the District 58 clubs who added members during the Smedley drive.
by editor
You can become an ambassador of District-58 simply by visiting meetings at other clubs. After recording only three visits, your status as a District 58 Club Ambassador will be noted the district website! A presentation of Ambassadors’ “credentials” will be part of the Spring Conference. Since you will be an ambassador sans portfolio, you have no obligations, assigned duties or paperwork to complete. But, alas, no ticket-proof license plates are available. Click here or on the license plate for details.
by editor
This is a good read for all Toastmasters and prospective Toastmasters. It is a long-form story, unusual for a short-form news medium.
It has a description of the championship event, deep human interest about the winner, and strong supporting evidence for the importance of communication skills.
This is well worth sharing with all members and citing for marketing and “the moment of truth.”
http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/14/us/toastmasters-champions/index.html
by editor
by editor
SCIWAY is a state-wide (not state operated) web site of where to go and what to do in South Carolina. Under the category Organizations a page is devoted to Toastmasters clubs. There is no cost for listing your club with a link to your web site.
Since SCWAY is optimized for Google, this should boost traffic to club sites for no investment other than submitting the club’s link, which takes 90 seconds—tops.
Please check it out today and make sure all D-58 public clubs are listed. If your club is already listed, please verify the link to your club website.
Special thanks to Bob Huddleston ACG, CL for this tip and his continuing efforts to expand our web presence.
by editor
This event provides an excellent opportunity for visitors and new members. Here are some proven steps you can take:
1. Optional but advised: move the contest from your regular meeting time to a Friday or Saturday evening.
2. Publicize the event as a free evening of humor. You can find a sample announcement on the Resource page of this site, under Public Relations.
3. Send the announcement to the Arts and Entertainment and the coming events editors at local newspapers, TV and radio stations.
4. If you don’t have a contact list with local media, check MondoTimes which you can search by state and city.
5. Submit a listing to all the online calendars of events in your area, such as the community government site, Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Eventful.com, EventUpon, EventBrite and even Craigslist under “community activities.”
6. Promote actively on social media, including MeetUp, Face Book and LinkedIn.
7. Finally, put fliers wherever you can, usually libraries and grocers are helpful.
8. Invite members of the press.
9. Consider a raffle for a gift card at Starbucks or other coffee/tea emporium. Each member gets one ticket for each guest he or she brings.
10. Then, having completed a comprehensive publicity campaign, enjoy the contest.
Next will come the press releases about the winners and their progress to your area competition and ultimately the District finals on October 01 in Columbia, SC.
by editor
On September 30, the first quarter of the Toastmaster’s year ends. Smedley-winning clubs will have already garnered:
A Smedley Award ribbon for the club banner.
10% off the next club order from Toastmasters International.
One point toward the Distinguished Club Goals.
Plus, for the first 15 Smedley Clubs in District 58, a $10 certificate good at the district store.
Being a Smedley Club requires adding only five new, reinstated, or dual members during August and September. Here’s a proven idea: make your humorous speech contest into an open house. You can use this proven press release announcement. Just change the dates, times and club name.
For more information about the Smedley Award, follow the link to the TI web site.
Another 1st Quarter Opportunity: Sponsor a new club by the end of September and get $50 off registration to the Fall District 58 Conference (two sponsors can share).
by editor
by Akhtar Malik
Conference Schedule
9:00 – 9:15 | Opening Session | Salon A/B |
9:15 – 9:50 | Keynote Address
CELEBRATE! Jana Barnhill DTM, PIP, AS |
Salon A/B |
10:00 – 10:50 |
Education Session 1
Yes You Can! Live the Life You were Destined to Live Schrendria Robinson CC
|
Classroom 3/4 |
10:00 – 10:50 | Education Session 2
Work Smarter not Harder – Road to DTM in 2 Years Earlena Brown DTM
|
Salon C |
11:00 – 11:50 | Evaluation Contest | Salon A/B |
12:00 – 1:20 | Lunch (Hall of Fame, DTM Ceremony) | Salon A/B |
1:30 – 2:20 | Business Meeting | Salon A/B |
2:30 – 3:20 | Education Session 3
Jim Hatchell, CC The Value of Club Leadership! Education Session 4 Which Way Did They Go? I’m Their Leader! Jana and Bob Barnhill DTM, PIP, AS |
Classroom 3 /4
Salon A / B |
3:30 – 4:00 | Division Networking | Classroom 1 & 2 |
4:00 – 5:30 | Humorous Speech Contest | Salon A/B |
Conference Logistics
8:00 – 12:00 | Registration | Front Reception Area |
8:00 – 8:50 | Networking | Classroom 1 & 2 |
8:00 – 8:50 | Credentials | Front Reception Area |
10:00 | Contestant Briefing | Salon A/B |
10:00 | Judges Briefing | Boardroom |
10:45 – 11:00 | Credentials | Front Reception Area |
3:00 | Contestant Briefing | Salon C |
3:00 | Judges Briefing | Meeting Room 1 |
http://www.toastmasters-d58.org/district-58-fall-conference/
by Akhtar Malik
Whenever anyone thinks about the District 58 Fall Conference, the first thing that typically comes to mind is the District Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests, but the Fall Conference this year comes with not one, but two, special guest speakers!
District 58 is proud to present Jana Barnhill, Past International President and Accredited Speaker, as our Keynote Speaker, and her husband, Robert, who is also a Past International President and Accredited Speaker.
Jana will open the Conference with the keynote, “Celebrate your Greatness” and then will team up with her husband, Robert, to present “Which Way Did They Go? I’m Their Leader!” These presentations will focus on, how Toastmasters is not only an amazing organization, but it is also a journey. A journey in which you will be able to do things, and go places, which you could never imagine. You not only become skilled speakers, but you also become skilled leaders, which others will want to follow.
But wait, there is more!!! Did your club earn a Distinguished Status? Did you earn a Triple Crown? Did you recruit 5 or more new members last year? Are there any newly minted Distinguished Toastmasters who are ready to receive their Hugs? Get ready to WALK THE RED CARPET and ‘Celebrate Your Greatness’ during our Hall of Fame Luncheon!
But wait, there is EVEN More!!! YOU the member will have an opportunity to attend break out sessions that help you personally in your daily journey through life. We have sessions that will engage you, energize you and leave you wanting for more!
But wait, there is EVEN MORE MORE…Each Division will host a CELEBRATION STATION where you can check in and find out what’s going on in your neck of the woods. This is a great opportunity to network with members that live near you, work near you and Toast On near you!
District Leaders, even though we are planning a lot of fun, we still have work that needs to be done! Our District Business Meeting will also be held and we encourage our District Leaders to attend so that you can ROCK THE VOTE!
by editor
To jump-start our year, we are offering a free Fall Conference for the following:
Members
Any District 58 Toastmaster member who successfully charters a club by September 30 will get a free Fall Conference registration. If there are two sponsors, and both wish to attend the Fall Conference, each will receive a 50% discount.
Area Directors
The first Area Director to get ALL of their clubs paid at Charter strength, or a net gain of 5 by September 30th will get a free fall conference.
Division Directors
The first Division Director to oversee successful open houses (minimum of 8 guests) for all of their areas by September 30th will get a free Fall Conference.
by editor
During the 2015-2016 Toastmasters year, any club that earns Distinguished Club status by April 15, 2016 is eligible to win the little BLUE box. The names of all clubs achieving Distinguished status will be written on a piece of paper, dropped in a hat, and one lucky club will win the little BLUE box.
All clubs that earn Select Distinguished status by April 15, 2016 club is eligible for the medium SILVER box drawing. The names of all clubs achieving Select Distinguished status will be written on a piece of paper, dropped in a hat, and one lucky club will win the medium SILVER box.
All clubs that earn Presidents Distinguished status by April 15, 2016 is eligible for the big GOLD box drawing. The names of all clubs achieving Presidents Distinguished status will be written on a piece of paper, dropped in a hat and one lucky club will win the BIG GOLD box.
The drawing will take place at the Spring Conference in April 2016. Someone from the club must be present to win.
Clubs with at least 20 members OR with net growth of at least five new members
Goals:
by Akhtar Malik
TV Talk Show Toastmaster Stars Sharon Durgin, DTM, LGET and Dana Swarner, ACS, CL, Greenville, SC
Don’t Miss watching the Talk Show
12:00 Noon, Monday, November 24, 2014 on WYFF TV Channel 4, Greenville, SC
Coffee Underground Toastmasters Chartering efforts
Toastmasters of South Carolina is starting a new club in downtown Greenville at Coffee Underground. The club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. for about an hour.
“For professionals that need to improve their speaking skills, or give better guidance to clients or give better performance reviews, or anyone going through job interviews, Toastmasters is the organization that allows you to practice those skills in a completely safe environment,” says Sharon Durgin, DTM, District 58 Lt. Governor of Education and Training . “Toastmasters provides valuable training, feedback and an opportunity for individuals to find their voice.”
Underground Toastmasters is a community club and anyone can visit. The club meets at Coffee Underground on E. Coffee Street and starts promptly at 7:00 p.m. For more information or to attend this or future club events, please contact Dana Swarner at (864) 723-6935 or dana@swarner.com
District 58 Toastmasters, do you have a newsworthy item for the District? Please contact the District Public Relations Officer!
From the Desk of Subbi P. Mathur, DTM, PDG, District 58 Public Relations Officer
by editor
As Lt. Governor Marketing, I have a few incentives that may help you encourage your club members to pay on time:
At your club meetings, the Club Treasurer should announce that it’s time to pay dues. The Club Treasurer will give the members the dues renewal cost ($36: International + your club dues-if applicable), and how to pay (check or cash).
Kimberly Love
An E-Mail to all of your clubs is a good follow up to the club meeting announcement. The E-Mail dues renewal reminder should include the amount to pay and how to pay (at the next meeting or mail the dues to the Treasurer).
If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Love at d58lgm@toastmasters-d58.org
Thank you for your hard work and efforts. Let’s get a 100% dues renewal by October 1st!
by editor
The results of the BIG GOLD BOX Promotion are in…
Please join me in congratulating the following clubs!
Distinguished Club – Winner of the Red Box
Fluor Power Toastmasters
Division G, Area 74 Club 981611
Select Distinguished Club – Winner of the White Box
Verizon Upstate Toastmasters
Division F, Area 64, Club 1681402
Presidents Distinguished 9 of 10 – Winner of the Blue Box
Clemson Toastmasters
Division F, Area 61, Club 5540
Presidents Distinguished 10 of 10 –
Winner of the BIG GOLD BOX!!!
SCANA Power Rangers
Division C, Area 34, Club 666346
We congratulate all of our clubs who earned Distinguished or Better during the 2013-2014 Toastmaster Year. Stay Tuned for our exciting Marketing Incentives for 2014-2015!
by editor
Our newest club to join the District 58 family is 3647601 Quackmasters. They were officially a club on December 17, 2013. It is a corporate club at Aflac.
Blair, we welcome you and your club to District 58 Toastmasters.
by editor
Lt. Governor Marketing, Sharon Durgin, DTM, recommends scheduling your club’s Open House in January 2014.
Why? All of those New Year’s Resolutions to improve ourselves in the new year. And, why are we discussing this now? It takes several months to plan a successful Open House.
Currently, there is planning for a Mauldin Area Clubs Open House in January. They have an organizing meeting this Tuesday, November 5, 2013.
And, don’t forget, you can request financial assistance for your Open House.
For more information, contact Sharon Durgin, DTM, LGM, District 58. d58glm@toastmasters-d58.org.
by editor
Be proud we’ve got three super-star clubs in our District. Three clubs in District 58 are on the top 20 worldwide list of 1+1 campaign top achievers.
They are:
Division G Governor, John Rogers, ACG discovered how they did it.
Wynne Smith, ScanSource Club #5885
I was happy to help the ScanSource Toastmasters Club participate in the 1+1 Program! The timing was right, as we had just had a very successful Open House when the contest was announced. We were able to sign our new members from the Open House up through the 1+1 program, and then get additional members signed up in the Spring, carrying the momentum created in January on through.
I am so proud of my Club, and of my fellow Toastmasters for this exciting accomplishment. It would not have been possible without everyone’s help and participation!
Checkout the official announcement from Toastmasters International and the original campaign video promotion below.
by editor
TEDx Charleston is accepting applications through Oct 22 to speak at their 2014 event.
Interested? Get more details on their Facebook page and website.
by editor
Mary struggled with public speaking, tried Toastmasters but had a horrible experience. What happened & what could the club have done differently?
Well for one thing she worked up the courage just to attend a meeting.
Then as a first-time visitor she was called on for a Table Topic. Whoa! Way too much way too soon.
Mary sits next to a member who tries to reassure her…
“Don’t worry,” he said, probably in response to the fear on my face. “You probably won’t have to speak today. The only time that guests ever have to speak is maybe at the beginning, during table topics. But those are easy. The Toastmaster asks a question and you just talk for like two minutes.”
“Two minutes?” I squeaked. It would be just like the staff meetings, only here, there was no telling what I’d have to talk about.
Seems Table Topics are not a big deal to this member. For the guest however the thought of speaking was a too much. Picked on to do something for which she was far from ready.
Does your club call on visitors to speak? If so perhaps its time to reconsider the practice.
The question she received was not hard. Well not hard for those who are comfortable with Table Topics.
For someone who’s just worked up the courage to attend a public speaking meeting its beyond dreadful.
“The last question is: Would you rather spend the Fourth of July with family or friends? And answering this one will be…” the Toastmaster looked down at the list in his hand then looked up and, with his face void of recognition, said: “Mary.”
I felt a familiar tingling—like fizzy soda flowing through my veins. Bumping people’s knees and mumbling apologies, I made my way to the front of the room. With the mindset of someone who’s terrified of heights but who’s already paid to go skydiving, I braced myself and dove right in: “Um, well, let’s see, family or friends. Well, uh, you know, my family is pretty far away, um, so I guess, you know…”
I paused. This was worse than a staff meeting; at least there my speech-making skills were not on trial—I doubted anyone cared about the copywriting updates, much less about how I presented them. But here, thirty faces looked at me expectantly, rooting for me to triumph over the power of the ums, uhs, and you knows that garbled my speech.
“So anyway, um, I’d probably stay here, um, in New York, you know, with friends. Uhh…Thanks!”
Although she only attended one meeting she observed the evaluations seemed to lack real value.
There were more speeches. More enthusiasm. The room swelled with a collective devotion to public speaking. Everyone wanted to be the best. Everyone got applause as if they were. The only criticism all night was for certain speakers to project their voices and “utilize the stage.”
Consider having the General Evaluator include comments on the evaluations? This helps improve evaluations and thus your speakers.
A visitor’s journey to your meeting may have been long and arduous. You often never don’t know the struggles in people’s lives. Next time you have a visitor remember public speaking is a real fear.
Original article: How Toastmasters cured me of the desire to speak in public – Salon.com