The afternoon session featured District officer training. Janice invited officers to “consider taking on High Performance Leadership (HPL) projects for your role for this year.” She reviewed the structure of the District, how it is comprised of nine Divisions and 36 Areas and that clubs belong to Areas. There are four Areas in each Division and that District 83 is part of Region 9 in Toastmasters International.
She discussed expectations and that we hope to become a Distinguished District with Distinguished Clubs, Areas, and Divisions. Focus on members.
She added that the group will be working on their Division Success Plans this afternoon and that incentives at end of year are awarded at the Hail and Farewell event.
Our Region (9) will be one of the last to begin the Pathways program. We will be notified six months before it will roll out for Ambassadors and Guides. Ambassadors will work with Guides who will work with Clubs. The District still needs Ambassadors and Guides.
Manny began discussing Club officer training, held twice a year. In the summer, officers should ask, “What can I learn from this experience this year?”
District training will take place again in December. Manny announced the conference and contest information provided earlier in the day to the Club Officers.
Start to plan for Area contests NOW. Club contests take place in August, Area contests take place in September and Division contests are scheduled for October, leading up to the finals of the District contests at the District conference in November. In order to hold a contest, please have the date approved by Manny.
The spring conference will take place May 12-13, 2018, with the DTM Reception scheduled for Friday, May 11. Work to aim for Distinguished District. DCP is a road
map. Discipline yourself to be better.
Lynda’s presentation included several topics relevant to club growth and retention. She stated, “President’s Distinguished District is our goal. You have to work the program.”
She encouraged us to grow clubs and strengthen existing clubs, plan, and provided us with resources. “Start now to plan for success.” Look on District Performance Reports on the TI website for updates.
She introduced her team: Club Extension Chair: Subhash Harmalker, DTM; Looking for new club leads.
Rachel Weiss, DTM will organize “kickoff meetings,” another way to describe demo meetings.
Anne Gilson, DTM, PDG: Club Quality Chair, assigning Sponsors to new clubs forming and Mentors to newly chartered clubs.
At the time of the TLI, Lynda reported that she is seeking a person to fill the role of Club Retention Chair, for Membership building and clubs to grow.
She talked about membership incentives from TI and District incentives to go along with them. Information will be posted on the District website.
Lisa Pantano, DTM, PDG, will serve as Club New Source Research Chair.
Our goal is retention of existing clubs and members. We seek active and involved members and should recognize them. Great, well-planned meetings that are fun and are focused on goals of Toastmasters. “You have to work the program,” Lynda continued.
At the time of this report, the Traveling Gavel currently resides with Old Bridge Toastmasters. Clubs taking part in a Capture the Gavel meeting can also qualify for a Friendly Neighbor award at same time.
Struggling Clubs must request a Coach; the District cannot automatically assign one. Help them help themselves. Lynda has a list of clubs needing coaches; please let Lynda know if you want to serve as a Club Coach. This service can be used to fulfill a requirement for Advanced Leader Silver.
Go somewhere you are involved already for leads, such as the workplace, Rotary Clubs, or other business and community organizations. The District has Incentives available, which will be listed on the website soon. She defined Sponsor and Mentor roles.
Lynda continued, “When guests visit your club, ASK them if they want to be a member. Give them a form. Be a little pushy.”
Finance Manger Willie Markert provided a comprehensive presentation discussing expense reports, reimbursement for District expenses and other financial topics and the required timelines and deadlines.
District Webmaster Tom Somers spoke to the group about the same websites mentioned in the morning session, and highlighted sections of interest to District leaders.
He encouraged District officers to enter contest dates and training dates as soon as possible after they are approved.
Tom informed the audience about the District 83 blog, as well as that Twitter and Facebook will become integrated with the site.
Highlights of the TI site included the Distinguished Performance reports, officer lists, and new club sponsor and mentor lists as well as dues renewal status.
At the conclusion of the general sessions for District officers, the Division Directors met with their Area Directors to ensure their new Toastmasters year gets off to a good start for 2017-2018.