CHRIS' CORNER

Volume 2, Issue 1

July 28, 2006

Fellow Toastmasters,

Hello District 38!  Beware Happy Passover, Happy Easter and Happy Tax Day.  Well 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.  This is the 2nd issue of Chris’ Corner informing Toastmaster in and near the Susquahana, Lehigh and Delaware Valleys, Pocono Mountains and Jersey Shore (A.K.A. District 38) what’s happening - from my perspective, who else’s?

If anyone has contributions you would like included in future issues, just send them my way.  So far I have had two suggestions – correct the spelling of peak to peek, and include a list of upcoming demos so people can volunteer to help.

What Happened in March and Early April?

1. Mentoring Conference Calls.  We held two conference calls last month for the purpose of training current and future club mentors.  Janice and Stephen hosted the first call, I hosted the second.  Thank you Gary Nelson, Ellen Bolthouse, and Carlton Dennis for attending the call. It was a good opportunity to share ideas and work on a particular issue in a club Ellen is Mentoring.  In fact this call gave me the idea of Monday Night TM.
   
   
2. Monday Night Toastmaster, Chris’ Clinic, You Make the Call.  The first call was April 10.  Holly Cyrus, Paula Tompko, Will Dyer and I attended.  Bill Zdankiewicz tried, but had left the phone number at work. Hint to all – number is posted on the District 38 web site.  This was a great first call, and everyone got something out of it.  Thank you all for sharing.
   
   
3. Demos:  A large delegation went to Giant Food in Carlisle.  I was a splendid event. Thank you Sharon Kessler, Rei Fuller, Delores McArthur, Ash Bhargave, Jean Liddell, Jim Marshall, and Bill Zdankiewicz.  This Club will form!
   
   Baby Big Blue:  Ronni Laino and Dannie Frierson headed up a successful team.  Thanks!
   
   
4. We want you back campaign update.  Traudi Thomason has been the primary person working on this - we all appreciate your efforts.  I think I have the next step of printing out labels.  All lapsed members from the fall will be invited back.  CAUTION: THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU (EACH CLUB) SHOULD NOT BE CANVASING YOUR LAPESED MEMBERS. I can tell you why, with a true story.
   
   True Story:  Just last week I bumped into someone from one of my clubs.  I had not seen her at a meeting in a while, and asked her if she was still a member.  She said, “Oh, yes, I have just been busy.”  I asked, “Did you pay your dues?”  (I knew she did not as I had looked on line.).  “Sure, I paid” she replied.  When I asked her when she paid she replied “Oh its been a while, I paid when they asked me.”  “Was it in the last 2 weeks?” I asked.  “Oh no, last fall – are they due again?”  Well, I was able to determine that SHE WAS NEVER ASKED.  How many other people in the district were not asked.  I believe it is quite a few.  Please Membership VPs, Treasurers, Secretaries, or anyone designated by the club – ask.  Send out a notice to those who have not paid, or even better still, make a call. It helps.  THANKS!
   
   
5. New Toll Free Number & Conference Call Number
   Distict38 Toll Free Number (800-834-2241) – We pay for this one!  It is posted on the web site and intended for Marketing - please put it on any promotional literature you pass out.  The caller can leave a message, and I get notified by e-mail and pick up the message.  I am thinking we should have the e-mail go to the top 3.
   
   My Free Number from tollfreemax.com, 605-722-3200 code 354724# – Used for Monday Night Toastmasters – You make the call.  I believe there are long distance fees for calling, however, even though the service is free.  That is why I make the calls after 9:00pm.  If these calls catch on, we can investigate a toll free number. 
   

What’s coming up the rest of April and Early May?

1. Dues! One more time.  Please send them in and ask all your lapsed members back.  This will help us figure out just where the district is, so we can target our efforts.
   
   
2. New Club Demonstrations.  Let me know if you can help.
    - May 3, Hershey Corporation, Hershey PA.
    - New Jersey Department of Treasury, Trenton, NJ.  Date, TBD
    - FAA Advanced Club, Atlantic City Airport, Date, TBD
    - T- Mobile, Allentown PA, Date TBD, 04/28 possible
    - United Way, Philadelphia, PA, Date TBF

Anything Else?  Sure Toastmasters Can’t Keep Quiet.

3. Don’t Forget the Pizza Party Challenge.  Clubs with net gain of 5 members or more (after the April Dues Submission) get a Pizza Party on the District!  Who knows, if you get 10 we might even spring for 2!
   
   
4. Please come to the District Conference.  Sure its educational, sure it will be fun, sure we should go to the business meeting and support the contest…but the real reason I want you to go, is so I can start recruiting help for the next 2 conferences and the 2007-2008 District Staff!
   
   
5. Other Potential Clubs:

                  Community Club near Vanguard, Division B
                  Orwigsburg, Division A or E?

6. Use www.toastmasters.org and www.tmdistrict38.org. Information, Calendar, Reports, etc.
   

That’s all for this month’s issue of Chris’ Corner.  Your comments are welcome.  Next issue on or about May 15 – and it will not be a Taxing one. 

Good luck, see you at the conference, and thanks for all you do,

Chris

NEXT CHRIS’ CORNER.  MONDAY NITE TM, MAY 8,  9:01pm.  YOU MAKE THE CALL!