CHRIS' CORNER

Volume 1, Issue 4
June 15, 2006

Fellow Toastmasters,

Here is the final issue of Volume 1 of Chris’ Corner.  (Don’t worry, Volume 2 starts in July) The 2005-2006 year has been an interesting year for me, and I have a few observations:

• Orwigsburg, Tobyhanna, Camp Hill, Hershey & Carlisle are no where near Cape May
• Returning to the shore on a Saturday afternoon in the summer takes the entire afternoon
• Everything takes 2 to 3 times as long as you thought it would
  (Corollary – Everyone tells you the can do something 2 to 3 times faster than they can)
• District 38 has a lot of fantastic people that will go out of her/his way to help out.

Let me continue with that thought.  I am truly moved by all the Toastmasters, from our great district, who have contributed their time and expertise.  Countless volunteers for club demos, training, contests, and anything else that has been needed, have “Stepped it Up” and leant a helping hand. Thank you all.  Even more have been willing to voice his/her opinion and offer advice – even when not solicited!  Please keep the ideas coming with the understanding that there are as many ideas as Toastmasters, so all cannot be implemented.

I would be remiss not mentioning the Distinguished District Program (DDP) before continuing with my normal mundane information.  There are 4 Critical Success Factors – Clubs, Members, CTMs, ATMs.  Make no mistake. These factors are measures of how we support our MEMBERS, not the district, region or TI.  Think about it.  In order to serve our members we need to have clubs and members and to work the program.  New members need to get their CTM, and continuing members need to get ATMs and keep working the program.  My plea to you is to keep current with your paper work.  Turn in your reports and achievements (CTMs).  We use the DDP reports to gauge our effectiveness in serving members.  The reports are only accurate if clubs turn in the paperwork – and it is easy to do on line.

With that, I am sure you are asking how we are doing.  Thanks for asking.  The last two years our District was Distinguished, the last time before that was 1998.  We are doing well with the number of clubs and ATMs this year, but are short on members (not to be confused with short members!) and CTMs.  CTMs are easy – canvas your members, find out who has given the 10 speeches and turn in the paper work.  Many have already earned their CTM or are 1 speech away.  As for members, we have attracted many new members this year (over 1200), but lost more than that).  Invite former members back, many if asked will rejoin. 

As an incentive, the District is offering a Darren LaCroix (King of Comedy) webinar for anyone who brings in a new or dual (join another club) member prior to July 1.  You can do it 5 times!  These sessions sell for $79.  Even if you don’t give a hoot about membership, free stuff, especially from Darren, is always good.

Enough of that, commercial over – back to the mundane….

What Happened Recently

• Monday Night Toastmaster, Chris’ Clinic, You Make the Call.  The third call was June 12.  Paula Tompo, Jim Samuel, Bill Krauss, Traudi Thomason, Ginny McGinnis, Bill Zdankiewicz and I attended.  I was 3 minutes late because I was trying an incorrect number (from the last issue of Chris’ Corner).  I apologize to anyone who tried to get in and could not.  The number on the calendar on our district website is correct.
  
  
• Demos:  The 3rd and final NJ Department of Treasury demo was a huge success.  They are now chartering with 39 members.  My final demo for this year was June 6th at High Concrete near Lancaster.  This club will most likely charter in a month or so.  Thank you to all who have helped.
  
  
• New Clubs:  Hershey Sweet Talkers (what else!), Giant Talkers, Hanover Area Toastmaster
  
  
• Clubs a Gnats Nose away (that means real close):  HUD (Philly), NJ Dept of Treasury (Trenton), Morgan Stanely (Conshohoken).
  
  
• We had District Sponsored training in Ewing Saturday June 10. Thank you for all who helped and all who attended. 

What’s coming up?

• Training, Training, Training.  All officers should attend (check the website, tmdistrict38.org)
• Officers lists to TI, Officers Lists To TI, OFFICERS LISTS TO TI

Anything Else?  Sure Toastmasters Can’t Keep Quiet.

• Please start using the New CL Book. Everyone should get one and use it each meeting!
  
  
• Use www.toastmasters.org and www.tmdistrict38.org. Information, Calendar, Reports, etc.
  

Finally and most importantly, I would like you all to join me in thanking Janice Coleman, our District Governor for all her years of dedicated service, especially the last 3 in Senior District Leadership.  I have learned a lot from Janice, who the last two years received the Excellence in Marketing and Excellence in Education & Training Awards from Toastmasters International, for her efforts on our behalf.  She continues to be an inspiration for me.  Janice, we truly appreciate all you have done and continue to do.

That’s it for Chris’ Corner – Comments always welcome. See you at Training,

Chris

NEXT CHRIS’ CLINIC, MONDAY NITE TM, JULY 12, 9:01pm.  YOU MAKE THE CALL!
605-772-3200 code 354724#

chris.rio@verizon.net
609-390-2326 (h)
609-485-6421(w)
609-425-5472 (c)