CHRIS' CORNER

Volume 2, Issue 4

November 11, 2006

Fellow Toastmasters,

Here is the 4th issue of Volume 2 of Chris’ Corner – a lot later this time!
This also serves as the report to the District Council, November 11, 2006.

First – Important Announcement for all 10 of you that call Chris’ Clinic!!! Chris’ Clinic is now on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 8:01 pm.  The 01 is for no longer for any particular reason.  The next call on SUNDAY November 12 will be primarily to entertain wishes for Winter Training.  Please note the call itself is not entertaining – but hopefully the wishes, and therefore training, will be.

Now for the Education & Training Report:

• Educational Awards:  Check your numbers, Division, Area, Club, Member
  Here are the statistics:  46 CCs, 12 ACs, 12 Old CLs, 2 DTMs, 2 LDERX, and
  2 New CLS (Chris Rio & Chris Rio).  Hello – anyone else out there.
  Rumor has it the Mr. Z (you know Shel’s Husband) is a gnats nose away from his.
  
  The good news is we are ahead of last year the bad new is we are not doing well – on the books that is.  Why is that you might ask?  That is because of two main reasons:
  1) People do not get there CC or AC books signed and turn in the awards even though speeches are being made in virtually every club;
  2) Almost no one has a CL book nor gets an evaluation at every meeting.
  In other words we are not getting credit for what we are doing.
  
  What can I do to help you might ask?  Well how about getting the books and taking them to the meetings and turning in the completion record when you finish!  Why is this important you might ask? Glad you asked!  It is important so your district leaders can help the clubs that need help.  We look at the awards to see which clubs are using the program and which ones are in trouble.  Not turning in awards paints a false picture and makes it hard for us to know who needs help.
  
• Winter Training:  District sponsored officer training will be on December 16
  09:30 – 2:00 pm at PECO in Philadelphia.  Anyone – not just officers is welcome.  Please let me know what you would like to learn.  This is a lot different and even better (can you believe that) than summer training.  Please also remember that to meet the Distinguished Club Officer Training Goal, 4 officers must attend this session as well.  Most of you did it last summer – so don’t miss this opportunity – plus you might even enjoy it.
  
  Most Divisions will also sponsor winter training in January and February.  Please check with your Division Governor and the District Website for the time and place.

• Spring Contests – The spring cycle of contests is for Evaluations and the International Speech Contest.  Clubs need to get their contest done by February 28th.  Well not really, just before your Area contest – so find out when it is.  Areas need to be done by March 24th. Well not really, just before your Division Contest – so find out when it is.  Division Contests need to be done by April, 30 according to our calendar.  Definitely not really as the District Contest will be on April 28.  SO PLEASE GOVERNORS AND OFFICERS PICK & PUBLISH YOUR DATES SOON. 

• Your successor in office:  Any club or District Officer should be thinking about someone to take their place.  It is not too early at all.  Please let me know of anyone who might want to take a district office next year – especially Area Governor.  Other opportunities are Audit Committee, District Directory, Parliamentarian, Website, Public Relations Officer, etc.

What Happened Recently

• Monday Night Toastmaster, Chris’ Clinic, You Make the Call.  The seventh call was October 9 and we had a monologue on the New CL book followed by an open discussion on the same, which quickly digressed into a free for all – albeit a useful one.  About a half a dozen people phoned in.  Please remember, these calls are for you – use them.
• Many clubs paid dues, many only paid for some members.  Help you members and Ronni out by getting all your members paid soon.  The grace period for membership ends very soon – not telling you when.

Closing Thoughts

• Websites, www.toastmasters.org (check your information) & www.tmdistrict38.org
  Post your events on the district calendar by clicking on the link below Jim Marshalls picture and letting him in on it.
• Many Toastmasters are not aware that there is a district out there.  Please spread the word.  A great way would be to print out and distribute a coveted collection of Chris’ Corner.  Seriously, let everyone know about Area, Division, District, and Regional events.  Also direct them to the websites.  Your dues pay for them!
• Please let me know your thoughts, needs, concerns, complaints…whatever.  I try to answer all correspondence.  I get a lot. I am not perfect. I miss some. So…. If you do not hear back – write back, call back or physically assault me.  Be careful though – I am tougher than I look, so I don’t recommend the 3rd option.
• Plan to come to Winter Training on December 16 – and let me know what you want to learn

So long ‘til next time, Chris

NEXT CHRIS’ CLINIC, November 12, 8:01pm – Subject:  Open & What I want at Training

605-772-3200 code 354724#

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