Seeking Leaders

Colette Gardener, DTM, PDG

Founder’s District is seeking nominations for the following positions to be filled by election at the Spring Conference on May 5, 2012:

• District Governor,
• Lt. Governor of Education and Training,
• Lt. Governor of Marketing, and
• Division Governors

Note: Area Governors will be appointed by the District Governor-elect after the Spring Conference. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit applications to the 2012-2013 District Governor-elect, after the May 5, 2012 election.

All qualified members are encouraged to self-nominate and run for office.

Leadership in Toastmasters develop the vital skills of:

• Team Building
• Delegation
• Goal Setting
• Planning
• Problem Solving

Additional benefits include networking with other business leaders, making new friends, and gaining a deeper understanding how Toastmasters work on a global basis.

Message from the District Governor

Wes Hoover, DTM, District Governor

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot"  -Michael Altshuler

My fellow Toastmasters, time is flying by. The new year is here. At this critical half-way point in the Toastmasters year, I’m excited and encouraged more than ever by the enthusiasm and dedication of the Toastmasters around us. However, we should ask ourselves – are we doing the best we can?

Founder's District had a strong start this year. We started with 203 Toastmasters clubs, but have lost a few, and may lose a few more, but our goal is to extend the network of Toastmasters clubs, and end the year strongly, with 225 clubs. Thanks to all of you and your dedicated efforts we are moving ahead, and building momentum. Although we are progressing at a good pace, I do need to add that we are slightly behind where we were last year. I’m asking that we all do our best…That is all that we can do. But by each of us doing our best, we can make history – we can take Founder's District to President’s Distinguished… We have the momentum on our side.

I ask that we encourage each other to make progress every week on our speeches and leadership projects. Have open houses and encourage membership drives. We are looking for a record number of educational awards, new clubs and new members.

Facebook Is Here to Stay

By Mahesh Mike Patel, DTM, Founders District Social Media Chair

Facebook...we have all heard about it and whether we like it or not, it is here to stay. More and more companies, organizations and non-profit groups are embracing Facebook and other social media sites. Toastmasters International and our very own Founder's District are no exception. They are both active participants on Facebook.com as well.

If you haven't already discovered the Founder's District Facebook page, here's where you can explore it: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersToastmasters.

Through this fan page, members and visitors can stay connected and are able to engage with other members and visitors; they are able to post Club and other Toastmasters related information. Important News and Events can also be posted and sent out to members using Facebook. Many of the members found out about our Fall Conference that was held on Nov 12th at Cerritos Sheraton via Facebook. The news that November 12th is the official “California Toastmasters Day” was posted on many of the Toastmasters Fan pages just as it happened, and many of the members including myself found out about it through Facebook fan pages.