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It was fitting that outgoing 2015-16 Founder’s District Director, Pan Kao, set the tone for a fun and varietal Founder’s District Installation Dinner for the new district council as Founder’s District found itself back at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel in the 9th floor ballroom.
He instructed each audience member to fold up blue pieces of paper to ultimately make paper airplanes after instructing everyone to write down an audacious goal that pertains to their leadership position going into the 2016-17 Toastmasters International year. After the folding was done, blue paper airplanes were flying everywhere as if the Blue Angels were part of the festivities. It was as fun as much as it was a great message by Pan to dream big as part of the leadership opportunities all the incoming leaders have going into 2016-17.
“Be a Practitioner, Not a Theorist” – Year End Reflection
Written by Pan Kao, DTM, PhD
Time flies! You are probably curious about what I have learned this past Toastmaster year as the first District Director of the Founder’s District. I’ve learned that in order to become a successful communicator and leader, one needs to “be a practitioner, not a theorist.”
The free pizza proved to be the 2nd best part of the experience.
Members from clubs that achieved 5 new members during the Talk It Up Toastmasters event in March and February walked in to find pizza from such establishments as Pepz and Valuetina’s among others wondering what else was in store for them.
Then, all the attendees walked into an assembly hall filled with fog machines, laser machines, strobes and 3 projection screens that is equipment usually reserved for a big concert.
However, the attendees were in for something very different.
Kate McKay said in an essay:
“It is not pleasant . . . to be criticized. . . (but) we really ought to congratulate ourselves every time we learn of a new fault . . . To know of a fault . . . should be instantly to challenge its continuance.”
Using the stage
Competitors at speech contests move about the stage to facilitate their communication. That is, they use the stage as a visual aid. Usually, there’s lots of room available, but you, as a speaker, must abandon the lectern.
Three major reasons for a speaker to move about the stage are create a timeline, structure the talk or facilitate a story.
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE: It Starts With YOU!
Have you ever wondered why the mantra for Toastmasters International is “Where Leaders Are Made”? When you joined Toastmasters you probably joined to work on your communication skills. When I first joined Toastmasters, developing my leadership skills was not the priority and wasn’t even on my radar.
If individuals join Toastmasters to work on their communication skills, then why would Toastmasters International build their brand with the slogan “Where Leaders Are Made”? It is my theory that some individual or group of individuals brilliantly figured out that without leaders there is no way we can support the organization. We need leaders in order to have our space to develop our communication skills and confidence. The problem is our members list developing leadership skills as a lower priority.
Documentary Film About Reaching The World Stage of Public Speaking To Screen March 28 in Laguna Niguel
(Laguna Hills, CA) A powerful and widely praised documentary film about six Toastmasters and their journey to the world championship of public speaking will be shown at a special screening on Monday, March 28 at 7pm in Laguna Niguel.
The one-night event will be held at Regency Rancho Niguel Theater, 25471 Rancho Niguel Road, Laguna Niguel. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased online in advance before March 21. The screening is open to the public.
Congratulations to Robert T. Hollis, DTM and Les Jenison, DTM! Founder’s District Spirit of Excellence Awards were presented at the DEC meeting on February 23, 2016 at the La Palma Community Center. Here are their Toastmasters journeys and secrets to success.
Robert T. Hollis, DTM Les Jenison, DTM
In Memory of John S. Latin, DTM, PIP
Distinguished Toastmaster John S. Latin, born on September 9, 1939, passed away Saturday January 23, 2016 at his home in Cranbury, New Jersey. John was the 1975-1976 Founder’s District Governor and the 1984-1985 International President. As an aerospace engineer, he worked in the department of defense and was proud to have worked on the space shuttle that went to space. He believed in the importance of good communication skills and dedicated his time and service to Toastmasters.
Pizza Party!
MAY 6, 2016 7:00PM - 10:00PM
Clubs that added five or more new members during the Talk Up Toastmasters Membership Campaign (Feb-Mar 2016) are being rewarded with a FREE Pizza Party on Friday May 6th featuring Keynote Speaker Cindy Carpenter and the Interstellar Madness show.
In addition to your free pizza and drinks you’ll boost your social networking skills as two-time District International Speech Contest Champion Cindy Carpenter leads you through an interactive game that will leave you in stitches and then you’ll wrap up your evening with a musical laser light show designed to entertain and inspire.
All members in qualified clubs are invited and have been sent an email invitation. Please RSVP quickly as this special event has limited seating capacity. Enjoy our new Toastmasters' culture and harness your creativity to reach new heights!
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Another great LACE event. Maybe the best one ever.
The day started with our keynote speaker, Ricky Powell, DTM speaking about the three top skills for discovering happiness. At the start of his presentation, the power on campus went out. What a challenge for Ricky. To teach us about happiness during our darkest hour. As Toastmasters we learn how to overcome obstacles by not panicking as we make our adjustments. Ricky is as skilled as they come in these situations. His presentation was PowerPoint based, but he continued on without missing a beat. He challenged us to choose to be victors and not victims. Ricky led us out of the dark with his three top skills for discovering happiness: serving others, forgiveness, and gratitude.
Join energetic clubs all over Founder's District in participating in the upcoming membership building contest. During the months of February and March, add 5 or more members to your club to win the Toastmasters "Talk Up Toastmasters" award.
You'll receive a cool ribbon for your banner and an invitation to the Great Founder's District Pizza Party to celebrate your achievement. This pizza party highlight includes the highly acclaimed multimedia galactic light and sound show created by your Club Growth Director, Daniel Cossack. "Interstellar Madness" is a journey celebrating space innovation and exploration that will inspire your creativity.
1926 – The Year Toastmasters Doubled in Size
Written by Paul Clark, DTM, PDG, Founder's District Historian
Dr. Ralph Smedley, the founder of our organization, sponsored the first permanent Toastmasters club in Santa Ana during the fall of 1924. About a year later, in the fall of 1925, a guest from the nearby town of Anaheim attended the Santa Ana club. This visit signaled a new direction for Smedley’s Toastmasters idea. The creation of a second club, and in a few years, a multiplying of more clubs, secured its lasting establishment. Essentially, Toastmasters doubled in the number of clubs in little over a year, all happening in the Founders District (although Founders District would organize later, in 1944).
Maximize Your Toastmasters Journey – Practice Transferable Skills
What are transferable skills? Why do they matter?
Last month, Danny Ly, current club president of Table Talkers, was giving a speech about four core values of Toastmasters International: Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence. Danny is a successful young entrepreneur who owns two 7-11 stores. In his speech, he shared a story about how he revealed the core value of “accountability” with his employees.
DISTRICT MISSION
We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.
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