Supplemental TLI officer training announcement; offered by our Division, in Calvert county

I announced this yesterday at the EMA club meeting, but if you haven't heard yet, Mary B., Pres. of Calvert Toastmasters club and Area E4 Governor, has planned a supplemental TLI officer training session to be held at the Northeast Community Center in Chesapeake Beach on August 21st from 6-9pm.

Some of you requested a closer option to receive training and meet you club goals; well, this is it. This will be the closest opportunity this training season.

There may be one more Division E TLI set up to be held most likely at Andrews Air Force base. This is not certain yet; waiting for further word from our Division E Governor, Nicole C. I'll notify you when I hear more info.

In the latter half of the year, I would like for us to plan a TLI to be held in St. Mary's county. Think about some ideas for locations, and candidates to chair and participate in the planning committee; lots of opportunities here to complete CL project requirements.

Toastmaster Leadership Institute (TLI) report

Area E5 of District 27 had a good showing today at district training: Toastmaster Leadership Institute (TLI). It was held at the South Government Center in Alexandria, VA. So, it was a bit of a drive, but not too bad; as it was a Saturday, traffic was light and I made good time. It took me about 1 hour and 15 minutes each way from my home in St. Leonard, Calvert county, Maryland.

We had 2 of our 5 clubs represented; that I know of.

Club Talk of the Town had in attendance VPPR Hyrum S. (me), VPE John H., and secretary hopeful Tita H.

Club Elocution had in attendance VPE Brian S. and and VPPR Carol C.

Linda C., president of Talk of the Town club and Mary B., president of Calvert club were planning to attend, but their plans were usurped by unexpected events. From what I understand, both plan to atten the next district TLI on August 1st.

So, what did I learn?

I attended three sessions:

1. VPM & VPPR combined core training
2. Growing Club Membership
3. Web pages, social marketing & newsletters as ways to recruit and retain members

From these sessions I learned the following:

1. Don't Do Anything Alone!
2. Receive, Read, and Redistribute the quarterly District 27 Newsletter!
3. Participate in seasonal district promotional contests
4. Clubs under 12 members should be assigned a club coach or mentor
5. The Smedley award contest runs during the months of July and August. Any Toastmaster member who recruits 5 new members earns this award.
6. Clubs should set a minimum goal of recruiting one new member a month
7. Our district produces a TV show; we are invited to participate and be featured in a show
8. Surveys can be a useful tool within a club
9. Club websites must be updated with fresh content

Did I get any awards?

Why yes! I received a Certificate of Achievement to frame and put on my wall with the rest of my Toastmaster awards, ribbons, certificates, and trophies! One of the many reasons I love Toastmasters; I'm recognized as a winner. Gosh it's good to be loved!

Welcome To My Toastmaster Blog

And ever the twain shall meet. However, this really isn't the beginning of good relationship.

Well, I suppose this was inevitable.

About three years ago I joined Toastmasters.

Almost two years ago I started my first blog; for myself. To put down my ideas and thoughts; to organize them; make them easily accessible; to me; and for me, to refer others to. It worked nicer than I had thought.

I found that what I had created for myself was a powerful tool for formulating speech material.

I have served as Vice President of Public Relations in my home club "Talk of the Town" in Lexington Park, Maryland, for the past three years. Now, I am also serving as governor for my area, Area E5 in District 27. The Toastmaster new year started July 1, and I'm in deep and learning the ropes. I have found that a lot of email communication and online social networking is done in these leadership circles. I've got emails, newsletters, websites, facebook groups, blogs, tweets, and newsfeeds coming out my ears.

I'm finding myself forwarding emails that I previously sent, repying to all, copying and pasting, resending information, and asking for previously received info more and more. So, I thought, how about organizing my email content, newsfeeds, hyper links, documents, contacts, schedule, etc. in a new blog, exclusive to my Toastmaster realm.

And so, it begins ...

Hi, my name is Hyrum Shewell and I'm a Toastmaster, Club Vice President of Public Relations, and Area Governor.

This blog site is primarily for the owner and author. If anyone else benefits, then that is a bonus; a good one at that.

I welcome your comments. Toastmasters is all about individual improvement through constructive criticism from your community. I will error and stand to be corrected.

Welcome to my Toastmaster blog!