MAY 2008 VOLUME 6, ISSUE 5

Inside this Issue:

V O I C E S The Finish Line is in Sight

Maurice Taitt, DTM - District 25 Governor

Countdown to June 30 2

How Do You respond? 2

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Toastmasters 3

Welcome New Members 4

Meet your 08-09 Leadership Team 5

Outstanding Officer Awards 6

Congratulations Distinguished Clubs 6

District 25 Trailblazers 7

Dear Gabby 7

April Education Completions 8

Save the Date Awards Dinner Aug 9 8

May Club Anniversaries 10

District 25 Calendar 11

Beat the Clock PLUS + 11

Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick 12

Now is the Time 12

Building Better Communicators and Leaders 13

Division Idol - Final Season 14

Ebby Halliday - C&L Recipient 14

District 25 Contest Winners 15

Fall Contest Dates Announced 16

Voices is the official publication of District 25,

serving Toastmasters throughout North

Central Texas.

The 2007-2008 District year is almost over but it’s definitely not too late to make the final push to accomplish the goals you set for this district year. How many speeches do you need to achieve your next education goal? Is it one, two, three or even four? Finalize your plans now to deliver these and don’t forget to look into speaking opportunities in other nearby clubs. Are you in need of a few more new members to meet membership goals? This is a good time to have everyone bring a guest to your exciting meetings. To qualify as Distinguished or better, clubs must have had a net growth of at least five new members or be at charter strength by June 30, 2008. Remember though, transferring members do not count to-wards your net gain of new members. All new members must have paid dues to your club for your club to receive credit in this category. Don’t let your club miss out on this wonderful opportunity to be Distinguished or better. As a reminder, the Old Competent Leader recognition ends on June 30, 2008 so don’t let this opportunity bypass you. When you and your clubs are successful, so will your division and area governors. Your district itself will also be a success. My theme this year has been “Committed to Excel-lence.” Though my term ends on June 30, you should always be committed to excellence in the years ahead.

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TOASTMASTERS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE SUMMER 2008 DATES ANNOUNCED

** ADMISSION: FREE TO ALL MEMBERS OF DISTRICT 25 ** Online Registration Now Available!

JUNE 7 - TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY - FORT WORTH (8:00AM) HOSTED BY TCU TOASTMASTERS

JUNE 20 - IBM - COPPELL (TLI LITE - 6:30PM) JUNE 21 - IBM - COPPELL (8:00AM)

HOSTED BY TALK BLUE TOASTMASTERS

JULY 11 - TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY - FT. WORTH (TLI LITE - 6:30PM) JULY 12 - TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY - FT. WORTH (8:00AM)

HOSTED BY TEXAS WESLEYAN SPELLBINDERS

JULY 19 - BAYLOR UNIVERSITY - WACO (8:00AM) HOSTED BY BAYLOR ORATORS

AUGUST 23 - UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS - DENTON HOSTED BY NORTH TEXAS TOASTMASTERS

For more information about classes or schedules visit www.d25toastmasters.org/tli or contact District Training Chair Pat Quick - Email: patquick@d25toastmasters.org

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It’s almost June 30. Do you know where your Distinguished Club program is? Is your club a few new members or an education achievement short of being a distinguished club, a select distinguished club, or even a president’s distinguished club? With your club number in hand, you can check your club’s progress at http://reports.toastmasters.org/reports_new/dcp.cfm. It’s only a few more days before this Toastmaster’s term is over, but there’s plenty of time for your club to be distinguished or better for 2007/2008. Here’s a checklist of priorities for you and your club to end this year with a bang!

Clubs: ► Make sure the club secretary enters the new officer list online by June 30, or send WHQ a new officer list postmarked

June 30. If your clubs elects officers annually, this is your only chance to meet goal number 10 for next year. ► Work with vice presidents education and membership to ensure all educational award and membership applications are

submitted to World Headquarters before June 30. Remember, you can’t get credit for the speeches or new members until you turn in the paperwork. Submit online for faster submission.

► By now, club presidents should have received the Club Leadership Kit, which includes handbooks for incoming officers from World Headquarters. If not, make sure your president’s information is correct at WHQ and be on the lookout for these in the mail.

► Invite your new area governor to install new officers. ► Meet with incoming executive committee and give files and newly received Club Leadership Kit (which includes hand-

books for club officers) to newly elected president. ► Identify an area on your club banner to place your new Distinguished Club ribbon. ► You still have time to earn the following four Pace Setter Award ribbons for your club: • Excellence in Education CC Award – five or more CCs • Excellence in Education AC Award – three or more CC • Excellence in Leadership Award – three or more CLs, ALs, or DTMs • Excellence in Marketing Award – nine or more new members. ► Identify an area on your club banner to place your new Pacesetter Ribbon Members: ► Don’t forget the District 25 Elite Member Pin! You need to complete just three requirements in membership, education,

and service to be awarded this pin. See our District’s website for details at www.d25toastmasters.org. ► Make plans to attend the District Awards Banquet on August 9, 2008 at TCU in Ft. Worth. Watch the website for details.

Countdown to June 30 Peggy Holloway, DTM – Lieutenant Governor Education and Training

How many times have you told someone you belong to Toastmasters, and they say, “Really, I have heard of Toastmasters. That’s that speaking club right?”

How do you respond? Do you say, “Yes, come to a meeting sometime.”?

Was the response, “No thanks, I don’t need to speak in public.”? They just opened a door for you to give an elevator speech about the benefits of the organization.

An elevator speech is a two minute speech. About the same amount of time you are in an elevator with someone, and they can’t get away!! Its two minutes to make a first impression, to say something that is memorable, sell yourself, your product, or even Toastmasters.

A string of facts about our organization might not capture someone’s attention; however, telling them your personal testimony will perk their interest.

Overcome the “I don’t need to speak in public” deal killer, with, public speaking is the means by which we learn to be better communicators and leaders. Public speaking builds self confidence and enables you to realize skills and potential you may not know you have.

Practice what you are going to say, and use it at every opportunity. The benefits can be two-fold. You get to work on your speak-ing skills, and you may find a new member for your club!!

How Do You Respond? Dodi Foster, DTM - District 25 Public Relations Officer

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Most of us are creatures of habit. We wake, wash, eat, travel and dress the same way day after day. We do it the same way because it is comfortable and convenient. It starts as a simple choice. The choice is repeated the next day. The days turn into weeks. Over time, good habits will shape and mold your char-acter and empower successful living. In contrast, bad habits, which are hard to change, prevent us from reaching our goals. Dr. Stephen Covey wrote a best-selling book entitled, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.”

Perhaps we as Toastmasters should look at our own habits. Are you proud of your habits? I offer you seven habits of highly effective Toastmasters! 1. Be Early - Great things happen when you are early for a Toastmasters meeting. Arrive early as a courtesy to your club mates. You might meet a guest, help the Toastmaster finalize the agenda, pass your manual to an evaluator or even help the sgt.-at-arms with room preparations. Best of all, you will be relaxed and seated when the meeting starts. 2. Be Prepared - Preparation is vital to a successful Toastmasters meeting. Make the calls and e-mails necessary to ensure meeting participants know their roles. When things are done at the last minute, or not done at all, the meeting quality suf-fers. If confusion reigns, members stay home, and guests may not return. Remember the five P’s: prior preparation prevents poor performance. 3. Be Positive - Attitude is infectious. Members join to learn, grow and have fun! Project an attitude of enjoyment. Inspire your audience and notice the difference it makes. Encourage new members to sign up for speaking roles early and often. Focus your evaluation on the speaker’s strong points and how he or she can make the next presentation even better. 4. Be Supportive - We all start at different speaking levels in Toastmasters. Some can hardly utter a comprehensible word. Others speak at a professional level. Strive to nurture a supportive, encouraging club culture. Like a one-room schoolhouse, experienced members teach the new members. Make your club a positive, safe environment for all Toastmasters, regardless of their experience and skill level. 5. Be Courteous - Toastmasters is a people business, and all people have feelings. Some are sensitive, while others are thick-skinned, but all expect courteous treatment. Say “thank you,” “please” and “I apologize” when appropriate. Treat your fellow club members kindly and watch membership grow. Conversely, rude and selfish behavior will drive people away. 6. Be a Goal Setter - Effective Toastmasters stretch themselves and others. If you are new, reach for your Competent Com-municator (CC) award. If you have a CC, reach for Competent Leader (CL) or Advanced Leader (AL). If you have a CL or AC, reach for AL and Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM). If you have a DTM, earn another one. I know Toastmasters who have earned three DTMs. Each educational award will enhance your confidence and abilities. As you grow, others will catch the excitement and grow along with you. 7. Be Ready for Anything - This is my favorite habit. Toastmasters is a learning experience and anything can happen at any-time- from fire alarms, to power outages, crying fits and speaker no-shows. Be ready to step up when there is an opportunity and meet the club’s need. If a prepared speaker cancels at the last minute, try a five-seven minute “hotbox” speech. You might be surprised at how well you speak, and you will inspire your club members.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Toastmasters David McCallister, DTM - Lt. Governor Marketing 2007-2008

The objective of a Banner Raid is to provide a FUN experience for both clubs involved. Visiting vlub members often take many great ideas back to their home clubs, which in turn promotes healthy, strong, creative Toastmasters clubs throughout our District. The raiding club brings five or more members to the meeting, and the Target Club's banner will be forfeited to the raiders.

The target club may retrieve their banner by going through the same process. If they bring ten club members to retrieve their banner, they can also steal the other club's banner! Raiding clubs that take photos will be placed in the District 25 Newsletter. Program June 30, 2008.

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Welcome to Toastmasters! New Members from April 2008

Paid Clubs to Date 126 Goals for June 30 131 District is behind 5

Membership Payments to Date 5113 Goal for June 30 4906 District is ahead 207

CCs to Date 165 Goal for June 30 168 District is behind 3

ACs to Date 91 Goal for June 30 48 District is ahead 43

Distinguished District Program 2007-2008 As of May 2008

Carlos Santayana ACE Michael Harkins Aegonizers John Wozniewski Afterburners Laurie Fay Airport Toastmaster Talley Melear Airport Toastmaster Stephen Revel Airport Toastmaster BRIAN SMITH Airport Toastmaster Nancy Wood Arlington Nooners Cynthia Hess A-Team Tracy Speyer A-Team Russell Weaver Burleson Toastmasters Linda Wells Christian Speakers Patrina Smalls Citi Mustangs Tuan Nguyen Connection Communicators Charles Johnston Cowtown Toastmasters Donald Freeman Denton Toastmasters Kay Balas Eagle 1 Paula McAllister Eagle 1 Travis Murphy Eagle 1 Wanda Smith Eagle 1 Oscar Isaula EFW Rico Sosa Energizers Toastmasters Huagang Chen Eye Can Toastmasters Kathy Thomas Eye Can Toastmasters Krishnakumar Venkateswaran Eye Can Toastmasters Richard Child Fish Pond Tiffany Aller Flagship Speakers Rebecca Moriak Flagship Speakers Travis Christman Golden Triangle Stacey Wells Golden Triangle Sara Boepple Grand Prairie Toastmasters Muhammad Barkhadle Irving Toastmasters Michelle Bryant-Fletcher Irving Toastmasters Robert Carter Irving Toastmasters Narasimha Kanagala Irving Toastmasters Gerald Lemmons Keller Communicators Larry Johnson Lonestar Toastmasters Joseph Wolf Lonestar Toastmasters Samuel Chung Microsoft LC Venkatesh Ganga Microsoft LC Derek Garrett Microsoft LC Madiha Hussain Microsoft LC Jose Neto Microsoft LC Charuchan Suralertrungsri Microsoft LC Joyce Schaffer Mid-Cities Noon-Time Antonio Gutierrez Nissan Toastmasters Harriet Harrison Nissan Toastmasters Lisa Alleman North TX Robert Brammer Oak Cliff Communicators Kenneth Davenport Oak Cliff Communicators Nancy Delarosa Oak Cliff Communicators Latasha Freeman Oak Cliff Communicators Patricia Garrett Oak Cliff Communicators Caron Gary Oak Cliff Communicators Lilia Granados Oak Cliff Communicators Alma Infante Oak Cliff Communicators Angela Knox Oak Cliff Communicators

Charmaine Pinkston Oak Cliff Communicators Roderick Reeder Oak Cliff Communicators Darin Strickland Oak Cliff Communicators Carmen Tinoco Oak Cliff Communicators Linda Witherspoon Oak Cliff Communicators Sakthivel Rangasamy Oration Plus Toastmasters Annie Wong Oration Plus Toastmasters Howard Marks Phi Rappa Yappa Annalakshmi Stocksdale Phi Rappa Yappa Adam Lang Plus-Two Robert Sparks Plymouth Park Nicole Brown Power Communicators Elizabeth Floe Pro A.M. Toastmasters Joanne Lazarz Pro A.M. Toastmasters Cozby Oliver Pro A.M. Toastmasters Brian Barron Public Health Speakers Diana Cervantes Public Health Speakers Becca Grassl Public Health Speakers Alisha Herrick Public Health Speakers Albert Roy Public Health Speakers Kay Sanyol-Mukherji Public Health Speakers Monica Tipton Public Health Speakers Chandra Larson Ryan Plaza LaDana McWhorter Ryan Plaza Andrea Pringle Ryan Plaza Claudia Kramer Skymasters Margaret Obanigba Skymasters Steven Ayala SOL Toastmasters Jignesh Mehta Solana Classic Toni Hendrick Speaker's Exchange Kate Gorman Star-Telegram Marcus Gardner Successful Speakers Melanie Colson Tanglewood Toastmasters Paul Cortese TCU Toastmasters Nadine Adebayo Texas Toasters Erik Kluetz Texas Wesleyan Spellbinders Gerardo Ramirez Texas Wesleyan Spellbinders Rosalinda Deckson Toast Captains David Farr Toast of the Town Michael Barger Toastvesters Holly Manton Toastvesters April Meyers Toastvesters REGINA CLAY Top of Texas Toastmasters Dana McCollin Top of Texas Toastmasters Lou Skinner Top of Texas Toastmasters Daphne Johnson Unique Toastmasters At Vista Ridge Glenn Mutz Unique Toastmasters At Vista Ridge Andi Anton Verbal Eyes Mitchell Morgan Verbal Eyes Donny McLeod VHA Toastmasters Nina Chaloupka Weatherford Pam Hardwick Weatherford Sheila Hart Weatherford Michael Kinser Weatherford Cynthia Nwajei Xerox Capital Toastmasters Shautiquia Sampract Xerox Capital Toastmasters Kokie Woody Xerox Capital Toastmasters Christine Webb Young Street Yappers

Total Number of New Members in District 25 since July 1, 2007: 1322 (through May 1, 008)

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Meet your 2008-2009 District 25 Leadership Team

2008-2009 Division Governors

2008-2009 Senior Leadership

Dodi Foster, DTM Lieutenant Governor

Marketing

Peggy Holloway, DTM District Governor

David McCallister, DTM Lieutenant Governor

Education and Training

Stephen Orthwein, DTM Division B Governor

Tammy Bailey, ACS/ALB Division C Governor

Larry Weatherholt, ATMB/CL Division A Governor

Denise Corley, DTM Division D Governor

Henry Misquez, CC/CL Division E Governor

Claire Misquez, ACG/ALB Division F Governor

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Distinguished Clubs InnerVoice Toastmasters #6411 TCU Toastmasters #5555 Unique Toastmasters At Vista Ridge #7274 VHA Toastmasters #4567

Select Distinguished Clubs Airport Toastmaster #5537 BNSF Expressed #879088 BNSF Toastmasters #2975 Flagship Speakers #4370 Irving Toastmasters #3365 Keller Communicators #621025 Plus-Two #349 Speak With Success #633 Top Notch Toastmasters - TNT #825 Weatherford #4963 Wichita Falls #305

Congratulations to our Distinguished Clubs As of 5/1/08

Presidents Distinguished Clubs Afterburners #6191 Arlington Nooners #7514 Baylor Orators #7277 Denton Toastmasters #3055 Lakeside #3692 Las Colinas Communicators #8055 North TX #420 Pro A.M. Toastmasters #7407 Shining Stars #4225 Southlake #4987 Southlake Evening #4236

Outstanding Officer Awards Ernestina Piñones, DTM - District 25 Awards Chair 2007-2008 It has been an honor to serve as the District 25 Awards Chair for 2007-2008. In the fall, we had many of you submit online nominations to acknowledge the achievements of your club officer(s). It was wonderful to be able to hand out well deserved plaques to those winning officers. I applaud all of you – the persons who nominated and the dedicated officers who earned the nomination. All of you were on board to reach the “Destination to Excellence.” At the recent Spring Conference, it was no different. I was again fortunate to have a dedicated committee who read your nominations to pick the winners. It was very hard to only pick one person to receive the plaque as all of the nominations pointed out the over and above commitment and actions your club officers were displaying. I want to again thank the District for allowing me to have a “Golden Moment” in my life where the volunteer is truly appreci-ated. I commend the District for continuing to recognize member excellence. For those of you who were not at the Spring Conference to experience the “Voyage of Discovery,” the outstanding officers for July 1- December 31, 2007 were: Officer Position Name Club Area/Division Sergeant At Arms Beverly Prentice Shining Stars 4225 22 / B Treasurer Randy Hickerson Waco Early Birds 3546 43 / D Secretary Rosemary Horton Waco Early Birds 3546 43 / D VP Public Relations Jennifer Korba Speak With Success 633 54 / E VP Membership Roxana Vanesa Wroblewski Las Colinas Communicators 8055 25 / B VP Education Theresa Wilcox Speak With Success 633 54 / E President Ananta Annavajhula Las Colinas Communicators 8055 25 / B

Find a Mistake? It is our policy to include something for everyone. Since some people like to

find errors, we regularly include a few in our publications to meet this need. Let us know by sending an email to:

newsletter@d25toastmasters.org

Congratulations to our Distinguished Areas

As of 5/1/08

Congratulations to our Distinguished Divisions

As of 5/1/08

Select Distinguished Division Division A - Diana Patton

Presidents Distinguished Division Division F - David Martin

Distinguished Areas Area 12 - Ruby Ditto Area 14 - Mark White Area 15 - Erik Leaseburg Area 21 - Robert Sparks Area 34 - Tammy Bailey Area 53 - Michelle Bayes Area 55 - Nicki Barrett Area 61 - Matthew Stevens Area 63 - Vicki Fox Area 64 - Keith Quigley

Select Distinguished Area Area 51 - Helen Schenk Presidents Distinguished Area

Area 11 - Sunni Fisher

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3 or more new members Michael Amos, CC David Bauer, CC Sara Crenshaw Zachary J. Frohlich Sara L. Gibbons, CTM Sharon Klimski Matt Mathieson Jeff Monschke, CC Shelly Moore Michael Moriarty, ATMG Derek L Newman Joanie Nowell, CC Mark Novak, DTM Diana Richard, ACS, CL Evelyn Roberson, ATMS Wayne Sekerke, CTM Michael Segaloff, ATMB Charles Starr, ACB/CL Matthew J. Stevens, CC, CL Carl T. Stevens, CC Bonne K. Stroman, ACB,CL Felicia N. Turner David Zapata

4 or more new members Adrian Castillo, CTM, CL Oliver Cozby, DTM Dodi Foster, DTM Bob Harper, CTM Holly Herring, CC Wekulo Namasaka Larry Pool, ACB Greg Solomon, ATMB

5 or more new members Jeff Johnson, DTM Sally Linn, CL Betty Miller, ATMB, CL Robert Richardson, DTM Roxana Vanesa Wroblewski 6 or more new members Sandra M. Garcia 7 or more new members Sara M. Beall, ATMS Brandi Forman Peggy J. Holloway, DTM David Leake 8 or more new members Greg Brannon, CC 9 or more new members Ruby M. Ditto, ATMS, CL Shawn Kornegay, CTM, CL Top Performers - 10 or more new members Joe W. Nave, ATMS, CL 12 New Members Randy Terrell, DTM 13 New members David McCallister, DTM 16 New Members Earl Hill, DTM 24 New Members

PACESETTER CLUBS—MEMBERSHIP 20 * Las Colinas Communicators #8055 17 * Caremark Advance Articulators #1630 16 * Denton Toastmasters #3055 15 * Unique Toastmasters At Vista Ridge #7274 15 * Southlake Evening Toastmasters #4236 14 * Masters of Speaking #6040 14 * Airport Toastmaster #5537 14 * Shining Stars #4225 13 * BNSF Toastmasters #2975 13 * North TX #420 12 * Burleson Toastmasters #706449 12 * Southlake #4987 12 * Top Notch Toastmasters #825 12 * Speak With Success #633 11 * Marine Creek Toastmasters #733879 11 * Arlington Nooners Toastmasters #7514 10 * TCU Toastmasters #5555 10 * Lakeside #3692 9 * Connection Communicators #771978 9 * Speaker's Exchange #633836 9 * LM AeroSpeakers #9916 9 * Ryan Plaza #5213 9 * Irving Toastmasters #3365 9 * Longhorn Toastmasters #3178

*Each Club will be awarded the Blue Pacesetter Award Ribbon for adding 9 or more new, dual,

or reinstated members since July 1, 2007

District 25 Membership Trailblazers and Pacesetters

The following members of District 25 have encouraged new members to join Toastmasters since July 1, 2007. (report through 4/28/08)

The following clubs have added nine or more new, dual, or reinstated members since July 1, 2007.

DEAR GABBY Dear Gabby, We are low in members and trying to rebuild our club. We do not have enough members to elect 7 new officers! What can we do? - Leadership Challenged. Dear Challenged, You actually do not need to have seven different people to hold office during your rebuilding. International will allow you to have a minimum of three officers. A President, a vice president, and a secretary. Each of these offices must be held by three different people. You can double up on roles, secretary and treasurer, vice president of membership and vice president public relations. By doubling up, you can get the minimum of four officers trained for the Distinguished Club Program. So do not fear!! You can always vote in and add officers as your club grows!! Ms. Gabby thanks all for their submissions. Keep sending those questions and comments, and remember, if you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side. Do you have a question about a meeting role, speech content or topic choice? Need ideas on attracting new members to your club? Are you contemplating starting your leadership track? If so, Gabby is here to help! Dear Gabby will provide down-to-earth practical answers to all Toastmaster related questions. Like a good neighbor, disinterested friend, or "a second mother" she calls it as she sees it. All questions submitted will be answered. Check monthly to see if your questions and answers will be published in the District Newsletter.

Email your questions to deargabby@d25toastmasters.org or visit online www.d25toastmasters.org/deargabby

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Education Completions for April 2008

Club Division Area Award Date Member Club586017 C 35 CC 4/25/2008 Anders, Tonja L Dream Chasers Toastmasters

4794 E 53 CC 4/29/2008 Buford, Blake C. First Horizon Speakers

7407 C 35 CC 4/24/2008 Clingenpeel, Glenn Christopher Pro A.M. Toastmasters

1043559 B 24 CC 4/4/2008 Collins, Latrice Citi Mustangs

7407 C 35 CC 4/17/2008 Cozby, Oliver Ray Pro A.M. Toastmasters

918987 A 14 CC 4/22/2008 Crenshaw, Mike Fossil Creek Toastmasters

6102 A 14 CC 4/10/2008 Croy, Dede J FAA Toastmasters

9595 D 45 CC 4/20/2008 Davis, Erika Toastmasters Anonymous

5537 F 63 CC 4/18/2008 Deaner, Michael A Airport Toastmaster

4236 A 15 CC 4/21/2008 Faircloth, Louise Southlake Evening Toastmasters

3546 D 43 CC 4/1/2008 Hansen, James Bradley Waco - Early Birds

2209 F 65 CC 4/17/2008 Harold, Curtis AAFES Toastmasters

4987 A 15 CC 4/23/2008 Harper, Henry L Southlake

4987 A 15 CC 4/21/2008 Herring, Holly Southlake

1043559 B 24 CC 4/17/2008 Howard, Angela Dawn Citi Mustangs

4963 A 11 CC 4/10/2008 Loop, Todd Miller Weatherford

6810 F 64 CC 4/9/2008 Martin, Victor T. Bell Helicopter

5496 A 11 CC 4/7/2008 McAdams, Jerry Lynn Cowtown Toastmasters

6332 F 65 CC 4/19/2008 McConnell, Tracy Lee Grand Prairie Toastmasters

2975 A 14 CC 4/25/2008 McLeroy, Bart BNSF Toastmasters

6866 D 41 CC 4/23/2008 Mitcham, Jason Paul Scott & White

5718 A 14 CC 4/1/2008 Patton, Diana C. Motorola

676842 D 42 CC 4/29/2008 Pinones, Ernestina Heart of Texas Bridge Gappers

6191 A 11 CC 4/24/2008 Quick, Pat A Afterburners

8055 B 25 CC 4/17/2008 Samuelson, Gary M. Las Colinas Communicators

4794 E 53 CC 4/29/2008 Selman, Verletta A. First Horizon Speakers

2008 A 13 CC 4/24/2008 Stevens, Carl T Quicksilver Express Toastmasters

989 F 61 CC 4/3/2008 Strickler, Patsy Mid Cities Evening Toastmasters

5537 F 63 CC 4/4/2008 Swann, James E. Airport Toastmaster

5922 E 53 CC 4/12/2008 Tenison, Karen S. Nissan Toastmasters

1415 B 21 CC 4/7/2008 Turner, Coretta D. Plymouth Park

3692 E 51 CC 4/29/2008 Walker, Mary E. Lakeside

7514 C 31 CC 4/9/2008 Wood, Sylvia Hernandez Arlington Nooners Toastmasters

8055 B 25 CC 4/14/2008 Wroblewski, Roxana Vanesa Las Colinas Communicators

Congratulations to our fellow Competent Communicators

SAVE THE DATE!

DISTRICT AWARDS BANQUET HOSTED BY TCU TOASTMASTERS CLUB NO. 5555

Texas Christian University Dee J. Kelly Alumni Center 2820 Stadium Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76109

SATURDAY AUGUST 9, 2008

REGISTER AT ANY TOASTMASTERS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE STARTING JUNE 7, 2008

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Club Division Area Award Date Member Club6572 C 32 ACB 4/24/2008 Bay, Terry Texas Wesleyan Spellbinders 305 A 12 ACB 4/1/2008 Happ Starr, Charles W. Wichita Falls

6191 A 11 ACB 4/28/2008 Johnson, Jeffery William Afterburners 5496 A 11 ACB 4/28/2008 McCallister, David E. Cowtown Toastmasters 4987 A 15 ACB 4/28/2008 Roth, David W. Southlake 7407 C 35 ACB 4/3/2008 Roth, Mary Pro A.M. Toastmasters 9646 F 61 ACB 4/15/2008 Stevens, Matthew J. Aegonizers 4355 A 13 ACB 4/1/2008 Worden-Harris, Donna L. Fighter Enterprise Toastmasters 4963 A 11 ACS 4/1/2008 Clay, Harry Weatherford 6530 C 31 ACG 4/14/2008 Calame, Steven Craig United Communicators 4963 A 11 ACG 4/1/2008 Clay, Harry Weatherford

621025 A 15 ACG 4/17/2008 Warmbrodt, Cindy M. Keller Communicators

Club Division Area Award Date Member Club/ / y y g p p586017 C 35 OCL 4/25/2008 Anders, Tonja L Dream Chasers Toastmasters 710987 D 44 CL 4/16/2008 Blackwell, Teresa J. Cleburne Toastmasters 643446 F 63 OCL 4/8/2008 Castillo, Adrian AAFCU Flying Toasters 586017 C 35 OCL 4/18/2008 Chapman, Eslyn Dream Chasers Toastmasters

4963 A 11 OCL 4/17/2008 Clay, Harry Weatherford 7694 F 64 OCL 4/8/2008 Craig-Phillips, Stephanie EDS-Trinity

918987 A 14 CL 4/28/2008 Crenshaw, Mike Fossil Creek Toastmasters 4236 A 15 OCL 4/24/2008 Faircloth, Louise Southlake Evening Toastmasters 4987 A 15 OCL 4/18/2008 Fry, Randel Southlake 4236 A 15 OCL 4/15/2008 Hill, Germon Earl Southlake Evening Toastmasters 5922 E 53 CL 4/8/2008 Mason, Laura M. Nissan Toastmasters

897575 C 34 CL 4/3/2008 Metz, John P. Star-Telegram 7277 D 43 OCL 4/14/2008 Moffett, Leigh Ann Baylor Orators Toastmasters

621025 A 15 OCL 4/7/2008 Patton, Diana C. Keller Communicators 420 E 51 OCL 4/17/2008 Ragan, David A North TX

8055 B 25 CL 4/30/2008 Swope, Nancy Fay Las Colinas Communicators

Club Division Area Award Date Member Club633836 C 35 ALB 4/14/2008 Cozby, Oliver Ray Speaker's Exchange

8055 B 25 ALB 4/3/2008 Samuelson, Gary M. Las Colinas Communicators 4963 A 11 ALS 4/17/2008 Clay, Harry Weatherford 6191 A 11 ALS 4/22/2008 Helton, Jody E. Afterburners 3365 B 21 ALS 4/22/2008 Orthwein, Stephen D. Irving Toastmasters 5286 F 62 ALS 4/9/2008 Wyatt, Gregory D. Plane Talk

Club Division Area Award Date Member Club6530 C 31 DTM 4/14/2008 Calame, Steven Craig United Communicators 4963 A 11 DTM 4/17/2008 Clay, Harry Weatherford 6191 A 11 DTM 4/22/2008 Helton, Jody E. Afterburners 3365 B 21 DTM 4/22/2008 Orthwein, Stephen D. Irving Toastmasters

621025 A 15 DTM 4/17/2008 Warmbrodt, Cindy M. Keller Communicators

Congratulations to our fellow Distinguished Toastmasters

Congratulations to our fellow Competent Leaders

Congratulations to our fellow Advanced Leaders

Congratulations to our fellow Advanced CommunicatorsEducation Completions for April 2008 (continued)

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District 25 Toastmasters Membership Contest Sponsor new members - Win Free Airline Tickets!

Fourth Quarter runs Apr 1 - Jun 30, 2008 for details, visit www.d25toastmasters.org/skyisthelimit

District 25 Marketing Presents...

Pinpalooza! Free Membership Pins! EXTENDED UNTIL JUNE 30! District 25 Marketing has gone crazy! We are giving away new member pins … FREE!!! For every new, dual, or reinstated mem-ber added to any Toastmasters Club in District 25 from January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008, we will provide the new member pin. So if your club adds 3 members, we will send you 3 new member pins. Add 6 members, we will send you 6 new member pins. Add 20 members, we will send you 20 new member pins.

Are You The One? Do you remember when you first joined Toastmasters? Did you have any idea what the timer was supposed to do or why you kept getting clicked or dinged for saying an “Ah” or “Um?”

How about when you gave your first speech or when you worked through the complex manual?

Who helped you? Who was your mentor? Did they help you ascertain how the Toastmasters program works?

Now, imagine an entire room full of brand new Toastmasters. Are you the one to step up and volunteer serving the members of a new club as their club mentor? Do you have a passion to see others reach for success? If so, consider volunteering to serve as a club mentor for a newly chartered club. Within the next four weeks, at least five new clubs will be chartered and each one will need a mentor to help guide them along for the next six months or so.

Up to two mentors may be assigned to each club. Consider finding a buddy in your club to help mentor the club to-gether.

Not only do you receive credit towards your Advanced Leader Silver award, you also get the opportunity to meet new people and be a part of their success.

Each club that will be chartering meets at noon. A few clubs meet in Irving along 114 , one meets in Westlake near the Marriott Solana, and another meets in North Richland Hills off Hwy 26.

Are you the one?

If so, or for more information about the club mentor program and serving in that role, please contact District 25 Lt. Gover-nor Marketing David McCallister, DTM: davidmccallister@d25toastmasters.org

MAY CLUB ANNIVERSARIES 1036574 Aetna Voices 3365 Irving Toastmasters 7407 Pro A.M. Toastmasters 746 Solana Classic 633 Speak With Success 897575 Star-Telegram 825 Top Notch Toastmasters - TNT

Do you have experience designing Web sites? Can you create forms using php tech-nology? Are you familiar with Adobe Dreamweaver? If so, we need your help! Please contact District 25 Lt. Governor Marketing David McCallister so you can find out more about what is involved in working on the District 25 Web site.

Contact David via email davidmccallister@d25toastmasters.org

Voices May 2008

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Voices Staff

Newsletter Editor Shawn Kornegay, CTM/CL

shawnkornegay@d25toastmasters.org

Publisher Maurice Taitt, DTM

mauricetaitt@d25toastmasters.org

Public Relations Officer Dodi Foster, DTM

dodifoster@d25toastmasters.org

Photographer Mark Novak, DTM

marknovak@d25toastmasters.org

Voices is published monthly and is available to the members of District 25 Toastmasters and clubs. Sub-scription available for one year at the price of $36 for those wishing

to receive their newsletter delivered via postal mail. Back issues are

available online at www.d25toastmasters.org/

newsletter.

Newsletter Submissions or Letters to the Editor

newsletter@d25toastmasters.org

District 25 Calendar of Events

May 2008 1-31 Hold Area and Division Council Meetings 2-3 District 25 Spring Conference 17 2008-2009 Area/Division Governor Training 31 Last day to submit Area Visit Report ONLINE for Distinguished Area Credit

June 2008 1-30 Hold Area and Division Council Meetings

7 Toastmasters Leadership Institute – Texas Christian University 12-14 Region III Conference – Houston, Texas 16 District Steering Committee Meeting

20 Toastmasters Leadership Institute Lite (IBM) Coppell, Texas 21 Toastmasters Leadership Institute (IBM) Coppell, Texas

30 Last day for Distinguished Club, Area, Division, and District Program Credit

July 2008 1-31 Hold Area and Division Council Meetings 11 Toastmasters Leadership Institute Lite - Texas Wesleyan - Ft. Worth 12 Toastmasters Leadership Institute - Texas Wesleyan - Ft. Worth 12 District Executive Committee Meeting & District Staff Training 19 Toastmasters Leadership Institute (Baylor) Waco, Texas

BEAT THE CLOCK PLUS! May 1 - June 30, 2008 Clubs that add five new, dual or reinstated members between May 1 and June 30 will receive a special Beat The Clock ribbon to display on your club’s banner. In addition, your club will be eligible to select one item from The Successful Club Series, The Better Speaker Series, or The Leadership Excellence Series, free of charge. Start thinking today of who will benefit from the Toastmasters experience and invite them to your meeting. You never know: you could help change their lives!

PLUS… Each member that sponsors three or more new, dual, or reinstated members from May 1 through June 30 will receive a District Governors Award Ribbon, presented at the District 25 Awards Banquet in August. Sponsor six or more new, dual, or reinstated members from May 1 through June 30 and receive a $20 gift certificate to the Toastmasters store, valid until June 30, 2009.

PLUS… Each club that adds six or more new, dual, or reinstated members from May 1 through June 30 will be treated to a pizza party at their club. Add 10 or more new, dual, or reinstated members from May 1 through June 30 and also receive a choice of any complete set of manuals or a set of club officer pins from the Toastmaster Store.

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This is the Time Linda Morrison, DTM - Division C Governor 2007-2008 When you read this, all the 2008 contests will be a memory and the Spring Conference will be all wrapped up for this year. Now is not the time to quit working though. In approximately 30 days our year will be over. This is the time to build membership and collect dues from ALL your graced members.

This is the time to enter your educational awards online before the end of June. Last year a club in Division C missed being Presidents Distinguished only because paperwork was turned in late. Don’t let that happen to your club. This is the time to hold your club elections and enter your club officers online before June 30 (one goal towards your Distin-guished Club Plan). This is the time for all officers to mark your calendars for training in June and decide now to be a Super 7 Club. This is the time to review and evaluate the 2007-2008 year and set goals for the 2008 –2009 year. Join hands with me to congratulate all area governors and assistant governors in Division C for a job well done during the year and welcome new area governors and new Division Governor Tammy Bailey. Have a happy new year but don’t quit working.

Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick…Absolutely Awesome – Division A Diana Patton, ACB/ALS – Division A Governor 2007-2008

The Toastmaster year is nearly over but there is still time to complete those individual goals as well as club goals you set back at the beginning of the year. Remember if you’ve completed a Competent Communicator award since January, the District will give you two free Advanced Manuals. It doesn’t matter if this is your first or tenth Competent Communicator award. The manuals you will receive from the District will be in addition to the two Toastmasters International gives to first time Competent Communicators.

Division A made Select Distinguished Division with many of the areas in Division A making Distinguished Area in early April as well as lots of clubs making Distinguished Club. This is absolutely awesome. By the time this newsletter is published, hope-fully all areas in Division A will be distinguished. The Division A contest that was held April 19, 2008 was a great success. The contestants were outstanding and attendance was amazing. I encourage members, new and old, to be part of the contest process. Be thinking now about the Fall 2008 contest season. It is fun to have a club contest in order to determine club representatives that will compete at the area level. If you are interested in being a judge, please consider attending District judges training. Dates will be announced later. Again, I encourage each and every member of Division A to get yourself on your club’s schedule to give a speech in order to complete that education goal. Also, if your club is low in membership, think about doing something extra to encourage visitors to attend in order to turn them into new members. Perhaps a membership drive or calling campaign to previous visitors might just be what it takes to do the trick. Check the District 25 website for information that will help strengthen your club. www.d25toastmasters.org/

Attention Contestants and Judges! Mark Your Calendars! The first summer session of Judge and Chief Judge Training will be held on Saturday June 7, 2008 after the first Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) at Texas Christian University. Lunch will be provided for all that pre-register.

Training is free to all members of District 25. All members that wish to compete or volunteer as a contest judge or chief judge during the 2008-2009 contest season should attend. Online registration will be available May 1, 2008. For more information,

contact Brenda Daniels, DTM, 2008-2009 District 25 Chief Judge via email: brendadaniels@d25toastmasters.org.

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Some Helpful Guidelines for Submitting Articles for Voices: • It’s usually best to use the inverted pyramid style. Write the material from most significant to least significant so the editor (or the

reader) can cut it off at any point (or any time) and know that the most important part has been covered. • Try to stay under 500 words (but don’t worry about it). • If possible, include pictures, along with information about who is in the picture and what is going on. • If formatting is important, use Word, but plain email is fine too. • If there are more than a couple of pictures, compress them and attach the compressed file.

Now get those articles in! Deadline for submittals is the 25th of the month. All articles are subject to editing.

Division B Believes in Building Better Communicators and Leaders Diana Pittman, CC/CL – Division B Governor 2007-2008

NEW Member Create an Account on WHQ website: Has your e-mail address been submitted to WHQ? Is it correct? You have to have a correct e-mail at International before you can login as a member to view your member record, which includes all offices held in a club, all members you have sponsored, all educational awards earned, etc.

Cultivate the Talent Pool by Including More Members: In a company, if you do not feel useful you move on - the same is true in Toastmasters. If one person is doing a marvelous job, and that one person is doing

everything, then when do others have the chance to lead or learn to step-up? If you are doing everything, do not com-plain. You have to learn to delegate and share responsibilities and work as a team. Yes, growth is sometimes necessary dur-ing this activity, but everyone will have a chance grow, not just you. Share the wealth, the knowledge, and move on to other duties that stretch your talents into a growth and learning experience. Continue to evolve Toastmasters into the organization you want it to be. Everyone has a personal desire to succeed, and everyone wants a sense of belonging. This is who we are.

High School: Now is the time of the year our clubs can plan to visit local high schools to invest an hour to recruit graduating seniors, turning 18, to a club that holds talents to share and guide a younger person in need of interviewing for college and jobs. Think what we could accomplish if we joined at 18? Plus, you actually have the possibility of two members joining, since at this age their parents are still a large part of their lives.

Idea: When dues are paid, pay an entire year dues to avoid having to collect twice in a year! Share your ideas with other Toast-masters with the D25 Newsletter.

Attitude: Enhance your contribution and enjoyment of Toastmasters and wakeup the enthusiasm and appreciation when you realized what Toastmasters can do for you. Expect and contribute to invigorating and productive times, and extend a positive and high-level of energy towards your goals. Focus on membership self-improvement.

Invitation: You are invited to attend Texas Wesleyan Spellbinders meetings Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on the historic south east Fort Worth campus for an evening of Valuable input on your prepared speech or presentation. As an open community club, we invite community and business people to network and build their communication and leadership abilities in a safe environ-ment structured to contribute towards continual improvement.

Club Coach - Club 629: Is a club name important? It can be important and it can be a memorable marketing tool Club 629 meets the 4th Sunday of the month at 6:29 p.m. at Spring Creek Barbeque in Irving on 183. I have been fortunate to volunteer as a club coach along with Ernestina Piñones. My advice is to serve as a club coach with another Toastmaster with a complementary set of skills. We balance each other, motivate each other, and bounce exciting club ideas we can share with Club 629, as well as implement at our home clubs. Serving as a club coach is an opportunity for me to grow, meet other Toastmasters, and for me to share my ideas and knowledge while helping another club fulfill their goals. See you June 22! Thank you for all you do to help make Toastmasters a more enjoyable and productive place for all of us!

Trained and active members are the key to successful Toastmaster clubs. See you at training June 7, 2008 at TCU !

"What is the hardest task in the world? To think." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pay semi-annual club dues on time during both periods (by Oct 10, 2006 and Apr 10, 2007) Add four new members and four more new members – PLUS End the year with 20 or Net five members. Get a ribbon for your Club Banner and more! Ends June 30, 2008.

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Division Idol Showdown - Final Season - Division A Crowned! Associated District 25 Toastmasters Press Saturday morning started bright and early with a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call courtesy of the Marriott Solana Fire Alarm team. Simon, Paula, and Randy were not amused by the “trick” rumored to be pulled from an unnamed division competing in the Final Season of Division Idol. Once the event started, a special performance from the judges entertained the half-asleep audience with a spe-cial version of “I’m So Excited.” Sources say the audience knew full well that Simon, Paula, and Randy simply did not have any rhythm whatsoever. Last year, Division Idol was launched as part of a new and exciting way for area and division governors to give their state-of- the-division reports, and compete for the coveted sprit stick. Each team demonstrated their commitment to excellence with fun and creativity as each division performed their renditions of popular tunes, altering the lyrics to portray their achievements of the year. And yes, they even danced! Last fall, Division C was named the winner of Division Idol Season Two. Despite media and tabloid rumors that Division C would be the darling of the competition, Division A came out of nowhere and grabbed the coveted spirit stick. Sources report that the singing was just “dreadful” but due to the pageantry and drama that A de-livered was just amazing and guaranteed Division A the win. The groups booking agency did confirm that a special performance has been confirmed at the annual Awards Dinner on August 9, 2008 at TCU. A special meet and greet for autographs and photos has also been scheduled at the event. Tickets will go fast!

District 25 2008-2009 Communication and Leadership Award Recipient Ebby Halliday Dodi Foster, DTM - District 25 Public Relations Officer 2007-2008 With grace and style, and a youthful gleam in her eye, Ebby Halliday spoke of her beginnings as a young woman working in a hat shop, and her advancement that led her to Dallas, Texas. A pioneer in her time, she was the first woman to start her own real estate company. Ebby Halliday REALTORS still thrives today as one of the largest real estate companies in the country.

As Ebby spoke, she delighted the audience at the District 25 Awards Ban-quet with stories of her youth and praised the members of Toastmasters for their continued efforts to improve communication and build strong leaders. It was evident to all that Ebby truly enjoys life, and has a fun and mischie-vous side that proved that age is only a state of mind. At 97, Ebby still goes to work every day, and still wears high heel shoes! As a closing to her speech, Ebby delighted us all by pulling out her ukulele and singing her rendition of “Happy Days are Here Again!” The final verse of her song summed up not only her life, it summed up our own experience in Toastmasters. “But through it all we’ve stood real tall We’ve learned new ways…..We’re on the ball We can be proud – one and all And Happy Days are here again!”

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District 25 Tall Tales Contest - Spring 2008

1st Place - Charlie Coombs - Irving Toastmasters

District 25 International Speech Contest - Spring 2008

1st Place - Michael Meier - Texas Wesleyan Spellbinders

2nd Place - Michael Meier - Texas Wesleyan Spellbinders

3rd Place - Joe Nave - Unique Toastmasters at Vista Ridge

3rd Place - Oliver Cozby - Bell Helicopter

2nd Place - Latrice Collins - Citi Mustangs

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Fall 2008 Contest Dates Speech Evaluation Contest Humorous Speech Contest

Area Date Day of Week

11 9/27/2008 Saturday

12 10/11/2008 Saturday

13 10/11/2008 Saturday

14 10/10/2008 Friday

15 10/23/2008 Thursday

21 9/13/2008 Saturday

22 9/19/2008 Friday

23 9/11/2008 Thursday

24 9/25/2008 Thursday

25 9/18/2008 Thursday

31 9/20/2008 Saturday

32 9/20/2008 Saturday

34 9/12/2008 Friday

35 9/13/2008 Saturday

41 10/18/2008 Saturday

42 10/18/2008 Saturday

43 10/18/2008 Saturday

44 10/4/2008 Saturday

45 10/2/2008 Thursday

51 10/4/2008 Saturday

52 9/27/2008 Saturday

53 10/9/2008 Thursday

54 10/17/2008 Friday

55 9/20/2008 Saturday

61 9/27/2008 Saturday

62 9/13/2008 Saturday

63 10/3/2008 Friday

64 9/26/2008 Friday

65 10/4/2008 Saturday

Area Date Day of Week

A 11/8/2008 Saturday

B 11/1/2008 Saturday

C 11/1/2008 Saturday

D 11/8/2008 Saturday

E 11/15/2008 Saturday

F 11/15/2008 Saturday

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