I found some spare time while on vacation in Atlanta to write most of my web site. I’ve done this sort of thing before, the main work is just creating the content.
I keep adding on to it (especially this blog), but the large majority of the work is done, and I’m ready to publish it. But first I need a web service! I spent some time researching several major companies, and finally settle on Blue Host.
When I ran for District Governor, I just used a nice snapshot that Bruce Burrow had taken a few months prior. It looks like probably half of the DGs in the DG brochure used a professional photograph. But for ID, it’s quite clear that I need a professional photograph. Fortunately, someone at work is able to recommend a very good studio photographer, and they are able to get me in the next day. I just had a haircut a week ago, and I dress up for it with my Toastmasters membership tie (15+ new members in one year). It looks pretty good! That’s the photo on the first page on my web site, the introdution page. Plus, now I have a Christmas gift for my mother.
One of the more critical bits is the candidate’s questionnaire from Toastmasters International. The candidates’ brochure which is distributed at the August international convention includes parts of this, and for some voters, it may be the only thing they have to work with when deciding how to vote! After several revisions with my campaign manager, Joan Diehl, we finally decide it’s complete and send it in.
It’s the Saturday morning regional breakfast. Time to make it formal! Unfortunately — my announcement goes a little long, and somehow, I’ve entirely forgotten to inform some people from my own district! So they’re a little surprised by it, but very happy and supportive of me. Moral: Be sure to tell your district before you announce!
Whew! I’ve survived my year as District Governor — and my team has even met all our TI goals! The hardest part, as always, has been achieving the membership goals, but our monthly membership contest (run by Pat Martin, our LGET) with accompanying promotion has keep this highly visible, with everyone continuously aware of it.
Meeting our paid club goals is also often a challenge, but we’ve done remarkably well with retention, Charles Brooks (our club retention chair) has done an amazing job with our club coaches. We are ending the year with 39 coaches for 27 clubs, and that has kept a lot of clubs alive and thriving. With Toni Rodgers as our club extension chair, we chartered 12 clubs, but only lost 7 clubs, out of a base of 155 clubs.
I’ve been enjoying the conference, able to mostly just relax and enjoy it as a non-dignitary, since I haven’t had to attend “Top Three” training on Thursday and Friday. Friday night is a “talent showcase”, with a team from each district presenting a skit of some sort.
My district (30) is presenting a parody of Gone with the Wind, where Scarlett (Carolyn Arthur) is chairing the Gone With the Wind Toastmasters Club, #1050556832798134. I play a butler called upon to make an impromptu pocket speech, and the audience enjoys it. The real highlight, though, is the Region V Theme Song (sung to the theme of This Land is My Land), as sung by a motley group of past international directors and presidents!
After the talent show, I’m caught completely by surprise by a special award! It seems that my peer District Governors in the region have all conspired to present me with a special “Over the Top” award. Of all the awards I’ve received, including my DTM and our distinguished district award, this is the one I value most, exactly because of who gave it to me, and how unexpected it was. The inscription reads:
Presented on Behalf of all the Region V Districts
for Outstanding Service that is
OVER THE TOP
By Regularly and Timely Preparation and Distribution
of the “Report Changes” Emails, Which Helped Keep
Each of us on Track to be an “Over the Top” District
With Much Toastmaster Love, Great Appreciation and True Heart Felt Thanks
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