The Sunshiner www.toastmastersd47.org July/August 2010 Inside this Issue Letter From Kristina Kihlberg ........................... 2 Division Governors’ Accomplishments .................... 4 Meet Your New Leadership Team ....................... 5 Meet Your Division Governors .......................... 11 Meet Your Area Governors............................. 13 Speak-a-thon .......................................17 Fall Conference, Nov 5-7, 2010 .........................18 2009/2010 Distinguished Clubs ......................... 19 Club Anniversaries .................................. 21 Club Publicity Contest ................................ 22 Notable Members Lissette Garcia, Ms. Florida USA ....................... 25 Annette Watkins .................................... 25 Pam Lehr ..... .................................... 26 Nadia Wong ... .................................... 27
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While I had the honor to serve in the most rewarding role within Toastmasters as your District
Governor, you – YOU – all of our more than 5,000 members, made history.
Just like we are all working towards our personal goals as Toastmasters, each Club, Area and
Division has goals to achieve each year. These goals are assigned by Toastmasters Inter-
national.
As with our personal goals, sometimes it may take a little longer than planned to get there, or
we have to restructure our plans a little. For the last 3-4 years, our District has worked very
hard towards achieving our goals set forth by Toastmasters International. The goal is to con-
tinuously, year after year, make sure that we support our members to the best of our capacity,
so that all of you can achieve the goals you set when joining Toastmasters.
At the District level, our goals are measured with the other 81 Districts around the world.
Our goals are:
To increase the number of members (just like a Club)
Achieve a certain number of CCs, ACs, CLs, ALs, DTMs, etc. (just like a Club)
We have to submit certain documents on time (just like a Club)
District leaders have to attend training (just like a Club)
There is one more thing that a District is measured by and that’s starting new Clubs. We’ve
done very well during these past years.
Historically, District 47 has achieved President’s Distinguished (PDD) status 10 times since its
beginning in 1955. Reaching PDD status is only achieved by the top 6 Districts each year.
It’s quite an accomplishment.
The last 4 times we reached that status:2000-2001 District Governor Paul Meunier (99.27 points)2003-2004 District Governor Margaret Wan (89.99 points)2006-2007 District Governor Loretta Sandy (126.05 points)2008-2009 District Governor Antionette Fox (96.20 points)
How District 47 Ranked in 2009/2010
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How District 47 Ranked in 2009/2010
This year’s results:Membership increase #5 in the worldStarting new Clubs #2 in the world (37 new Clubs)CCs #1 in the worldACs #3 in the worldLeadership awards #1 in the worldDistinguished Clubs #1 in the world (w/3 others)
Division AStarted new Clubs for the first time in years (2nd highest increase % in the District) and hostedour Fall Conference with such warm hospitality. Division A was one of the first 3 Divisionsto officially reach President’s Distinguished status.
Division BThe only Division with all Areas President’s Distinguished. Maybe that is why they alsohave the highest percentage of increase in Clubs (27.59%) and share the #1 spot for increasein membership (9%). Div B hosted our Spring Conference with grace and style.
Division CThe home of the Area with the highest increase in membership – Area 31, 92%! CongratsEleanor! Brought the Division to new levels and showed us how many talented members thereare.
Division DAchieved the hard-to-reach minimum of 75% of their Clubs as Distinguished or higher.Had the second highest increase in membership (8%) and took an early lead as an accom-plished Division – the one to beat.
Division E
The home of many successful contest winners and this year again, our District representa-tive in the Int’l Speech contest hails from Div E – Jim Bussey. The looongest Division in ourDistrict with Clubs all the way down in Key West and Middle Keys.
Division FOur pioneers. Where we recently have chartered new Clubs in “unknown” territories. We arethrilled to welcome Clubs in Hardee, Highlands and DeSoto Counties. The Division sharesthe top spot for increase in membership (9%).
Division GHas the highest percentage of Distinguished Clubs in the District (81%). Well done! Oursmallest Division geographically, but yet powerful. 7 out of 7 Areas Distinguished or higher.
Division IHas the highest percentage of President’s Distinguished Clubs (55%). Bravo! Has the highestpercentage of Educational awards vs. number of members (51%). Great job! 7 out of 7 AreasDistinguished or higher.
The results speak for themselves. No matter what any other results may indicate – Dis-trict 47 has the best members in the entire world!
...Great Leaders with a Mission to Be the BEST!
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Meet Rick Furbush, District Governor
It is an honor and privilege to be your District Governor. I have been blessed to work with our past
two District Governors who have done a fantastic job for our District.
We have had an extraordinary two years since our District split. The highest award a District can re-
ceive is President’s Distinguished, which is reserved for the top 6 Districts (out of 81) in the world.
Last year under the guidance of District Governor Antionette Fox, we were number 5 in the world, a
feat very rarely achieved. This year, under the guidance or our District Governor, Kristina Kihlberg,
we were number 2 in the world, a first for our District.
Our goal this year is to complete the “Hat Trick” – three in a row. This year we not only want to be
President’s Distinguished again but we want the elusive, never before attained achievement of being
# 1.
So … What does it take to be NUMBER ONE ?
First, it takes having an extraordinary team of hard working, dedicated Toastmasters. Those who
also have experienced what it takes to be President’s Distinguished. That we have in flying colors.
You will meet them on the following pages.
Second, it takes a District membership that is excited about Toastmasters, about helping others suc-
ceed, and wanting to make a difference in the world. That we have for sure. You are the whole rea-
son our district has been in the top 6 for the past two years.
Third, it takes having a BIG GAME and being excited about it. In order to be Number One in the
world, the members have to be winning, achieving their goals and having FUN.
Our Goals: This year we want to do something that has NEVER been done before in the history of
Toastmasters, and that is for:
EVERY CLUB in our district to be at least DISTINGUISHED.
If each member of our district worked at achieving the most out of Toastmasters and helping fellow
members aspire to do their best, we can achieve this goal and that would make us number one.
I invite you to share your Toastmasters’ skills with the world, which is why our
theme this year is:
“Find your voice … and Make a Difference.”
Finally, I know that the most important part IS the journey.
To get the most out of it, it has to be FUN. So, remember …
I am excited about serving you this year as your Lt. Governor Education and Training. In this role, I
am responsible for coordinating training throughout the District. Many Officers attended Toastmas-
ters Leadership Institutes (TLIs) during the months of June and July to prepare for the year ahead.
The information received in these sessions will equip you to lead, mentor and inspire Club members
to achieve greatness. We look forward to all Clubs becoming Distinguished by June 30, 2011.
As your LGET my responsibilities will also include promoting the Distinguished Club Program and
achievement of education goals. Last year, there were 165 Clubs in the District that were Distin-
guished or better. This year, we are counting on you to exceed this number. We know you can do it
and we fully support you in this quest. We will be available to assist you throughout the entire year
and will help you achieve your goals to become Distinguished Clubs. To achieve education goals,
Clubs should plan to meet at least weekly to create more speaking opportunities for members. All
members are encouraged to study the projects in the Toastmasters education manuals and use it to
become the effective communicator you want to be.
As your LGET, I will serve as the coordinator of all speech contests. We will work with all Clubs to
be sure contests are properly planned and successfully executed.
I am pleased to announce Rachel Ferguson, DTM, as Contest Chair for District 47. Rachel will beresponsible for sending tips to Clubs, Areas and Division Governors for both contest periods. She
will help Clubs, Areas and Divisions plan successful contests and work with the LGET and Confer-
ence Chair to plan both District Contests. Please add Rachel’s email to your address book and feel
free to contact her at [email protected] for help as you plan your contests.
As your LGET, I am also responsible for planning the Fall and Spring Conferences. The Fall Con-ference will be held in Miami from November 5 – 7 under the theme ‘Caliente’. Jeanine KinseyDTM, is the Fall Conference Chair and we are looking forward to an exhilarating event. The FallConference will be an unforgettable experience. It will be hot, hot, hot… Muy Caliente! Pleasemake plans to attend.
Can you feel the excitement? We want you to be a part of an exciting fun filled year in District 47.Will you join us?
Pamela is employed at Cititrust (Bahamas) Limited, Nassau Bahamas asan Assistant Vice President and Trust Officer. She holds an MBA fromNova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and a Bachelor ofScience degree in Computer Information Systems from St. Augustine’sCollege, Raleigh North Carolina. Pamela has been a member of the AlphaKappa Alpha Sorority Inc. since spring 1993 and lives on the island of NewProvidence in The Bahamas.
Meet Pamela Rolle, Lt. Governor Education & Training
It is a privilege to be this year’s editor of The Sunshiner. This is YOUR newsletter! I want it to re-
inforce the reasons you joined Toastmasters. But the real question is - WHAT DO YOU WANT?Some suggestions from Area Governors are: Highlight members’ accomplishments resulting from
the skills learned at Toastmasters. Testimonials from business leaders illustrating how their com-
panies’ employees have grown since the employees joined Toastmasters. One page recap with
links to more information. Links to speeches on You Tube. Welcome page for new members.
With each new member added to a club, the Toastmasters’ experience is enhanced for all. I
know from experience the benefits that Toastmasters affords those who want to improve their
communication skills and enrich their life. Some hidden benefits of Toastmasters are meeting
new people with different life experiences and being prepared when oppor-
tunities are presented to you. Last fall I presented a workshop at the AICPA
Automotive Conference in New Orleans. I never would have accepted the
invitation had I not joined Toastmasters 7 years ago. I encourage everyone
I meet to attend at least one Toastmasters’ meeting. I know if a guest at-
tends a meeting and the meeting is fun the guest will join.
I am a member of three Clubs, with each Club offering a different experi-
ence. I encourage you to visit other Clubs and to take on the challenges
and opportunities that Toastmasters offers. The Sunshiner is your newslet-
ter, so please send me your articles and we’ll print what you send us.