by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director His home club, Roanoke Texas Toastmasters club, called him, “Mr. Toastmaster.” Known, for his love of family, his wife Michele, and granddaughter Maddie, Michael W. Hall was a mentor to many. Having served in the Navy for 29 years, Michael was a proud veteran. He was a champion for…
by Dawn Pitts DTM It started out as a friendly competition. My Toastmaster’s journey, that is. I wanted to be like my sister. My mentor. When she earned her first DTM, I decided I wanted one too. But somewhere along the way, my thinking changed. Suddenly, I wanted to earn my DTM for myself. Only…
by Ankur Bora PM5 Toastmasters blossomed out of a single club. Ninety-eight years ago, Ralph C. Smedley, hosted the first meeting. The organization grew generation after generation, each carrying it to the next level. During World War II, especially in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, conducting regular meetings was nearly impossible, and…
by the 2022-2023 TLI TEAM We have SEVEN FABULOUS TLI SESSIONS hosted by D25 lined up for you this summer! Our goal is to have 100 percent of our club officers in D25 trained! Incoming club officers should plan to attend one of our summer’s TLI sessions to receive training credit and prepare them for…
by Kelsey Dean SR4 & Jamie Pickering DTM Do you like to be first? Do we have an opportunity for you! Join D25’s Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) at our FIRST ever Town Hall meeting on June 23, 2022, at 7 pm, where we want to hear from you. You don’t want to miss this! The…
by Clark Pfarner Incoming Area 33 Director What did I just get myself into? I promised myself I would say No if and when I was ever asked. They asked. I said No. They sweet-talked. I caved. The Trio was very persuasive. In the end, I agreed to be an Area Director. Before our term…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director Who do you call when you need something done? You call someone busy! This month, we called on our busy member, Sallie Jett, more than once to help us out in a pinch!! Sallie, along with her husband Jason, took on the role for the conference as Virtual First…
by Sallie Jett We may be in the dog days of summer, but don’t let this heat get you down. We have lots of FUN on the agenda for our D25 Annual Awards Banquet on August 27th! Our planning team is hard at work preparing a fabulous celebration to celebrate…YOU! But to celebrate YOU, we…
by Dave Papenmeier DTM Summit Manager This year, the vision for the Summit is to energize members out of their comfort zone and bridge the gap from where they are to where they want to be, creating a rewarding future. Plans include thought-provoking and encouraging sessions to inspire people to pursue change and the accompanying…
June 9, 2022 Dear Toastmaster, Each year, the Annual Business Meeting allows clubs the opportunity to vote on important matters that shape the future of Toastmasters International. This year, voting business includes International Officer and Director elections as well as 12 proposals to amend the Bylaws of Toastmasters International and the Club Constitution. Clubs in…
by Emily Murray DTM Club Growth Director First Command Toastmasters had their first hybrid Open House on May 3, 2022, with a theme of Stars Wars Day/May the 4th Be With You. Fun fact: Did you know it’s called Star Wars Day because May the 4th Be With You doesn’t translate well in other languages?…
by Steven Timmons, DTM Are you ending the year hitting the mark for your Pathways goals or falling a little short? Either way, you can continue into the next Toastmasters year by encouraging others with the Pathways program. Not everyone will have had the same success as you. If you would like more success in…
by Emily Murray DTM Club Growth Director We all want to make sure our club’s information is out there as accurately as possible in as many places as possible to maximize ease of information access for potential guests who then become potential members. One thing that is easy to overlook is getting your club website…
by Lola Stone IP5 District Contest Coordinator The District 25 Evaluation Speech and International Speech Contests were recorded and then played during the Contest Watch parties at the Annual Conference. Warren Ehn (Plus 2 Toastmasters) did a terrific job as the Contest Master for both contests. He masterfully worked his way through the contest script…
by Coleen Kelley Truckin’ Toastmasters I am a conference addict. Most of my vacation time is spent traveling, listening to speakers and panels ranging from business and finance to self-development and health. Instead of movies on the weekend, I try to talk my elementary aged kids into TedTalk marathons. The other day while listening to the umpteenth audio…
by Ankur Bora PM5 It’s easy to have a good attitude when things are going well. But what happens when situations in your life go badly? We all face adversity from time to time. Discouragement. Change. Problems. Fear. Failure. How you overcome these adversities makes all the difference. The one difference between those who’ve failed…
by Chuck Mencke, DTM – District 25 Web Team Member Do you know what goes on behind the scenes at District 25? Do you know what it takes to keep our fabulous district humming like a top? Hundreds of dedicated D25 members give freely of their time and talents to make all the magic happen.…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director If you are lucky enough to have held a role serving under this month’s Outstanding Member, then you, too, can appreciate the hard work she has put in planning with her team! The 2022 Annual Conference has been in the making since 2021, and Denise McConnell has had her…
by David Winkowski SR1 Area 51 Director On April 28, 1945, Wichita Falls was a growing community, firmly rooted in the cattle and oil industries. One man, Lewis E. Thompkins, had a desire to bring greater opportunity to the people of the area. Good communication skills were at the core of this dream, so he…
by Marcheta Gardner DTM Program Quality Director Hello District 25! Your Program Quality Director poppin’ in to say Thank You for staying the course with us as we trained over 60% of our club officers, completed the Club/Area/Division contests, and or simply showed up in our respective clubs. While we would’ve liked a higher percentage…
by Emily Murray DTM Club Growth Director Who stole your heart? Heart of Texas Bridge Gappers of course! How did they steal it? With an effective, engaging and exciting open house on April 2, 2022! The HOT Bridge Gappers really know how to throw a party!!! The Open House was very entertaining and also met…
by Greg Pick DTM Pathways Coordinator The Home Club setting in Pathways allows members to connect with their VP Education through Basecamp. Home Club Setting How often you use the setting could depend on the number of clubs you joined and how active you are. For example, some members give most of their speeches in…
by Dru Murray, VC1 Progressive Leaders Being a Toastmaster helps us navigate life through lessons on how to handle unexpected events. Every day, every month, every year, each of us find ourselves having to deal with things out of our control. Unwanted events range from common occurrences like a sudden electrical/internet failure to larger concerns…
Dear Toastmaster, As we prepare for the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform launch, testing is taking longer than expected. It is important to us that the transition to the new platform is as smooth as possible, so we are delaying the ERP platform launch by two weeks, until May 23. Below is an updated timeline…
by JILL MORRISON, DTM #clubreporter It’s been 2 years since we’ve encountered that dreaded word .. Covid. Our world has changed with some of us meeting in person, some virtually and some in a hybrid state. Keller Communicators has been meeting in a hybrid state since last summer. They have this method of meeting down pat! One…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director A Little Rain They say in life a little rain must fall. When my children were little and were afraid of the storms, I used to tell them to be thankful for the rain. The rain waters the plants, fills our lakes and water sources. The rain is good…
by Ankur Bora PM5 Love is the most powerful force in the universe. Love unites us. To love ourselves and others without conditions is the true natural state of humanity. Without love, we are separated by our judgments, preconceived notions, and personal preferences. With it, we are magnificent. Twelve years ago, I visited a…
by Lola Stone, D25 Contest Coordinator 2021-22 Spring has officially sprung with warmer days, blooming landscapes, rainy weather, and rainbows. Spring is the time of new growth and new experiences. Just like spring, Toastmasters contest season is also time for new growth and new experiences. I encourage all Toastmasters to step outside of their…
by Kelley Rene PM4 Administrative Manager The word Speechcraft captivated me the first time I heard it. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew I wanted one. My club, Westlake Toastmasters, hadn’t hosted an Open House since being forced online by the pandemic. Our numbers were dwindling, and we wanted to get…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director 1, 2, 3… ok again, 1, 2, 3… Ok this time, everyone jump! This month’s outstanding member makes himself available to document all of our events, in person and online. He does it with a smile on his face and interesting facts to share! Mark Novak serves as our…
by Greg Pick DTM Pathways Coordinator How do Basecamp, Level Completion, and Home Club relate in Pathways – quite splendidly it turns out. Let’s explore! Basecamp – the online learning platform where members access their Pathways Learning Experience curriculum. There are tutorials for maneuvering around basecamp, and there is access to evaluation forms for each…
by Robi Ley DTM 2018-2019 District Director Really? Would you really try to build a house without a blueprint? What do you think the result would be? With no starting guideline, the finished product would probably be a bit of a mess. You might be able to live in it, but it likely wouldn’t be…
by Sallie Jett, San Angelo Toastmasters Hello D25 Toastmasters! It is time to show District 25 what you’ve got! You are invited to participate in the District’s 2022 CLUB WEBSITE CONTEST this month! Your club’s website is the first point of contact many prospective guests and members use as they consider attending one of your…
by Emily Murray DTM Club Growth Director. Clearly Speaking had an exciting Open House/Golden Gavel meeting on March 23, 2022, with Ron Davis giving a speech on ‘Not Wasting the Moment.’ He eloquently demonstrated how to capture an audience from the first word (or non-word)! With 5 guests and the Area and Division Directors in…
by Joyce Trimble DTM Annual Conference Volunteer Chair What are your plans to Becoming the One? Your club will soon be electing new officers for 2022-23. Your district needs Area Directors. Your district needs YOU. Your club needs YOU. The members you touch while Growing Your Influence will forever be grateful and call your name…
by Dana Morgan Barnes DTM PDG – District 26 Kindness … There’s a Thought! The past couple of years has been challenging for all of us. Toastmasters’ clubs and members are no exception. Along with do we work from home or don’t we?? How do we hold our Toastmasters meetings?? Continue on Zoom, hybrid…
Dear Club Officer, We are excited to announce that we are preparing for the May launch of our new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform, which will serve as the foundation for the overall digital strategy that supports the online experience. This platform will soon lead to exciting new opportunities, including the ability for…
The Winds of Change by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director Sometimes change sneaks up on us. Other times change is right in your face, BIG and SCARY. Every time, we get through that change mostly unscathed. If we are lucky, the change is for the better. If we aren’t lucky, we learn to adapt ever…
by JILL MORRISON, DTM #clubreporter There’s family you are born with and family you choose. If you are lucky, they are one in the same. At Top Notch Toastmasters (TNT), I experienced a taste of family this week. Joyce Trimble and I joined TNT for a laugh-filled meeting where we were made to feel part of…
by Lola Stone IP5, LD4 – D25 Contest Coordinator Fellow Toastmasters: March is the month when Spring is in the air, bringing the winds of change! Can you feel the change coming? March is also the month of our Speech Contests. Area Evaluation and International Speech Contests are continuing! Speech contests are like…
by Kennya Sanchez Power Communicators Did you know dancing has its own communication style? Many of us joined Toastmasters to improve our communication and leadership skills. As a Latin dance instructor, I help individuals improve their communication and leadership skills in a different format. Through my journey in Toastmasters, I’ve learned to be clear, deliberate,…
by Liz Brenner DTM Recently, the District 25 Speakers Bureau held an open house to showcase their talent. And boy, did they ever do that! The D25 Speakers Bureau is made up of members from D25 Toastmasters clubs, representing the most outstanding public speakers in the organization. This event demonstrated the wide skill set of…
by Ankur Bora Everyone has times in their life when they genuinely try to pursue their dream. Then there are some who follow their dream, who dig deep and pursue it relentlessly, and are rewarded – some monumentally, some modestly. Two and half years ago, I began my dream with a small step. Initially, I…
by Richard Brown DTM Wichita Falls Club #305 The year was 1972. Richard Nixon was president. A man walked on the moon. For the last time. And Richard Brown walked into his very first Toastmasters meeting. Here’s his story, in his own words. I’m currently a member of Wichita Falls Club 305 – the oldest…
by Steven Timmons DTM Do you find yourself embracing change or avoiding it at all costs, including Pathways? In our crazy world, change occurs daily. Spencer Johnson wrote a simple book entitled, “Who Moved My Cheese?” that described how people deal with change. The four characters Sniff, Scurry, Hem, and Haw show how different people…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director We are members of an organization in which we are expected to invite friends and family to join us. We invite them to keep meetings lively and engaging. I have yet to find a Toastmaster who champions our organization like this month’s Outstanding Member. This person contributes monthly to…
by Emily Murray DTM Club Growth Director NST Toastmasters is really going for gusto! Despite being a young club- they only chartered in 2020, they are having no problems getting things done and succeeding! Their February 26, 2022 Open House was the very first one they had ever held, and yet it was typical of…
by Janet Fuchek For an avid traveler like me, the winds of change with the onset of the pandemic turned me into an armchair traveler instead. “How is Janet managing the pandemic as I know she likes to travel the world?” “She found a way,” was the response accompanied by a smile. My new approach?…
by JILL MORRISON, DTM #clubreporter Do you remember that meeting when nothing seemed to come together? Maybe you experienced winter weather like we did recently or members unable to attend due to that weather, internet issues or illness. Panther City had one of those meeting recently and yet had a warm and inviting tete-a-tete (also known as…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director In life there are several moments that matter… The birth of your children, your wedding day, the day you complete your DTM! We recognize those moments as they come as many are lifelong dreams that took lots of hard work achieve. Not every moment that matters is such a…
by Jesse Ford DL4/SR3 Division G Director If I got trained over the summer, why do I have to do it again? Because I said so. Didn’t you hate that answer as a kid? In truth, TLI training is a requirement by Toastmasters International. That seems a little redundant and not very inspiring, but I…
by Emily Murray DTM Club Growth Director You’ve heard the term, but what the heck is it? And what is a Nemileta and why are we networking for it? This incentive is the only way to earn a district focus pin this year — besides serving in district leadership. How do you earn it? Mark…
by Lila Shrestha, VPE, NST Toastmasters Club Glossophobia. What is it? The fear of … You guessed it. Public speaking. After fifteen months at NST Toastmasters Club, the D25 incentive, Nemileta Networking Nine, prompted me to visit other Toastmasters Clubs, to deliver speeches to new audiences, and more importantly, to challenge myself to break my…
by Gary Lee Webb, DTM Heart of Texas BridgeGappers has enjoyed visits from six Nemileta guests. You’ve heard of the Nemileta Networking Nine incentive, haven’t you? Guests always benefit a Toastmasters chapter, doubly true when they’re working toward the #Nemileta9. Visitors bring variety — thus enriching the meeting experience. Nemileta guests come from many different…
by Shameika McAllister IP4 Oratory Excellence When a person hears the phrase “grow yourself” it often brings a bit of concern or even hesitation. Why is this? Because you are required to reflect and take accountability for all that has become a hindrance to you or to your goals. So, how do we grow? Start…
by Ankur Bora PM5 Highway to Excellence Toastmasters is a place to improve one’s communication skills through prepared speeches, evaluations, and participating in Table Topics. Toastmasters is also a place where you can build good habits and enrich your life. Friends, I developed a unique habit at Toastmasters: gifting books along with a personalized letter.…
by Hilda Guffey LD5 San Angelo Toastmasters When I joined Toastmasters four years ago, I had a goal in mind. I wanted a higher leadership role at the hospital laboratory where I worked. The thought of interviewing was scary, and I needed to polish my skills. I joined Toastmasters hoping I could quickly soak in…
by Lola Stone Contest Coordinator This spring, District 25 will host two speech contests: an Evaluation Contest and an International Contest. The Evaluation Speech Contests begin at the club level and end at the district competition. The International Speech Contests begin at club level, winners proceed to area, division, and district levels. District winner moves…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director If you are looking for encouragement, an attentive listener, and more opportunities to speak to outside of Toastmasters, then you must have a conversation with this month’s District 25 Outstanding Member. Calvin Dorsey, Speaker’s Bureau Chair, has made it his mission to ensure that the Speaker’s Bureau exceeds member…
by Calvin Dorsey DTM Speakers Bureau Chair Let’s Party! You are invited to the first Open House Showcase of the D25 Speakers Bureau on Sunday February 27th from 1pm-4pm. Join the celebration on Zoom to enjoy Real Stories for Real Change. Members of the Speakers Bureau and professional speakers will share stories and present mini…
by Marcheta Gardner DTM Program Quality Director Still wondering “How” to set up breakout rooms in Zoom? How do we sequester contestants for the Evaluation Contests?! What about speaker view versus gallery view? Confused?! Come out and join us for the Pop-Up session on Zoom for Contests, this coming Friday, Feb 11, from 7-8 PM!…
by Bonne Stroman, DTM Recently a new committee has convened in order to assist District leaders and to support the mission of the district: We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence. The Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) has as its primary objective to develop a plan that assists District leaders with achieving…
by Steven Timmons DTM Do you take the time to read your Pathways project BEFORE you deliver your speech? Do you find it a challenge to take the 30 minutes or less to read the topic because you are too busy? The project content provides a roadmap to help each of us deliver a speech…
by Emily Murray Club Growth Director Burleson Toastmasters started the year with a BANG holding their open house January 3, 2022. Not only did 16 of their members attend, but they also had an incredible 9 guests!!! The event included a full agenda with 2 speeches, 2 evaluations and a rousing round of fun Table…
February 01, 2022 Dear Club Officer, Membership dues payments for the next renewal period are now being accepted. If your club is striving for on-time credit in the Distinguished Club Program, please submit all payments on or before April 1, 2022. As an additional reminder, the minimum membership requirement for a club to remain in good…
by Dr. Prince Motiani, DTM With all the Leadership Institutes and Officer Training behind us, now is the time for the contests. Life doesn’t stop at Toastmasters: we just keep on and on and on and on and on… that reminds me of a song. Let’s hunker down to the business at hand! In the…
by JILL MORRISON, DTM #clubreporter With the New Year always comes the resolve to change. Are you ready for change? Last month, while attending a meeting at Speaking For Change, we heard two great speeches that offered great ways for us to change. The first was all about the different cultures we belong to. Have you ever…
NEW YEAR … NEW GOALS by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director We are a couple of weeks into 2022 and I wonder, do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Do you make resolutions to get healthier or learn something new? Learn a new language or take a class? As Toastmasters, we are always looking to improve…
by Elly Malaxos District 25 International Speech 1st Place Winner Contest season is here. What better time to sharpen your tongue and wield your speaking skills? What? Really? Oh, yes, ABSOLUTELY! It’s fun, a little nerve-wracking, and certainly a darn good experience. I encourage everyone to try it! How do I know? I won first…
by Lola Stone Contest Coordinator Happy New Year! Contest season is a special time in Toastmasters, and that season has arrived. The pandemic continues to affect how we participate in our Toastmasters meetings – contests are not excluded. As of January 5, 2022, all District 25 Area, Division and District speech contests will be virtual…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director Do you have a dream? This month’s outstanding member has a dream to own her own bakery or restaurant and is using her talent to provide D25 with tasty treats. Providing delicious foods at the most recent TLIs, Darlene Roberts also served as Refreshments Chair for the Summit and…
by Ankur Bora I like the way you connect the speech to what happened to you in life and how it influenced your life. I read the handwritten note handed to me by a fellow Toastmaster when I finished my first speech. The words filled my heart. I attached her note to my desk and…
by Dr. Prince Motiani, DTM Welcome to the beginnings of the New Year! My write up will cover toasting and roasting – and I’m not speaking of the stuff you put in the oven. Now that the holidays are behind us, please give your digestive system a little pause while you read what follows. Whether…
by Steven Timmons DTM Do you know your why? I mean really understand your why. The chances are that if you are having trouble engaging in Pathways then you probably have a broken why. Many begin with a why like “I want to be a better speaker,” “I want to communicate better,” “I want to…
by Emily Murray DTM Club Growth Director Whew! What an Open House! Longhorn finished the year with a BANG! On Dec 20, 2021 Thenishia Smith drew in a good crowd by advertising the Open House in the City of Fort Worth Roundup. President Annette Henderson went above and beyond making sure that the meeting was…
Gifts That Surprise! by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director As we celebrate all the holidays this time of year, I like to reflect on the things for which I am thankful. I am thankful for the gifts that we least expect. As a Toastmaster, we expect to give speeches, take on roles during a meeting and maybe…
by JILL MORRISON, DTM #clubreporter Tis the season for gift giving but Wichita Falls Club 305 gives gifts all year long. While attending a meeting this fall, I found this club offered many gifts. The first gift was showing us the way to embrace the NEW way of attending Toastmaster meetings, a hybrid meeting comprised of virtual…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director If you want something done, give it to a busy person! When our Outstanding Member takes on a project, she’s all in with her warm and contagious, matter-of-fact approach. She creates a team environment that encourages everyone to participate. She’s passionate, innovative, and sets high standards for herself and…
by Chuck Mencke DTM District Webmaster November is known as the month of gratitude, and December is known as the month of giving gifts with no expectation of receiving anything in return. I’d like to put a spin on the typical Hot Topics article this month and combine the two. As many of you are…
by Lola Stone Contest Coordinator It’s December – ‘tis the season of cold, snow, love, laughter, family, and most of all, giving. We give gifts to our loved ones to show appreciation and love. Let’s share Toastmasters and give the gift of speech – the gift of communicating with others. Communication is the sharing of…
By Chris Raneri, DTM, PDD My family has a Thanksgiving tradition of telling each other what they are thankful for. The usual suspects come to mind – family, friends, health, and wealth. While all of those are true for me, there was one additional thing that came to my mind: the gift Toastmasters has given…
By Frank Correa, Area 55 Director, NE Toastmasters Treasurer This past Saturday, Kay Crews, CPP-T-PRP delivered an incredible workshop entitled Making Bad Meetings Better. She hit it out of the park. Over 45 attendees participated, not only from Texas, but California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Toastmasters isn’t limited to delivering speeches, table topics and evaluations,…
By Ankur Bora, IP4 Life is a wonderful place, it can offer so much. We just need to explore it. If we do, life will unfold and reward us beyond our wildest imagination. British science fiction author, inventor, and futurist, Arthur C. Clark, once said, “Sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Many years ago,…
by Emily Murray DTM Club Growth Director Congratulations to our November Open House winner BNSF Expressed! Using the welcoming theme of “Be Our Guest” and inviting their Area Director, they were successful in not only having high member attendance and participation, but also in having quite a few guest attendees. The speaker for the meeting…
By Greg Pick, DTM, PDD, Pathways Coordinator What practical techniques have you developed since the Pathways Learning Experience rolled out? Just 18 months have passed since the Pathways Learning Experience became the Toastmasters curriculum for members to improve and develop communication and leadership skills! The prior method of getting education content from manuals became obsolete. …
By Prince Motiani, DTM Tip Top Toastmasters In the past submissions, we have covered the Icebreaker and the power of the voice. Going forward, there are the words we speak, the structure, and body language. Then, we can move on to impromptu speaking and how to evaluate speeches. Today, it being the present, the here…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director What do you Dare to Dream? by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director Who remembers the 2019 Conference theme, Dare to Dream? What is your dream? What do you dream about becoming when you grow up? As we grow, our dreams change. Our goals change. As a child, I wanted…
by JILL MORRISON, DTM #clubreporter Spending Labor Day with the Roanoke Texas Toastmasters was a labor of love. This healthy Toastmasters club embodies a small-town welcome that allows all to hone and enhance their skills in a safe and supportive environment. We had the opportunity to learn from two prepared speeches during this meeting. The first was…
By Phylliss Christian, Daniels, Area 11 Director Leadership has always been significant for me. For as long as I can remember stepping into a leadership role has never been a threat. I’ve always found the task helpful in my personal growth. Being a Toastmaster for three and a half years has raised my excitement of…
By Kelsey Dean, Area 43 Director District 25 Toastmasters Summit 2021 is in the books. True to its theme, I feel empowered to do anything! In true extrovert fashion, spending time with like-minded people always inspires me to new heights. This year’s education sessions, keynote speeches, leadership panel, and area council meeting enhanced that feeling.…
By Brandi Wesley, Area 21 Director I am truly grateful for all of the leadership opportunities I’ve had this year and am looking forward to all that is to come. Earlier this year, I made a decision to be a part of an organization, knowing there were benefits to my personal and professional growth. But…
By Kelley Rene Daniels Saturday’s Area Council meeting was a first of many Toastmaster firsts for me this year. But it didn’t take long to realize this wasn’t just another hybrid meeting. “Fly Like An Eagle” by The Steve Miller Band blasted through the speakers while in-person attendees buzzed about the conference room. It…
By Sundra Smith, TLI Chair H-O-T Off The Press!!! All Club Officers and Members are cordially invited to attend the new and innovative Winter TLI facilitated by District 25 members. This TLI will be hosted in-Person and virtually. Click here for dates and full details of each session. Read a brief synopsis of the supplemental…
By Ankur Bora, IP4 In 2006, Indra Nooyi, born and raised in Madras, India, became PepsiCo’s first female CEO. While growing up, her mom pushed her through an unusual daily ritual. “Every night at the dinner table, my mother would ask me and my elder sister to write a speech about what we would do…
By Ninfa Flewitt, DTM, District Director Who do you call when you need to know almost anything D25 related? I call this month’s outstanding member! This person is the keeper of all D25 records and has the skills to help in all manner of ways. From creating the name badges for events and District leadership…
By Sundra Smith, DTM, TLI Chair So, You’re A Club Officer (NEW): Focuses more on why each office is important to a successful club, how each office is linked to the other offices, solving issues that may arise in each office, and providing the participants more time to share their experiences. Interactive participation will…
By Ross Moore, MS3, Club Extension Chair What: Club Success Workshop: Conducting a Business Meeting – Making Bad Meetings Better! When: Saturday, December 11, 2021, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (Zoom Bridge will open at 8:50 a.m.) Where: Zoom (Link to be provided upon registration.) Have you ever attended a Toastmaster meeting that lacks organization,…
By Emily Murray, DTM, Club Growth Director CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OPEN HOUSE WINNER for the month of October… Texas Talkers! They set the bar HIGH with all paid members in attendance and actively participating in planning and executing the meeting. Two past members and one guest joined in the high-energy event complete with fun decorations…
By Ebony Bradley Toastmaster Ebony Bradley recently joined the Six Twenty Nine Club and agreed to perform a demonstration speech related to navigating Pathways. After Ebony’s speech, the Pathways Chairman asked her to share her impression of navigating a Pathways project now that she had some practice. Here is Ebony’s response: In my opinion,…
Information below was sent to all members from Toastmasters International 10/27/2021 October 27, 2021 Dear Toastmaster, It’s here! We are excited to announce that the new Pathways Level 1 projects are ready and available. All members who select a new path will have access to these new and revised projects, effective immediately. Level 1 is…
By Bridgette Beal I must confess, I’ve never been a goal setter. I have friends who set amazing, extravagant goals and achieve them. Not me. I’m more of a work-hard-each-day-and-see-what-happens kind of person. I’ve had successes. I built two businesses but stopped short of anything really big. I was busy with my day job, my…
by Dr. Prince Motiani, DTM Welcome back, fellow D25 Toastmasters! First things first: how am I going to proceed in this corner? I shall divide these write-ups into three sections. First, I’ll tell you a little about the project I intend to cover. Then I shall progress to tell you the how to present it…
By Emily Murray, DTM, Club Growth Director Afterburners had a well-attended action-packed open house on Sept 7, 2021. They managed to take advantage of the hybrid nature of their meetings and have attendees from far away places. The club set the scene for their guests by running a shortened regular meeting first before they split…
by JILL MORRISON, DTM #clubreporter This monthly club is a fun-filled toastmaster family full of knowledge. First on stage was visitor speaker Joyce Trimble, also known as the Oops Chef, providing us with her humorous and resplendent rendition of how she learned 3 key lessons of life with a Christmas dinner oops: Be clear and concise, how…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director If you never try, then you’ll never know… This phrase applies to many aspects in our lives, perhaps you have been hesitant to make a professional change? Maybe you have been scared to be Toastmaster for the first time? If you never try, then you’ll never know that you…
By Ninfa Flewitt, DTM, District Director Have you heard about Wichita Falls Club 305 lately? If you have, it is likely the work of October’s Outstanding Member of the Month! This member uses her motivational skills to encourage members to speak, inspires members to step out of their comfort zone, and applies her creative marketing skills…
By Alex Conrad, DTM Do you have a servant’s heart? The type that will help people in many ways and ask for nothing in return? Do you know someone who helps out where help is needed? Are you that person? If so, we need YOU, November 13th, at the 2021 Summit. Toastmasters International is a…
By Ankur Bora, IP4 Recently I attended an art exhibit, Out of Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants, at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas – it was an exhibition of 43 portraits. Each portrait tells a life journey, a stirring story of how the person was drawn to America by…
Hilda Guffey, VP Education, San Angelo Toastmasters Seeing your club through the eyes of a guest is crucial especially for those who have been in Toastmasters for a few years. The recent Club Success Workshop presented by Elicia Cook was an excellent review of what to do and not do to provide visitors a great…
by Cassie Bullock, member Arlington Nooners The D25 Speakers Bureau recently had the honor of participating in a Story Telling Workshop with Dr. Kraeplin. Thank you, Calvin Dorsey, who leads the Speakers Bureau, for making the experience possible. We learned the power and impact of stories — from stories. Dr. Kraeplin kicked off the workshop by quoting…
by Steven Timmons, DTM Do you know everything there is to know about Pathways? Probably not. Over time I have heard a great deal of speculation about Pathways, much of which is not supported by facts. Here are five interesting facts that may help correct misconceptions about Pathways. Pathways was NOT developed by Toastmasters International…
by Richard Brown, DTM – Club 305, Wichita Falls If you’re like me, you’ll agree mentoring and evaluations are very important in Toastmasters to develop our communication and leadership skills. Many years ago, my very first Toastmasters club was in Lafayette, Louisiana. How I appreciated — as a new member of that club — the…
by Dr. Prince Motiani, DTM When I set out to conceive this article, I was thinking about you. What would be valuable for you to take away from this little… let’s call it a blurb. I gave myself a Table Topic. In my life as a Toastmaster, I’ve come up with two fundamental techniques of…
by JILL MORRISON, DTM #clubreporter I was pleased to be able to attend a Nissan Toastmasters club meeting while they celebrated family. And what a toastmaster family they have! They had 28 people attending this meeting, a large number attending were guests. One member had 5 family members attend, another had 2 and the final one noted…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director District 25, you inspire me! We have had many opportunities to grow and share with each other and I love what I am seeing! You are embracing this year’s focus, by supporting each other and cheering each other on to excellence! I have been invited to open houses and special events…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director This month’s Outstanding Member is someone you want on your side in an emergency. She is constantly thinking of others and in a crisis, fills needs! Kelsey Dean, Area 43 Director, jumped in, volunteered to teach at TLI this season and got rave reviews! She helped when there was…
by Michelle Bayes DTM 2021 Summit Manager Registration is now OPEN for the 2021 Summit to be held Saturday, November 13th at the Marriott DFW/Westlake!!! Be one of the first FIFTY people to register for any of the education options and you will get EXCLUSIVE SUMMIT SWAG with your registration materials. Be one of the…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director The second virtual convention of Toastmasters International took place in August, and your Trio was fully present for the Opening Ceremony, education sessions, business meeting, contests, and candidate showcase. Much work went into this event, and it was evident! Toastmasters International changed the platform this year to create a…
by Sallie Spradlin Jett VPPR – San Angelo Toastmasters Are you looking for a strategy that may help your club grow its membership? I want to share with you an initiative our club launched this summer called the Community Leader Speaker Series. HERE’S THE BACK STORY… After I did my officer training this past spring…
by Kelley Rene District 25 Admin Manager The gavel sounded the start of the first D25 Virtual Business Meeting of 2021-2022 on Sunday, September 12th. Ninfa Flewitt, the current District Director, called the meeting to order. With an established quorum verified by Jodie Sanders, John Bergs motioned to adopt the 2020-2021 Year-end Audit Report, Larry…
by Marcheta Gardner DTM Program Quality Director The Toastmasters International Annual Convention is an event that we, as Toastmasters, look forward to with anticipation and wonderment. What will be done differently this year? Well, the 2021 TI Convention did not disappoint! One of the areas of focus for me, as PQD, was the Education portion.…
by Joyce Trimble DTM Co-Chair 2021 Banquet Chair The featured photo above shows the smiling faces of the District 25 2020-2021 Awards Banquet Committee, all dedicated D25 members. As a Co-Chair for the August 14 celebration, looking backward has been both a rewarding and an enlightening adventure. Rewarding as I saw happy faces coming together…
by Ankur Bora Life is an endless unfolding, an endless process of self-discovery, and an endless dialogue. It is built out of the experience of humankind. One must only listen. The ingredients are there. Put them together and a beautiful story is created — or if you are a Toastmaster, a memorable speech! In 1961,…
By Robi Ley, DTM, Past District Director It’s decision time. You have just a couple projects left to complete a DTM, and one of those is to be either a club coach or club mentor. Which do you choose? You’ve looked at your goals and know that you want to receive your DTM at the…
by Bob Conrad ACG President World Renowned Grand Prairie Toastmasters Let me start off by saying this was the best $25 I’ve ever spent in Toastmasters. I’ve physically attended two International Conventions and found the presenters excellent. This was my first hybrid TMI conference and it was well worth the money. I was able to…
by Chuck Mencke DTM D25 Webmaster District 25 just finished its first round of Toastmasters Leadership Institute Club Officer training. I was honored to be part of the training team. I also had the opportunity to conduct club officer training in 10 additional countries. This speaks to District 25’s reputation. We’re not only known for…
by Emily Murray DTM Club Growth Director This was my first international Toastmasters International (TI) Convention ever. I watched or joined almost everything. (Sorry, Jamie Pickering, not the sing-along.) I wanted to share with you the two things that had the most impact on me: the World Championship of Public Speaking Contest and the Candidate…
by Your District 25 Trio Pizza! Pasta! Paneer Pakora! Potato Pancakes! Pecan Pie! You can eat whatever you want since you have to provide your own dinner. (Sorry, not sorry!) But let’s get together and spend the dinner hour together as a virtual family! The hour is open. You can ask the Trio your burning…
The following was sent to Club Officers August 19, 2021 August 19, 2021 Dear Club Officer, We are a couple of months into the new program year, and many of you have completed your Club Success Plan and are beginning membership building efforts. For those clubs that need additional support in accomplishing goals and restoring club…
District Director Ninfa Flewitt DTM Have you ever been in the midst of a bad day then someone says one kind word that turns your day around? As Toastmasters, we realize, more than many, that our words carry weight. A small gesture that costs nothing to the speaker, can be priceless to the receiver. A smile can…
by JILL MORRISON, DTM #clubreporter WESTLAKE TOASTMASTERS Westlake Toastmasters had a great meeting between working like dogs during these dog days of summer. Actually, the members in attendance were few. Many were off working or playing before school starts back. With only 5 members in attendance, a fully table topics meeting was planned but one of the…
Information send to club presidents from Toastmasters International, August 16, 2021 August 16, 2021 Dear Club Officer, Membership dues payments for the next renewal period are now being accepted. If your club is striving for on time credit in the Distinguished Club Program, please submit all payments on or before October 1. As an…
By Diana Wigginton, TC2, Area 75 Director I didn’t want to do it. I had A LOT on my plate. The last thing I needed was another commitment. Attend the D25 Awards Banquet? And write an op-ed piece as a first-time attendee? One particular persuasive banquet co-chair who shall remain unnamed flattered and cajoled, and…
by Larry Core DTM Finance Manager What happens to the $45.00 Toastmaster International dues paid twice a year? Twenty-five percent of it is returned to the District Reserve bank account. That’s right. For every $45.00 collected by Toastmasters International, $11.25 is returned to the District. These funds must be used for the benefit of the…
by Michelle Bayes DTM 2021 Summit Chair The best answer is At the Summit. Preparations are underway for the Summit which will be held at the Marriott DFW Westlake. This year’s event will feature workshops to Empower you as a Toastmaster, Empower you as a Leader, and Empower the Inner-You! The workshops are anchored by…
By Emily Murray, DTM, Club Growth Director Hi Sunshines! Are you like me? Do you like bling for yourself and bling for your club banner? Good! We’ve taken a long hard look and decided as we come out of Covid isolation and Zoom burnout this year it’s important to focus on connection and support.…
By Calvin Dorsey, DTM and Chair D25 Speakers Bureau Other than a billion dollars, what does Jeff Bezos of Amazon fame have that you can acquire for just $90 a year? The answer is confidence. Not just epistemic confidence — a feeling of certainty about your skills and your knowledge — I’m talking about social…
by Ankur Bora I recently delivered a speech at Toastmasters about Steve Jobs. As a nineteen-year-old teenager he went to India and discovered a book Autobiography of a Yogi. Through the teachings in that book, Steve Jobs learned to stay focused and unshaken when facing major events or difficulties. As I researched and dived deeper…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director Sundra Smith — serving recently as Area Director — shows no sign of slowing down. She leapt right into TLI chair with both feet. She continues to set high standards and demonstrate best practices. Sundra established efficient and effective correspondence to keep all appraised of the training status of…
by Greg Pick Have you experienced the feeling when a song plays and your mind hearkens back to fond memories and good times? [Insert Trisha Yearwood’s sultry voice singing The Song Remembers When.] Pathways can work similarly. We have two types of returning members: members who started but didn’t complete the traditional program members who…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director We Welcome You! Have you ever felt like you aren’t enough? Like you aren’t the right person for the job? I heard a term at the Leadership Retreat, “imposter syndrome.” This term refers to the feeling that you are an imposter and are not capable of the position you…
by JILL MORRISON, DTM #clubreporter CLEARLY SPEAKING Inaugurating the year as the club reporter, I had the opportunity to visit Clearly Speaking in Abilene without leaving my home. Isn’t Zoom handy? I was warmly greeted, and the phrase “Small doesn’t mean insignificant. Small can be mighty.” came to mind. While only eight members were able to attend,…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM District Director Donna Young officially served as the Recognition Chair for 2020-2021. In May, she was elected Division A Director by the members of D25. This month she’s pulling double duty as she tallies the final numbers for the 20-21 year of incentives and education awards leading up to and planning…
by Ankur Bora Imagine a world where possibilities are limitless. All that you need to pursue your dreams and follow your inner callings is available. Many years ago, I found such a place. What a privilege to work where I had all the freedom and liberty to pursue my dream. It was an organization founded…
by Greg Pick DTM Pathways Coordinator You have begun your term as Vice-President Education, which means you are one of the Base Camp Managers for your club. Base Camp Managers facilitate member progress by encouraging them to work their path and educating them on the Pathways Program. This is best done by demonstrating how to…
By Michelle Bayes, DTM, Summit Manager District 25 is preparing for the annual Summit held on Saturday, November 13th. The Summit is a one-of-a-kind experience – an event designed FOR the members BY the members. This year’s theme is Empowered to Soar. Are you interested in sharing your knowledge, skills, or ideas with your fellow…
By Joyce Trimble, DTM, District 25 News Editor Hot Topics? What’s that? Who told you that? Where’d you read that? Fellow Toastmasters, these are examples of questions heard throughout the district. Hot Topics is one source of the district’s events and is delivered straight to your Inbox. No longer is it necessary to search…
The following information was included in the July 2021 Toastmasters International Club Leader Letter. Learn how to assign a proxy and be ready to vote on important Toastmasters business. Every year, members and clubs have the opportunity to vote on important business matters that help shape the future of Toastmasters International. Though there are no…
by Donna Young, DTM, Recognition Chair 2020-2021, Awards Banquet Co-Chair How’d you run your marathon? Exploring the limits of online shopping or deep diving into rigorous house cleaning? Did you try your hand at glamping or take a stay-cation? Discover how to cook? Shop your closet? Grow your hair longer than ever before or learn…
By Chris Raneri, District Director 2020-2021 & Ninfa Flewitt, District Director Elect 2021-2022 The finish line to your year-long marathon is in sight and is attainable. In the beginning of the year, you were asked to define your long-term goals and then to break each one down into smaller, shorter goals – the ole “eat the…
by Chris Raneri DTM District Director “Timekeepers, please time one minute of silence now.” This phrase was used by the June Outstanding Member many times during this past contest season. Let’s do the opposite of that now and give a HUGE round of applause for our Outstanding Member, Warren Ehn! Warren answered the call to…
by Katie Britt Wichita Falls Toastmasters turned 76 this year. That is 76 years of meetings exactly the same. That’s 3,952 meetings that were exactly the same. We struggled with membership retention and growth. The meetings felt stale and forced. The meeting room was located in a local church, under yellowing fluorescent lights, with bad…
by Ankur Bora I know I have a great idea, but I don’t know how to take it forward. Have there been occasions in your life when you’ve felt that way? Oftentimes we don’t know what we don’t know. These are the occasions when we need someone to guide – who can challenge us to…
by Jodie Sanders, DTM Past District Director We’ve all heard the quotation, “Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail.” This saying was proven true at D25’s Club Success Workshop on Saturday June 5, where the attendees took a good look at the Club Success Plan from a different angle – not their own club’s plan,…
by Greg Pick DTM – Pathway Coordinator Do you work with computers at your job or home? Have you shopped any kind of business online like Amazon? Have you asked Google, Siri, or Alexa a question when you used to go to an encyclopedia or a library to get the answer? Even better, you can…
by Marcheta Gardner, DTM Club Growth Director What do you do when you have the opportunity to host a dignitary? Sweat bullets! As Club Growth Director, I welcomed the auspicious honor of hosting our International Director, TK O’Geary! To say I had great expectations is an understatement! She was so kind to send me a pic…
by Joyce Trimble, DTM 2021-2022 News Editor Hot Topic Editors are proud to announce the addition of a new monthly column beginning July 1, 2021, Club Reporter. This year’s reporter is Jill Morrison DTM. She was most recently recognized by the district as Outstanding Member for April 2021 and served as the 2021 Conference Chair.…
by Kelley Kukreja VC2 Did you miss the Watch Party at the District 25 Annual Conference? If you did, you missed the fun! On Friday night we announced the winners of the Table Topics Contest. The winners were: 3rd Place – David Willis; 2nd Place – Pallavi Ridout; and 1st Place – Shannon Hills. Shannon…
by Setma Maddox DTM TK O’Geary, International Director, indicated in her Keynote Speech at the District 25 Conference, that “only 1% of all persons who have ever been a member of Toastmasters International and only 6% of the active members earn the Distinguished Toastmasters award. No other District honors their Distinguished Toastmasters like District 25.…
by Mary Gano DL3 When I first started hearing this year’s conference’s theme, I See You, I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve been a member of Toastmasters since 2012, and embarrassing enough, had never attended a conference. WOW, have I been missing out!!! Friday evening, after a long day and an even longer week,…
by Keith E. Boepple, DTM One of the most overlooked, yet most important, parts of our District 25 2021 Conference is our Business Meeting. During this time, reports from each Division are heard, the annual Budget report is given, reports from the trio are presented, and the club alignment report is given. All of this…
by Marcheta Gardner DTM Club Growth Director As we round out our Marathon for this Toastmasters’ year, let’s get a headstart on “next” Toastmasters year – 2021-2022! Join your Club Growth Team, along with the newly elected Club Growth Team members, as we highlight our success for the current Toastmasters year, and get a JUMPSTART with…
by Ninfa Flewitt DTM Program Quality Director Do your club members need a speaking slot? Working toward completing levels and there is no time during your regular club meeting to schedule everyone? Consider hosting a speech-a-thon! District 25 will work with you to schedule your club’s Speech-a-thon on the District Zoom link. This will be…
by Steven Timmons, DTM Do you understand the true value of just one Pathways Path? Education is expensive. Most students that survive to get a college degree are still saddled with mounds of debt for many years or even a lifetime after they graduate. Colleges and universities are folding at an alarming rate because of…
by Chris Raneri DTM District Director Paul Newman once said during the movie Cool Hand Luke, “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” This month’s outstanding member is quite the opposite of this statement. As Area Director, Marian skillfully keeps her clubs in the know of the most important things to pay attention to,…
