by John Aparicio Division D Director
I am blessed to have started my Toastmasters Journey on March 1st, 2021. I am honored to have served my home club, Electric Toasters, as the current president, immediate past president, and Sergeant at Arms the previous year. I stepped in the shining light of D25 volunteer work as Area 42 Director last year and as Division D Director this year. Being a Division Director is much different than being an Area Director. As a DD, you are leading a Team on a higher level, really setting the pace and vision for the entire division to succeed. An AD, on the other hand, is getting more down and dirty with club visits. Both of these key crucial roles are what makes D25 the brightest and best group of Toastmasters I have ever met. It has been a lot of fun getting into the rhythm of being a Division Director. I took the time to really get to know my team of DareDevils and to communicate with them in a productive and positive way. The training started at the Advance Camp we had in Mineral Wells. As I stepped into the Division Director role and got to see the inner workings of D25 Leadership, it all started making sense why the Trio asks us to do what we do. They are driving us to position our clubs and members to achieve our district goals.
My biggest challenge this year has been learning how to best manage my time to be productive and to complete responsibilities. It takes a lot to accomplish this, but I feel I’m finally starting to get it down. Checklists have become my best friend. Having a cohesive, truly bonded group of Toastmasters leaders serving Division D helps to make my role just a little bit easier. I know my team is going to do what is needed to help make our district successful this TM Year. My hope is that I can continue to share my sunshine with my ADs, leading by example and being there for them no matter what. Because it takes a TEAM to help each other navigate through the business of rest of the TM Year. No AD left behind!
Division D is made up mostly of corporate clubs with some specialty clubs and community clubs. I love how every club has their own vibe that correlates with our District’s mission and vision to build successful clubs and future leaders. Let’s make this year something special to remember. Let’s go D25!!!
