Page 10 - September 2017 Voices

FROM THE DESK

Waves of Change

by John Rodke, DTM—Program Quality Director

Surf’s up! It is Division Directors now. This will provide you
time to ride the Pathways Wave. We have done the opportunity to learn the role, grow through
the work. We are done with patiently waiting, empowering delegation, and thrive as you take
swimming into unknown waters through visits on the role in the future. This is an excellent
and training! On September 19th, we rolled opportunity to complete a High Performance
out the new program. I encourage you to hop Leadership Project (HPL), and grow as a leader.
on board and enjoy the new opportunities this One major role to achieve DTM is to success-
program offers. fully serve as a Club Mentor, Sponsor, or Coach.
Emilie Taylor, Club Growth Director, is growing
new clubs throughout the District and supporting
those that need assistance. I highly encourage
you to share your wisdom and develop your
Toastmaster mentorship abilities by stepping
into one of these amazing roles. I guarantee you
will grow through this impactful process.

The Toastmasters International Convention
was an amazing experience. I had the opportunity
A huge thank you to our Pathways Guides to have over 500 in-depth conversations with
for preparing our District to enjoy this program. Toastmasters throughout the world. I did my
These awesome individuals will be supporting best to impersonate Barbara Walters and ask
our clubs through Zoom Meeting, an online deep and meaningful questions to these amazing
conference video platform, with training and leaders. I was searching for, and found, golden
support sessions throughout the next few nuggets of information our District can use to
months. I encourage you to reach out to them thrive. Three of them are:
and learn about this program so you can thrive Make every decision with the goal of
within it. improving the experience of the member.
The worldwide rollout of Pathways is Build a fireball of success by celebrating your
scheduled to be completed by June 2018. How wins. This will generate infinitely more energy
does this affect you? Members working on to solve the inevitable challenges.
their Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) in the Every member is making a difference in their
old program will have until June 30, 2020 to community. By supporting and developing one
complete it. This gives you two years of oppor- dynamic leader, you are positively impacting
tunities to gain your District Service Credit by thousands of people. This really matters, so do
serving as a District Officer and helping our your best, truly care, and show it.
District thrive.
The best way to gain a spot on the Surf Squad
(cheesy, I know) is to assist your current Area and

10 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3 SEPTEMBER, 2017