Page 11 - 2017 December Voices

FROM THE DESK

Focusing Forward

by John Rodke, DTM—Program Quality Director

The first half of our Toastmaster year draws are interested in serving and learning.
to a close. I invite you to reflect upon the positive johnrodke@d7toastmasters.org
changes your efforts have created within your • High Performance Leadership Project -
life. What is one more change you wish to make This amazing and practical program is a
within the next 6 months? Envision achieving manual to help you lead a team to success.
that success, How can we help you leverage It can be a Toastmasters related project
Toastmasters to accomplish that change? or anything within your community. It is
We had over 215 motivated Toastmasters Item 262 on the Toastmasters site. I wish I
attend our Winter TLI. The energy, enthusiasm, would have utilized it when I was a Project
and excitement were inspiring. A huge shout out Manager! Hindsight is 20-20. You can
to the members of Future Stars! A Golden Gavel do this at any point in your Toastmasters
Club with promising youth who are and will be journey, so dive in and use this valuable
stars within our local community. Our amazing tool.
volunteers and presenters did an awesome job of • Sponsor, Mentor, or Coach a club. These
bringing about successful training. Thank you! excellent opportunities help you blossom
At TLI we had a huge number of members as a Toastmaster. Serving in each of
stand up and prepare to step into the next level of these roles have been some of the most
leadership roles within our District. I am excited rewarding parts of my TM experience.
to work with them and you! Contact Emilie Taylor if you are interested
A quandary many of our seasoned members in serving in these awesome roles!
are experiencing is how to finish up a DTM in • Club Officer training is important to help
the “legacy” program while being eager to get you thrive while providing your members
started in the Pathways Education Program. the best experience possible. These oppor-
You are encouraged to do both! Trade between tunities are not limited to club officers or
programs with your speeches, share your hard- even members. Please check out future
earned wisdom with our newer members, and trainings on the District 7 Calendar at
leverage your adaptable skills to become Subject d7toastmasters.org to see where you can
Matter Experts in the Pathways Program. It offers attend. Being trained anywhere in the
you a multitude of new options to explore. world helps your club
Many individuals need to finish up a few succeed.
elements to achieve their DTM by June 2020. I look forward
Check out item 1212 in the Toastmasters shop to learning and
to see what you need. The fun and rewarding growing with you
ones are: in 2018! Cheers
• District Service Credit - Serve as an Area/ to embracing
Division Director or District Leadership Pathways, getting
Position for one year. This is a potential trained, and having
stumbling block. You only have two fun in our awesome
more opportunities to sign up. Don’t organization!
wait! Contact me, John Rodke if you

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6 DECEMBER, 2017 11