Page 5 - 2016 July voices
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Dream Team: Focused on the Future
by Leanna Lindquist, DTM - District Director
The path to Distinguished started on May emotional issue. It will be based on history, club
21st in Turner, Oregon. That’s the day the strength and projected member success. Once
Dream Team was born. A Dream Team is the decision is made we will come together as
defined as “a team of people perceived as the a District to achieve it. A Distinguished District
perfect combination for a particular purpose.” means our members’ needs are being met.
As the Trio, the Division Directors, and the Area When all our members’ needs are being met
Directors came together for a training retreat, distinguished clubs a district naturally follow.
it was quickly apparent—the Dream Team was
in the room. We will promote individual achievement.
It all begins with well-trained directors and
Collectively we have a huge amount of club officers. Emphasis will be placed on
leadership experience. Some who served as clubs implementing and carrying out good
Area Directors and are now serving as Division mentor programs. This will help with member
Directors. Others have led organizations; while retention. It is often cited as one reason people
others are leaders in their work place. All have stay in Toastmasters.
the desire to serve the members of our District
to the best of their ability. They are excited to We are not without our challenges this
build new clubs. year. The first is a dues increase taking effect
October 1, 2016. Dues will increase by $9 every
How will this year look differently than it has six months. For many, it won’t be an issue. For
in years past? We are committed to becoming others, we hope you will be able to find the
a Distinguished District. Directors have been additional funds to continue your commitment
contacting and visiting clubs early in the year. to your personal growth. In spite of the increase
The Area and Division Directors are meeting to there is no better value than Toastmasters.
lay out plans for the year. Monthly conference
calls with the Trio and Directors will begin at the Our second challenge will be the elimination
end of the month. As a team we will decide if our on October 1st of what we have come to call the
goal for the District remains at Distinguished or “grace period.” If your dues are not submitted
if we should set a higher goal. This will not be an to World Headquarters by September 30th
you will no longer be a Toastmaster. More
information will be coming from Toastmasters
as to how that will affect our clubs. For clubs
who struggle to submit dues on time it’s not
too early to formulate a plan.
Membership growth is big on the
agenda this year. We started the
conversation about how to
bring millennials into our
clubs at Toastmasters
Leadership
Volume 3 Issue 1 - JULY 2016 5
