Page 13 - October 2019

FROM THE DESK

Did You Know . . . ?

PJ Kleffner, DTM

Program Quality Director

My home club, Babble-On Toastmasters, four club officers trained at BOTH the summer
has a 1-2 minute item at the beginning of our and winter TLI to complete goal #9 in the
meeting agenda called “Did you know…?” Club Distinguished Club Program. As an educational
officers sign up to make special announcements organization, we place high value on training

that we don’t want to get lost in the shuffle of our club officers and giving them the skills they
announcements at the end of the meeting. For need to help their clubs be successful. There is
example, “Did you know that dues are due?”, or a high degree of correlation between clubs that
“Did you know that it’s time for our club speech send their officers to TLI and clubs that are

contest? Sign up with the VP Education if you distinguished. I suppose we could debate the
want to compete.” cause and effect—clubs that send their officers
In that spirit, Did you know. . . our winter to TLI are successful, versus successful clubs
Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) will be send their officers to TLI—but we’ll save that

held on Saturday, November 16, 2019? This is for another time.
significant because it normally doesn’t happen We have a fantastic line-up of presentations,
until December or January. There are a number starting with keynote speaker, Adele O’Neal. She
of good reasons why having TLI in December is a Past District Governor and former Region

or January is NOT a good idea: Advisor. We have breakout sessions for the seven
• Unpredictable weather has forced us to club officer roles, and seven elective sessions on
cancel and reschedule. everything from Pathways to using social media
• December is already full of holiday to a panel discussion on being a club sponsor/

activities for many people. mentor/coach. There will be potluck breakfast
• Newly elected officers for “semi-annual” and lunch. Details are available on the D7 Event
clubs (about 15% of our clubs) need to be Calendar, or click here to register. Please indicate
trained BEFORE they begin their term which morning and afternoon breakout sessions

on January 1. you are likely to attend, so we can assign the
Did you know. . .TLI is open to ALL appropriately sized room for each session. Don’t
Toastmasters members—not just club officers. worry, you can change your mind – we just need
However, clubs need to have a minimum of an estimate.

VOICES! | OCTOBER 2019 13