SOUTHERN CROSS
PAGE 2 OCTOBER 2015
SOUTHERN CROSS
Newsletter of Toastmasters
International District 73
October 2015 – Edition 117
Editions will be available online
from the Southern Cross page of
the District 73 website
(www.d73.toastmasters.org.au
/southerncross) on the first day of
the month.
Editor:
Andrew Breeden DTM
Email: newsletter
@d73.toastmasters.org.au
Publisher:
Tracy Green DTM DD
Email: districtdirector
@d73.toastmasters.org.au
Public Relations Manager:
Michael Sloan
Email:
The views and opinions expressed
in Southern Cross are not
necessarily those of the editor, the
District Executive or Toastmasters
International.
Any member contact information in
this newsletter is for the sole use of
Toastmasters members for
Toastmasters business only. It is
not to be used for solicitation and
distribution of non-Toastmasters
materials or information.
To submit articles and photos for
Southern Cross:
Email them to the editor at
newsletter
@d73.toastmasters.org.au
Next Edition:
December 2015
– Edition 118
Deadline for articles:
Tuesday 24th November
2015
Released on December
1st 2015 at
www.d73.toastmasters.or
g.au/southerncross
The Positive Promotions Program & Above and Beyond
Programs were designed to encourage clubs to promote
toastmasters, engage with existing members and
encourage clubs to go beyond Presidents Distinguished
Club Award. However, the structure of the programs
meant low entries and interest. After much consideration
and deliberation, the District Committee has decided to
replace them with three exciting new competitions to drive
public relation activities of clubs and engagement with
members.
Competition 1: October
For October to the 3rd of November, every Share or Like
of the Southern Cross newsletter article on the District 73
Facebook receives one entry each (maximum two per
person) for the chance to win two tickets to the Day
Program (Value $180) at the Semi Annual Convention on
the 14th of November in Richmond. The final draw to will
take place on the 5th of November at the Victorian
Governors Toastmaster Club. Entry is open to members
and non-members.
Competition 2 December/January
Do you have big, creative ideas to promote your club but
need some funding? District 73 is offering you the
opportunity to sponsor and help deliver your idea on how
you would promote Toastmasters and your club. More
details to come.
Competition 3 March/April
Win two tickets to annual convention in Adelaide, airfares
and hotel (total prize $750). More details to come.
Viva Las Vegas – Lasting First Impressions ............. 3 & 4
District Executive Report ................................................ 5
Pictures Speak a 1000 Words ........................................ 6
Unguarded Moments – 2015 Semi-Annual Convention .. 8
Aspire Adelaide – 2016 District 73 Convention ......... 8 & 9
Upcoming events & workshops .................................... 10
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EDITION 117 PAGE 3
Lasting First Impressions By Bharat Sangekar CC, District International Speech Contest Winner
Above: Bharat with Mark L. Brown
It was my first time at the convention, at
the contests, but not at Las Vegas. This
time the shining lights didn’t matter to me,
neither did the fancy buildings nor the
razzmatazz, after all the contest was
going to be the most important thing at the
convention, right? Wrong!
My perception was already changing in
the 2.5 months leading up to the
international convention during which I
witnessed the spirit of Toastmasters. If the
good wishes, the feedback, the
camaraderie locally and at the United
States I received wasn’t enough, what I
saw at the first timers gathering blew my
mind.
There were around 1000 first-timers.
Wasn’t expecting that. Some were new
Toastmasters, some had been around a
while. The facilitator went around the room
for introductions and we heard the stories.
125 countries. Some had joined
Toastmasters to voice their opinion that
they couldn’t in their society, some wanted
to do it in English after having
Toastmastered in French and then there
was one who had a stroke 5 years ago
and had joined just to learn to speak
again. Wasn’t a dry eye in the audience
when she finished saying that sentence
coherently.
Above: It wouldn’t be Las Vegas without The King.
Once I got free from my contest and freed
my mind to take in all there was to at the
convention, I witnessed more
awesomeness.
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PAGE 4 OCTOBER 2015
Above: Bruce Hill receiving his Presidental
Citation.
Strangers’ hi-fiving, taking pictures and
making friends with each other. A noble
prize winner’s speech, who used none of
the speaking techniques a seasoned
toastmaster would, but opened everyone’s
eyes to the challenges of the world.
Listening to other renowned international
speakers, getting to chat with the world
champs, watching your District Leaders
receiving the honours on the big stage.
Above: District 73 awarded for being a President’s
Distinguished District in 2014/15.
And lastly, I’ll leave you with this, during
my practices I had been worried and
warned about mentioning 9/11 in my
speech on the big stage in USA, and here
I was watching an Arab International
President handing the world championship
trophy to another Arab.
Above: Toastmasters know how to party.
Lasting first impressions.
Toastmasters knows no colour, no culture,
no creed. It only knows one thing, the love
for a common passion. The International
Convention is the mecca where you
witness the magnanimity of this passion.
Save up, head to Washington next year. I
will.
Above: Bharat with other members of District 73 at
the International Convention
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EDITION 117 PAGE 5
November is still a while away… but it’s
never too early to start getting excited
about the Semi-Annual Convention!
This year, at the glorious Amora Hotel
Riverwalk Melbourne, meet up with a
hundred or so of your nearest and dearest
Toasties for fun, food and
friendship. During the day, be prepared to
learn lots, laugh lots, and be yourself.
Then as the sun begins to set, enjoy the
anonymity of the masquerade dinner.
The program this year begins
with inspirational speakers, activities,
a choice of workshops to help you build
valuable skills. Once the workshops are
confirmed, convention attendees will
receive an email asking to indicate their
preference. Stay Tuned!
The afternoon session hosts the District
73 Council Meeting. For those not
attending the meeting, a workshop on
Communicating Using Whole Brain
Thinking will have participants
understanding their own thinking style,
identifying others thinking style and find
new ways to connect with others that
promotes greater understanding. This fun,
interactive workshop supports some great
Ah-hah moments through fun games and
practical activities.
The evening begins – incognito of course -
with canapés and cocktails. Be prepared
for enjoyable (and illuminating) activities;
the chance to win prizes and a fabulous
dinner. You will be amazed!
So now you are asking,
“What do I need to do to assure my
place at this magical event?”
Find out more at the district website or
go straight to the registration page.
Hope to see you there!
Warmest regards
Tracy Green
District Director
.
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PAGE 6 OCTOBER 2015
Two pictures appeared in the September Toastmaster magazine.
The first one was of Adelaide Toastmasters celebrating thir 900th meeting.
The second was of Lilydale Toastmasters who went 1920’s style to celebrate
Toastmasters 90th anniversary.
The last one is of Pushing The Envelope Toastmasters ho want to show off their new club
beanies.
SOUTHERN CROSS
EDITION 117 PAGE 7
Along the Toastmasters journey, we
sometimes experience the perils and the
pleasures of the unguarded moment. We
may slip ever so briefly and feel like a bit
of a goose; we may suddenly expose
some previously hidden brilliance and
shine; but whatever happens, the
Toastmasters 2015 D73 Semi Annual
Convention will help you reveal your most
extraordinary qualities.
Further your journey at this year’s Semi
Annual Convention on Saturday
November 14. It will be filled with fun, food
and friends – some of whom you may not
have met yet. During the day, be prepared
to learn lots, laugh lots and then…
become whomever you choose at the
masquerade dinner.
THE VENUE
Take in the peace of the beautiful Yarra
River at the Amora Hotel Riverwalk
Melbourne. This boutique four and a half
star hotel boasts stylish conference
facilities. Ideally positioned in Richmond,
between happening Bridge Road and the
banks of the Yarra River, it is only minutes
from the CBD and all that cosmopolitan
Melbourne has to offer. The venue is
easily accessible by public transport and
has ample, cost effective parking available
that convention attendees to book.
HIGHLIGHTS
Morning: Inspirational speaker – Mark
Dorrity
Workshop program
Afternoon: District Council Meeting or
Workshop – Communicate using
Whole Brain Thinking
Evening: Cocktails and Canapé
Sumptuous dinner
Delightful activities and Dancing.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Thank you to everyone who purchased
tickets in the recent raffle for tickets and
accommodation. Congratulations to the
winners of tickets to the Semi-Annual
Convention…
Karen Skegg and Henk van den Bergen,
also to the winners of an accommodation
package…
Kim Hahn and Brigitte Linder.
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PAGE 8 OCTOBER 2015
Aspire Adelaide – 2016 District 73 Convention
The District 73 Convention is returning to
the City of Churches next year for a jam-
packed weekend of speech contests,
presenters, workshops and fun. The
theme for this year is ‘Aspire’ – we
challenge you all to aspire to be your best
and approach both Toastmaster’s and life
in general with passion and optimism. We
have no doubt that the District 73
Convention will provide you with the
opportunity to learn new things and meet
inspiring people to get you closer to
whatever that goal may be!
Above: Your 2016 Annual Convention Organising
Committee.
The weekend will feature the District finals
of all four speech contests – the
Humorous Speech Contest, the
Evaluation Contest, the Table Topics
Contest and of course, the International
Speech Contest. These contests will
feature the very best speakers across
South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania
and will undoubtedly present an
entertaining, inspiring spectacle. The
winner of the International Speech
Contest will proceed to the International
Convention which will be held in
Washington D.C. in August, 2016.
As always, there’s so much more to
District Convention than speech contests.
We have many exciting workshops lead
by experienced presenters giving you the
opportunity to learn more about topics of
your choice. We are also extremely lucky
to have Jim Kokocki, International
President of Toastmaster’s International,
joining us and delivering the keynote
speech. The full program of workshops
will be released in due course!
Overall, our goal for the 2016 Convention
is to achieve unity and harmony through
team building and fun. The Saturday night
will feature the biggest and best Gala
Dinner to date with some surprise
performances thrown in for good measure.
We don’t want to tell you everything, so to
understand and appreciate the true value
of District Convention, you’ll have to make
your way down to Adelaide. As well as
reaping the benefits of Toastmasters, we
know you’ll enjoy the offerings of this
beautiful city.
Details:
District 73 Annual Convention
Adelaide, South Australia
20-22 May 2016
$350 per person
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EDITION 117 PAGE 9
District 73 Annual Convention 2016, Call for Workshop Presenters
District 73 is seeking proposals to run a 45
minute workshop as part of the program
for the Annual Convention to be held in
Adelaide, South Australia on the weekend
of 20 - 22 May. Proposals are to include
the information detailed below and must
be submitted by Friday 18 December. A
total of 6 workshops will be selected by a
team of evaluators and successful
presenters will be contacted by Friday 26
February 2016.
Request for proposal
Requirements
We are seeking six presenters who can
deliver a 45 minute workshop on a topic
which relates to one or more elements of
the convention theme - "Aspire". Our
preference is for an interactive workshop
that delivers a definite outcome, i.e. a new
skill, a different perspective, a process for
achieving success. Each workshop will
have 40 - 80 attendees
Eligibility
Proposals are welcome from all -
Toastmasters and non-Toastmasters,
professional speakers, subject matter
experts. Kindly note that contestants at
this convention will not be eligible to be
workshop presenters.
Submissions
Submissions should be sent by email to
d73.annual.convention@gmail by 12
midnight on Friday 18 December. All
submissions must include the following
information:
summary of your workshop, including
the three key audience takeways
link to a video clip (e.g. YouTube) of
you delivering educational
workshops, including details of
subject, audience size and number
a reference or testimonial about your
presentation capabilities, ideally from
a current or past client
a description of any products or
services you wish to sell or promote
after your workshop, if applicable
ensure you have the words "2016
Annual Convention Workshop
Submission" in the subject line of
your email when you submit your
proposal.
Evaluation
Each submission will be evaluated by a
panel of experienced Toastmasters
against a set of standard criteria, as
detailed below:
Workshop content fit with convention
theme
Presentation style
Prior experience
Respondents will be contacted by a
member of the convention organising
team no later than Friday 26
February 2016 advising whether their
submission was successful.
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PAGE 10 OCTOBER 2015 – EDITION 117
OCTOBER
Mon 19
Area E15 Humorous & Evaluations Contests
Venue: Manningham Toastmasters The Manningham Club 1 Thompsons Road Bulleen
Contact: [email protected]
Wed 21
Northern Giants Advanced Toastmasters Demonstration Meeting
Advanced club for giving advanced manual speeches, practicing workshops, forums etc. Minimum requirement: CC. Time: 6.30 pm Where: Corner of Mt Alexander Rd
and Buckley St, Essendon. Contact: [email protected]
Area S41 Humorous & Table Topics Contests
Time: 6.00 - 8.30pm Venue: Seminar room, Podium
Level, IBM Building, South bank. (Enter from riverside, not City Road)
Contact: [email protected]
Thu 22
Area S40 Humorous & Evaluations Contests
Time: 6.00 pm Venue: Room 3.301
NAB 700 Bourke St, Melbourne Contact: [email protected]
Sun 25
Learn How To Negotiate
Time: 1.00 – 5.00 pm Venue: South Melbourne Town
Hall (Gold coin donation) [email protected]
Table Topics and Evaluation Workshop
Time: 1.00 – 5.00 pm Venue: South Melbourne Town
Hall
Wed 28
Area E15 International & Table Topics Contests
Venue: Ivanhoe Toastmasters East Ivanhoe Bowling Club 153 The Boulevard Ivanhoe East
Contact: [email protected]
Thu 29
Area S40 International & Table Topics Contests
Venue: Room 3.301 NAB 700 Bourke St, Melbourne
Contact: [email protected]
NOVEMBER
Sat 14
Semi-Annual Convention
Details: See Page 9 of this edition of the Southern Cross or see http://d73.toastmasters.org.au/2015-semi-annual-toastmasters-convention/
Venue: Amora Hotel Riverwalk, 649 Bridge Road, Richmond
Time: 9.00 am – 10.00 pm