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November 16, 2009
District 55 Fall 2009 Conference Highlights
The Fall Conference was held November 6-7, 2009 in Corpus Christi. The conference proved to be a success, with many awards and recognition given. The sections below provide some of the highlights.
Humorous Speech Contest
Table Topics Contest
New Distinguished Toastmasters (DTMs)
Company Award to Dow Chemical
Corporate Grant from IBM
2008-2009 Hall of Fame
Final Jack Rabbit Dash Results
Random Photos
And the Speech Contest Winners are:
Humorous Speech Contest
Ram Ganapathy from the Aim High Club in Austin won the Humorous Speech Contest. He left us rolling in the aisles by sharing the “Secrets for a Perfect Marriage.” Bryan Woods from San Antonio Sociable Toastmasters placed second with “Take My Family Please” followed by Mandy Beal from HACA (Housing Authority of the City of Austin) who told us how to “Beet the System” (no, beet is spelled correctly).
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Ram Ganapathy receiving his trophy from District 55 Governor Margaret Cathey for winning the Fall 2009 Humorous Speech Contest |
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Ram Ganapathy sharing his victory celebration with fellow Aim High Club members Trisha Thompson and Lisa Merrill |
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Bryan Adams receiving his trophy for second place in the Humorous Speech Contest |
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Mandy Beal receiving her third place trophy in the Humorous Speech Contest from Margaret Cathey |
Cindy Arledge from Hill Country Toastmasters in Boerne took first place in the Table Topics contest with the short but sweet topic: “The Bay.” Debi Sigrest from the Today Club in Austin was the runner-up followed by third place winner Paula Tunison from the Austin CPA Club.
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District 55 Governor Margaret Cathey giving Cindy Arledge her first place trophy for winning the Fall 2009 Table Topics Contest |
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Debi Sigrest being awarded her second place trophy in the Table Topics Contest |
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Paula Tunison receiving her trophy from Margaret Cathey for placing third in the Table Topics Contest |
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Contest Toastmaster Jim White interviewing the Table Topics Contestants. From left to right: Paula Tunison, Cindy Aldredge, Eugene Grindle, Art Cardenas, Debi Sigrest, and Robert Felder |
Congratulations to all the Speech Contestants, and thank you for entertaining and inspiring us.
Rich Bassemir (IBM Club, Arthur Storer Club), Thomas Ricks (Hill Country) and Kim Wentrcek (Randolph AFB Toastmasters, Col Jack D Wallace Club) were recognized for their achievement of Distinguished Toastmaster, or DTM, during the Saturday night Banquet.
Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) is the highest educational achievement one can achieve. In order to attain this honor, one must
- Give 40 manual speeches (Competent Communicator Manual + six Advanced Manuals)
- Give two presentations from the Better Speaker Series and/or the Successful Club Series (these are for the Communications Track)
- Complete a Success Leadership Program, a Success/Communications Program, or a Youth Leadership Program
- Mentor a new club member through the first three speeches
- Complete the Competent Leadership Manual (18 meeting roles + 4 leadership roles)
- Serve for six months as a Club Officer, helping to prepare the Club Success Plan
- Give two presentations from the Successful Club Series and/or the Leadership Excellence Series (these are for the Leadership Track)
- Serve as a District Officer (Area Governor, Division Governor, Lieutenant Governor, District Governor) for a complete one-year term
- Complete a High Performance Leadership (HPL) project
- Sponsor or Mentor a New Club, or Coach an existing low-member Club back to good health
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| From left to right, Kimberly Wentrcek accompanied by Atheria Scott, Thomas Ricks accompanied by Cindy Arledge, and Rich Bassemir accompanied by his daughter Casey |
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Rich, Kimberley, and Thomas joined by their fellow District 55 DTMs |
Dow Chemical Selected for the Company Award
From time to time, District 55 will recognize a company that has been very supportive of Toastmasters. Receiving the Company Award for Dow Chemical was David Pankratz.
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Conference Chair Gerry Wyant giving the Company Award to David Pankratz of Dow Chemical |
District 55 Awarded a Corporate Grant
Rich Bassemir (IBM Club) presented District Governor Margaret Cathey with a $1,000 grant from IBM to be used primarily to purchase a color laser printer. IBM awarded the grant for Rich's volunteer service to Toastmasters.
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Rich Bassemir providing the $1,000.00 grant check from IBM to District Governor Margaret Cathey |
The Hall of Fame Recognizes Top 2008-2009 Toastmasters and Clubs
Immediate Past District Governor Stan See recognized members who completed Education levels, Clubs/Areas/Divisions that attained Distinguished status, and Toastmasters who helped make District 55 a Select Distinguished District for the first time. Other achievements were also recognized. The Toastmaster of the Year award was presented to Blanche Pape (New Braunfels Toastmasters Club), Area Governor of the Year to Sharon Brown (Williamson County Toastmasters Club), and Division Governor of the Year to Linda Williams (Fredericksburg Club, Fredericksburg Family Club).
Here is the link to the complete listing of the 2008-2009 Hall of Fame Awards.
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Immediate Past District Governor Stan See awarding Toastmaster of the Year to Blanche Pape and Division Governor of the Year to Linda Williams |
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Stan See and Area Governor of the Year Sharon Brown |
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District Governor Margaret Cathey and Division Governor of the Year Linda Williams |
Final Jack Rabbit Dash Results Announced
Lieutenant Governor Marketing Linda Williams announced the results of the Jack Rabbit Dash, a program to encourage a quick start toward achieving goals of Educational Accomplishments, Membership Growth, and Officer Training
- 83 members attained a Communications Level (CC, ACB, ACS, ACG)
- 57 members attained a Leadership Level (CL, ALB, ALS)
- 480 new members were added
- Eight new clubs were added
- 675 officers were trained
Area Governors receiving a Gold Jack Rabbit pin (100% of clubs in the Area achieved Gold; Area Governor visited every club) were Johnna Krawietz (G92), David Fritzlen (H82), I70 Blanche Pape (I70), Aart Millecam (I71), Lynda Kohler (I73), Lisa Park (J62), Scott Killen (K53), Tim Hackler (L42), Linda Atkins (L43), and Anna Sanders (L44). Area Governors receiving a $25 Gift certificate to the TI store for the highest percentage membership growth were Lisa Park (J62), Ron Sheaffer (K52), Anna Sanders (L44), Taline Manassian (J64), Rafael Malo (G90), and Johnna Krawietz (G92).
Sharon Brown received the Division Governor Gold Jack Rabbit Pin for having 100% of her Areas earning a Jack Rabbit Dash award and 95% of her clubs paying their dues. Sharon also received a $50 Gift certificate to the TI store for the highest percentage Divisional membership growth with at least one new club added.
Complete results can be viewed on the Marketing - Jack Rabbit Dash Page.
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Several of the Area Governors receiving and proudly displaying their Jack Rabbit Dash pins. Area G91 Governor Nancy Wyant, Area G93 Governor Amy Espinoza, Area L40 Governor Karan Sikes-Nicholls, Area J63 Governor Betty McDaniel, Area K51 Governor Garret Onderdonk III, and Area G92 Governor Johnna Krawietz. Lieutenant Governor Marketing Linda Williams at the lectern calling out the names of the recipients. |
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The Division Governors in their Island wear after receiving their Jack Rabbit Dash pins. Division G Governor Gerry Wyant, Division I Governor Ren Liner, Division J Governor Trey Gramann, and Division L Governor Sharon Brown. Lieutenant Governor Marketing Linda Williams at the lectern |
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David Fritzlen from San Antonio gets REALLY LOW during the Limbo Contest on Friday night |
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The Golden Lady of Toastmasters Lark Doley, Past District Governor and Past International Director, demonstrates her Hula Hoop skills (?) during Friday Fun Night proceedings. |
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Banner Carriers get loud and crazy at the Opening Ceremonies |
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At the head table, Laura Harris, our Keynote Speaker, beams with delight as she watches the Parade of Banners |
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More Banner Carriers as the Parade continues |
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Taking a standing break after dinner before the Humorous Speech Contest. From left to right, Nancy and Gerry Wyant, co-Conference Chairs, Lieutenant Governor Education and Training Grace Jennings, and Heather Diehl, Contest Toastmaster |
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Lieutenant Governor Marketing Linda Williams and her husband, District Secretary Tim Williams |
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District Parliamentarian Dan Jackson and Spring Conference 2010 Team Leader Lupe Roy during a meal. Dan was awarded the Presidential Citation for his long-standing service to Toastmasters at the International Conference Hall of Fame Ceremony on August 14, 2009 |