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Training Events/TLIs

Harlingen: August 28
San Antonio: August 30

Visit the Training Page for details.

District Conferences

Conferences are held twice a year, Spring and Fall, over a weekend. Conferences fulfill many purposes

Fall 2010 Conference
- Save the Date
- Overview
- Featured Speakers
- Tentative Conference Agenda
- Conference Registration and Pricing
- Hotel Registration and Pricing
- Contact and Volunteer Information
Fall 2009 Conference Highlights
Conference Videos

Fall 2010 District Conference

Overview

Conference Organizer Stan See is EXCITED to share with you some of the Conference plans thus far (and he is only getting started!)

Featured Speakers

Friday Banquet: LaShunda Rundles, 2008 World Champion of Public Speaking

Biography: As a girl growing up in a small Texas town, LaShunda Rundles regularly gave speeches and presentations – at events such as church programs, high school banquets and conventions. Not that she chose to do so - she was terrified at the prospect of facing audiences. It was Rundles’ mother – a local educator who steered her into such appearances, determined to provide her daughter with the poise, presence and communication skills she knew would benefit LaShunda in the long run. Clearly, mother knew best.

LaShunda’s early training paid off in a big way recently when she captured the 2008 World Championship of Public Speaking. Her triumph at the finals held during the Toastmasters International Convention in Calgary, Canada capped off the year-long competition where she advanced to increasingly higher levels. In front of nearly 2,000 fellow Toastmasters, Rundles defeated nine other finalists from different parts of the world. In the 70-year history of the contest, LaShunda is the first African-American woman - and only the fourth woman ever - to win this prestigious event.

Saturday Education Session: World Champion Speakers LaShunda Rundles and David Henderson

2010 World Champion of Public Speaking David Henderson from San Antonio Sociables Toastmasters right here in District 55 will team with LaShunda Rundles for a one hour session titled "Time with the Champs." They will each deliver their award winning speeches, provide background on how they selected and developed their topics, and, time permitting, will conduct a question and answer session.

Saturday Opening Ceremonies: Chad Goldwasser

Biography: Chad Goldwasser is the founder of Goldwasser International LLC, the parent company of Goldwasser Real Estate and Goldwasser Institute. Goldwasser Real Estate is the number one real estate sales team in Austin, Texas, and was the number one team worldwide for Keller Williams Realty prior to the launch of Chad's own independent brokerage in November 2008. Goldwasser Institute is one of the premiere sales and real estate training companies in the world.

Early in his real estate career, Chad was introduced to the team concept and realized its benefits. His first full year in real estate, he sold 67 homes which created a solid foundation for growth. Since that year, his career has skyrocketed. He is now influencing and motivating others to become their best. Chad remains active in real estate as he develops the Goldwasser Institute, a teaching and training business designed to educate and inspire others to follow their own dreams and realize their own potential, just as he is doing.

Chad is recognized as a dynamic, experienced, and sought-after public speaker who motivates and enriches lives through his talks about attitude, leadership, and personal growth. Chad’s goal is always to leave his audience wanting more by giving them his incredibly high energy and powerfully motivating messages.

Saturday Luncheon: Captain Mary Jennings

Title: "Practice Everyday for that Once in a Lifetime Moment"

Abstract: Character is an everyday practice. If you live your life with integrity and courage, when the time comes to prove to yourself what you're made of, you'll be proud of what you see.

Biography: Captain Mary Jennings is a Combat Search and Rescue Helicopter pilot with hundreds of hours and sorties under fire in Afghanistan, being directly engaged by enemy dozens of times. In addition to combat, she has executed many long-range overwater rescues from hundreds of miles off coast, dropped water on wildfires, and taken part in evacuating hurricane survivors. She is credited with 130 rescues, and has been awarded multiple honors which include the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat, Aviator of the Year for 2009, and Recognition by California Governor Arnold Schwartzenneger in May 2010. Mary has spoken to multiple military professional organizations including several chapters of the Military Officers Association of America and the Sons in Retirement. Currently, she is continuing to fly part time in California while working in Austin and preparing her application for the University of Texas Law School.

Conference Registration and Pricing

Per person pricing

Register today! You have two options:

NOTES: Registration is not required to attend the Opening Ceremonies or the District Council meeting on Saturday morning. All other events require Conference Registration/payment (Meal functions, Education Sessions, District Speech Contests). Division Speech Contest Winners are not required to register for the conference if the only event they attend is their contest.

Hotel Registration and Pricing

The Conference will be held at Lakeway Resort and Spa in Lakeway, TX about 18 miles west of Austin right on the shores of Lake Travis - (Driving Directions). The per-night rate for our group is $109 per night (single or double occupancy) with the $15 per day resort fee waived. Free amenities includes wireless Internet, use of all pools and free towel service, 24 hour fitness room with Cybex equipment, USA Today, self-parking, golf club storage, and shuttle service within a 3-mile radius.

You can reserve your room in one of two ways. Call the Resort at (512) 261-6600. Mention the Group Code "TOAST" to receive our contracted rate. Or make your reservation via the Internet. The rooms are blocked for us at our rates until October 8, 2010 at 5:00pm. We cannot guarantee the $109 per night rate after that, so make your reservation today!

Contact and Volunteer Information

Want to help with the conference? Or do you need more information? Contact Conference Organizer Stanley See, DTM, PDG. Get ongoing conference updates by following Stan on Facebook and Twitter.

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Conference Videos

Do you want videos from the District Conferences? Thanks to Steve Sigrest, District Videographer, you can order them in several formats.

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Posted 9/1/2010