This historic council meeting is very important for Toastmasters in Western Australia. It will be the last time we meet to conduct business in District 73. The next council meeting in November this year will be a District 17 council meeting, when Toastmasters in Western Australia will be fully in charge of our own destiny. At the council meeting this Saturday afternoon, May 21, we complete important business to set up the new district, as well as some normal District 73 business.

Make sure your club is represented at the Council Meeting

The Council  meets from 2 to 5 PM on Saturday afternoon, May 21.  Each club has two votes at the Council. Initially they go to the President and the Vice President Education.  if only one is present he or she automatically gets the vote of the other. If neither can be present they can proxy their vote to any other club member. Download the Proxy Form and bring the signed form to the  Credentials Desk from Saturday morning to midday.

The new division/area/club alignment structure

There is a proposal to rename our divisions and to make slight changes to areas. Have a look at the Proposed Structure

Elections

We will elect the first district leadership team. The nomination committee has presented its report. Other members may stand from the floor when elections are held, but these are the nominations for the key positions:

District Governor Mark Richards
Lt Governor Education & Training Ross Wilkinson
Lt Governor Marketing Pascale Amberville-Colby
Public Relations Officer Robyn Richards

Central Division Governor Robyn Lloyd
Northern Division Governor Nola Haddrill
Southern Division Governor Vicky Post

Procedures

We will be considering a proposed set of procedures to handle administrative matters in the new district. Check out the proposals at the District 17 Procedures Manual.

More information on the business procedures for this council.

I will be happy to give you any more information and answer any queries.

Posted by David Nicholas DTM
District 73 Parliamentarian
WA Webmaster
0401 011 212

There are several groups working on planning for the new District 17 which will come into being on July 1 this year.

The Alignment Committee

This committee has prepared a report on the setup of Divisions and Areas in our West Australian District.  I am a member of the committee, so I am supporting its recommendations.  But I have a nostalgic pang that the new District 17 will have no Western Division.  When I joined Toastmasters in 1995 I was in Western Division because that was the only one.  Over the years Western has divided twice – first to set up Perth Division and then Innercity Division.

But now the recommendation is for three Divisions – Central, Northern and Southern.  So, farewell Western Division.

Look at the Committee’s recommended setup

You can find the recommendations at

Club Alignments 2011/12

There are some explanatory notes there, and there will be more supplied by the Committee Chair, Ross Wilkinson DTM.

I hope to get a comment from the very first Western Division Governor, Murray Jorgensen DTM, still very active in Toastmasters.  And another one from the soon to be the very last Western Division Governor, Robyn Richards DTM.

How do you feel about the disappearance of Western Division?

You can add a reminiscence or discuss the alignment proposal in comments box below.

David Nicholas DTM
WA Webmaster
and former Western Division Governor

Right now we belong to District 73, along with Toastmasters from Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. That is about to change. From July on we will be our own District – District 17 – with our own District Officers.

Our elections will be held in Perth on Saturday, May 21

This will be part of the last Council Meeting we take part in District 73.

Nominations are called for the following positions.

Elected at the Council Meeting by our WA delegates

District Governor
Lieutenant Governor Education & Training
Lt Governor Marketing
District Public Relations Officer
Division Governor Innercity
Division Governor Perth
Division Governor Western

Elected by Area Councils before the District Council

Area Governors

Appointed by the new District Governor

District Secretary
District Treasurer

To be nominated or elected, a person must

be a member in good standing of a Toastmaster club in good standing
meet the qualifications of the position
consent to being nominated
must sign the Officer Agreement and Release Form

You may submit more than one person’s name (including your own) for each position.  The Nominating Committee will consider all candidates received by the deadline, Monday 28 March 2011

Mail or Email to:  Judith Allen DTM   c.j8@bigpond.com
Chairman, Nominating Committee
12 Gypsy Rise
Swan View, WA 6056

Download the Officer Nomination form Officer Nomination form

Download the Officer Agreement form Officer Agreement & Release form

Details of District Officer qualifications are available on  District Officer Qualifications

David Nicholas DTM
District WA Webmaster
0401 011 212

WA will be District 17

Toastmasters International has decided – we will be District 17 when we become a full District in our own right.

17? why not 88 or 89?

The most recent new District was 87, so with two new Districts coming onstream, we thought it would be either 88 or 89.  Not so.  We have been given 17 because District 17 in Montana, USA has been folded into District 78 which covers Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

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Apparently, since we are in the “West” it was decided to give the previous number of the North Western State in the USA to us.

Who cares about the reason?

Mark Richards DTM
Lt Governor
Education & Training

We have our number. From July 1, 2010 we will be functioning independently, the fourth Australia District, part of Region 12 of Toastmasters International. In the meantime, we will be preparing for the changeover, led by our current Lt Governor Education & Training (West) Mark Richards and Lt Governor Marketing (West) Ross Wilkinson. Elections for District 17 will be held in May, 2011 at the District 73 Convention being held in Perth.

A long journey coming to its destination

Quite a few people have been working very hard for the District WA project. At the last District Convention held in Perth in May 2007 then District Governor Geoff Morrissey moved and I seconded the resolution which set the process in motion.. The end of that project is in sight.

July 1, 2011 will be the beginning of a bigger project

It’s rather like a human birth. The child born from its mother was conceived well before the birth. We are coming out of District 73 and will need to grow and mature. Unlike human babies, we will need to be fully independent from the first day, with no parents to provide for us. We have just over six months to prepare for that full independence.

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Posted by David Nicholas DTM
WA Webmaster

Maree Pickens was the Toastmaster and she knew how to wield that gavel!

Mark Richards suddenly finds the Agenda very interesting as Robyn looks on

Then Mark was up to tell us all about the TMI web site.

David and Glenis Nicholas were absorbed by Mark's Workshop.

Kristin McIntosh was up directing traffic or maybe she was workshopping the Distinguished Club Programme

Someone else was trying to hide, but we know who you are...............

...........................step forward Ross Wilkinson!

Telling everyone about next year's Convention, "Swansong on the Swan" was Lynette Delaine

Just before Lynette had been working hard behind the scenes with Maree Pickens

Then there was David Nicholas showing us all the goodies on his Toastmasterswa site

Then there's the people you always find in the kitchen at parties!

Are the pies ready yet?

Well done to everyone, for a second, extremely well organised, session of Club Officer Training.

The Hall is set up and ready

Sgt at Arms Maree Pickens got things underway introducing the Toastmaster for the evening Peter Law whose sartorial elegance set the tone for the night.

Inner City Divisional Governor Kristin McIntosh then explained to us all what the 10 goals were in the DCP (Distinguished Club Programme) and why they were so important to running a successful club. Like Robyn Kristin gave some hints and tips as to how the goals could be achieved and illustrated how easy some of them were by pointing out that everyone present was contributing towards their club’s DCP by attending COT!

That's goal number two that Kristin is telling us about!

Martin Lindsay as the Perth Governor then presented a Workshop on how to run Speech Contests. With the Club, Humorous Speech and Table Topics contests due in August this was very timely advice for the many new Club Officers in attendance. Martin pointed out some of the extremely good resources available and advised Clubs on how they could get their own members ‘up to speed’ on acting as Judges.

The last presentation before supper was given by David Nicholas and David told everyone about toastmasterwa.net and what resources were available on the site. With only 15 minutes to present David was only able to brush the surface but he certainly whetted the appetites for information if not for food!

David Nicholas enthralled the audience with his sales technique for toastmasterswa.net

After a splendid supper, and you could tell it was splendid because there was nothing left, we were treated to an introduction to a “Swansong on the Swan”. Lynette Delane presented a talk about the 2011 District Convention, the last of District 73 with Western Australia included, which is to be held in Perth, hence the title.

Lynette Delane tells us all about the "Swansong on the Swan"

The meeting then moved on to a series of ‘break out’ sessions for each Club Officer Role. This proved to be the real ‘meat and veg’” for the new Officers as they were able to leverage off those who had performed the role before.

We were then welcomed back by Ross Wilkinson who told us all about “YOUR Future in Toastmasters” and Ross set out very clearly where the path towards becoming a better speaker, a leader and ultimately a Distinguished Toastmaster lay. Ross reminded everyone that by becoming a Club Officer they were on the first steps of this exciting leadership journey.

Ross Wilkinson reminded everyone of the importance of working to their Manuals and getting them signed off

Public Relations both within the District and within Clubs was covered by the ubiquitous Pascale Amberville-Colby, the man with more clubs than Tiger Woods. Pascale reminded everyone of the importance of their Website as a promotional tool and ensuring it was up to date. Pascale also related some initiatives that were being taken within WA.

Pascale sought an affirmation from everyone that they would promote their club

The information and fun packed evening was wound up by Mark Richards relating the future Training opportunities that were available over the coming year.

Overall a fantastic evening packed with  information and with Club Officers. Well done to everyone but especially to Robyn Richards for her wonderful organisational abilities.

 At first it was bewildering. Despite District Officer Training (DOT) and an exhaustive manual there just seemed to be so much to do.

First up after you have been trained there are two sessions of Club Officer Training (COT) you really should attend both sessions. You need to be there to support the clubs in your Area and to support the District Executive. You will probably find yourself volunteered to help somewhere. Remember also that each Club needs to have 4 of its Officers in attendance at both sessions of COT to achieve one of its Distinguished Club Programme (DCP) goals.

I was very fortunate in having a supportive ex-Governor in Sue Voloczi and Division Governor in David Nicholas. The Club and Area Humorous and Table Topics contests seem to be on you almost immediately. It’s important to remember, as it is with most things as an Area Governor, that this is not your personal responsibility. It is important to delegate. You have to be sure that people will actually do what they have volunteered to do (and be prepared to be let down too, have some reserves if possible).

You will also probably be asked to supply Judges and to be a Judge in other Areas. This is of a reciprocal nature so the more you put in the more you get back. It’s also very good experience. You should also be encouraging more experienced club members in your Area to act as Judges.

Once these are over there is the Divisional contest and you may very well have a role to play on the day.

You should also try to get in an Area Executive meeting with the Presidents. VPM, VPE’s and VPPR’s of each of the clubs. It gives them a chance to get together and to share experiences and ideas.

Then it is time for your Club visits. You should already have been in contact with your clubs about their DCP. What are they doing to achieve all 10 goals? Some of the goals are easy, just administrative issues but important nonetheless. They will have been through all this at  COT but you need to ensure this is where they are focussed.

You might choose to deliver the ‘Moments of Truth” Eductional as part of your visit. If you don’t ‘know’ this Educational it is a great one, almost like a health check for clubs and there is a survey form for members to fill in. I collated mine for the club where I delivered it and whilst generally they scored highly there were two areas which were well below the rest. The club knew where to direct their efforts.

The Club visits are important and you should try to get on the Agenda to speak. Club members should know who you are and why you are there. It also allows you to gauge how well the clubs are run and do not be afraid of making adverse comments on your report if you feel they are justified. You should have discussed the issues with the Club President before you do so of course.

Once Christmas is over there is virtually a repeat of the first half of the TMI year. Club Officer Training, Club, Area and Divisional contests (International Speech and Evaluation this time) and another round of Area visits. The second round of Area visits will be much more focussed on the DCP, you are getting towards the pointy end of the TMI year. Are the Clubs going to achieve all their goals? What can you do to help?

Throughout all this you should also be looking at possibilities for forming a new club in your Area. I won’t go into details here that’s a subject for a blog on its own.

If you go through all this and keep your focus you will have had an exhausting but very enjoyable Toastmasters year. I know because I am just about to complete one!  Of course it is also one of your requirements if you are heading for a DTM. It can’t be that bad, I’m about to do it all over again. .

Hi to all club executives,

This Toastmasters year is coming to an end very soon, and we want all of you and your club members to help celebrate the achievments of your fellow members and clubs in WA.

On this night we will be awarding the President of the year, Toastmaster of the year, Area Gov of the year & Club of the year to all 3 Divisions in WA. Plus many other high achieving awards.

We will also thank the outgoing District Executive for their contribution this year, then welcome in the new District Executive for next year.

At last year’s “WA Change Over Dinner & Awards Night” we had 100 attendees and this year will be even bigger.
The details are;

Date: Friday June 25th, 2010
Venue: Esplanade River Suites Ballroom (same as last year)
Time: 6.30pm till late
Cost: $60.00 per person
Meal: Esplanade Buffet including a wide variety of Hot & Cold Selections and Desserts

Come along for a great night out and help celebrate this year with your fellow WA Toastmasters.
For payment details, please see the flyer attachment WACOFlyer_ 1010

Please promote this event to all your club members.

Kind regards,

Robyn & Mark Richards
WACO 2010 Co-ordinators

Andrew Bolotin DTM

Andrew addressed us at our meeting on Thursday evening, June 18, 2009 – From Divisions to District.

Andrew has some status and authority here. District 73 was formed in 1976 as a breakaway from District 70 in New South Wales, just as we hope to form our District WA as a breakaway from District 73. It began with Provisional District status which it carried for 10 years. Andrew became District Lt Governor Marketing in 1983, Lt Governor Education and Training in 1984, and District Governor in 1985. It was during his term as District Governor that District 73 earned its full District status.

Currently we are in a very early stage, but it is time now to set about planning for the successful achievement of District WA status. You can see some earlier posts on the process at District WA on the way and District WA Prerequisites

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A Plan to gain Provisional District status, and then full District status

Andrew recommended a 3 stage process.

Stage 1: Devise a strategy
Stage 2: Produce a detailed plan to achieve the strategy
Stage 3: Implement the plan

Andrew made some suggestions for Stage 1 – the strategy

Put together a small group of leaders to initiate a draft strategy
Circulate this to the much larger group of leaders and potential leaders for feedback and revision
Start to practise being a District

Some ideas for practising being a District

Appoint a current District Governor, a Lt Governor Education & Training and Lt Governor Marketing
Hold a District Convention including a Council Meeting and Speech finals

Dual membership a no-no

Daniel Andrew walked into the lion’s den with this one. All of us are dual members at WA Governors, since we make it a prerequisite to belong to another home club. He argued passionately that it’s a serious mistake for members to spread themselves too thinly by belonging to multiple clubs. However he made an exception for WA Governors because he sees our members as providing most of the leadership required to drive the District WA program.

This isn’t the last we will hear from Andrew

During supper afterwards several members engaged in energetic discussion with him. Of course he has more to offer, and some preliminary plans were discussed to arrange for it.

David Nicholas DTM
WA New Clubs Coordinator
9457 6468

Many of our members are taking Andrews suggestions very seriously. What do you think? Post your comments below.

District 73 held its 2008 November Council Meeting in Melbourne.  There wasn’t a quorum at the meeting, so the Minutes haven’t been officially confirmed.  Besides the District Budget for this year, there was an important Resolution concerning the formation of District WA – our own District, based in WA.

District WA

For many years Toastmasters in WA have had difficulty in participating in District events, because of the  geographical separation from Victoria where most District events are conducted.  Now the process to split away is in full train.  Read about it at District WA.

District WA at the Council Meeting

The November Council Meeting in Melbourne unanimously passed a resolution supporting the move for WA to have its own District. I was there and seconded the motion. But because of the lack of a Quorum, that motion is not yet confirmed as District 73 policy. You can check out the various resolutions from the meeting at D73 November Meeting Minutes, and particularly the one dealing with the Reformation of District 73. Reformation is shorthand for splitting off WA as its own District.

You can view the Council Minutes.

Download this link November 08 council Minutes

Towards the bottom of page 2, at the end of Correspondence, you will find this motion ‘ that this council authorise, endorse and encourage District to pursue the reformation ofthe district as outlined in the proposal’
Moved: Jack Fawcett (E14 AG) Seconded: David Nicholas (Victoria Quay) Carried

This motion is important for WA members and clubs

Club Presidents have received a notice from the District Governor, Bernard Marmion, asking the Presidents and VPEs to vote to confirm the Minutes. I am the District Parliamentarian, and the votes are required to be sent to me. I urge Presidents use the form and the stamped addressed envelope which has been sent to you to register your vote for this confirmation of motion. Get your VP Education to do so too.

Send your vote to me

I am the person who is receiving and registering all the votes. As well I am a WA member of the Reformation Committee which is handling the District WA split. If you haven’t already done so, send my your vote urgently. Ring me if you want any more information or you wish to discuss the whole District WA issue.

David Nicholas DTM
District 73 Parliamentarian
9457 6468