Front Range Toastmasters,
So many powerful and wonderful thoughts in response to Jonathan and his
question ~ do we share our amazing culture with other clubs?
The most powerful to me was ~ you truly get out of Toastmasters and FRTM
what you put into it. It is up to each of us.
So many of our club members exemplify this attitude of jumping right in and
serving so they can learn and grow and in turn help their fellow
Toastmasters to do the same. Many have served outside of FRTM in other
clubs and within District 26.
If you haven't considered this or attended a District 26 Leadership
Institute or Conference, I encourage you to consider this.
Our club is home to many past Area Governors and even on past Division
Governor (I count 5) (Now called Area Directors and Division Directors.) We
have two Distinguished Toastmasters with two more chasing this highest
level ~ hot on the heels of those who've gone before.
If I think about our amazing group it reminds me that though each of us
joined to better our speaking skills ~ it is leadership that keeps us
vibrant, focused and having fun.
We are an amazing group of people.
I challenge everyone ~ visit other clubs ~ step outside of your comfort
zone ~ attend TLI and Conference ~ immerse yourselves as time allows.
Thank you for everything each of you do to make FRTM the amazing learning
experience that it is.
Until next Thursday night my friends ~ keep serving ~ keep learning and
growing.
Colette
On Sat, Oct 31, 2015 at 12:47 PM, Lori High <Lhightop2@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dirk,
As always your thoughts are Right-on! Those of us that have been in this
club for a while stay for many different reasons. That reason for me
personally is that 1st and foremost the environment is fun and
productive. We learn more when we have FUN doing it! I look forward to the
meetings each week and I made the commitment to *be there* each week.
Life happens and sometimes I miss a meeting here or there, but I try not
to!
I have seen MANY other Clubs being a District Officer… FRTM is by far the
best I’ve seen… I haven’t found the energy that we continue to generate
in other Clubs I’ve visited, though I’ve seen many other great Clubs! FRTM
has a bit of a legacy out there in Toastmaster Land for being a Club that
*LEADS*…. That we do, and our members are the beneficiary of that
leadership in many different ways.
The focus at FRTM remains on the Members needs being met. It is a safe
place to let ourselves get comfortable, open up and then blossom!
Dirk is 1000% right when he says: *We get out of it what we put into it*
and when people jump in with their hearts, this is what you get. *BINGO*…
We are all in charge of our own journeys! We have a “No Pressure” attitude
yet our Club Culture is a supportive one.
Here is the info for the Toastmasters Leadership Institute in January…
TLI’s are free events, it just costs you *your time*!
*SAVE THE DATE: *
*Metropolitan Denver TLI*
*When *Sat, January 9, 2016, 8am – 1pm
*Where *TBD
Registration opens: 7:30 am Training Starts: 8:00 am Training End: 1:00 pm
Contract: Program Quality Director Darryle Brown, PQD1516@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
That’s my .02¢
Thank you!
Lori High
*From:* frtm-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:frtm-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On
Behalf Of *Dirk Kittredge
*Sent:* Saturday, October 31, 2015 9:16 AM
*To:* jonathan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Cc:* richa.acharya953@xxxxxxxxx; FRTM@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Subject:* FRTM - Re: Halloween - You shoulda been there!
Jonathan,
Actually many clubs do have this much fun. Each club is different and
we've simply created our own culture and style. The purpose of TLI is in
part to share what works and what doesn't between clubs. This is why we so
strongly encourage our members to attend the district functions,
specifically TLI (next January the next will be held).
In the end it's a combination of the people, their engagement, the officer
team, and the willingness of doing creative meetings. We have figured out
OUR formula, it ebbs and flows, it changes as people join and as people
quit. As Luke and Adam once told me, "This whole thing just keeps getting
funner and funner." We get out of it what we put into it and when people
jump in with their hearts, this is what you get. Outstanding Halloween
meeting to be sure.
Any other thoughts from the club?
Dirk
P.S. - Thursday's meeting is going to be just as off the hook as what just
took place... Beware!
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 31, 2015, at 8:42 AM, jonathan <jonathan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
It's wonderful when we step up like this, all giving our best. It shows
how mutual service can function!
I gather that not too many (if any!) other Toastmasters clubs function
like this, having so much fun together and winning awards. I wonder why
not? Has anyone offered to share "secrets of our success" with others?
On October 30, 2015 at 6:28 PM Richa Acharya <richa.acharya953@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
What a night! What a night!! What a night!!!
Lately I have been fairly busy and unable to send many meeting recaps but
last night was TRULY one of a kind meeting so I could not stop myself from
sending one!
Fifi the Flapper aka Jennifer showed her mastery of organization by
setting up such a great meeting as the Toastmaster. There were bats flying
around, spiders crawling and skulls hanging everywhere in the room! It
creeped the hell out of me! And she had pouches of treats for everybody! I
am not a sweet fan but I jumped into it as soon as I got home – Snickers,
Baby Ruth, Butterfingers, Musketeers, Milky Way, Peanut butter cups,
gummies, and so on…what a way to treat our good fellow Toastmasters! You
shoulda been there to get some of her treats!
Needless to mention of all yummy treats that other participants brought
in. Congratulations to Dirk – Ooops I mean Dirktoria - winner for best
treat! Congratulations to “The Mad Hatter” – winner for best costume! Can
you see who he is in the picture?
None of the speakers were seen using notes! Isn’t that amazing? Jonathan,
Pattie, Patrick, and Katelynn (Best Speaker winner) – all gave fabulous
speeches!
Table Topics master Luke Vesely (btw Luke was “falling”) scared everybody
with his derisive (WOD) questions – Table Topics winner Red-Monster-PJ
said, “kids are problem, aren’t they?” Can you believe it? Well, you
shoulda been there!
Green-witch-Colette led the team of Evaluators for awesome feedbacks.
Evaluator
winner – Lori High (Was that really you, Lori? :D :D )
We had two guests and they were blown away and awesomely creeped away by
our club standard. They said, “it is like a family gathering here.” Amen!!!
And last but not the least, many thanks to Kathy for capturing those
colorfully scary moments and sharing with us. Also many thanks for Jennifer
and Colette for arranging take-away trophies to the winners. “What
trophies”?
You shoulda been there!!!
Dirk promises next meeting to be another milestone. Invite your friends
and neighbors and co-workers and let’s grow ourselves while having fun!
Happy Halloween!
Richa
Secretary
FRTM
