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How many attended the TLI Kick-off, you ask? Well, the large cafeteria for the general session ran out of seats about 15 minutes before it began. There were people standing up all around the room, especially in the far corner, along the center of the back wall, and near the entrance. I already knew that quite a few new members and non-officers attended—including the vice-president for education of a club that chartered on June 28—but I had no idea how many. So, I asked Summer 2010 TLI Chair Tracie Henderson (and 2009-2010 Southern Division governor) if she knew. She replied,
“This weekend was in fact a huge success. We had 358 club officer positions trained! Officers from 113 [out of 146] clubs participated! 48 clubs had 4 or more officers trained! WOW! There were over 400 attendees and we do have an exact number that I can't seem to find right now. Oh, we also had two clubs from District 25 that had all of their officers trained. So, overall it was a great day for everyone involved.”
Wow, indeed!
 I got to see several officers from the Hillcrest, Eagles, and ProSpeak clubs that were in my Area 33 last year. One thing’s for sure, once you’ve been an area governor, it forever changes your perspective as a Toastmaster. The classes were full for the first three hours. The first hour, I went to Helen Liu’s class on what is required to a Distinguished Toastmaster; having earned two DTMs and being a recent past district governor, she definitely know how to accomplish that. I took  extensive notes on the requirements for the High Performance Leadership (HPL) project; that’s perhaps the most difficult requirement for the Advanced Leader Silver (ALS). At the time, she was close to deciding on her third HPL project!
After that, I returned to the cafeteria where Gary Gillespie—Spring 2009 District 50 Table Topics Contest Winner and Fall 2009 recipient of the Heart of District 50 Award—explained in his inimitable way how  to succeed in table topics, both in a club and in contests
 It was still packed with long, patient lines for lunch, but some of us had to wait for more of what we paid for to arrive!
The third hour I spent in Lisa Hill's session about the educational series— The Better Speaker Series, The Successful Club Series, and The Leadership Excellence Series while also mentioning the Success/Leadership and Success/Communication Series. There was a fascinating mix of people in the  room that included those of us who have presented at least one educational module and at least five new Toastmasters who said they were “just soaking it all in.”
 Then I returned to the cafeteria where Spring 2009 District 50 Humorous Speech Contest Winner Cynthia Brown described the unexpected journey she went on and told us how to apply that to our own winning humorous speeches, including the lessons learned during the process and even from the winning speech itself.
All in all, the TLI’s Kick-off was an amazing, educational, and uplifting event that I am very glad I was able to attend. Congratulations to Tracie, Danni, and everyone who helped Dare us to Succeed!
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The Kick-off for District 50’s Summer 2010 Toastmasters Leadership Institute was an overwhelming success! The cafeteria in the State Farm Building is a wonderful facility and  had plenty of seating last February 13; but, it was standing room only by the time it started just after 9:00 AM! New Sergeant-at-Arms Dan Dodd needed a microphone just so people could hear him even begin the proceedings. I rode with Diane Kirksey and then spoke with a lot of people I had met and worked with over the past year. Apparently, almost all areas now have governors; there are a few openings, though, and at least a couple divisions could use some assistant area governors. We were truly blessed and inspired by LaShunda Rundles, 2008 World Champion of Public Speaking (WCPS), who gave the keynote address; the standing ovation she received was well-deserved!
There were quite a few district officers present from last year who either aren’t holding a district office or are filling a new office this year. District Governor Susan Gardner began by asking us to stand and be recognized for our just-completed service. She showed the list of all the governors and their mottos that District 50 has had since 1994; of course, she just had to recognize that no less than five past District 50 governors were in attendance—Carla Ranger (1999-2000, Select Distinguished District), Jack Balko (2003-2004, Select Distinguished District), Michael Goforth (2006-2007, Distinguished District; 2010-2011 Quality Education Chair), Helen Liu (2007-2008; DTM2), and Les Guse (2008-2009)! Now-Immediate Past District Governor Paulette Harvey couldn’t make it in from Bossier City, Louisiana, but I was glad to see her good friend Patty Kim (last year’s district secretary), did. I was personally inspired by the ever-on-fire Pauline Shirley, Past Distict 25 Governor (1986-1987) and Past International President (1994-1995), who not only cheerfully spoke with many present but arrived early with anticipation to get a good seat in the classes! Susan introduced this year’s new governors by division—almost all of the new D50 Executive Committee was there.
 Lieutenant Governor for Marketing Monnica Lamb unveiled her marketing campaign for building clubs and starting new ones; several have already started the process toward chartering. She also announced D50’s Jewels and Gems Membership Campaign through July. Lieutenant Governor for Education and Training Danni Babik announced both the goals set by  World Headquarters and the higher goals that she is challenging District 50 to achieve! Susan had some additional comments before we dispersed to officers’ training and elective educational sessions.
I knew that Big “D”’s officers Diane Kirksey and Jennifer Huch were there for training; Brenna Smith was there as well, and Shawnda Corker arrived just before the general session began. So many people attended that I didn’t know until later that Frank Kozel and Mike Weibel also attended—which means Big “D” already has the minimum four officers traned! Brenna, Jennifer, and I stayed all day, as did Area 31 Governor Lee King and Speechcraft Chair Denise Cothern (last year’s Metro Division governor). Shawnda attended classes the first two hours and said she really learned a lot as a brand new Toastmaster. The entire TLI Kick-off was full almost all day and didn’t noticeably thin out until the last hour!
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The regular meeting of the Big “D” Toastmasters on July 8, 2010, was called to order at 6:32 p.m. with our new President Diane Kirksey presiding. She began by reading A Toastmaster's Promise, which every Toastmaster  swears to uphold when he or she signs the Form 400 Membership Application and is printed just after the title page of every manual.
The business session started at 6:36, and the minutes of the meetings of June 17 and July 1 were approved as read. (For the sake of time and with the chair's approval, the minutes of the meeting of June 24 were to be e-mailed to the club for approval or corrections.) There were no reports from officers or committees. With new Sergeant-at-Arms Jennifer Huch taking the chair, Diane announced that she had just accepted a new job that will keep her from attending most club meetings for at least the next three months, but she will otherwise remain as involved as possible. Eric Dyson noted that no objections were raised; so, by general consent, Diane will remain an active member and thus able to stay in office. District 50's new Lieutenant Governor for Education and Training Danni Babik enthusiastically announced the Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) Kick-off on Saturday, July 10, at the State Farm Insurance Building in far north Dallas; District 50's own LaShunda Rundles, 2008 World Champion of Public Speaking, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker. The business session ended at 6:48 with no unfinished business.
 Stew Carson was first-time Toastmaster of the Evening with the theme of “Karoake,” which he gave a lot of interesting information about throughout the evening. To start with, the word itself comes from two Japanese words that together mean “empty orchestra.” Table Topicsmaster Danni Babik asked questions of four loquacious speakers, all of whom qualified. Prepared speeches—all for Competent Communication manual Project #2 (Organize Your Speech)—were given by Fadi Tabbara, Luke Donev, and Vicky Tamez. General Evaluator John Sessions guided us through the speech evaluations by Jim Wolff, Dan Martínez, and Benjamin Vincent, and then evaluated the meeting as a whole.
The awards went to newlywed Brad Johnson for Best Table Topic, Ben “Can-I-Draw-You?” Vincent for Best Evaluation, and Truffle-maker Luke Donev for both Best Prepared Speech and Outstanding Toastmaster of the Meeting. Our guests were Cory Huddleston, Steven Young, Tamera Ranney, and Jill. The meeting ended at 8:31 p.m., and a good time was had by all.
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| The following four images were originally posted in the club Website; but, they are good highlights of the officer-installation dinner party and worth repeating. I cropped and adjusted the brightness, contrast, color, tint, and sharpness as needed before posting.
Victoria Perez was definitely in the moment while being installed as
secretary! Frank Kozel, Jennifer Huch, and Chase Miller look on.
Diane Kirksey installed as president while Keri Boyce, Victoria Perez,
Frank Kozel, and Jennifer Huch look on
Big "D"'s newly installed officers for July-December 2010:
Mike Weibel, Victoria Perez, Frank Kozel, Jennifer Huch,
Joseph Pezanowski's certificate, Diane Kirksey, and Keri Boyce
A little after-dinner Tai-chi, Ben Vincent?
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Getting ready for our first club portrait since March 2006. Standing: Chase Miller,
Victoria Perez, Luke Donev, Diane Kirksey, Keri Boyce, Fadi Tabbara, Jennifer Huch;
seated: Angelo Pereira and Danni Babik. With so many members present and only
14 remaining from 4-plus years ago, we knew we had to do this!
This is not our club’s new portrait! Mike and Ben wanted a "crazy" picture; so, this is what we managed when the picture was taken. After 61 years, Big “D” Toastmasters still know how to have fun! Back row: Linda Martin, John Lawson, Essam El-Beik, Luke Donev just before he picked me up, David Rouble, Jennifer Huch, Stew Carson, Mac Smith, Frank Kozel, Cliff Hutchinson; middle row: Chase Miller, David Medart, Diane Kirksey, Keri Boyce, Fadi Tabbara, Dan Martínez, Benjamin Vincent, Mike Weibel; front row: Steve Patterson, Shawnda Corker, Victoria Perez, Vicky Tamez, Angelo Pereira, Danni Babik, Mac McAdams, and John Sessions.
“Are you sure they're okay?” “Yes, they look good to me!” Previewing some of
the pictures taken—Diane Kirksey, Keri Boyce, Vicky & Ana Tamez, and Dan Martínez
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January-June 2010 officers pose with club banner in
the Pattersons' back yard
One last picture in front of the club banner of Jan.-June 2010
VPPR Mike Weibel, President Steve Patterson, VPE Linda Martin,
SAA Frank Kozel, Treasurer Victoria Perez, and VPM Chase Miller
Newly installed July-December 2010 officers in front of the club banner:
VPPR Mike Weibel, President Diane Kirksey, VPM Keri Boyce, Secretary
Victoria Perez, SAA Jennifer Huch, and Treasurer Frank Kozel
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Benjamin Vincent's beautiful (first?) plate of Mexican food shortly after
the officer-installation ceremony at Steve and Janice Patterson's house.
Long-time club member John Sessions conversing during dinner
with fairly new member Luke Donev
Conversation at the dinner table: Keri Boyce explaining something
to Victoria Perez, Jim Wolff, Diane Kirksey, Vicky Tamez, and me
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Big “D” Toastmasters Club officers for July-December 2010: (top) VPPR Mike Weibel, Secretary Victoria Perez, Treasurer Frank Kozel, and Sergeant-at-Arms Jennifer Huch; (bottom) President Diane Kirksey (also holding VPE Joseph Pezanowski's certificate) and VPM Keri Boyce. (The brown part with writing is District 50's theme and logo “Dare to Succeed.”)
Congratulations and good luck!
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Officer Installation Meeting and Dinner Party
The regular meeting of the Big “D” Toastmasters on July 1, 2010, convened at the home of now-Immediate Past President Steve Patterson at 6:30 p.m. and was called to order at 6:40 p.m.with 28 members present for the purpose of vetting and inducting Shawnda Corker who just couldn’t wait to join! This brief business session then adjourned at 6:50.
At 7:07, the host called us back and introduced Distinguished Toastmaster Lee King, the new governor of Area 31, and his assistant Zhanat Elliston. (He was my Metro Division colleague last  year as governor of Area 32.) Lee recognized the club’s outgoing officers for January through June 2010 and officially dismissed them. He then called up and inducted each of the incoming officers for the term of July through December 2010—Jennifer Huch, Frank Kozel, Victoria Perez, Mike Weibel,
   
Keri Boyce, Diane Kirksey, and even Joseph Pezanowski in Australia by way of telephone—charging them   with the constitutional duties and expectations of their respective offices. After Diane presented Steve with his past president’s pin, we enjoyed a very good catered Mexican  dinner. With so many members present including all but one of  the 14 who joined before 2009, the club had its first portrait taken since March 2006!
 We were honored by the presence of co-host Janice Patterson and several guests: Louise Smith, Elizabeth Hutchinson, Deniese Sessions—the wives of members Mac, Cliff, and John—plus Wanda Campbell, Clarice Giles, and Ana Tamez. The meeting ended about 8:30 p.m., and a very good, pre-Independence-Day time was definitely had by all!
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  On June 30, her last day in office, then-District Governor Paulette Harvey sent a message to all Toastmasters in District 50. Part of what she said was, “As District 50 Governor, it has been my high honor and privilege to have served you during the 2009-2010 Toastmaster year. ...You have done all you can to ‘Make It Happen’ this year through your completion of your Educational Awards and your Leadership Awards.
“...You are to be congratulated and commended for your dedication and commitment to your own individual and collective quests in Toastmasters. I want you to know that each Member, each Club, each Area, each Division are treasured by me. All of you are FANTASTIC! Each of you are Shining Stars in District 50.
“I wish each of you continued success in your Toastmaster journey, and I pray you take advantage of every opportunity to continue to improve your communication and leadership skills. Don't be afraid to step out and test your newly acquired skills. Please continue to spread the word about Toastmasters and continue to bring in new members and form new clubs for District 50.”
“Even though my journey as your District Governor comes to an end, and the gavel is passed to the next District Governor, I will never forget the teamwork, commitment, and dedication all of you have shown this past year. In closing, I would like to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for helping our District “Make It Happen”.
“Set your dreams, goals, and achievements high as you “Dare to Succeed” in 2010-2011.”
  Throughout the 2009-2010 Toastmasters year, it was a genuine priviledge to serve as an area governor with Susan Gardner who was unquestionably an outstanding lieutenant governor for marketing. She always had new ideas for membership building, really knew what she was talking about, and is key to why nine new clubs chartered despite the tough economy. Before that, she was Southern Division Governor for 2008-2009 and Area 56 Governor for 2007-2008; she is a member of five clubs but doesn't admit (yet) to be a Toastmasteraholic! As District 50's Governor for 2010-2011, she has a clear vision for the coming twelve months to take the inspired momemtum of making things happen that we would not otherwise have thought possible to the next level and daring to succeed regardless of our doubts! Set goals, keep the commitment, and you will succeed. I've heard it said, “You never know what you can do until you try!”
 Danni Babik has been a member of Big “D” Toastmasters since February 2001; after being convinced to become an area governor a couple years later, she discovered she can't get enough of all things Toastmaster. So, now she also belongs to Leadership Lambda Toastmasters as well as the monthly, advanced clubs ProSpeak, Roving '49ers, and Improv Masters of which she is a charter member. Just as I was beginning to learn more about Toastmasters, she was the Fall 2007 Conference Chair. This spring, I was a judge at four area contests, chaired the Area 33 contest, was a ballot-counter for the Metro Division Contests, and simply enjoyed the Plains Division and both district contests; so, now I know why Danni enjoys going to contests so much! Among the many other things she has done in her passion for educational and personal growth through Toastmasters, she was D50's Quality Contest Chair for 2008-2010. At the Spring 2010 Conference, she was given the district's top award, the District 50 Governor's Communication Achievement Award (formerly called the Heart of District 50 Award). Now Danni is District 50's 2010-2011 Lieutenant Governor for Education and Training, constantly urging us to Learn, Grow, and Enjoy Toastmasters (with or without chocolate)!
 Monnica Lamb is someone I am glad to call a friend. She has a terrific sense of humor and credits Toastmasters with getting her to find her potential. I first met Monnica when she was contest master for Big “D”'s club contests in August 2008; at the time, she was governor of Area 45 for 2008-2009. For Metro Division's Spring 2009 Contests, I volunteered to be a sergeant-at-arms, and Monnica was the chief judge. She then served exhuberantly and successfully as Plains Divsion Governor for 2009-2010. Toward the end of my term as an area governor, I enjoyed being in the team for two demo meetings that Monnica headed for clubs on the way to chartering. So, I am very glad for her becoming a member of the district's Senior Three.
Rounding out the district's Senior Seven are Public Relations Officer Georgia Wargetz, Secretary Christine Wilson, Treasurer Timothy Pike, and now-Immediate Past District Governor Paulette Harvey.
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