A Change in Leadership and Celebrating our Success!

We are nearing the end of the 2021-2022 program year and we have accomplished great things as members and as a District. But, before I go into Celebration mode and describe our many accomplishments, I need to tell all of you that there will be a big change for me and for District Leadership for the coming year.

My Resignation as District Director Elect

It is truly with a heavy heart that I share that I have to step down as District Director elect for the 2022-2023 program year. This was not an easy decision to make and I am grateful and feel blessed to have the support of our current Trio Team, our Region 4 Advisor, our Region 4 International Director, and our District Leadership Committee Chair. I have so many things pulling at me right now between family care and obligations, work, and personal concerns and I am just stretched way too thin. I need to step down for my health, to ensure that I am providing the care to my family they need, and to give the commitment to my work that is needed. I feel I am doing the District and myself a disservice if I continue as District Director elect at this time. I have mentioned to the incoming TRIO, I am happy to help with transition and to serve as a resource, I just can’t continue in the leadership role. I am truly trying to do the right thing.

I sought counsel from our Region 4 Advisor, Catherine Secundiak, DTM and she walked the current Trio through the process of appointing a new District Director. The next highest officer, which would be our incoming Program Quality Director, Colleen Marie Kelly, DTM, appoints the next District Director. There were various options, one of them being to appoint the current District Director to serve in a second term. Colleen Marie invited Deb Luu to serve as District Director for a 2^nd term and we are all thrilled that she said yes. Thank you, Deb, for having such a servant’s heart—the members of District 6 are lucky and blessed to have you serve as the District Director for 2022-2023.

It truly has been my honor and privilege to serve the members of District 6.

Cause to Celebrate!

Now to switch gears and offer you a list of items to celebrate – and the year isn’t over! Don’t let up on that gas pedal!

• 97 members have completed a Triple Crown, which is awarded to members who have completed 3 or more educational awards throughout the year. Let’s push past 100 members by the end of June—You can do it!
• 526 members have completed at least one level or Path in Pathways. Again, the year isn’t over, you too could complete a level.
• Club officers made the commitment to attend Club Officer Training to network with their peers across the district (and from around the world) and learn about helpful resources and tips to take back to their clubs. We had 514 officers attend in the fall and 513 officers attend training in the spring.
• We started the program year with 100% of our Division and Area Directors being trained by September 30. Their training continued throughout the year at a total of 5 District Officer Training sessions.
• We offered 13 sessions to 115 attendees during our summer TLI and 18 sessions to 125 attendees during our winter TLI. A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who presented sessions on a variety of topics. And we were HONORED to have 2021 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking Verity Price join us this year!

SPECIAL NOTE on Club Officer Training Credit: Please take a moment to review the Club Officer Training report for Round 2. We can still enter any training credit that may be missing through May 31 for round 2 training. Please contact our Administration Manager, DTM, Linda Brown, at TMLINDABROWN@gmail.com if your training credit for round 2 has not been recorded by May 31.

THANK YOU!

• To Jamie Richter, DTM, I am beyond grateful to you for serving as our Training Director this year. It was such a blessing to walk alongside you as we planned training throughout the year. You have so much talent and insight in the training realm and it was an honor to collaborate and learn from you!
• Thanks to DTM, Zee Ashenafi, for serving as our TLI Chair this year. Through her leadership, she organized two fantastic Toastmasters Leadership Institutes. Zee, your positive attitude, exceptional project management skills and grace under pressure were all phenomenal to witness in action.
• To our Division Directors: DTM Chuck Brunette, DTM Dave Schaal, DTM Paul Lubinski, DTM Emily Hanson, Yer Xiong, Kelly Leibold and to all of our Area Directors. Each of you should receive a standing ovation for your dedication to serving your fellow Toastmasters. Our Division Directors have been a key reason to the success of program quality throughout the year. From leading and collaborating with your teams of Area Directors and providing and organizing club officer training, to conducting successful Division contests and support our members — your commitment and dedication to District 6 is second to none.
• To the Area Directors, THANK YOU for your commitment to making club visits, for the conversations you have held with club officers and members to see how you can provide the best support to your Area’s clubs and for completing helpful club visit reports. You are key to the success of our clubs and we are grateful to you for serving as an Area Director.
• To the District 6 Conference Committee, thank you for your year-long commitment to organizing our first Hybrid conference. Past District Governor, DTM Sharon Rollefson; DTM Nancy Hobbs; District Director, DTM Deb Luu; Club Growth Director, DTM Colleen Marie Kelly.
• To the co-chairs of our Silent Auction Tara Bolanda and Sue Scholz and our Technology Co-Chairs Vince Bullinger and Greg Scholz, thank you for sharing your expertise and running with these areas during the conference. Your gifts and talents were appreciated more than you know.
• Thank you to our conference presenters you provided EXCEPTIONAL learning and growth opportunities for our members on a variety of topics.

Change in Club Leadership

Clubs will hold elections in May or June for the 2022-2023 Club Officer roles. Please remember to submit your new officers via Club Central before June 30. This is important for our District Leaders, especially Area Directors, who will start reaching out to clubs to meet with the new officers. It’s important for World Headquarters to have this information so they may send important information to the proper members serving as officers. Thank you.

With gratitude,

Linda