The Gavel - April 2020
| Click here for 2020-21 District Leadership Candidates Corner | |
 To read the TI letter on COVID-19 extensions, click here To read the TI letter on the International Convention in Paris, click here To read more from D60, click here. | COVID-19 Updates Check on updates regarding District events and other matters of concern to the members of District 60. - D60 Conference cancelled! - Online meeting tools - Dues renewal extension - DTM and ALS legacy program extension - TI International Convention in Paris deferred to 2021 |
| Pathways to Success Dianna’s initial impression of Pathways was not very good. She said, “At first, I was very unhappy that there was no recognition or carry over of the level achieved in the legacy program. My plan to achieve DTM in the next 3 years was gone, as I was working on ACS and ALS at the time. I had to start all over again. One year to finish the program was not enough, it was arbitrary and I felt that exceptions could have been provided for members who had DTM in sight. There was so much negative feedback on how clumsy the user interface was and I didn’t have any initial positive impression of the program.” After a great deal of self-discovery, she came to the conclusion that starting over would give her an opportunity to redo everything she had done, just better. Dianna commented, “Toastmasters is a journey and I could apply everything previously learned to these new projects to make them even better." |  Read the rest of Dianna's story here. To learn more about Pathways trainers, click here |
Mind Expanding Speech Evaluations To learn more, click here. | The greatest benefit that Toastmasters provides for communication development is feedback. Hearing about your speech strengths and areas for improvement serve to enhance vital speech skill building. Our primary means for receiving positive ‘critique’ is through the speech evaluations. In three minutes, a club member will share their impressions and generate ideas for how to make the speech better. Is three minutes enough? Do speakers hear suggestions that can take their abilities to the next level? This challenge is difficult to satisfy even by experienced club evaluators, let alone newer members to Toastmasters. |
| Pathways Designations Carol Prahinski, International Director 2018-2020, and Danielle Mitchell, TI Club Quality and Member Support Director, have provided an overview of how the Pathways TI credentials work. Traditional education program award credentials: - Communication award credential followed by Leadership award credential Pathways award credentials: - Only the most recently achieved award will show - Any Pathways award credential overwrites a traditional education program award credential (both Communication and Leadership) - DTM overwrites all education award credentials, whether traditional program or Pathways |  Examples: - Mike Smith ACG, ALS completes Level 1 in Motivational Strategies: -- Mike Smith MS1 - Mike completes the Motivational Strategies path: -- Mike Smith MS5 - Mike Smith MS5 begins a new path Team Collaboration and completes Level 1: -- Mike Smith TC1 - Mike Smith TC1 submits for his DTM in the traditional education program: -- Mike Smith DTM -- Regardless of any further education awards Mike completes after his DTM: Mike Smith DTM |
SickKids TM Club Goes Virtual | The SickKids Toastmasters Club is successfully hosting virtual meetings. To date, they’ve had a turn out of about 10 people per meeting, and have experienced some positive outcomes. For example, learning online conferencing skills, becoming comfortable talking via computer, gaining proficiency at the technical aspects (audio, video, connectivity, and sharing powerpoints online) and learning to present speeches sitting down, instead of standing. The club enjoys meeting virtually. Core members are regularly attending (even virtually) and taking up roles. Newer members are participating and taking up roles as well. The SickKids Toastmasters Club was first chartered in 2005, with main members from the SickKids Foundation. Soon after, the club opened to include members from the whole SickKids community and members from the nearby downtown area. In the past 14 years, The SickKids Toastmasters Club has helped hundreds of members in overcoming their public speaking fear, language and culture barriers, and improve self-esteem and speaking skills. Through mutual support and encouragement, members develop the skills and confidence and grow both personally and professionally. |
| Hosting an Online Meeting Hosting meetings online doesn't have to be daunting. Participants require a computer, tablet, or phone (smart or otherwise, the latter only allows for verbal participation). Plus an online meeting platform (such as Zoom, GoToMeetings or Skype), some time and patience. Other things remain the same: pre-planning roles, providing the agenda (and online meeting platform details) ahead of time. How does the timer role work remotely? The timer can hold up coloured cards or use the platform’s chat function to type out the colours. Participants can provide feedback to speakers by private chat (on or off the platform) or email. Online meeting common courtesies include: - Muting your microphone unless you’re speaking or clapping (you can also use the platforms ‘reaction’ buttons to indicate clapping). - Looking directly into the camera when speaking - Dressing respectfully (neat, clean, and tasteful) - Avoid personal grooming while attending (you’re on camera after all) - Ensure your background is appropriate |  To see TI’s tips on hosting online meetings, click here To see the TI article on hosting online meetings, click here |
| Newly Chartered Club IBI Smart City Speakers Introducing IBI’s Smart City Speakers Toastmasters Club! IBI Group is a global architecture, engineering, planning, and technology firm creating the intelligent systems, sustainable buildings, and efficient infrastructure of tomorrow. IBI’s industry presents plenty of opportunity for public speaking. The club was started with the intention of supporting our peers in improving their public speaking skills and developing their confidence during professional presentations. IBI’s Toronto office has nearly 800 employees across many different disciplines. In late January of this year, the Club’s Toastmaster Champion, Margaret Parkhill, Associate Director in Transportation Engineering, convinced 40 IBIers to give up their lunch hour once a week and challenge themselves to grow. Six successful in-person sessions followed — before the Covid-19 crisis began. Luckily, the IBI office was well-equipped to move online and without skipping a beat, we resumed our regular weekly sessions with the help of Microsoft Teams. After a bit of technical adjustment, IBI is now two months into their Toastmaster journey, and learning something new every week. Membership is limited to IBI staff, but welcome guests to check out what we’ve been up to! |  |
| 2020-2021 NOMINATED CANDIDATES: - To see the nominated candidates for 2020 - 2021, click here. | INCENTIVES: - Pathways Member Incentives: various awards (pins, notebooks, etc.) for different levels of Path completion - For more on D60 incentives programs, click here. |
| SPECIAL INCENTIVES FOR CLUB SUCCESS: - Club Buddy Program: Add 5 new members to the Little Buddy Club between Feb 1 and Jun 30, 2020 to receive a US$25 TI gift certificate for each Club - Membership Renewal: When a club sends in their spring renewals on time, then every member in that club is eligible to receive the audiobook "As A Man Thinketh" by James Allen and free access to Mark Bowden's Presentation Skills for Leaders training - For more on D60 incentives programs, click here | UPCOMING EVENTS: - District Realignment Vote: The fourth draft will be voted on by members of the District Council on April 18 for implementation on July 1, 2020. To see the impact on your club, download the Alignment Proposal, click here. - Go to Upcoming Events Calendar |
 | What's Happening in D60 North York Project Management virtual meeting (shown), Advanced 60 Speakers Club; Bay Street Breakfast Club, IBI Smart City Speakers More happenings. |
