D47 Sunshiner - October, 2010

The Sunshiner Fall 2010

www.toastmastersd47.org

Inside this Issue Rick Furbush, District Governor Update

2

Pamela Rolle, LGET Update

3

Matt Kinsey, LGM Update

4

Corporate Groups

4-5

District Conference Details

6-9

International Conference Pictures

10-11

Joseph Miller, A True Toastmaster

12

Wence Martin, Man on the Move

13

Cathy Koyanagi, It’s a Blind Thing

14

Mack Payne, How He Earned His DTM

15

Mike Hamlin, We’re All Losers!

16

David Moore, Couple’s Corner

17

Gold Coast 50th Anniversary Party

18

Rick Furbush’s Bahamas Visit

19-20

Publicity Contest

21–24

Bonus Page

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25

Update from Rick Furbush, District Governor State of the District Our District 47 and the Toastmasters in it are doing better than ever!

Two years ago we finished #5 in the world out of 82 Districts. Last year, we were the #2 District in the world second only to the country of India, with their billions of people. That ranking can sometimes be deceiving because it puts a priority on starting new clubs and not as much on the members’ educational accomplishments.

If Toastmasters are winning, they will be finishing their educational manuals, they will be staying in their clubs and they will be starting new clubs. Despite being the 8th largest District in the world, last year we were #1 in CC completions, #1 in AC completions and #1 in Leadership award completions.

So how are we doing this year? First, we have started 7 clubs so far this year! In the 82 Districts in the world, we are, right now, #1 in CC completions (128), #1 in AC completions (64) and #1 in Leadership awards (164).

Cornel Quarterback Rick Furbush leads the District Team to becoming the # 1 District in the World

This is an INCREDIBLE accomplishment! Our goal this year is to be #1 and we are well on the way!

So why is that important to you?

Toastmaster program.

BECAUSE…these metrics actually measure the QUALITY of our

We also put together one of the largest District conferences with a World Champion at each. This fall we expect an all time record of over 400 attendees. You don’t want to miss this conference because, as my football coach used to tell us, “If you want to be the best…you need to be around the best.”

We have a dedicated team of Governors and District Officers working around the clock to make sure that you get the best that Toastmasters has to offer. We also have many dedicated Toastmasters throughout our District leading us to greater heights.

If we are going to be the best of the best, it will have to be a TOTAL team effort. We need your help! Do everything you can to make your fellow Toastmasters’ experience unforgettable.

Rick Furbush, DTM District Governor rickfurbush@mac.com

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Update from Pamela Rolle, Lt. Governor Education & Training Dear Toastmasters and Friends; In a few weeks, we will come together again as a District to attend our 2010 Fall Conference in Miami Florida. We are gearing up for a ‘hot’ ‘hot’ ‘Muy Caliente’ weekend at the Miami Hilton Downtown.

Our speech contestants are preparing for two very exciting contests. Come and give them your full support! Workshop presenters will share a wealth of information during the educational sessions and our Immediate Past District Governor is eager to attend her Roast. It will be a special luncheon she will never forget. At the Roast, we will continue the longstanding and fun tradition of putting our Immediate Past District Governor in the hot seat. Roasters are ready to ‘Chop’ it up with the luncheon guest of honor, Kristina Kihlberg, DTM. The Roast will be followed immediately by the Hall of Fame where we will celebrate the achievements of the 2009-2010 District leaders and recognize them for their outstanding accomplishments that made District 47 # 2 in the world! Come and celebrate with us.

Our keynote speaker and special guest for the weekend is Craig Valentine, the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking. He is extremely excited to present in three separate sessions; Friday evening at the opening ceremony, Saturday afternoon in a general session and on Sunday morning in a live coaching session. Please plan to attend all three sessions.

We are also pleased to have our International Director Dave Hollingshead, DTM attend our Fall Conference on his first official visit to District 47. Dave Hollingshead is no stranger to District 47 and we are honored to have him in our midst to celebrate with us. If you have not had the opportunity to do so, I encourage you to take advantage of purchasing an ad in our keepsake conference book using the link: http://toastmastersd47.org/district-47/conferences/advertise-in-the-conference-program By purchasing an ad, you can advertise your business, organization, or send good wishes to someone special. The keepsake program will be distributed to each attendee of the Toastmasters 2010 District 47 Fall Conference.

Our Division Governors and their teams are still working behind the scenes to make this conference a special event for all our members and guests. Special thanks to our Fall Conference Chair, Jeanine Kinsey, DTM, who worked diligently during the past few months to plan, implement and execute this weekend of learning and fun. Thank you all for your support and commitment to making this Conference a grand affair.

Special thanks to you the members of District 47 for making our Conference a success. We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you during this very special occasion.

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Pamela D. Rolle, DTM

Lt. Governor Education & Training prolle@toastmastersd47.org

Update from Matt Kinsey, Lt. Governor Marketing Hello Fellow Toastmasters, We’ve got lofty goals for new clubs this year. Most of the new clubs that we are currently working on in District 47 are Corporate Clubs.

These are clubs that are sponsored by a company. Organizations including Office Depot, Carnival Cruise Lines, HSBC, and BankAtlantic all utilize the Toastmasters’ program to enhance opportunities for their employees. Are you a member of a Corporate Toastmaster’s club?

One of our past Area Governors, Lou Polur, has a real passion for growing and helping corporate clubs survive and thrive. He is offering a

Matt Kinsey, DTM Lt. Governor Marketing

valuable resource for your club to achieve at the highest levels. I en-

mkinsey@toastmastersd47.org

courage you to join his LinkedIn group.

Corporate Groups—Where Purpose Meets Paycheck

By Lou Polur Careers are made by saying the right thing, the right way, at the right time, to the right person. Project manager. Salesperson. Customer service rep. Contact center supervisor. Accountant. Trainer. Manager. Executive. Every job title carries with it responsibility to get others to act. Isn't that "Speaking With A Purpose"?

Corporate Clubs are where purpose meets paycheck! A new LinkedIn group, "Toastmasters Corporate Clubs" has been created for you who want to take charge of your career. Go to www.linkedin.com.

After you sign-up, request to become a member of the group

“Toastmasters Corporate Clubs”, but don’t forget to LinkIn with me, also.

Strategically the group will focus on helping you achieve workplace and career goals by applying various Toastmasters programs. Members will work together to flesh out your implementation plans and alternatives in the discussions.

Over 30% of the members of the Ceridian St. Petersburg club use Toastmasters for professional development on their HR-Evolution Performance Management Process PMP. To help our managers watch and support our progress, our club website uses Microsoft’s Sharepoint to share agendas, meeting minutes, attendance lists, and other information to show company benefits from participating in the club. Member Carmen Weaver’s manager encouraged her to join the club specifically to help Carmen move into a leadership role. “Applying the suggesPage 4

Where Purpose Meets Paycheck

(continued)

tions from the manuals and [member] evaluations has empowered me to be a stronger speaker.” This greater confidence was rewarded with a team lead position on the Dependent Verification of Eligibility Services team.

LinkedIn’s “Toastmasters Corporate Clubs” group will facilitate sharing specific experiences from our clubs so you can fast-track your careers. Is Speechcraft the best way to get to know managers? Which Success/Leadership or Success/Communication program should be used for HR, management training or marketing the company?

As our member Galen Garrison told me, "The Success/Leadership “Lunch and Learns” presented by Toastmasters were of career value to me. I joined Toastmasters because of them. I probably would never have visited just an ordinary meeting." In less than 3 months, Galen, a Technical Project Manager, attained his Competent Communicator designation and also became Treasurer of the club.

We all have a story about how Toastmasters has changed our lives . How do you use Toastmasters to climb the corporate ladder?

Tell me and the others by becoming a member of the LinkedIn "Toastmasters Corporate Clubs" group. Or, email me at loupolur@gmail.com or lou.polur@ceridian.com

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/ 18th

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Meet the Conference Keynote Speaker Craig Valentine Craig Valentine, MBA, an award-winning speaker and trainer, has traveled the world helping people get remarkable results through effective leadership, communication, and change. He is also a motivational speaker and has spoken in the United States, Taiwan, Canada, Jamaica, Qatar (Doha), England, Bahamas, Hong Kong, China, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Australia giving as many as 160 presentations per year. He is the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking for Toastmasters International, winning out of more than 25,000 contestants in 14 countries.

He has used World Class Speaking strategies to: 

win Salesperson of the Year (3 times) for Glencoe/McGraw-Hill’s Mid-Atlantic Division



become an award-winning management trainer for one of the most prestigious and largest seminar companies in the United States



produce years of 233%, 157%, and 152% of goal for McGraw-Hill



sell more than $8 million in educational resources in a single year



win Events Manager of the Year for the National Small Business Council



win a Congressional Achievement Award from the United States Congress for excellence in communications



earn the Distinguished Alumni Award from Johns Hopkins University



receive hundreds of speaking awards from Toronto to Taipei



help the United Way of Central Maryland reach its $45 million fundraising goal in the year 2000 by training their Loaned Executives to speak

Craig is the President of The Communication Factory, LLC, which is an award-winning company that produces excellent communicators worldwide. A partial list of Craig’s clients include: MIT

Johns Hopkins University

McDonalds Corporation

Circuit City

NASA

CareFirst Blue Cross/ Blue Shield

Social Security Administration

HSBC (Hong Kong)

Principal Financial Group

Washington DC Veteran’s Administration

United Way

Washington DC Housing Authority

DuPont Pharmaceuticals

And many more

Author Craig Valentine is the author of the groundbreaking book, The Nuts and Bolts of Public Speaking, Co-Author of the book, World Class Speaking, and contributing author for the books Guerrilla Marketing on the Front Lines and Success Secrets of the Social Media Marketing Superstars. He has an MBA from Johns Hopkins University and he is certified as a Co-Active Coach and a Guerrilla Marketing Coach. Craig is also the Co-Founder of the World Champion’s Edge program, which helps up-and-coming speakers turn their presentations into profits.

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District 47 Fall Conference 2010 - Workshop Sessions Saturday November 6, 2010 Room - TBA

Room - TBA

4 Generations of Achieving Greatness Toastmasters Here & Through Mentoring Now Karen Novek, DTM Grow Club membership with effective Mentoring

Elizabeth Rodgers

Room - TBA

Room - TBA

Get Organized!

Growing Beyond Your Club

Kathy Furbush, DTM

Vince Treague, DTM

Find out what opportunities Use efficient methods to Maximize member retention coordinate your schedule for await outside the four walls by understanding of your Club maximum productivity generational differences

Resolving Conflict

The "IT" Factor

Humor - The Art of Survival

The ABC's of the YLP

Evelyn Benson

Myrna Brooks, DTM

Shawn Purvis

Anthony Longley, DTM

Youth Leadership - Prepare Steps to maintaining harmony Market your Club using social Make them laugh with today's youth for tomorrow's in business and personal media networks humorous writing techniques opportunities relationships

Become a Sandwich Master

Conquer the ARC

A Magical Means for Members

Help! I Need a Speech Topic

Bob Turel

David Johnson

Kelly Siegel, DTM

Linda Deshauteurs, DTM

Learn effective methods of speech evaluations

Discover keys to becoming an Speechcraft - A great tool to effective communicator boost and recruit membership

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Capture the attention of your audience with the most colorful speech topics

Important message!

Your Voice Counts!

Twice a year, during the District Conferences, there is an important business meeting taking place – the Council Business Meeting.

All Clubs should be represented. The President and VP Education have voting responsibilities at these meetings. If they are not able to attend, they should sign a Proxy for another member of the Club to vote on the Club’s behalf. The Proxy is also available on the D47 website.

At the upcoming Council Business Meeting, held on November 6 th at the Miami Downtown Hilton, we will vote on an important issue.

As a District, we have grown in tremendous speed during the last few years; at the moment, we are already the 7th largest District in the world (out of 81). The recommended size for any District is 100-150 Clubs. At the moment, we have 257 Clubs. With the anticipating growth during the next two years, it’s expected that D47 will reach over 300 Clubs.

Our planning and action starts NOW for an official split by July 1, 2012.

We want to continue to be a highly successful District. After the last split a few years ago, we have been President’s Distinguished District both years and we are on our way again this year.

A smaller District, both geographically and in member size, only benefits the members. That is our main goal – to continue to serve our members so that we all can thrive and become even better communicators and leaders.

For more information about the pending reformation, please visit the District 47 website – www.toastmastersd47.org and listen to the infomercial.

District 47 (not showing Bahamas)

The Reformation Committee has proposed an East/West split. This would make the most sense as we have a natural divide by the large lake and the vast Everglades where no Clubs will ever form.

This suggested split has been voted on by the District Executive Council and approved. Now it’s time for the Clubs to have a say as well. Please attend the Council meeting on Nov 6 and vote!

For more information, please feel free to contact the Reformation Committee Chair Kristina Kihlberg at kkihlberg@toastmastersd47.org Page 9 Page 9

International Convention August 2010, Palm Desert, CA

Rick Furbush, Kristina Kihlberg and Pamela Rolle Page 10 Page 10

Kristina Kihlberg receives award from International President Gary Schmidt

The Celebration Continues!

Page Page11 11

TOASTMASTERS’ STORIES How do I begin…sigh Joseph Miller is a class act!

He always dresses elegantly and speaks eloquently!

He is in a class by himself. A true Toastmaster!

He likes to tell the story of when he retired and tried to keep it a secret from me. But the word got out and he knew I would be calling.

I asked him to help me boom Toastmasters. We needed to start new clubs in our District.

And did he ever!

He was intimately involved in starting our 33 clubs in 2008-09. Last year 2009-10, we as a district started 37 more clubs.

I’ve never met a more dynamic, full of life, spirit than the man we know as Distinguished Toastmaster, Joseph Miller. He likes to refer to us as sidekicks, but it has become much more than that.

He is a true friend to not only Toastmasters but to Kathy and me.

This year, 2010-11, he is the District Parliamentarian and New Club Chair. He is so good, he helped us start 3 clubs in one day, in one company (a new record I think).

Since getting the news three weeks ago of Joseph’s pancreatic cancer, we talked, he said he wanted to leave the way he lived his life, with class and dignity. He didn’t want to put his attention on the illness but wanted to continue to work with me to make our district dream come true. So we work together daily on booming our district.

Joseph Miller, DTM Always Supporting Toastmasters!

To put it in perspective, the last two years with Joseph’s help, out of 81 Districts in the world (116 countries), we were #4 and #2 respectively. Our dream this year is to be the #1 District in the world and whether we make our goal or not, he will always be #1 in our hearts.

Rick Furbush, DTM District 47 Governor

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TOASTMASTERS’ STORIES

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TOASTMASTERS’ STORIES Losing sight in one eye, Cathy Koyanagi had this crazy idea ... an Eye Ball Bash By

Leslie Gray Streeter - Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

For the complete story go to thttp://www.palmbeachpost.com/health/losing-sight-in-one-eye-cathy-koyanagi-had-881742.html

It was on a long, depressing Tri-Rail ride home from yet another procedure to save her dwindling eyesight that Cathy Koyanagi gave up all hope of ever seeing again. And things have been better ever since. "A little sight, or 'maybe,' doesn't cut it. On the train I said 'I can't exist like that.' So I said goodbye to my eye," says Koyanagi, 54, who completely lost sight in her left eye and maintains only partial sight in her right after radiation treatments for a cancerous tumor.

But how she said goodbye, well that's another story. The West Palm Beach professional speaker and parenting skills educator decided to mourn her eye - and her loss of sight - with a kick-butt party. She held a "wake" for her eyeball. Yes, you read that right.

The gathering combined standard instruments of mourning (sympathy cards). But it also had a dress code for guests, requesting they wear patches over their left eyes. Even the dog. The song list? Strictly tunes with the word 'eye' in the title like Eye of the Tiger and Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue. The desserts: cupcakes with googly, gummy eyes on them. A blind musician played the piano.

There were toasts. One of the blind guests said, "I'll be seeing you, Left Eye ... Wait, I can't see, either!" There was laughter and tears. And Koyanagi's friends - both sighted and blind - had a chance to marvel at her strength.

In the year since she began losing her sight, Koyanagi, a Hawaii native, has reclaimed her life and her strength. A dedicated member of Toastmasters, she started the Toastmaster Gavel Club for the Blind and Visually Impaired at Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches.

Cathy is also a member of Gold Coast Toastmasters in Palm Beach Gardens.

The wake was a formal way of explaining her decision to move on with her life, and the Toastmasters chapter is a way of continuing to embrace it. "Toastmasters is a whole other arena, of learning self-confidence," she says. "I want others to do it."

And her family is on board as well. Her husband, David Clarke, is currently working on an auditory timing signal for blind speakers who can't see the traditional lights used in Toastmasters, and daughter Whitney, 24, (and a member of Hobe Sound Toasters Toastmasters) is training to be her mother's sighted guide.

There are things that Koyanagi misses, like reading while lying in bed, reading the expression on people's faces when she's said something witty, or driving.

"They won't let me. It's a blind thing," she jokes.

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TOASTMASTERS’ STORIES What it Takes to Earn the Distinguished Toastmasters Award

By Christy Swift, Highlands Today Newspaper—published August 23, 2010

While public speaking remains the number one fear, trumping even death in polls, Mack Payne, experienced Toastmaster, says anyone can beat it. As Payne put it jokingly, "The guy speaking at the funeral is having a harder time than the guy in the box."

"I was like a lot of people. If I ever had to speak in public, I would almost go into convulsions," Payne admitted. Just last month Payne was awarded the Distinguished Toastmasters Award (DTM) by Toastmasters International. The DTM is the highest recognition a member can receive, and less than 1 percent of all members achieve it. In order to earn the award, Payne had to give 40 speeches and execute on a number of leadership projects. One of his favorite speeches that helped him achieve the award was a speech on liberty given to the Toastmasters club in Wauchula, a club he also helped found.

He attended his first Toastmasters club meeting with a friend while living in Naples in the '80s. Payne then started his own bottled water business, moved to Lake Placid in 2004, and sold the business in 2006. After selling his business, Payne decided to get involved with Toastmasters again, and was dismayed to find that there was no club in the area.

While he was giving the Tampa office a hard time on the phone about it, the woman on the other end responded with, "Why don't you start one?" "My initial reaction was, are you crazy? But then I thought, that's what I do. I'm an entrepreneur," Payne said. Working with other interested locals, Payne started the Sebring Toastmasters Club in 2008. But Payne felt there wasn't enough support from the higher levels of the hierarchy, and the Sebring club felt isolated from the nearest supporting areas in Orlando and on the east and west coasts. "We were sort of like orphaned children. It was hard to get anyone from the division to come and see us. If we had our own area, we could have all the activities we were missing out on," Payne figured.

Payne then decided to start his own area, which needed to consist of four clubs. So, he launched both the Hardee County Toastmasters club in Wauchula and the Lake Placid club six months later. These were followed by the Desoto club in Arcadia.

Payne was later asked to serve as a division governor, and that's when he decided to try for the DTM award. "I was determined to do it, so I went for it. It's an amazing thing!" Payne, a U.S. Army veteran who has won awards and honors for his service in Vietnam said he was more proud of the DTM distinction than any of the military awards he has achieved.

"I just appreciate this so much not only because of what it took to get it, but the good this organization is doing," said Payne. "I call it Toastmasters magic," said Payne. "I get excited because I've seen too many people get better. I know that if people can speak better, they can be more successful, and we all gain."

"I'm still not one of these spell-binding speakers, but it's almost like who cares, I enjoy it. If you get the right subject, it's fun," smiled Payne. "If I could do it, anybody can do it.

Good speaking is a quality that everybody needs. If you can communicate better you're going to do a better job of what you're trying to do," said Payne.

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TOASTMASTERS’ STORIES WHAT A BUNCH OF LOSERS!

by Michael Hamlin, CC, CL VPE Suncoast Toastmasters Last January I attended the Division C Toastmaster Leadership Training Institute at the University of Tampa. Lance Miller, the 2005 World Champion of Public Speaking was the keynote speaker.

Lance Miller began his presentation by asking who in the audience had ever competed in a Toastmaster contest.

About half the room raised their hands.

“How many of you have won a contest”? Only a few hands remained in the air.

“How many of you have lost in a speaking competition”? All hands were raised again.

“What a bunch of losers”! He chided.

Lance Miller explained that one never loses when one competes. Competition is the fundamental building block of speaking success. I had been presenting speeches in my Suncoast Toastmaster Club for a year and thought I was getting pretty good at it. But I had never entered a contest, so I really did not understand what he was talking about. That all changed this summer when I entered the Humorous Speech Contest, coming in second at the Club level and first at the Area level. I now have a much broader comprehension of Miller’s message.

At the Club level, I had been writing scripts, practicing them 10 to 15 times, giving the speech, and moving on to the next project. Contest participation forced me to roll up my shirtsleeves and dedicate myself in a way not previously required. I learned three important lessons about speech craft during this process that I will now share.

1

First lesson, listen! After preparing my script I sent it out to a half dozen friends to review. While most of the feedback was not constructive, it was wonderful for my self-confidence. I attended a workshop organized by Kathy Furbush, DTM from Pros Like Us, to polish scripts, led by our local Humorous Speech guru, Shawn Purvis.

Later, I invited Shawn out for dinner in exchange for reviewing and editing my script. There are a plethora of expert and advanced Toastmasters around who are willing to help colleagues along. You just have to figure out how to access this gold mine.

2

Second lesson, practice! Practice in front of your bathroom mirror, practice until your pets look at you with malice in their eyes, and practice in various locations. I personally favor parking garages. Most importantly, especially for comedy, practice in front of people. The sense of timing, of what is and is not funny, and the confidence needed to do the job are best learned from friends. I have never heard a “no” when I’ve asked friends, “Do you want to hear a speech?” I’ve practiced in Respiratory Therapy Departments and I’ve abused friends who unwittingly accepted dinner invitations to my house. In fact, a revised ending to my Humorous Speech Contest presentation, which added tremendously to the humor and overall effectiveness, came by way of suggestions from the chefs at Apron’s Cooking School when I practiced for them.

3

Third lesson, stick with it! Although you may become bored and wonder if there is anything at all funny about the speech, it is essential to keep pushing on. And continue to take it to new audiences. My poet friend convinced me to try it out at an open mike in Ybor City, where I received a wonderfully gratifying response from the audience. The open mike venue made all the work on Lessons 1 and 2 more than worth it.

While all this preparation was just for one contest, the lessons I learned about speech writing and delivery as well as about myself were extremely valuable. If you have never entered a contest before, perhaps it is time for you to jump on board the next train. The International Speech Contest is right around the corner. Competitive speaking is a lot of work, but the payoff is well worth it.

Well, there were many losers in the Lance Miller audience that Saturday morning. Every person in that room who did not raise a hand, and I was one of them, had lost out on something. Luckily for me, I found it!

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COUPLE’S CORNER BALLROOM DANCING is TOASTMASTERS FOR YOUR FEET

By David Moore, ACG, ALB My wife, Karen and I were strolling past a row of store front windows, looking for information about where our favorite antique and gift shop had moved, and what might have moved in. We looked in the window and were amazed to see couples dancing where we had just shopped for cards and gifts only a few weeks earlier. There was a beautiful wood dance floor where once was a store broken up into a dozen small display areas. The walls that were once covered in dried flower wreaths and tacky stretch prints were now mirrors; floor to ceiling!

We went inside, much to my apprehension. In one corner a group lesson was taking place, lead by a gorgeous, young, Latin girl. Things were looking up; maybe I was born to dance! In the center of the floor there was a private lesson (a pro and a student). They looked as good as any dancers you would see on Dancing With the Stars; unbelievable! We watched intently; I was watching the group lesson (instructor) Karen was watching the professional. I knew I was in trouble when Karen leaned over and whispered in my ear “I want to do that”. That was just the beginning.

Group lessons are the place to start, so we signed up. I was excited about this because I had already seen the class and knew what (who) to expect. You can only imagine my shock when we arrived for our first beginner’s lesson; there was no cute, young, Latin girl: our instructor was a tall, dark, slender, Russian man. Wow did this ever backfire. I asked, “Where’s the girl? “ My new friend answered in a thick Russian accent, “she teaches only the advanced students, get in line!”

We learned a lot from our Russian professional in our group lessons; enough to go out and look like we could dance; go around the dance floor without hurting ourselves or anyone else; I was done: not Karen. Remember, “I want to do that”? Well she still wanted more, I didn’t. You have Toastmasters, I want to dance.

This is when I realized; the Toastmasters educational path and the competitive dancing path are similar. Dancers start out as beginners; trying to achieve their first designation, which happens to be Bronze; just like Toastmasters. A Bronze dancer can dance certain steps, has gained enough experience to do some small tricks and spins, just like Toastmasters. A Silver dancer has learned and can perform more tricks, lifts and more complicated routines, just like a Silver Toastmaster. A ballroom dancer that has earned the Gold designation can do it all.

Karen has moved through her ballroom dancing career at the same pace I have in Toastmasters. She is dancing Gold, I am speaking Gold. Karen and I have both competed. Karen listens to my speeches and I help her with her dance routines.

We are both in the middle of competition season. While I competed in an Area contest representing my “home” club; Sunset Speakers, Karen was in Orlando at the United States Dance Sport Championships. From the looks of our trophy case, I should make room because one of use is coming home with the Gold!

Karen & her dance partner, Herb

Whether you are dancing to a slow melodious waltz or a jacked up swing; it’s the same as speaking with a slow and deliberate pace or getting crazy in Table Topics. it’s the same; Toastmasters is dancing with your voice; Ballroom is dancing with your feet.

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CLUB EVENTS Hurricane Donna 1960 and the Gold Coast

By Barbara Strasdas, ACB, CL One of the all-time great hurricanes, Donna was first detected as a tropical wave moving off the African coast on August 29. It became a tropical storm over the Atlantic the next day and a hurricane on September 1. Donna followed a general west-northwestward track for the following five days, passing over the northern Leeward Islands on the 4th and 5th as a Category 4 hurricane and then to the north of Puerto Rico later on the 5th. Donna turned westward on September 7 and passed through the southeastern Bahamas. A northwestward turn on the 9th brought the hurricane to the middle Florida Keys the next day at Category 4 intensity.

While the population of Florida was battling a storm that blew through in a few days, Toastmaster International was processing the charter for Gold Coast Toastmasters, Club 2727 in northern Palm Beach County. History recorded the early part of September 1960 and stories of the hurricane survive but the history of Club 2727 continues to grow and strive thanks to the strong leadership of its members over the past 50 years.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of its charter, 90 people came to the Marriott in Palm Beach Gardens on Friday September 24th to recognize this achievement of longevity and strength. The attendees included the Mayor of Palm Beach Gardens David Levy, District 88 State Representative Mark Pafford, and Martin County Commissioner Patrick Hayes, Past District 47 Governor Kristina Kihlberg and PRO Myrna Brooks, former and current Gold Coast Toastmasters. Gary Roberts (Past President FSA) presented the keynote speech with bits of humor, magic and motivational messages.

Marilyn Monroe (aka Kathleen Gemme, from

Hobe Sound Toasters) stopped by to sing a special Anniversary song to the enraptured audience. The event included a champagne toast, dinner, raffle, the funky chicken and other fun dances provided by Rich Otten and Dancensound.

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CLUBS CHARTERED New Club for the Bahamas BAF Stars Toastmasters Club 1504246, a new corporate club formed at BAF Financial, Nassau Bahamas in June, 2010, held its Charter ceremony and officer installation ceremony on Wednesday October 6, 2010. The club, started by Immediate Past Area 81 Governor, Glennette Reckley, DTM got off to a fast start with over 30 charter members. The event was well attended by club members as well as Toastmasters from other Division I clubs and special guests. Also in attendance were District 47 LGET Pamela D. Rolle, DTM, Kathy Furbush, wife of District 47 Governor Rick Furbush, Godfrey Springer DTM, Advisor to the District Governor; and Anthony Longley, DTM, District 47 Youth Leadership Chair. The presentation of charter and charter member certificates was conducted by District Governor Rick Furbush, assisted by LGET Rolle.

Following the charter ceremony, held at the Sheraton Hotel, Down Town, the club executive officers were formally installed by Area 87 Governor Nadia H. Johnson and Division I Governor Demekas Foster, DTM. Pesident Karlos Mackey's charge was then read by DG Rick Furbush who also pinned him with his club President's pin along with a District 47 pin. A reception followed this exciting event.

Karlos Mackey, Rick Furbush & BAF Financial

Karlos Mackey is installed as BAF Stars Club President

President & CFO, I. Chester Cooper, DTM

by Rick Furbush

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CLUB EVENTS Rick Furbush Makes Official Visit to Bahamas Rick Furbush, DTM accompanied by his wife Kathy Furbush, DTM made his official visit to the Bahamas October 5-8th, since assuming the office of District 47 Governor on July 1, 2010.

Included in his busy itinerary of events was a visit to the First Bahamas Branch of Toastmasters Club 1600 on Thursday October 7, 2010. The club was chartered in 1969 and is still going strong with more than 65 members. In his address to the huge audience of guests and members, including 10 club Past-Presidents and 4 Past-Division I Governors, DTM Furbush congratulated the officers and members on their continued success and thanked them for their usual contribution to the legacy of District 47. Also in attendance were LGET Pamela D. Rolle, DTM and Division I Governor, Demekas Foster, DTM, and Area Governors, Natasha Russell and Wence Martin.

DTM Rick Furbush marked the special occasion with presentations of a District 47 pin to club President Ernesto Gongora and a DTM Medallion to Past-Division Governor Clement Foster, DTM. Division I Governor 2009-2010, Anthony "Tony" Longley, DTM observed that DTM Foster was not wearing a DTM medallion at several District conferences. On learning the he actually did not own one, DTM Longley purchased a DTM Medallion for Foster while attending the International Convention in August. He asked District Governor Furbush if he would kindly present it to DTM Foster on his visit to Club 1600. DTM Foster has been a member of club 1600 for 35 years. Photos Courtesy of Club 1600 PR show:

Clement Foster, DTM; District Governor, Rick Furbush, DTM; Tony Longley, DTM Immediate Past-Division I Governor.

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Club 1600 President, TM Ernesto Gongora and District Governor, Rick Furbush, DTM

“Don’t Just Get Game, GET “IT”… The “IT Factor” Do you have the Personality, Presence, Magnetism, And Relationship Skills that you can MORE EFFECTIVELY ATTRACT, INFLUENCE, WIN OVER AND LEAD OTHERS? What’s your “IT Factor"? 

Some people are present at a party or at a function - but nobody notices them. They are present - but they have no presence.

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Have you ever noticed how some people look right past you sometimes as if you weren’t even there; as if you were unimportant and didn’t really matter? How did that make you feel?

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Have you ever met someone and instantly took a liking towards them? You can’t explain why, but you like them and you want to do things to help them.

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In a job interview, you are more likely to be hired if the interviewer likes you as a person. In a business situation, you are more likely to get deals done and gain favors. In a personal situation, you are more likely to gain trust and loyal friendships.

What is your “IT Factor”? what are the qualities of a person with the “IT Factor” , Why do you, or I want it, and most importantly, how do you get IT? The “IT Factor” is the ability to: create and strengthen your leadership style so that others are attracted, influenced, and won over to your way of thinking.

Let me say that another way… It is about - Developing Your Personality, Presence, Magnetism, And Relationship Skills so that you can MORE EFFECTIVELY ATTRACT, INFLUENCE, WIN OVER AND LEAD OTHERS. District 47’s publicity focus is the “IT Factor” and how you can get the “IT Factor” through the development of effective communication, effective listening and rapport creation; habits that will enable you to become an extraordinarily influential force in other people’s lives.

It’s time for you to assess your ‘IT FACTOR”. Do you have “IT?”… If not, you can learn how to increase your “IT FACTOR” and live a fulfilling life where you can be the unique superstar you were born to be.

“Don’t Just Get Game, GET “IT”… The “IT” factor!

Attend Myrna Brooks’ Workshop Saturday at the Fall Conference and discover step-bystep how you can use social media and real world strategies to remove self imposed limitations, open up your possibilities and learn the power of your IT Factor!

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INSIDE STORY HEADLINE

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The Sunshiner—Fall 2010 Share your Stories and Pictures!

Publisher Rick Furbush, DTM Editor Brooke Samples

District 47 Executive Officers for 2010-2011

This page doesn’t have to be blank. If you have a Toastmasters’ story you want to share, please send it Myrna Brooks at mbrooks@toastmastersd47.org or to Brooke Samples at bsamples@toastmastersd47.org . If I don’t hear from you, I’ll end up filling The Sunshiner with pictures of my dog (and I’ve got a lot of pictures).

Brooke Samples, Editor

If your club dresses for Halloween, how about sharing some meeting pictures?

DG LGET LGM PRO Secretary Treasurer IPDG

Rick Furbush Pamela Rolle Matt Kinsey Myrna Brooks Lori Stephens Jim Ellis Kristina Kihlberg

District 47 Leaders District Org Officer Parliamentarian SAA Webmaster Division A Governor Division B Governor Division C Governor Division D Governor Division E Governor Division F Governor Division G Governor Division H Governor Division I Governor

Kathy Furbush Joseph Miller Ron Rice Jeanine Kinsey Robert Rizzo Francis Molina Tatanisha Bennett Hieu Huynh Tony Vivaldi Steve Zeris Vicki Wayne Jenelle Taylor Demekas Foster

The Mission of the District is to enhance the performance and extend the network of clubs, thereby offering greater numbers of people the opportunity to benefit from the Toastmasters educational program by: Focusing

on the critical success factors as specified by the district educational and membership goals

Ensuring

that each club effectively fulfills its responsibilities to its members

Providing

effective training and leader-

ship development opportunities for club and district officers The Sunshiner is a publication of District 47 Toastmasters. Reproduction of articles is strictly prohibited without the express permission of the District 47 Governor. Toastmasters International and Toastmasters International emblems are trademarks of Toastmasters International registered in the United States, Canada and many other countries.

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