The Sunshiner- Final Edition

Issue No. 10

JUNE 2021

THE SUNSHINER DISTRICT 47'S OFFICIAL NEWS DESK

TOASTMASTER VS UFOS!

NO APOLOGIES

DAVIE TOASTMASTERS YLP

T A B L E

O F

CONTENTS Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Page 3 A Message From The District Director Page 4 A Message From the Program Quality Director Page 5 Finito- Dudley Turnquest Thank You Sunshiners- Ernesto Williams Page 6 Toastmasters Versus UFO- Marlene Smith Page 7 Stars Align towards the Golden Gavel -Abby Martinez Page 8 Davie Toastmasters Volunteer for Youth Leadership Program- Luiz Bravim Page 9 Kudos To Us- Shveta Kumar The Apology Clan- Marlene Smith Page 10 Credits & Notifications Page

FROM THE DESK OF THE PROGRAM QUALITY DIRECTOR District 47, On behalf of the entire Program Quality team thank you for a year of growth, expansion and significant accomplishment. This year brought on the challenges but we remained unified and committed to an elevated member experience. As of today (June 21, 2021) we are 2 clubs shy of attaining President Distinguished status in Program Quality Excellence.

With a few more days to go I know we will hit the mark!! We have so much to be proud of District 47. We all showed up and showed the Toastmasters world who we really are. I know we are strengthen and educated to do even greater in the new Toastmasters year and so I am honored and excited to continue the journey as your incoming District Director.

I look forward to the sky becoming our floor as we reach even higher heights together.

Shakira Taylor

Shakira Taylor, DTM Program Quality Director District Director Elect 2021-2022 3 | THE SUNSHINER

Thank You Sunshiners

ERNESTO WILLIAMS

This 2020-2021 Toastmasters Year was a peculiar one, but not because of the global panorama we are facing, or the massive calamaties that have shaken our families, or the slow recovery that our economies are crawling through. In all actuality, it's because of the EXCELLENCE that was still required of District 47 through RESPECT, SERVICE & INTEGRITY, and how we delivered it despite such odds. The 2020-2021 Sunshiner Team is no different. I may be biased, but this team showcased the true worldwide, modernistic, and refreshing image of District 47 that nations of the world needed to see. No longer was District 47's yearround likeness to be handled by one individual with an expired Microsoft Publisher Account.

Instead, the image of The District was expanded this year through multimedia - a Newsletter and a Newscast - and was operated by a team of 3 lead editors (graphics, copy, and production), 2 writers, 2 columnists, 1 news anchor, 1 script editor, and 1 video editor. What a blessing! DTM Glenisha Albury's eye and passion for graphic design, TM Ryan Kelly Sr.'s editing and linguistic sculpting expertise, TM Abby Martinez's energy and soul in reviews, TM Luiz Bravim's intellectual love of the success for all, TM Dudley Turnquest's humorous and adorable sharing, TM Shveta Kumar's innovative style and flair, TM Taimak Saunders' professional and studious acumen, TM Irwinique Storr & DTM Elbert Thompson's captivating voices, DTM Antoinette Fox's expertise and willing heart, and TM L. Robert Knowles' resilient and creative spirit - all of our excellence came together as one team to bring the success of the Sunshiner across the globe. I salute you. I recognize and bow to you. This is for you, my fellow Sunshiners. Once again, we have served our District well, and we have proven to the world that District 47 is where it is at. Thank you for letting me lead you as your Editor-InChief, and thank you - viewers - for being with us every step of the way. It's only up from here!

FINITO

DUDLEY TURNQUEST

“It has been a long and wacky ride. A ride so wacky that it was absolutely infectious.

That’s right: it’s that season where things come to an end for most of us, that period known as graduation. It’s a bittersweet time of year.

Friends depart from each other to possibly never see each other again, work groups shuffle around, and suddenly everyone you’re used to seeing feels hard to reach.

Despite all that, it is most importantly a season of change. A season in which after closing one door, another opens. It’s horrifying, because change is always horrifying, but it’s also beautiful.

It’s a sign that all your effort, all your hard work, has culminated in your becoming a better version of yourself. The journey is not over, though. You’ve finished one mile, only 999 more miles to go.

For now, however, take a breath and savor the moment. You’ve worked hard for it, so take the time to congratulate yourself on making progress to attaining the best version of you.

3 | THE SUNSHINER

TOASTMASTERS

MARLENE SMITH

Welcome to the bout of Toastmasters versus the UFOs. In this corner, the confident public speaker, the Toastmaster. In the opposite corner, the UFOs or Undesirable Figures of Speech, the apology clan. This clan has a set of triplets, Anxious Apology, Sorry Sot, and Oopsy Daisy.

First up for introduction, the triplet Anxious Apology. This triplet loves to apologize for anything, everything, at any time. Anxious Apology spews those 2 words “I apologize.”

These words mean I did not do a good job. The audience then questions the speaker.

Anxious Apology loves to confuse the audience, redirecting the listener to wherever.

Next up, Sorry Sot.“I’m so sorry” phrase is Sorry Sot’s motto. Sorry Sot lives and thrives on negativity, disputing the speaker’s authenticity. Sorry Sot’s home is in song lyrics, not in a Toastmaster meeting.

Finally, there is Oopsy Daisy. Oopsy Daisy happens every day because perfection does not exist. However, no Toastmaster intentionally does an Oopsy Daisy. Admitting an Oopsy Daisy is similar to beating yourself up; it’s degrading and serves no purpose. When the Oopsy Daisy pops up, like a weed in the lawn, give it no recognition. At times, I incorporate the Oopsy Daisy into the message, thereby adding humor. Audiences will chuckle with you.

These UFOs are not invited and have no reason to ever attend Toastmasters meetings.

Every single person who attends a Toastmasters meeting contributes to the best of his or her ability.

Next time you feel the need to invite one of the apology clan into a bout, pause, smile, and just say no. When you hear an apology, sweetly and with confidence, say, “No apology needed.” In the Toastmasters versus UFOs bout, Toastmasters win every time with respect, integrity, service, and excellence. No apology needed.

4 | THE SUNSHINER

Stars Align Towards the Golden Gavel The strength of a team can lead to wonderful achievements Abby Martinez This year, District 47 experienced the most challenging year to survive, motivate, and inspire Toastmasters members throughout South Florida and the Bahamas. Living through a pandemic, health complications, and economic setbacks, we witnessed 4 clubs continue to thrive. Strong leadership and member collaboration sprouted a desire to become better leaders and speakers, creating an atmosphere of team spirit that made pursuing the Golden Gavel natural.

There are 7 key points to fulfill to achieve the Golden Gavel and three seem like challenging tasks under regular circumstances and almost impossible in pandemic times. Big obstacles included attracting new members during a pandemic and successfully engaging them via virtual meetings.

In addition, programs that were typically conducted in person -Youth Leadership Program and Speechcraft Program, now had to be done virtually.

However, as the challenges presented themselves to each club, the stars seemed to align.

The clubs seemed be checking items off their list and the impossible suddenly seemed possible. “We discovered that we were closer than we thought and only needed to complete 1 or 2 items from the list of requirements,” said Arlene Preudhomme, President of West Pines Toastmaster Club, Golden Gavel recipient.

As president this past year, I must add that our entire leadership team came together to achieve this honor. Lilly Lei, the VPE led our Speechcraft Program and the club witnessed tremendous growth with new members signing up. Howard Barouxis, the VPM led a successful membership drive all year long allowing the club to diversify even more.

Additional award recipients include Club Power Speakers and First Bahamas Branch of Toastmasters.

As a seasoned toastmasters once said, “What you put into the club, is what you get out of it.” Today, let’s salute leadership in teamwork. Let the stars align.

Davie Toastmasters Volunteer for Youth Leadership Program

LUIZ BRAVIM

John Schneyer first researched Toastmasters after securing his first job in 1978. He did not join until 2009 after moving to Florida. It was Matt Kinsey, DTM, a professional colleague of John’s, who invited him to Boca Raton Toastmasters all those years later.

John has gone on to serve as an area director, earn two DTM Awards, 14 C.L.s, 14 C.C.s, and represent District 47 in multiple speech contests, including the District International and Evaluation Contests.

John’s pearls of wisdom on years of Toastmasters competition and training: “I have competed in a lot of contests and never tasted disappointment. This is an educational organization. I always learn something. I’ll take that over a trophy any day.” While John is open to feedback, he has strong feelings about staying authentic, something that came through in his two most recent performances.

Chanel Williams is an urban planner from the Bahamas. Introverted by nature, she was encouraged to compete in the Table Topics contest at the club level after performing well at a regular meeting co-hosted by a visiting Toastmaster from Hawaii. Chanel joined Toastmasters in December of 2020 to find confidence in her voice. She progressed rapidly, winning her club, area, and division Table Topics contests. Chanel competed at the district Table Topics contest with just six months’ experience.

Aniela McGuinness never felt ready to compete until encouraged by Terry Spencer, a district champion and mentor from Davie Toastmasters. She won accolades for an upbeat, self-deprecating performance that incorporated flexible body language and frequent rapport with her audience. Aniela’s advice for speaking virtually: “Look at the little boxes, really try to see them.” Aniela was the runner-up in both the district’s International Speech and humorous contests.

All four district speech contests were talent-rich, with Godfrey McAllister winning Table Topics for a record fourth time. Godfrey is currently working on expanding Table Topics to the international level, with district champions and runners-up pushing each other to the highest level of excellence. Errol Leandre won the international contest for the second consecutive year, using vivid storytelling and potent emotion to break through that virtual wall. Jason Bank won this year’s humorous speech contest, recounting the hilarious pitfalls of chaperoning a group of kindergarten girls on their first field trip.

Eleasha Knowles of Division I won the Evaluation Speech Contest in her first district contest.

5 | THE SUNSHINER

Kudos

To Us

SHVETA KUMAR The year beginning March 2020 and more or less ending March 2021 has been one of the longest in memory for me. Neither I nor the world will forget it. The pandemic has changed the way we live. We should be grateful and feel fortunate to have survived and move on to our next innings.

For this and many other reasons this season is one of graduations—both literal and symbolic.

Even personal, for me.

The past year has been very important to me. I joined Toastmasters for the first time; got my real-estate license; lost almost 20 pounds; and started meditating, learning Spanish and maintaining other small but important rituals.

This year, my son has also graduated from High School and will be starting college soon at the University of Florida. My daughter has graduated from Middle School and will be going to a boarding environment for high school. As for me, I’m graduating to become an empty nester soon; indeed, though I’m excited for my kids, it’s also a poignant moment for me.

In the world at large, everyone is affected.

Without dwelling on the negatives, let’s look at some positives this graduation season. To the delight of many people, they may end up working from home for a long time, some parents have discovered the joys of homeschooling their kids, keeping them home as well, and many businesses have quickly adapted to the pandemic and are providing stellar service—especially in home delivery. The general population has slowed down and is smelling the roses, so to speak.

POEM BY MARLENE SMITH

Toastmasters are the best.

Sometimes making a mess.

But a Sorry Sot, I am not, as my words do not rot!

Toastmasters get tongue-tied, speak the truth, not a lie.

Words jumble, get crazy lazy, but no reason to say Oopsy Daisy.

Toastmasters can be out of sync, stretching the brain to focus and think.

Anxious Apology is a negative thing.

No reason to give yourself a ding.

Finally, at Toastmasters it has been a positive and interesting experience to meet on Zoom for more than a year, with people from various clubs joining each other’s meetings as virtual guests as well as participating in the TLI training sessions from the comfort of home.

Yet it’s now time to go back to in-person meetings, and while nerve-racking, it’s exhilarating at the same time.

We have graduated as a species and proved to ourselves our resilience. Kudos to us all!

6 | THE SUNSHINER

The Sunshiner Team

Newsletter

Editions are published every 4th day of the incoming month

Newscast Tidbits News Casts are published every 14th day of the incoming month

Ernesto G. Williams, DTM – Editor-In-Chief Glenisha Albury, DTM– Design Editor TM Ryan S. Kelly II – Copy Editor TM Abby Martinez – Writer TM Luiz Bravim – Writer TM Shveta Kumar – Columnist TM Dudley O. A. Turnquest – Columnist TM Taimak Saunders – Production Editor TM L. Robert Knowles – Video Editor TM Irwinique Storr – News Anchor Antionette Fox, DTM – News Cast Writer

Send all submissions, thoughts and suggestions to sunshiner@toastmastersd47.org