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District Director's Message
October 2015

Dear Fellow Toastmasters,

Happy 91th Anniversary to Toastmasters International!

I am pleased to share my report for District Executive Committee and District Council Meeting on 25 Oct 2015 at District 80 Semi-Annual Conference 2015.

Everyone wants to feel himself an integral part of something active, vital, worthwhile.                                                                                                                       - by our founder, Dr. Ralph C. Smedley.

1. Our Members

Congratulations to Club Growth Director (CGD) Tay Tiam Teang, DTM and his team for having achieved 94.8% membership payment on 10 October 2015. This means 199 out of 210 Clubs have achieved 1 DCP Goal No. 10. To date, we are ranked No. 6 in the world and No.1 in Region 14 for Members payment in October due date.

We recognize the importance of having club dues paid so that members can continue to benefit from the Toastmasters program. We shall continue to follow up with the members who missed their payments and encourage them to renew their membership and continue with this learning journey with us.

I thank clubs for recruiting new members: 30 Clubs (14.3%%) have recruited 5 new members  and above. We are targeting a 10% increase in membership. Let’s "Make Members Matter" by providing good guidance and support to these new members and help retain the existing members too.

This term, with only 4 clubs in each area, Area Directors can spend more time and energy working with their clubs, therefore, no club should be left out. Area visits will remind clubs on how “Moment of Truth” contributed to their success.

2. Formation of New Clubs

We target a 10% net growth of new clubs, with each division forming at least 2 new clubs to expand the Toastmasters benefits to more people and fulfil our District Mission. To date, we are ranked No. 12 in the world and No. 1 in Region 14 for paid clubs. Thanks to the hard work and effort of CGD and Division councils for making it happen. Let us ensure all new club officers receive good training to support and keep the longevity of these new clubs!

Teach Me Toastmasters Club converted to Gavel Club, we wish them well. They are 2 corporate clubs have intention to suspend the Toastmasters activities, due to company restructuring and company new direction, we hope they will resume as soon as possible during the term.

3. Educational Achievements

Congratulations to Program Quality Director (PQD) Patricia Lum, DTM and her team for ensuring that our members achieve excellence in education and training.

We had 100% District Officers been trained, with better results for at least 4 Club Officers were being trained--breaking the record of achieving 93.8% at 1^st COT comparing to last term. We have also more educational awards for members, with 12 DTMs  comparing to 9 DTMs same period last term.

District Subsidised Education Workshops supported by PQD provided affordable fees for more members to attend and help fulfill their personal goals, and increase membership retention.

I thank all clubs for providing the positive and learning experience and the opportunities for members to fulfil their educational goals.

4. Distinguished Club Program (DCP)

I am pleased to note that 199 (94.8%) clubs are with at least 1 DCP point. With the vision and goals setting by both PQD and CGD together with all Division Directors, I am sure that we will meet more than 75% achieving Distinguished Clubs come term end.

I personally wrote to all clubs that did not achieve at least distinguished status last term to motivate them by way of a special District “One-Step-Up Double Award” which will be presented to all clubs who will achieve Distinguished Club status by 31 May 2016. Hopefully, all Club Officers will make it the most memorable term for their leadership experience by stirring their respective clubs to achieve higher goals.

5. Distinguished Area Program (DAP)

This term we have 54 Area Directors, 11 more than last term. I am encouraged by their energetic and willingness to learn. Many of them are actively involved with their clubs' meetings and activities and are well connected with their clubs too.

DAP recognition based on area’s clubs success-- by visiting clubs, the Area Director can identify clubs that need help. For clubs having 12 or below members, CGD should be contacted immediately to appoint club coaches as soon as possible to rebuild the clubs. To date, 28 (52%) Area Directors have already met the minimum requirement for club visit report, deadline is 30 November 2015.

6. Townhall Meeting with Division Directors and District Trio

We had conducted three meetings in the months of July, August and September. There is none scheduled for October because it is a very busy month for all.

I believe it is an effective way to connect with Division Directors-- sharing our goals and challenges together. Occasionally, PRM / FM / AM joined us for special purposes, such as: promoting PR events, issuing cheques, answering questions on claims, distributing District Directory, etc.

It created a good bonding and sharing experience among Division Directors too. I note that they are helping each other as Chief Judges, sharing cheapest trophies in town, etc.

7. Toastmasters International Convention – Las Vegas USA

For the first time, our District Champion, Manoj Vasudevan, member of Toastmasters Club of Singapore and Marine Parade Toastmasters Club, won 3^rd place in World Championship of Public Speaking 2015! Every Toastmasters of District 80 are all proud of his achievement.

As the District Trio, PQD, CGD and I attended District Leaders Training and Convention from 8-17 August 2015. We had a great time connecting, sharing and networking together, and most important of all, we developed closer bonding as District Trio!

8. Toastmasters International Singapore Ltd

I am pleased to announce that Toastmasters International Singapore Ltd., (the “Company”) was duly incorporated in Singapore on 23 July 2015 under the Company Act, CAP.50, Public Limited Company by Guarantee.
From CEO Daniel Rex: “Toastmasters District 80 will continue to function as it always has in most ways. The incorporation of Toastmasters International Singapore, Ltd., will enable District 80 to function more efficiently and effectively in matters of finance and contracts.”

9. District Conferences

9.1. Semi-Annual Conference 2015
We are privileged to have Past International President Ted Corcoran, DTM as Keynote Speaker. I have learnt of his humanity and caring personality when I first met him at Kuala Lumpur World Convention 2014 and he was also a trainer to District Directors in Las Vegas.

It is the first time that students from NTU Toastmasters Club will be organizing a District Conference, with Area D5 Director Randy Toh as the Organising Chair. There were many challenges for them such as: school curriculum, examination period, the choice of October, instead of November, the date and location. The DEC/DCM meetings will be on the 2nd day of the conference, unlike the past where we have the meetings on Friday evenings.

But, with the energetic and passionate young organizing team, we will finally make the stage at the Lee Kong Chian Lecture Theatre, NTU. The theme is: “Capital of Ideas”. Yes, we must learn to go wild with more creative ideas and open our minds in order to be better communicators and leaders!

9.2. Annual Conference 2016
The district is very fortunate to have International President-Elect Mike Storkey, DTM assigned to visit our District Conference in May 2016.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, Carl Wong is replacing Daniel Chu as the Organising Chair. Although the development renders the duration to be the shortest in terms of preparation for the organizing team, nevertheless, with the experience of PQD who will be at the forefront of the preparations, we will deliver another great event for our District Toastmasters!

10. District Recognition Awards

Limited Edition District Pins, “Starfish, Make Members Matter” Pins have been specially made to recognize our members' achievement in their educational accomplishments:  serving new clubs as club sponsors and club mentors; rebuilding weak clubs as club coaches; important task as charter club officers; and all other special appointment holders and members who serve at District level.

Also, some new district recognition awards are created, in line with our motto, Make Members Matter. We will be recognising our “District Pioneers” who served the district for 25 or more years. The awards will be presented at the District Annual Conference.

Please refer to the enclosed list for more new awards, hope to see you at the TOP!

11. Youth Leadership Program

We have appointed Ong Lye Sum, a member of ITE Toastmasters Club, as Youth Leadership Program Chair, he is also the Toastmaster Councilor supporting ITE Gavel Club.
Lye Sum will answer questions related to Youth Leadership Programs and formations of Gavel Clubs from the enquiries received from the public or organizations interested in starting a Toastmasters club for people who are below 18 years old or with special needs.

12. District Website

To serve members better, we have redesigned our District website www.district80.org, it is now more informative. I hope to express our sincere thanks to District 4 for allowing us to use many contents from their website. We welcome members’ suggestion to improve the website contents.
My special thanks to past district webmasters, our district IT experts, Chee Kim Loong and Chay Wen Liang for assistance and advise.

13. Conclusion

My heartfelt thanks to beloved District Public Relations Manager Annabelle Fabia-de Arroz, DTM for leading awesome initiatives during the Toastmasters Awareness Month in September; District Administration Manager Yap Boon Liang for his matriculate production of our 160 pages District Directory and our super conscious and careful Finance Manager Azizah Sapari, DTM for helping District Budget Plan preparation, thank you for the hard work and commitment to the course!

I would also like to acknowledge and thank District Parliamentarian Michael Wee, DTM, Credential Chair Suanny Gouw and Credential Advisor Kong Pak Fee, DTM.

Sincerely thanks to Past International Directors, Augustine Lee DTM and Poh Kim Siong, DTM, Past District Governors, Michael Rodrigues, DTM, Edward Ma DTM and Pradeep Kumar, DTM for making the time when guidance were needed.

Let’s continue to Make Members Matter, together we learn, grow and achieve!

 District 80, 2015-2016 Recognition Awards 
 

	Awards	Criteria	Event for Recognition
1.	District Director Citations	District Director recognises with the special award to members who have demonstrated exemplary service and dedication at the club, district level.	Hall of Fame 2016	DD
2.	President’s Distinguished Divisions	TI Guideline	Hall of Fame 2016	DD/PQD/CGD
3.	Select Distinguished Divisions	TI Guideline	Hall of Fame 2016	DD/PQD/CGD
4.	Distinguished Divisions	TI Guideline	Hall of Fame 2016	DD/PQD/CGD
5.	*District’s 20-Plus Awards - Gold/Silver/Bronze	3 Divisions, the highest % of active clubs with 20 or more paid members at term-end receive this award.	Hall of Fame 2016	DD/PQD/CGD
6.	*District’s Extension Awards - Gold/Silver/Bronze	3 Divisions, the highest net club growth with at least 2 new clubs. -       - Total numbers of Charter Membership break the tie.	Hall of Fame 2016	DD/PQD/CGD
7.	*Excellence in Leadership Awards	The award is given to divisions that ended the term having achieved President’s Distinguished Division for 3 or more consecutive years.	Hall of Fame 2016	DD/PQD/CGD
8.	Toastmaster of the Year	TI Guideline	Hall of Fame 2016	DD/PQD/CGD
9.	Division Director of the Year	TI Guideline	Hall of Fame 2016	DD/PQD/CGD
10.	Area Director of the Year	TI Guideline	Hall of Fame 2016	DD/PQD/CGD
11.	DTM and Triple Crown Awards	Distinguished Toastmasters, Triple Crown Recipients	District SAC 2015 & AC 2016	DD/PQD/CGD
12.	*District Pioneers	Membership continuous for 25 years and above (those who joined from 1991)	District  AC 2016	DD
13.	Communication and Leadership Awards	Competent & Advanced Communicators / Leaders	Divisions’ Events	PQD
14.	New Club Awards	Club Sponsors/Club Mentors	New Club’s Charter Day	CGD
15.	Membership Awards	Smedley /Talk Up Toastmasters / Beat the Clock / Recruitment	Divisions’ Events	CGD
16.	Area Directors Awards	Distinguished, Select Distinguished and President Distinguished Areas	Divisions’ Events In New Term	Division Directors
17.	Division’s Club President of the Year	From each Division, total 11.	Divisions’ Events In New Term	Division Directors
18.	Distinguished Club Awards	Distinguished, Select Distinguished and President Distinguished Clubs	Divisions’ Events In New Term	Division Directors
19.	*One-Step-Up Double Award	From Non-distinguished clubs achieve Distinguished Clubs status	Divisions’ Events In New Term	Division Directors

Distinguished Club status will only be available after the end of the term, 30 June 2016.

Hall of Fame 2016 – District Semi-Annual Conference 2016 of the new term

SAC 2015 – District Semi-Annual Conference, 24-25 Oct 2015, Gala Dinner
AC 2016 – District Annual Conference, May 2016, Gala Dinner
We strongly recommend each Division organises its own Appreciation Award Day/Night, so that Club Officers Training Program can be more focus for new term.
 

District Mission

We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.

January 2016