(Contests and District Council meeting continuing online – reframed)
For registration page and further details: https://d73.toastmasters.org.au/annual-conference-2020/
Come join us for an entertaining weekend full of contests, workshop and council meeting, what more could you want!
Looking forward to seeing many of you online supporting each other in these challenging times- We have the Resources and the Talent, let’s all continue to shine in our District. For assistance with COVID-19 educational online resources Learn more.
District 73 endorsed candidates see below:
Should you be interested in nominating for any of the District leadership roles, it is a requirement to complete the paperwork, meet the eligibility criteria, and send your nomination to the DLC Chair Liz Allwood: before the 8th May. This will allow time for an interview by members of the DLC prior to the council meeting, when you can stand from the floor. A member cannot stand from the floor if they have not been interviewed by the DLC.
Congratulations to our members who have taken the next step in their leadership journey.
District Leadership Committee Chair Report
I would like to acknowledge and thank the members of the District Leadership committee (DLC)– Catherine MacGillivray, Anthony Murray, Bruce Hill, Cleo Pitt, Claire Mehtonen, Rick Finlay, Tommasina Marasco, David Hughes. I am appreciative of the support and initiative shown by the members of the DLC.
We published the opening for nominations for the District Leadership roles in the newsletter and an email out to all members, with the nomination closing date of 30th January.
The DLC received nominations for the following roles:
- District Director – Vicki Travers
- Program Quality Director – Karl Hughes
- Club Growth Director – VOID
- Bass Division Director – Julia Davey
- Central Division Director – Nic Szuster
- Metro Division Director – Dani Street
- Ranges Division Director – Victoria Carruthers
We received one nomination for Eastern Division Director, which was subsequently withdrawn. Therefore we have vacant Division Director roles for Eastern, Northern, Southern and Inner City Division Director roles. Should you be interested in a Division Director role, please make contact with me or one of the members to the DLC before the council meeting. To be able to stand from the floor at the council meeting, it is a requirement to have previously met with the DLC at least a week prior to the council meeting for an interview and to ensure all the candidates’ paperwork has been completed and in order.
A member cannot stand from the floor if they have not been interviewed by the DLC.
Candidate introductions:
District Director endorsed candidate:
Vicki Travers DTM joined toastmasters in 1995 – a time during which she has stepped up and taken on multiple club officer roles, Area Governor, Metro Division Director, District Conference Chair 2015 Launceston Conference, Club Growth Director, currently Program Quality Director. Vicki is passionate about Toastmasters, and she has attended 9 International Conventions. Vicki continues to develop her leadership skills, and has the ability to work with and lead the District for 2020-21. After careful consideration and with the continued support of her husband and family, Vicki stepped into the Club Growth Director role with the firm commitment of being of service to the District for four years. Vicki is proud to be D73 endorsed candidate for District Director.
Program Quality Director endorsed candidate:
Karl Hughes DTM has a background in Strategic Planning facilitating Executive level business planning and project/operating reviews. He has a focus on Business Process Transformation through the operationalisation of innovative solutions to create high customer value and business sustainability. He is also a Quality Manager for global standard ISO 9001:2015. Karl has been a Toastmaster for almost 5 years and has immersed himself in both the educational program and leadership stream during this time. He has experience in all aspects of competition, from organising competitions to judging at numerous contests, to competing at District level for International, Table Topics and Evaluation. He has been a President for multiple clubs, an Area Director, the Education and Training Coordinator (Vic/Tas) and is currently the D73 Club Growth Director. Karl is passionate about building quality clubs that maximise the power of the globally recognised Toastmasters brand. He believes that if clubs strive for excellence with the right processes, tools and practices, and have the understanding in how to use them effectively, then immense value will flow on to the most important element.
BASS Division Director endorsed candidate:
Julia Davey joined Toastmasters in May 2017 and is a member of Cranbourne Toastmasters. Julia is currently enjoying serving in the role of B4 Area Director, which has whet her appetite to further her involvement with Toastmasters. She is undertaking the Dynamic Leadership Path and is eager to take on the responsibilities and demands of Division Director. Outside of Toastmasters, Julia is involved with her community, volunteering to cook for “Basecamp” charity meals in Berwick, and feed the homeless twice a month in the CBD, and a committee member of RSL Berwick Sub-branch.
CENTRAL Division Director endorsed candidate:
Nic Szuster joined the Adelaide Toastmasters Club in 2009. His reason for joining was to assist him in his role as a CEO of a superannuation fund. He lacked the confidence and skills to speak in public and needed help. Joining Toastmasters enabled Nic to get over his fears of public speaking and to develop his own communication style. Nic soon realised that there was more to Toastmasters than simply public speaking. The leadership path allowed Nic to make a positive contribution to the Toastmasters organisation as well as assisting him in his professional role as a leader of a company. Nic has held most of the club leadership roles as President, Sergeant @ Arms, VPE (for 2 years) and currently VPPR. In addition, Nic was the Area Governor for C7 in 2014/15.
Professionally Nic has held many senior leadership roles for most of his career. Nic has applied his technical and management experience to produce outcomes that meet the needs of clients. He uses his actuarial background to develop strategies for the future sustainability of businesses. This professional experience, together with the toastmasters leadership roles, makes Nic well placed to further assist the leadership of Toastmasters.
METRO Division Director endorsed candidate:
Dani Streets joined Launceston Toastmasters in August 2017 and was hooked, taking on the VPM role in October, then represented her club in the M20 Area evaluation and humorous contests which was an incredible experience. Dani has now held club officer roles of VPE and President, and is currently the M20 Area Director. She is an active member of our District, building relationships and networking at every opportunity, whilst encouraging others to believe in themselves and to step into leadership roles, as doing is the best way to learn and grow. Dani believes that with her experiences to date in Toastmasters, together with her professional skills in business and event management and administration, she will strive to share the Toastmasters brand far and wide and is thrilled to be the endorsed candidate for Metro Division Director.
RANGES Division Director endorsed candidate:
Victoria Carruthers has been a member of toastmasters for over ten years. What she loves about toastmasters is the opportunity it provides to her to meet new people and learn new skills. Victoria never thought that she would take on a leadership role, but stepped into the club officer roles first, taking on President of her club twice and then Area Director. Victoria was also on the organising committee for our 2019 District 73 Conference ‘The Power of Possibilities’. These experiences have provided valuable learning’s for Victoria as she continues to be of service to her club and nominating for Ranges Division Director. Outside of Toastmasters Victoria works in customer service for an electricity retailer as well as being a member of an amateur writing group.
Toastmasters International requirement is two nominations for the role of Club Growth Director otherwise the position is void. As we only received one nomination, that candidate is required to stand from the floor. The DLC can confirm that the candidate has completed an interview and meets the requirement for the Club Growth Director position.
Club Growth Director candidate to stand from the floor:
Namrita Anchan has been a member of Toastmasters International for since June 2017, 3 years. Her subject expertise includes:
- Motivational/Inspirational speeches/workshops
- Leadership
- Presentation skills
She has been actively involved with District 73 Toastmasters and has stepped into various leadership roles since the beginning. She has taken up roles such as Vice President Public Relations, President and currently Area Director to develop her leadership skills further. She constantly supports her home club by taking up mentorship for new members and provides them with all the support and encouragement required to continue their Toastmaster journey. Being a passionate speaker, Namrita has conducted many workshops across various clubs within District 73. Her vision for our District is to contribute her skills in leadership and creativity with the District 73 Leadership Team, to assist in bringing the District to the level of excellence that it plans to achieve in the coming year and beyond. Namrita holds a Bachelor in Computer Application Degree and has been working in the field of IT for the past 10 years.
Final Reminder: Should you be interested in nominating for any of the District leadership roles, it is a requirement to complete the paperwork, meet the eligibility criteria, and send your nomination to the DLC Chair Liz Allwood: before the 8th May. This will allow time for an interview by members of the DLC prior to the council meeting, when you can stand from the floor. A member cannot stand from the floor if they have not shown intent to the DLC prior to the 8th May.
Toastmasters Branding
