Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Your New District Governor

 The new Toastmasters year always brings with it a change in leadership and a change in direction.  This year’s leadership has made some changes, so I will try to explain them to you in the form of an FAQ and, hopefully, I will cover what you want to know.  If not, please e-mail me at russ.steele@district39.org and I will answer you personally and post answers to any common questions to a later version of this FAQ.

 Is it true that the directory is going away?  No, it is not.  Division Governors will receive the directories for their division at the August DECM, just like usual.  What is changing is the process we use to get you the directory.  The new way is much easier for both us and you.

How do I log in to the District 39 website to update information for my club?  You don’t have to anymore.  We are gathering the information used to print directories, track officer training and perform several other functions from Toastmasters International.  Keep your personal information, club officer information, and club meeting location up to date and correct on the Toastmasters International website  and it will be correct on all district directories, communications and reports as well.

Where will DECM meetings be held this year?  Until at least September, DECM is moving to the University of Phoenix Sacramento Valley Campus at 2860 Gateway Oaks, Sacramento, CA 95833.  It will still start at 9:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month except October (Fall Conference), January (First Saturday-MLK holiday), April (DECM in Reno) and May (Spring Conference).  We are keeping the option to relocate after September open at this point.

Why are you moving DECM?  I like the Mothership (700 H Street)!!!!  Me too.  I am VERY used to DECM being there and found myself resistant at first to my own idea.  But UOP holds 60 people classroom style and is an enabled smart classroom.  Since my focus, which I have championed for 3 years, is to use the DECM meetings to train and build our teams to help build Distinguished clubs, I can’t ignore the educational value of switching to the University of Phoenix, even if I like the Mothership.

Will Sacramento TLIs be at University of Phoenix too?  Yes.

What else are you changing about TLI/Club Officer Training?  We have new standards for what will be considered appropriate officer training and TLI in District 39.  We will be sharing them with District Officers at the July DECM and we will publish them on the website and expect them to be followed by all District Officers after that date.

Why is the Fall Conference in October?  There are several reasons.  First, we needed to move it because of the date and space constraints in our host division.  Second, we wanted to try separating the conference from the holidays a little bit to see if we could sustain the energy and momentum we build at the conference for a while instead of collapsing into the turkey gravy a week later and disappearing for 2 months (I know I’m not the only one).  Finally, our flexibility has allowed us to secure an entire 20,000 square foot convention center all to ourselves and perhaps the best keynote speaker we have ever had.  This fantastic conference is coming together very quickly and it will be well worth the trip to Redding.

Is the Spring Conference date moving forward too?  Yes, by about one week.  May 11-12, 2012 we will be returning for an encore at the Hilton Arden West.  Look at the district website and attend DECM meetings for more details coming soon.

What does the early fall date mean for our contests?  It means clubs should start their contests in mid July, Areas in mid-August, and that Division contests start on September 23^rd.

I’m in a small area/division.  Can my club send two contestants to the Area/Division contest?  If your club’s area starts the year with 4 clubs or less, two contestants from your club can compete at the area contest.  If your area’s division has 4 areas or less, two contestants from your area can compete at the division contest.

What if my area/division governor/club president/mother-in-law only wants one contestant to advance from each club/area?  For the purposes of fairness it is not at their discretion.  2 contestants may compete whether they like it or not.   You’re on your own with your in-laws.

Is it ok to use forms from the Internet at our contest?  At area and division contests, only the official Toastmasters forms may be used this year.  I will provide them to all area and division governors at July DECM.  If you try to use something else, I have authorized every other District Officer to take them away from you!!!!

What is all this rebranding stuff?  Tell us everything you know?  All in due time.  TI is rolling it out gradually.  First they talked to special Brand Ambassadors, then to District Trios, and now in July, they are going to talk to club officers.  The full rebrand will be launched on August 17^th in Las Vegas at the International Convention.  New details will be posted at TI’s website as they make them available.

 Will there be other big changes?  Yes…stay tuned

 Russ Steele is the 2011-2012 District 39 Governor.

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