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MOVING FORWARD IN 2015

In 1976, during visits to the poorest households in Bangladesh, Yunus realized that very small loans could make a huge difference to a poor person. With that in mind, Yunus developed the concept of “microcredit” (or small loans to the poor) as a viable business model. Using his own money, Yunus lent $27 to 42 women, who turned a profit of $0.02 each on the loan. This success led to the formation of the Grameen Bank ("Village Bank") which specializes in small loans to poor Bangladeshis. To ensure repayment, the bank uses a system of "solidarity groups", small informal groups which apply together for loans and whose members act as co-guarantors of repayment and support one another's efforts at economic self-advancement. In 2006, Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his “efforts through microcredit to create economic and social development from below". In conjunction with these efforts, the U.S.-based Grameen Foundation works with organizations around the world to help serve the poor. Yunus has founded more than 50 companies or joint ventures around the world that address problems such as malnutrition, contaminated water and inaccessible healthcare. Yunus has authored several including Banker to the Poor, Building Social Business and Creating a World Without Poverty. The Golden Gavel is Toastmasters’ most prestigious award. It is been given annually since 1959 to an individual distinguished in the fields of communication and leadership and is presented at the Toastmasters International Convention. To view a list of past Golden Gavel recipients click HERE.

District 63

August 2015 Volume 6, Issue 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2015 Golden Gavel Recipient 2015 TI Convention I in Review The World Championship of Public

Speaking TI Business Meeting Results D63 Wall of Fame World Championship of Public

Speaking D63 Member Spotlight

District Highlights

D63 2015 Fall Conference November 6-7, 2015 Preston Hotel, Nashville TN

Touch Points

http://d63.toastmastersdistricts.org/ https://www.facebook.com/D63Toastmasters

Newsletter Contacts The D63 Interchange Newsletter is published by the District Public Relations Team. For article submissions or comments, please email us at:

district63communication@gmail.com

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL

D63 INTERCHANGE District News and Events

2015 GOLDEN GAVEL RECIPIENT HAS D63 CONNECTION

Toastmasters International has named Muhammad Yunus its 2015 Golden Gavel recipient in recognition of his efforts to end poverty through micro-lending and cause-driven businesses throughout the world. Yunus was born in Bangladesh and in 1965 received a Fulbright scholarship to study in the U.S.. He obtained a PhD in economics from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, and from 1969 to 1972 served as an assistant professor of economics at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.

Professor Mohammad Yunus

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2015 TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION IN REVIEW

Kicking off the Wednesday, August 12th sessions, Dana LaMon, DTM, AS, presented “Making the Club Experience Meaningful”. The growth and success of Toastmasters clubs involves more than bringing in new people, and in this session, Mr. LaMon offered

four key elements required to ensure members have a meaningful club experience. The presence of these four key elements will attract new members and enhance the club experience, according to Mr. LeMon. In this session included: Four key questions to test for meaningfulness; A tool for defining club uniqueness; and Tips to make the club experience an integral

element of a meaningful life. A professional speaker for 24 years, Dana LaMon has given presentations for training programs, conferences and conventions. He has presented keynotes for organization such as Optimist, Kiwanis, National Public Employers Labor Relations Association, and National Work Force Development Professionals. Click this link DOWNLOAD HANDOUT to access a copy of the handout used for his presentation.

Dana LaMon, DTM, AS

In August 2015, Toastmasters celebrated last year’s accomplishements and kicked off a new hear with awards, educational sessions, and special speakers.

Darren LaCroix, CSP

Next, Darren LaCroix, CSP, presented a pre-keynote titled “SPONGE! What Is Filling You”. Everyone ponders the eternal questions: What is it you really want? Is it possible? Why do a few people succeed and others remain in mediocrity despite huge effort? What is the “X factor,” and how can I get it? According to Mr. LaCroix, “if others have done it, so can you”. He avows that mentors make the difference,

but what if it is more than just mentors. It has been said, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. How can you get ready and what will you do when they show up? Through his live workshops and online programs, Darren helps speakers connect deeply with their audiences. He is the founder of StageTimeUniversity.com, the ultimate online programs for presenters. Click this link DOWNLOAD HANDOUT to access a copy of the handout used for the presentation.

Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

Finally, keynote speaker, Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE, rounded out Wednesday’s sessions with her presentation “Under the Magnifying Glass: Good to Great on STEROIDS”. Being a powerful persuasive speaker is no longer a nice skill to have. It can be the difference between business and career “life or death”. In her presentation, Ms. Fripp discussed specific techniques designed to guarantee that both you and your presentations are memorable for all the right reasons. Her presentation included tips on how to: Take your presentations from good to great. Add small techniques that positively impact

your presentation. Help your audience "see" your stories. Present information in the right order for

retention. Understand the number one secret of a great

speech. Dramatize your stories and examples. Add the power of specificity. Emotionally connect to every audience. Ms. Fripp is an award-winning keynote speaker, business presentation expert, sales presentation skills trainer and in-demand speech coach to

See Review (page 4)

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Review (continued from page 2)

executives and celebrity speakers. Meetings & Conventions magazine named her "One of the 10 most electrifying speakers in North America."

Thursday’s educational sessions kicked off with acclaimed humorist Judy Carter’s, “The Message of You: Finding Extraordinary Stories in an Ordinary Day”. At an early age, Judy Carter discovered that the messes in her life were great

comedy material. As a child with a speech impediment, she found a way to turn being laughed at into a standup career. She has performed on over 100 TV shows, toured with Prince, and was nominated for Atlantic City Entertainer of the Year. Ms. Carter maintains that “every day offers hidden stories that contain laughs, drama and a powerful global message that transcends cultural differences.” In her session, she offered tips on how to: Discover the stories and humor in an ordinary

day; Inspire others by having a clear message; and Get laughs from being in your story rather than

merely telling your story. Click this link DOWNLOAD HANDOUT to access a copy of the handout used for the presentation.

Patricia Fripp and Darren LaCroix presented the educational session “Under the Magnifying Glass: Good to Great on STEROIDS ... in Action!” where volunteers will be invited to deliver a small portion of their presentations, and Patricia and Darren applied their coaching skills to put speech content “under the magnifying glass.” This session allowed attendees to test their presentation skills and find ways to improve; to appreciate the difference a word makes and learn how specificity builds the credibility and clarity of their message; and understand how a word, pause or movement can impact any presentation.

Judy Carter

enhance their personal leadership style so they could increase effective communication and maximum sustainable growth and development for themselves and their organization. Ms. Tam, is a speaker, author,

consultant, board certified executive and corporate coach, CEO of Marilyn Tam & Co. and founder and executive director of Us Foundation.

In his educational session, “Life Is Too Short for Fear and Embarrassment”, Alex Malley related how, as a child, he learned that life should never be taken for granted, nor dreams left unsought. His youthful desire to achieve a big future set the course for a successful career uninhibited by fear or embarrassment. His session included tips to help attendees:

Marilyn Tam

Imagine life and leadership impact without fear and embarrassment.

Learn that we don’t change, but we refine.

Ask themselves “are you willing to do what it takes to reach your ‘big life’.”

Alex Malley

Click this link DOWNLOAD HANDOUT to access a copy of the handout used for the presentation.

Friday’s educational sessions began with Marilyn Tam’s “Leadership Excellence, How You Can Achieve It”. Ms. Tam relies upon her international business and humanitarian experience to help others be the more effective and productive leaders while creating collaborative and lasting relationships. “If people lack contentment and meaning in their work, they are less productive and motivated to be their best. They want healthy personal relationships, a healthy mind and body, and a spiritual core. But with the competing demands of modern life, how can you achieve all of this?” Ms. Tam offered tips to help attendees

See Review (page 5)

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District 63 Wall of Fame The following people obtained educational achievements from July 1 through August 20, 2015: Competent Communicators Tom Beesley; Jene Coy; Bryan Clark De Cuir; Dave G. Douglas; Charlie Effler; Patrick Taylor Frazier; Tonya Y Fuller; Michael L Harris; Dawn C. Harrison; Susan Loveday; Anita Monohan; Stephanie Tharpe; John J. Verge Advanced Communicator Bronze Richard E. Anton; Neysa Badili; Jeff A. England; Sandra Neal; Gail Payne; Jared S Throneberry; Beulah Wade-Volley Advanced Communicator Silver Effie J. Boothe; Blaine Little; William H. Snedaker Advanced Communicator Gold Myla Dawn Nauman Snyder; Michal D. Tolon Competent Leaders Jenna Pamela Bonner; Dan R. Caldwell; Emma Cook; Jene Coy; Michael J Farina; Amy Henley; Debra Hixson; Blaine Little; Kelly S. McKeethan; Heyda I Negron Perez; Charlie G. Rosenquist; Kimberly Santan; Kris Sellers; Manjunath Shetty Subbaiah; Edward J. Zinkiewicz Advanced Leader Bronze Jenna Pamela Bonner; Michael Edward Bradley; Eric Scott Gregory; Bonnie L Jones; Heyda I. Negron Perez Advanced Leader Silver Christopher Chaney; Jene Coy; Karen L. Keehan; Kimberly Santan; Stacci P. Thomas; Michal D. Tolon; Eric Young Distinguished Toastmaster Eugene B. Batsuk; Christopher Chaney; Jene Coy; Karen L. Keehan; Kimberly Santan; Stacci P. Thomas; Michal D. Tolon LDREXE Eugene B. Batsuk; Dasie J. Schulz

Annual Business Meeting / Election Results Proposal A passed – click on the following link to review. https://www.toastmasters.org/About/Board-of-Directors/Proposal-A

2015-2016 TI Annual Business Meeting Int'l President-Elect Mike Storkey, DTM First Vice President Balraj Arunasalam, DTM Second Vice President Lark Doley, DTM Region 1 Int'l Director Margaret Page, DTM Region 3 Int'l Director Crystal Allbritton, DTM Region 5 Int'l Director Magnus Jansson, DTM Region 7 Int'l Director Russell Drake, DTM Region 9 Int'l Director Steve Chen, DTM Region 11 Int'l Director Teresa Dukes, DTM Region 13 Int'l Director Nagaraja Rao, DTM

Review (continued from page 4)

Not only is Mr. Malley the chief executive of the multinational organization CPA Australia (19 offices globally and more than 150,000 members in 120 countries), but he is also a TV host, best selling author, LinkedIn Influencer, and blogger for The Huffington Post.

And, finally Tim Gard’s, CSP, CPAE, educational session, “Laughter Becomes You” demonstrated how attendees could use humor to quickly connect to any audience. This association can be accomplished with a spoken story, an ordinary visual prop or an original joke. Mr. Gard’s session allowed the audience to: Learn the neuroscience that supports using humor

as a business skill; Discover how shifting one’s perspective can help

create your own reality; and Understand how humorous props, stories and jokes

can benefit audiences long after they hear your speech.

Mr. Gard coaches businesses on how to enhance productivity and employee enthusiasm. A member of the National Speakers Association, he has been inducted into the Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE) Speaker Hall of Fame—an elite honor shared by 150 people worldwide. He is also a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). Click this link DOWNLOAD HANDOUT to access a copy of the handout used for the presentation.

Tim Gard, CSP, CPAE

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World Championship of Public Speaking

Mohammed Al Qahtani (right) with Aditya Maheshwaran of India and Manoj Vasudevan of Sri Lanka

Mohammed Al Qahtani, District 79, of Saudi Arabia won the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking at Toastmasters International’s conference in Las Vegas with his speech "The Power of Words." Al Qahtani’s journey to victory was long and not without difficulties. As a child, he had trouble speaking until he was 6 years old, and then grew up with a speech impediment (stuttering), and was often ridiculed in his formative years. A few years ago, Al Qahtani joined Toastmasters, as well as the local theater group, and worked to overcome his speech impediment. He almost didn’t make it to World Champion of Public Speaking when he placed in the International Speech contest for District 79 behind Abdullah Al-Jurf. When Al-Jurf was unable to attend Al Qahtani moved up to take his place and the rest is history. Placing second in the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking was Aditya Maheswaran of Mumbai, India, District 41 with ,his speech "Scratches," and in third place was Manoj Vasudevan of Singapore, District 80, with his speech, "We Can Fix It."

Eugene E Johnson: Stepping

Outside His Comfort Zone

a speech impediment take for granted. For individuals who stutter, Eugene says, speaking “is like concentrating and thinking about when to take a breath and how to breathe. By the end of the day you are emotionally, physically, and psychologically exhausted.” For these people, Toastmasters can be a place to practice their speech therapy in a warm, safe, and supportive environment allowing them to eventually step outside of their comfort zone and become fully engaged in activities that they previously avoided. Eugene is an active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA), Parthenon Toastmasters which incidentally will be celebrating their 60th anniversary this

year, the second oldest club in Tennessee, and the “Fearless Communicators”, charted last year specifically for stutters and their supporters. In July 2015, Eugene had the unique opportunity to serve as Toastmaster for a “Demo Toastmaster Meeting” at the 29th Annual NSA Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. A “demo meeting” is exactly what it sounds like a mini-Toastmasters meeting with speakers, evaluators, and Table Topics, with extra time built in for questions about Toastmasters. Eugene organized the entire event, utilizing members of Toastmaster clubs throughout the country to fulfill the roles for the meeting. For his keynote speaker he recruited Clyde Middleton, DTM, and Immediate Past District Governor for District 18 in Maryland. Clyde delivered a speech appropriately titled, "I Promise, You Won't Die." The Demo Meeting was a great success with several audience members stating that they would now join a Toastmasters club in their hometowns as a result of attending that one meeting.

To read Eugene’s story, visit the D63 Webisite at: http://d63.toastmastersdistricts.org/

Eugene Johnson

Membership in Toastmasters International means many things to many people. It’s a way to improve one's public speaking or give better presentations. For Eugene Johnson the challenge wasn’t public speaking or giving presentations, but speaking period. Speaking is something that those who do not stutter or do not have

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