Welcome to the District 65 2010 Fall Conference Blog from your Conference Co-Chairs
Welcome to the D65 Fall Conference Blog! We, your co-chairs of this exciting conference, have been working hard to provide you with the finest conference possible; full of all the very best that District 65 Toastmasters has to offer.
As Toastmasters, we share our stories with fellow members every time we meet. And many of our stories have helped change our lives, the lives of others, and the world in which we live. So we thought it ideal that our theme this fall should be “Share Our Stories; Shape Our World.” And our sub-theme of “A Focus on Fact, Fiction, Fantasy and FUN!” really says it all – we hope to break the mold for this conference with our focus on combining fun, enjoyable events with educational sessions that go beyond the traditional workshop!
We’ll jump right in Friday, after our District 65 Evaluation Contest with the Friday Evening FUN Event – where members can kick back and unwind with an agenda that will showcase stellar talent in a relaxed, fun-filled atmosphere. But be warned – you just may end up as part of the act!
And the fun won’t stop on Saturday – as our Saturday Breakfast “Laughter is the Best Medicine” program will jump start your day. Set your alarm clock now – this is one breakfast you won’t want to sleep through!
Following breakfast will be a variety of Educational Programs, hand-picked to provide you with diverse and valuable topics within three tracks, Leadership, Business, and Communication. Following those sessions, a special track has been added entitled “The Club Experience,” where you will gain fresh perspectives into topics designed to bring your personal club experience to new heights.
Our Communication & Leadership award winner, Ginger Zimmerman, truly exemplifies our theme “Share Our Stories; Shape Our World.” A national and international spokesperson for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, Ginger has shared her own courageous story of triumph over heart disease with the world. Now, as a writer, artist and motivational speaker, she will share her dynamic story with us at the C&L Luncheon – you won’t want to miss Ginger’s truly heartwarming and inspirational message.
Also on Saturday, we hope you won’t miss the District 65 Humorous Speech Contest – where the ‘funniest of the funny” from the Southern, Eastern, Western and Central Divisions will do their best to keep us in stitches as they compete for first place!
Finally, we end our festivities on Saturday night with the prestigious District 65 Dinner Banquet, where we will officially recognize new Distinguished Toastmasters, the Toastmaster of the Year, the Area Governor of the Year, and the Division Governor of the Year.
All of this and more, is awaiting you on November 12th & 13th at the Rochester Plaza Hotel and Convention center, on the banks of the Genesee River, in downtown Rochester, NY.
We cordially invite you and your guests to Share Our Fall D65 Conference Story; as we Shape Our World of Toastmasters this autumn.
See you there!
Shirley Malone Jayne Tassi
Location
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Rochester Plaza and Conference Center70 State Street Rochester, New York 14614 |
The Rochester Plaza Hotel and Conference Center (www.rochesterplaza.com). Located at 70 State Street in downtown Rochester, on the banks of the Genesee River, the hotel is adjacent to the historic High Falls neighborhood, the East End entertainment district, and the St. Paul Quarter.
Amenities include:
- Same Day Dry Cleaning Service
- Complimentary Safe Deposit Boxes ( Front Desk )
- Internet
- Fitness Center
- Pool (outdoor)
- Complimentary Wireless Internet Connections
- ATM (Lobby)
- Wake Up Service
- Video Express Check out
- Complimentary Airport, Train, and Bus Shuttle Service
The D65 Fall Conference has obtained a special Toastmasters rate of $89 per night, available until October 27, 2010. Use the reservation code: TOA to make an on-line reservation at www.rochesterplaza.com or over the phone at 1-866-826-2831 or 585-546-3450.
Conference Schedule of Events
| REGISTRATION PRE-ASSEMBLY NORTH | ||
| 5:30 – 6:30 | NEW COMERS RECEPTION HOSPITALITY SUITE | |
| 7:30 – 9:00 | EVALUATION CONTEST: BALLROOM III CONTESTANTS BRIEFING (CORINTHIAN ROOM) 7:30 – 7:45 JUDGES BRIEFING ( PRE-ASSEMBLY SOUTH) 7:30 – 7:45 CONTEST (BALLROOM III) 7:45 – 9:00 |
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| 9:00 – 10:00 | FRIDAY NIGHT FUN EVENING RIVER ROOM | |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | HOSPITALITY SUITE OPEN CANADICE ROOM (3RD FLOOR) | |
| SATURDAY, November 13 | ||
| 7:00 am | REGISTRATION & CREDENTIALS DESK OPENS PRE-ASSEMBLY NORTH | |
| 7:30 – 8:40 | BREAKFAST PROGRAM: BALLROOM II ‘THE CONSEQUENTIAL COROLLARIES OF LIFE” | |
| 8:40 – 8:50 | BREAK FREE TO ROAM AND BUY BASKET RAFFLE TICKETS! | |
| 8:50 – 9:30 | EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS (#1)1) BALLROOM I: “How to Create a Professional Portfolio” Kathy Bement2) BALLROOM III: “The Power of One” Greg Liberto3) RIVER ROOM: “Learning Storytelling by Heart” Scott Leonard | |
| 9:30 – 9:40 | BREAK FREE TO ROAM AND BUY BASKET RAFFLE TICKETS! | |
| 9:40 – 10:20 | EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS (#2) 1) BALLROOM I: “The Power of Full Engagement” Erika McBride 2) BALLROOM III: “Increase Your Stature & Credibility: Write and Publish Your Book” Lisa Lundy 3) RIVER ROOM: “Taking your Presentations to the Next Level with Improv” Melanie Szlucha |
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| 10:20 – 10:30 | BREAK FREE TO ROAM AND BUY BASKET RAFFLE TICKETS! | |
| SATURDAY, November 13 | ||
| 10:30 – 11:10 | THE CLUB EXPERIENCE1) BALLROOM I: “The Best Presentation Ever” Mark Hess2) BALLROOM III: “Get Engaged” Karen Aubrecht3) RIVER ROOM: “Using the Language of Virtues to Provide Powerful Feedback” Kate Ebersole | |
| 11:10 – 11:30 | BREAK FREE TO ROAM AND BUY BASKET RAFFLE TICKETS! | |
| 11:30-1:00 | COMMUNICATION & LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON BALLROOM II GINGER ZIMMERMAN, RECIPIENT | |
| 1:00-1:10 | BREAK FREE TO ROAM | |
| 1:10-1:50 | REGION ADVISOR MARKETING SESSION BALLROOM 1 “Successful Clubs with P EP!” Heather Perkins |
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| 1:50-2:00 | BREAK FREE TO ROAM | |
| 2:00-3:30 | DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING BALLROOM I | |
| 3:30 – 6:00 | HUMOROUS SPEECH CONTEST BALLROOM III CONTESTANTS BRIEFING (CORINTHIAN ROOM) 3:30-4:00 JUDGES BRIEFING (PRE-ASSEMBLY SOUTH) 3:30-4:00 CONTEST (BALLROOM III) 4:00-6:00 |
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| 6:00-6:45 | HOSPITALITY SUITE OPEN FOR CHANGINGCANADICE ROOM (3RD FLOOR) | |
| 6:00-7:00 | SOCIAL HOUR PRE-ASSEMBY WEST | |
| 7:00-10:00 | AWARDS BANQUET BALLROOM II | |
| 10:00-11:00 | HOSPITALITY SUITE OPENCANADICE ROOM (3RD FLOOR | ) |
| SUNDAY, November 14 | ||
| 10:30-NOON | HOSPITALITY SUITE OPEN Canadace Room | |
Friday Night Fun
Come join your fellow D65 Toastmasters for some fun with interactive and improvisational storytelling! Past Central Division Governor Tom Frisk, visiting workshop facilitator Melanie Szlucha, and the always entertaining Matt McDermott will start the stories that YOU will help tell! We have no IDEA where we’ll end up – but it’s guaranteed to be fun getting there!
There will be appetizers and punch served during this event. Cash bar is available.
Breakfast
“The Consequential Corollaries Of Life”
“Professor Loopy” is pleased to be sharing with us the culmination of his years of research into the Consequential Corollaries of Life.
Beginning with Rotational Repleneration he will swing through the Pendularity of Time, touch briefly upon Sense to Perception Ratio, and come finally to rest in Gravitational Fluidity.
The audience will be pleased to know his talk is intended to be casual and conversational. However, some attention likely needs be paid to the speaker occasionally.
BIO:
Funnyman Richard Hughson has studied for years with the best physical comedians around, Tom Murphy, Bob Berky, Jango Edwards, etc., and he still gets laughed at – except by his kids; they’re sick of it.
For the D65 Conference Breakfast program, we find him lecturing in his “Professor Loopy” character. As a devoted believer in the absolution of nonsense he wishes good luck to all, and great fun to the rest.
Educational Sessions
Business Track
Kathy Bement , ATMS “How to Create a Professional Portfolio”
Do you want to be remembered over other candidates for a job or a promotion? Can you effectively demonstrate your key skills? A well-constructed professional portfolio can do that for you – it showcases for an employer that you can do what you say you can. Plus, it is a well-known fact that when people hear something once, they tend to forget it but when they can hear and see something, the retention doubles. In addition, for you, it is a record of all your accomplishments and you never know when that will come in handy!
Lisa Lundy, ACG, CL “Increase Your Stature & Credibility: Write and Publish Your Book”
Many people have thought about writing a book, but don’t know where to begin or what the options are in writing and publishing a book. This workshop provides the nitty-gritty details of what you need to know to get started and beyond. Ninety-seven percent of all books published will never sell more than 1,000 copies. Lisa’s book is in the top 3% of books and is in its third printing, which makes her a credible source for book publishing information.
Communication Track
Scott Leonard, ACS,CL “Learning Storytelling by Heart”
Stories are the most powerful way to connect and communicate with people, yet many are reluctant to use them because they don’t know how to learn stories or tell them. In this workshop you will learn the key elements in learning and internalizing stories and will leave performing a story that you can continue to learn on your own as well as be able to learn and perform any speech without notes.
Melanie Szlucha, ATMS,CL “Taking your Presentations to the Next Level with Improv”
You deliver solid, clean presentations, but are you really engaging your audience? Are they remembering your message and are they compelled to hire you as a consultant or presenter because they love your personality? Or are you simply looking for ways to feel more comfortable in front of an audience? Learning how to incorporate Improv into your presentation – either through encouraging more audience interaction or just feeling comfortable and confident to let your personality show, while maintaining your expert-status is a fine line. The focus isn’t on being funny and cracking jokes, it’s on presenting a relaxed, engaging style that draws attendees to you.
Leadership Track
Greg Liberto “The Power of One”
Are you challenged with motivation? Do you struggle with inconsistency? We all do at different levels. By attending “The Power of ONE” workshop you will learn how to overcome these obstacles in your life and create a change in both of these areas immediately.
Erika McBride, CC “The Power of Full Engagement”
Energy, not time, is the fundamental currency of high performance. Health and happiness are grounded in the skillful management of energy. To maintain a powerful pulse in our lives, we must learn how to rhythmically spend and renew energy. (Loehr and Schwartz)
‘The Club Experience’ Track
Kate Ebersole, CC “Using the Language of Virtues to Provide Powerful Feedback”
Have you ever struggled with finding just the right words to give someone an acknowledgement, or to provide some powerful feedback to help them grow and learn? This highly interactive workshop will:
Teach you how to recognize virtues in yourself and others
Show you how to use the language of virtues to acknowledge, guide and correct
Provide you with a methodology for providing useful, powerful feedback that builds on someone’s best characteristics
Help you find new ways to use people’s stories and experiences to gain insight into who they are and how to help them learn and grow
Karen Aubrecht , DTM “Get Engaged”
One of the keys to public speaking is getting your audience engaged in your speech. If they don’t engage, you won’t be able to effectively deliver your message.
Ask yourself the following questions…
- Do you feel that your fellow members can already evaluate your speech before they’ve heard it?
- Do you need to give yet another business presentation to your co-workers or boss? Are some of the typical techniques unsuitable?
- Do you compete in contests? Whether Humorous or International, if the audience doesn’t engage, will the judges then fail to send you to the next level?
If you answered YES to any of the above, then this workshop is for you! Explore creative ways to get more audience involvement in your speeches through:
- Ideas for speaking in club meetings
- Suggestions for use in the business setting
- Techniques for engaging in the contest season
Mark Hess, DTM “The Best Presentation Ever”
Want people to remember what you said years later? Learn the 5 steps of a great presentation and how to use them:
1. Why preparation is important and how long it should be.
2. Skills that you need to present the information.
3. Time is not your friend but it could be if you use it right.
4. Keeping your group’s attention with facts and figures.
5. How to use power in your speech but not raise your voice.
And, as a plus – learn how to effectively use your room and how to answer Q. and A.
C&L Recipient
Ginger Zimmerman is the 2010 Toastmasters District 65 Fall Conference
Communication & Leadership Award Recipient.
The Toastmasters District 65 Fall conference committee is pleased to announce their Communication & Leadership Award recipient for Fall 2010: Ginger Zimmerman.
Ms Zimmerman, an artist, writer and motivational speaker, truly exemplifies the conference theme “Share Our Stories; Shape Our World.” By sharing her own battle and ultimate triumph over heart disease, and now as an advocate for organ donation and spokesperson the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign – she has inspired others to appreciate their good health – and to take steps to then help others by donating their organs.
Conference co-chair, Shirley Malone states, “Ginger Zimmerman is a shining example of how one person can help change the world by telling their own story. Ginger’s unique perspective on life and death conveys a powerful, genuine and heartfelt message to everyone she meets. The Toastmasters District 65 Fall Conference is proud to acknowledge Ginger’s story by awarding her their highest award for non-members, the Communication & Leadership award.”
About Ginger Zimmerman:
Ginger Zimmerman’s life as an artist, wife and mother of three young sons was falling apart. Plagued by some mysterious condition that was slowly robbing her of her energy and health. Almost four years would pass before she would be accurately diagnosed. Ginger was dying, her weak heart barely functioning at 15%. Her only chance for survival would be a life saving heart transplant.
In the 12 years following her heart transplant Ginger has become an outspoken advocate for organ donation internationally and the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Campaign. A true woman of heart, Ginger helps spread the word, encouraging women to lead a heart-healthy and physically active lifestyle! Learn more about Ms. Zimmerman at www.gingersheart.com.
REGION 9 Marketing Advisor
Successful Clubs with PEP
Do your club meetings have PEP? The PEP is what takes place to ensure you have quality meetings and a successful club. What constitutes a quality meeting? How do quality meetings contribute to club and member success? This interactive session will explore factors that ensure quality meetings and the role of each member in achieving standards of excellence personally and for the club. The session will also explore how you can use PEP if you are a club coach to help revive a struggling club.
Heather Perkins, DTM, has been a Toastmaster for 31 years. She has served in every club officer position. Heather has served as Area Governor twice, Division Governor once and each of the three Senior District Leadership positions twice. Heather’s home club, Schooner Toastmasters, has achieved President’s Distinguished Club status for at least the past six years. Over the years, Heather has made over 100 visits to clubs other than her own which has given her a good idea on the factors that contribute to a quality club. She has also helped to start 15 clubs in her District and has worked with a number of struggling.
Basket Raffle
Help us Share Your Story and Shape Our World through your Creative and Fun Basket Donation!
To Deliver Baskets Personally:
Finished baskets can be delivered to the Registration Tableon November 12th at the Rochester Plaza & Conference Center,
not earlier than 5pm, but no later than 9pm.
For Pickup
Email Basket Raffle Form and pickup details to Melinda Schmidt
(e) velvet@techsorcery.com (p) 716-825-4739
Toastmasters International is a Non-Profit Organization established in 1924 for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills.
Co-Chairs
Jayne Tassi
Jayne Tassi’s Toastmaster experience began over 10 years ago, when she attended her corporate club’s humorous speech contest. “Listening to the wonderfully funny speeches that day – I knew that here was something I wanted to be a part of!” says Jayne.
Since that day, Jayne – now a DTM – has served as Area 4 Governor and in a variety of officer roles as a member of three clubs: P.O.W.E.R., Toastchex, and the Advanced Toastmasters.
In her private life, she serves as a business continuity analyst for a national payroll-processing company and has received her accreditation in business continuity and disaster planning from The Disaster Recovery International Institute in 2006. She lives in Webster with her husband of over 30 years, and has two adult children.
Shirley Malone
With over 20 years experience in Toastmasters, Shirley Malone is thrilled to add ‘conference co-chair’ to her roster of achievements. Shirley, an ATMS-CL, is a member of Toastitarians and the Advanced Toastmasters club, and has held multiple officer roles in both clubs.
In her non-Toastmaster’s life, she and her husband David own and operate Quincy Tax Service, where they provide caring professional services at reasonable prices. A proud and active mother and grandmother, Shirley’s greatest joy in life is spending time with her family and friends.
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