Dear Fellow Toastmasters:
For many people, the period between December 25 and January 1st is simply a holiday season
commemorated by acts of love and kindness toward persons near and dear to them. In many
instances these acts of kindness are given toward total strangers, particularly those considered
to be less fortunate. From a religious standpoint,
millions more around the world who believe in the
Christian faith, observe December 25 - Christmas Day
as the birthday of Jesus. Christmas celebrations may
vary somewhat in different parts of the world
influenced by cultural norms. Popular events can
include special religious services, concerts, plays, TV
shows and festivals. Radio stations and many public
places like shopping malls will play special Christmas
tunes to the delight of shoppers. Many homes and
business places are decorated with beautiful
ornaments and colorful lights. I love the Christmas
season!
I can vividly recall the times I took part in Christmas
plays put on by my elementary school or my church’s
Sunday school. I was never very good at it though! As
a child, Christmas to me was all about waking up early
on the morning of December 25 to crawl under the beautifully decorated, pine scented
Christmas tree in search of wrapped presents bearing my name. Sound familiar?
As I grew older I came to the understanding that Christmas is not all about receiving gifts. I
realized it is also a season of glad tidings, giving and sharing your blessings with others. It’s a
time of celebration and fellowship with family and friends. Whatever this time of year means
to each of us, we all have gifts we can give – the gifts we have within us. These gifts were not
meant for us to keep to ourselves. They were bestowed upon us, so we can share them with
others. There are four special attributes that Toastmasters International encourages us to
foster within and to share with our fellow Toastmasters every day. These gifts can be shared
freely with our friends and loved ones. They require no online purchasing and no over the
counter cash or credit card payments. Here are four gifts that require nothing more than the
will to give:
RESPECT - It means respecting the opinion of others, even when we disagree. Not
interrupting people when they speak. It means not planning your response to a comment or
question until you have heard it in its entirety. It means listening attentively to the speaker.
Respect means embracing your similarities while respecting your differences. Respect is
important to human co-existence.
INTEGRITY - It means being truthful, sincere and trustworthy. Say what you mean and mean
what you say! Show others that they can depend on you. This is important in business, in Continued on Page 2
Free g i ft s for Chr istmas and beyond
Organization Name
Newsletter Date Volume 1, Issue 1
Newsletter Title
DISTRICT 47
THE SUNSHINER News from Southeast Florida and The Bahamas
2014-2015
District 47
December 2014
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Club anniversaries
Toastmasters across District 47, Pages 8, 9
District Highlights
Lt. Governor Marketing
Meet Louis “Lou” Brown, DTM, Page 4
Now you know
Meet Hieu Huynh, DTM, Diamond Jubilee Chair. Page 6
Press releases work
Public Relations Officer Marlene Bryan offers a tried, trusted tool you can use to promote your club. Page 7
Holiday fun!
Toastmasters across District 47 get into the spirit of the season with celebrations. Pages 10,11.
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relationships and in Toastmasters.
SERVICE – Leadership is all about service. As leaders in Toastmasters,
our role is to serve the needs of our members. When we help them to
grow, our clubs grow. When our clubs grow, so will our Areas,
Divisions and ultimately our District. The Christmas story teaches us
about the importance of service.
EXCELLENCE - It is difficult to achieve excellence in isolation.
Respect, Integrity and Service are precursors to achieving
excellence. Furthermore, for Excellence to be achieved, the
preceding 3 values must not only exist, they must work in tandem.
Toastmasters are goal setters. We set high standards for ourselves
whether as a member, a club officer or a district leader. After all, we
understand that quality and professionalism are important keys to
success in business, in Toastmasters and in life. This is the pathway to
excellence and EXCELLENCE is the road to SUCCESS.
We have a wonderful opportunity as Toastmasters to share these gifts
with our family and friends. We are all in a position of service. We
serve as mentors, coaches, teachers, trainers, and motivators.
Opportunities are endless for us to share the added gifts of listening, of
affection, laughter and friendship. As we observe our various holidays
this month by celebrating our special ethnic, religious and cultural
events, let’s take time to reflect on the spirit of giving. I encourage you
to give unselfishly.
RESPECT, INTEGRITY, SERVICE, EXCELLENCE - These are
the core values of Toastmasters. If we embrace these values and
share them with everyone we come in contact with by the way we live,
our Christmas will be merry and bright.
On behalf of the District Trio and the extended Leadership Team, I
trust you will have a wonderful holiday season, and best wishes for a
safe, healthy, peaceful, prosperous and productive New Year!
Happy Holidays!
Anthony “Tony” Longley, DTM
DISTRICT 47 GOVERNOR, 2014-2015
MEET #TMD47
THE SUNSHINER
Published by Toastmasters International District 47: Southeast Florida and The Islands of The Bahamas.
Submit articles, questions and comments to [email protected]. DISTRICT 47 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
District Governor
Anthony "Tony" Longley, DTM
Lt. Governor Education and Training
Jeanine Kinsey, DTM
Lt. Governor Marketing
Louis “Lou” Brown, DTM
District Public Relations Officer
Marlene M. Bryan, DTM
District Secretary
Ruth Field Beck, ACB/CL
District Treasurer
Laura Thezine, ACS/ALB
District Sergeant At Arms
Thomas Plant, ACB/ALB
Immediate Past District Governor
Francis Molina, DTM
Division Governors
Div. A: Heather Mahoney, ACS/ALB
Div. B: Karen Lake, ACB/ALB
Div. C: Michael Thorn, DTM
Div. D: Valerie Johnson, ACB/ALB
Div. E: Jason Stewart, ACS/CL
Div. F: Deborah Young, DTM
Div. I: Delmaro Duncombe, DTM
OTHER DISTRICT OFFICERS
TLI Training Coordinator: Antoinette Fox, DTM
Contest Coordinator: Indira Sands
Fall Conference Chair: Diana Loy, DTM
Spring Conference Chair: Lydia Harris, DTM
Club Coach & Advocate Chair: Beverly Cordner, DTM
Webmaster: Stanley Lloyd, CC
Parliamentarian: Matt Kinsey, DTM
Audit Chair: Glenn Parks, ACS/CL
Social Media Chair: Maria Alexandra Sanchez, DTM
Sunshiner Editor: Andrea Robinson, ACB/ALB
Copy Editor/Proofreader: Hieu Huynh, DTM
Free gifts for Christmas and beyond
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.
Jeanine Kinsey
Lieutenant Governor Education & Training
District 47 Toastmasters
954-778-0599 (cell)
www.toastmastersd47.org
District 47 extends prayers and best-wishes to
our Lt. Governor Education & Training as she
recuperates from an accident. We know that she
will be up and running shortly, and doing the
excellent work as always for Toastmasters
International and her home district.
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G reetings Fellow Toastmasters,
This is the season of celebrations, a time of joy and happiness, a time to
appreciate all we have and to value the spirit of giving. Are you still
looking for that perfect gift to give a loved one, a family member, a friend,
and/or co-worker? Look no further. Consider giving the gift of self-
confidence and personal growth. Give the gift of a membership in
Toastmasters!
That’s right. Forget that shirt, fruit basket, electronic gadget, or same old
thing you get for folks on your list each year. Give the gift of self-
improvement – a gift that can foster success in both one’s professional
and personal life. The ability to lead and communicate effectively is
invaluable. After all, the benefits we receive from the Toastmasters program continue to help each of us every day. Let’s share them with
others.
If you have already completed your holiday shopping, or if you do not
partake of gift giving for whatever reason, you can still share the benefits
of Toastmasters with others. How? By inviting guests to attend your next club meeting. We have two great
membership building campaigns taking place now and in the near future to help you spread the joy that is
Toastmasters.
Open House Incentive – District 47 Event Taking Place NOW until June 30
Open Houses are a great way to showcase your awesome club and to show potential members how Toastmasters
can benefit them. The District is offering up to $25 to offset costs as an incentive for your club to conduct a
membership building Open House event. We ask that you please adhere to the following guidelines:
Provide me ([email protected]) with information about your Open House at least two weeks prior
to the event (the earlier the better), including a copy of your event flyer and your plans for spending the money.
Within two weeks after the event, send me a copy of the sign-in sheet and copy me on any follow-up email
communications to your guests.
Also within two weeks after the event, complete and submit a district expense reimbursement form along with
your receipts totaling up to $25.
Talk Up Toastmasters – International Campaign Taking Place from February 1 to March 31
Simply add five new, dual or reinstated members with a join date between February 1 and March 31, and you’ll
The season of celebration on earth, and within our clubs
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receive a special “Talk Up Toastmasters” ribbon to proudly display on your club’s banner. Qualifying clubs can also
earn a special discount code for 10% off their next club order. The winning clubs will be revealed online within a
few weeks of the contest ending (check out last year’s winners here: https://www.toastmasters.org/Leadership-
Central/Club-Officer-Tools/Membership-Building/~/media/2BC59090AFBA4671BD07DA0E4C9A234F.ashx). As
with the Open House program, there are some guidelines:
Applications and payments for members with a join date between February 1 and March 31 must be received at
World Headquarters or online no later than March 31.
The addition of transfer and charter members does not count for “Talk Up Toastmasters” credit.
The discount code expires six months from the date of issue and is not valid with any other offer.
I encourage you to take advantage of these programs that provide your club with a special gift for sharing the value
of Toastmasters with others. A win-win! I wish you all the best in your membership building efforts.
District 47 Keeps Growing!
Please welcome our newest member of the District 47 family – PwC Digital Toastmasters which chartered on
11/26/2014 in Division A, Area 14. The club was sponsored by Toastmasters Adriana Alcala and Claudia Plata and is
currently being mentored by Toastmasters Sheila Bernstein and Thomas Fons. Welcome to the family!
Your Marketing team continues to work very hard to enhance your member experience and satisfy the District
mission, which is to “build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.” We have some great new
marketing tools and training programs in the works. Check out future editions of the Sunshiner for all the exciting
details.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
Yours “In Pursuit of Excellence!”
Louis Brown, DTM
District 47 Lt. Governor Marketing
The season of celebration on earth, and within our clubs
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Name: Hieu Huynh
District 47 Office: Diamond Jubilee Chair
Location (i.e. city of residence): West Palm
Beach, Florida
Hobbies: Toastmasters! OK, I’m also a bit of a sports
enthusiast. And for a new and unusual hobby, I have
taken up Robert’s Rules of Order. Through their
official website, I have answered questions on
parliamentary procedure for members of dog clubs,
home owner associations, student government, city
councils, church groups...
Number of years in Toastmasters International: 8
years
Home Club: Sunset Speakers Club 5222
In a sentence, describe how Toastmasters has
changed your life: It’s just part of my life now.
Who is your mentor in Toastmasters? Why? Diana
Loy because of her excitement! She has seen my
speeches from icebreaker to DTM and beyond...
Describe your most memorable speech/presentation: I held a one-hour Toastmasters meeting where
I was the Toastmaster, speaker, evaluator, Table Topics master, Table Topics speaker, ah counter,
grammarian, timer, Best Speaker, Best Evaluator and Best Table Topics Speaker!
Advice for a beginning Toastmaster: Jump in!
THE MORE YOU KNOW
LEARN ABOUT YOUR FELLOW TOASTMASTERS
We’re expanding this feature to our members, so we can become better acquainted with the people in District 47. Here’s
your opportunity. Briefly tell us about your background, location, memorable speech, mentor and advice for a beginning
Toastmaster. You could be featured in an upcoming issue! Please send an email with the information to
[email protected]. Please include the name and number of your home club, and, if possible, a candid snapshop
of you doing a fun activity.
#D47 Toastmasters, Let us hear from you!
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H appy Holidays District 47 Toastmasters.
As you wind down your 2014 year, start thinking of ways to
promote your clubs. Using a press release to share members and
club achievements, club open houses, special guest speakers are a
great way to provide information to the community.
You can also write an article that speaks about the benefits of
Toastmasters and learning about Public Speaking. Making an
announcement about your incoming officers is another great piece of
tidbit to share.
Did you know Toastmasters International has many resources to
help you spread the news about your club? You can find more
information and sample press releases on the Toastmasters
International site about Public Relations. Here is the link: https://
www.toastmasters.org/Leadership-Central/Public-Relations/Sample-
News-Releases.
Reach out to your local newspapers, on-line magazines, eZines,
television stations, and other media will help to promote your club.
You may want to connect with the person to find out his/her
preference for receiving the information.
Your District 47 Public Relations team highly recommends that you
read the Toastmasters International guidelines of engaging the media.
It can be found here: https://www.toastmasters.org/~/
media/4961F7BE4B244A12A39426D0C9193CD1.ashx. It is a lot of
great information and worth your while to read it.
We wish you a joyous 2015!
District 47 Public Relations Team
Share news about your club through press releases!
Stanley Lloyd Andrea Robinson Maria Alexandra
Sanchez, DTM John Schneyer
Marlene M. Bryan, DTM
DISTRICT PRO, 2014-2015
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Toastmasters Across
District 47
Area 55, part of Division E, is a unique and challenging
Area. Finding an Area Governor is never easy since
visiting one club is a day trip, involving driving a total of
8-9 hours to attend a 1 hour meeting in Key
West. The club is very appreciative of any Area
Governor who does it even once but twice…..they’re
ready to be nominated for sainthood! An AG or any
District officer who makes that trip always is treated to
lunch by the club. Shannon Chamberlain actually made
3 trips but she had a slight advantage….her husband
was a pilot. This year’s Area Governor from
Homestead, Michael Williams, recently made the
trek. He’s shown with President, Alana Thurston, after
the meeting and at Turtle Kraals for lunch before the
return trip.
DIVISION E’s ROAD WARRIOR
HOMESTEAD TOASTMASTERS ON THE GROW
After a 30-year career as a
Naval aviator, Karen Baetzel
flew through the requirements
and recently landed a DTM
award for herself and
Homestead Toastmasters.
While
recently
visiting his
Dad
(President of
the
Homestead
Toastmasters Club) Tim Erschik attended
his first Toastmasters meeting. Called
upon last, he won Best Table Topics for
his heartfelt presentation about what he
remembers from past Thanksgiving Day
family gatherings. Joining his local
Toastmasters Club is now on his near
future radar.
Richard
Erschik,
president of
the
Homestead
Toastmasters
Club, delivered more than 350
presentations as a trade show exhibitor
educator and small business coach.
Today, he shares how Toastmasters
would have eliminated some of the
communication and leadership challenges
he actually lived. He recently received
his Competent Leader award.
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CLUB CHARTER ANNIVERSARIES
FOR DECEMBER 2014
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary greetings are extended to the
following clubs. Thank you for your contribution to the growth and
success of District 47. On behalf of District Governor Tony Longley,
the District Executive Committee, and all members across South
Florida and Islands of The Bahamas, we wish you a successful,
President’s Distinguished Year!
Club Name City Club # Area Division Charter Date Years
Treasure Coast Stuart 3466 40 D 12/1/1982 32
Toast Of The Gold Coast Oakland Park 4267 21 B 12/1/1984 30
Soaring Eagles Rock Sound 2888579 94 I 12/6/2012 2
Power-Full Voices Jupiter 2897690 42 D 12/7/2012 2
TM Paul Finkelstein, of West Boca Toastmasters Club,
TM Laura Thezine, District Treasurer and DTM Tony
Longley, District 47 Governor were among nearly 4000
runners who participated in the 10th annual West Palm
Beach Run Fest. They all competed in the half marathon
event and successfully completed the grueling 13.1 mile
course. Running "In Pursuit of Excellence" -
Congratulations!
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T he Marketing Department of Toastmasters District 47 is responsible for all aspects of marketing, club-
building, and member- and club-retention efforts within the district. This includes defining an overall
marketing strategy for the district, developing outreach and retention efforts with existing community and corporate
clubs, and penetrating new markets. Additionally, the marketing area supports challenged clubs and helps them to
become Distinguished.
The marketing strategy guides the district in meeting membership and club-growth objectives. The team is led by
the Lt. Governor Marketing who, with the approval of the District
Governor, appoints members to chair marketing committees. The Committee Chairs help the Lt. Governor Marketing design,
develop, and implement district marketing projects. Together, the
marketing team creates a strong club-building program by
appointing club sponsors and mentors for new clubs and club
coaches and advocates for existing clubs that are struggling. Our
mission is to build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving
excellence in the Distinguished Club Program.
Introducing Your Marketing Team:
Louis Brown, DTM – Lt. Governor Marketing
Beverly Cordner, DTM – Club Rescue Chair (Coaches and
Advocates)
Alejandro Crespo – Division A Coaching Chair
Matt Eggersston – Division B Coaching Chair
Rhonda Garcia – Division C Coaching Chair
Barbara Strasdas, DTM – Division D Coaching Chair
LaKeesha Morris – Division E Coaching Chair
Elvis Collie – Division F Coaching Chair
Leonardo Burrows, DTM – Division I Coaching Chair
Michael Schoen – Club Extension Co-Chair (Sponsors and Mentors – South Florida)
Vanessa Scott, DTM – Club Extension Co-Chair (Sponsors and Mentors – Bahamas)
Rich Otten, DTM – Gavel Club Chair
Helping Others Helps Ourselves
The marketing team needs you! Several clubs in District 47 are struggling with low membership and need the help of
experienced, knowledgeable Toastmasters to survive. Several prospective clubs are in the midst of being formed and
need the help of enthusiastic, well-informed Toastmasters to succeed. If you are not yet a DTM, you will need to
serve as a club sponsor, mentor or coach in order to satisfy the DTM requirements. If you are a DTM, you will
receive enormous satisfaction helping fledgling or struggling clubs succeed in their quest to become Distinguished.
Training is required to serve in these roles and will be offered at all upcoming Toastmasters Leadership Institute
(TLI) events. Please see the district website – d47.toastmastersdistricts.org – for more information on TLIs, including
dates and schedules. Please contact the Lt. Governor Marketing at [email protected] if you have any
other questions or need more information.
Consider being a club sponsor, mentor, coach or advocate – you won’t regret it. Your help today will positively
impact generations of Toastmasters to come!
Marketing team needs you!
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BROWARD-NORTH DADE
TLI WAS A ROUSING
SUCCESS, WITH A NEW
SESSION FOR PRESIDENTS
AND VPEs.
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Got News? Please share with The Sunshiner!
We want to hear from you!
Consider The Sunshiner your source for news and information about the happenings in your club,
area, division and across the district. For this to be a successful endeavor, we need your input.
We’re interested in the events, successes, triumphs and fun in the clubs and in personal feats. This is
the place to celebrate club achievements, milestones, and individual accomplishments.
Please email your information or ideas to [email protected].
Universal Toastmasters recently hosted its club
meeting with an eerily spooky flair to celebrate
the Halloween season. Toastmaster of the day
was Maurice Fuller, DTM, who got into his role
and the theme. He did consult with club
President Jerrod Clairsaint.
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