Governor's Blog

What kind of person are you? Are you a "good enough" person, or are you the kind who wants to constantly grow and learn and improve? Do you want to be the best there is? We need all kinds of people, but the more you invest into your Toastmasters experience, the more you will receive from it. I frequently tell people in my home club, you have to jump in and get involved for Toastmasters to have an effect. Trust me, it doesn't happen by osmosis! If you go to your club meetings, and all you do is sit back and watch to be entertained, you will leave entertained and with a larger back side. However, you will not grow in your speaking or leadership skills.

The same is true in holding a district leadership role. If you invest "just enough", you probably will be able to get by in a district leadership role. However, the district will not be better because you served, and you will have missed out on a fabulous opportunity to grow. Being a leader is not easy, people disappoint you, and at times you will be discouraged. But if you get up, shake it off, and go back to work with the desire to excel and the willingness to invest the effort required to excel, then excel you will! And the district will prosper because you cared enough to invest yourself in helping others benefit to the fullest from their Toastmasters experience.

I invite all of you to fully get on board with what we are doing. The excitement for what we envision District 84 to be continues to grow and we want all of you to experience this with us. We're having the time of our lives; come enjoy it with us!

Dave

- posted 9/9/08
 

I heard a story several years ago that resonated with me. Every morning on the plains of Africa, an antelope awakens and realizes that today, it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will not live to see the sun set. Likewise, every morning on the plains of Africa, a lion awakens and realizes she must run faster than the slowest antelope, or she and her cubs will go hungry tonight. The point to the story is very simple; it doesn't matter whether you are the hunter, or the hunted. In either case, you must be running!

So what is the point to this story? Here in our new District 84, we have inherited a grand and wonderful legacy from District 47. However, if we are to be successful as a district, we cannot rest on that legacy; we have to be running ! We have to earn our educational awards, we need to strengthen our existing clubs, and we must build new clubs. Remember, if we are not growing, we are dying! So how do we ensure our district's success? It takes a lot of work, but it is not overly difficult to do. We simply need to ensure we take our roles seriously, work to complete them to the best of our ability, and always ensure we remain focused on how we can help our club members succeed in reaching their personal goals. As our members achieve their personal goals for joining Toastmasters, they become even more motivated. This results in your club's educational goals being achieved and your clubs are strengthened. Motivated members work to bring more people into Toastmasters, resulting in club growth and creation of new clubs. Therefore, keep your focus on ensuring your members achieve their goals! As you do so, we will ensure our district is Distinguished.

Your leadership team is focused intently on Raising the Bar to make District 84 the best district in the world. We are excited and sense a groundswell of enthusiasm as more and more members catch this vision. We invite you to join us, and become a part of our efforts to make District 84 the best district in the world!

Dave

- posted 7/28/08
 

Fellow Toastmasters, I want to express my deep appreciation to all for the support I received in my election as the first District 84 Governor ! I am humbled by the honor you have bestowed on me, but I am equally mindful of the great responsibility you have entrusted to me. We are at a historic moment, one which will establish a pattern for the future for all of us. More than anything, I want to ensure we set District 84 on a path for success. To that end, our motto for the next Toastmasters year will be "Raising the Bar" !

Why did I choose this for our motto? Simply put, as a part of the former District 47 we were afforded superb training, guidance, and encouragement from those who served before us. However, along the way we also developed some habits that could be improved. My desire is we become the very best district in Toastmasters! To accomplish that, we need higher goals, higher standards, and greater accountability.

I recognize I cannot do all that is needed on my own. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by many talented and willing people with wonderful attitudes for service! Together, we will build a solid foundation upon which District 84 can become a strong, dynamic, and vibrant district. I am excited about the opportunity which lies before us, and I am confident we have the talent and commitment necessary to build the best district in the world! I invite you to join with us on this exciting and historic quest. Let's Raise the Bar and make District 84 a distinguished district in our first year of operation!

I welcome your feedback and comments at any time.

Dave Hollingshead
District 84 Governor

- posted 7/1/08

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