Dear District 10,  

Spring is in the air.  It's Sunday morning March 4th.  Even though a dusting of snow lay on the deck outside the kitchen window, and the sun won't peek over the horizon for another couple of hours, I know new beginnings are coming.  The signs are obvious.  You can't help but love this time of the year.

The first sign of spring is area contests.  International President Michael Notaro has April tickets to Cleveland for the Spring Conference.  Darren LaCroix pops by to help us sprout up an advanced humor club.  Yes, being a Toastmaster puts an unusual spin on Spring.

I mark a big ole' X on March 2nd and sigh.  I've already missed the Area 33 Contest in the South.  Only 19 chances left until Division contests start rolling.  I mull my schedule.  I type quickly, realizing today may be the last day I see my kids awake until April 30th......  I wonder what contest life stories, some of which turn into memorable remembrances touching the hearts of other Toastmasters including myself, that I will be hearing.....  I also wonder what life stories I will miss with my family.   I sip my caramel vanilla tea, and think to myself "Man you really are a kid drinking something named vanilla caramel at 5:15 in the morning".  I throw in an extra spoonful of sugar because I'm an adult now, and I can....  

Daylight peeks over the horizon at 6:15, as does my second son Nolan's head over the bannister.  It's Lego time.  He and I are always the first ones up, and Sunday's before church we spend building legos together.  I have special times per week with all my kids.  His is early mornings.  I cover him up on the couch, and let him know I'll be another 10 minutes.  I silently bless him for his patience. 

Another sip of tea lets me know I have plenty of sugar now, and I start thinking of all the things that worry me.  How many clubs will decide not to renew in April?  Will dues be turned in on time?  Will everyone have enough High Quality Judges?  Will contests run effectively?  Are people getting what they need from Toastmasters?  Where are those darn invite cards I need to get sent out to each club?  Are the marketing booths helping?  Will Michael Notaro offer much positive reinforcement about how I can be a better leader because it is truly needed?  Will the seven or eight hot leads turn into real clubs?  Where will I find mentors and sponsors for all of these opportunities?  Will Darren LaCroix's visit inspire Toastmasters on to new and exciting things?  How are nominations for next year rolling along?  Will our midyear Audit pass muster?  Will the realignments for this year work out?  I think about all these things from a District Governor perspective, but I realize there are levels of stress at all points in Toastmasters; Members, club officers, area governors, division governors.  We are all one in the same, just at different points in our Toastmaster development. 

I bite my nails..... I stress for a minute.  Then I look out the window.  It's Spring: a time of new beginnings.  New clubs have sprung up.  I've met many inspired Toastmaster Msmbers.  Some clubs have been saved.  Our District is first in three of four of the critical success factors in our Region.  The Trio and District executive committees are busy working on area visits and contests.  Things aren't so bad.  District 10 is full of strong people, new and experienced.  If we don't make distinguished district this year it won't be from lack of trying.  The stress melts away a bit, as does the dusting of snow.  I realize I fully expect we will make our goals.  I smile inside.   Being District Governor this year is not so bad, because there are so many Toastmasters in District 10 that help, volunteer and care.  I am lucky.  Things are pretty good, and they could be way worse.  Stress melts into cautious optimism.   

Nolan rolls off the couch and hugs me.  He says "Toastmasters stuff again?".  "Yes Nolan".  "Is today a good day?".  "It sure is Nolan".  "We don't have any Lego kits for this morning".  I think to myself "Don't worry Nolan.   I am the District Governor..... I think we can fix that".  I ponder a little more and really end up saying "Don't worry Nolan, I'm your Dad. I can fix this problem.  Walmart opens in five minutes".   

It's time to take off the District Governor hat for a couple hours, and be a Dad.  While communication and leadership skills are important, right now Legos are the building blocks of the Future.  Happy Spring.  Balance in your life is an important Leadership skill. 

Humbly, yours in Service. 

Dave Wiley
District 10 Governor.  

wiley@mayfran.com  

acgitsme@yahoo.com 

Action Story #2  

Clean Comedy night on February 2nd included many Toastmaster participants and was organized by (left) Toastmaster Brett Tipton. (Right) Donna Komidar looks a bit out of place, not because she was doing comedy, but because she has on a football related sweater as opposed to Hula! (Below) the "Group" hangs after a successful comedy endeavor.

Action Story #3  

Citadel of Hope took the Marketing booth on the road to a nearby library. Anja Sassenberg-DeGeorgia (in the photo) did a nice job attracting new visitors, giving this brief summary of her experience.

"It was very interesting to stand there with the booth for the first time at the Rice Library today telling people about the Citadel of Hope Toastmasters club. About half of the people walking by slowed down and looked curious. Then about one third of those that I explained the benefits of Toastmasters to put their name and email address down to be contacted/emailed before the next meetings."

The marketing booth attracted two visitors to Citadel of Hope's next meeting. Both turned into members. If you'd like to use a marketing booth, contact your area or division governor.

Action Story #4 

Terri Fullmer took advantage of registering for the Canton Chamber of commerce professional event.

Here is the set up prior to the event. District funds are available for using these booths at shows, professional gatherings, etc... To find out if your event qualifies, send an email with a copy of the application to Dave Wiley wiley@mayfran.com He'll even take care of filling out the registration and paying the entrance fee. All you have to do is take the booth and man it!

Action Story #5

Toastmaster Mark Kwasny's book "Miserable Milton" hit the book stands and he's getting publicity for it. Check out a story of his successes here.