Fellow Toastmasters,
Today, our 2019-20 fiscal year comes to the end. All District and Club leaders are winding down their roles and transferring knowledge to the incoming team.
Likewise, I conclude my District 26 Director role. My focus this year was to ‘Have Fun. Get Better.’ Ralph Smedley said it best, “We learn best in moments of enjoyment.”
Little did I know that we would all be learning so much while adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic! Unfortunately, we lost 16% of our clubs and 22% of our members this year. I sincerely appreciate all the servant leaders that helped to transition clubs online so quickly, otherwise could have been worse.
A bright spot is that we set a record for new Distinguished Toastmasters (DTMs). I’m confident that ending the legacy educational program was a strong impetus. According to this Educational Achievement report, 57 members earned their DTM this year! I look forward to presenting each of them a DTM medallion during our fall Hall-of-Fame event.
My thanks goes to our 77 District volunteers for supporting our clubs this year. Your expertise, passion and countless hours are very appreciated.
- Marcia Wood – Immediate Past District Director
- Jacqueline Smith – Program Quality Director
- Victoria Cox – Club Growth Director
- Keith Horowitz – Public Relations Manager
- JP Bachmann – Finance Manager
- Diana Strong – Administration Manager
- Eight Division Directors
- 41 Area Directors
- 22 additional volunteers across many disciplines
- The entire list can be found here
Now it’s time to hand the baton to our incoming 2020-21 leadership team. I wish everyone good luck in supporting our amazing District.
Be well,
Mike Akins, DTM
District 26 Director 2019-20
