Page Updated
June 11, 2009

Directory

About Us

Directory

Find A Club

Division A

Division B

Division C

Division D

Division E

Division F

Calendar

53 News

D53 History

Past D53 Governors

Education

Training

Contests

Conferences

Marketing & Membership

Resources

Useful Links

Site Map

Links to Toastmaster Clubs

On-line File Cabinet

Suggestions? Email to

d53 Toastmasters Email Group

Summer '09 Yankee Activator Published and Posted. Click here.

Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) for 2009-2010 Club Officers
TLI will provide the essential training courses to help you understand the full responsibilities of your role as a club officer and will help you get started with effective methods and strategies.

• TLI 1 - Saturday, June 27
• Where: Manchester Church of Christ, 595 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT
  • TLI 1 Google Directions
• TLI 2 - Saturday, July 18
• Where: Wildwood Schools, 2995 Curry Road Ext., Schenectady, NY
  • TLI 2 Google Directions
• TLI 3 - Saturday, July 25
• Where: University of Bridgeport, 126 Park Ave, Bridgeport, CT
  • TLI 3 Google Directions
• TLI 4 - Saturday, August 22
• Where: Marist College, Dyson Center, 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY
  • TLI 4 Google Directions
• TLI at a Glance (Agenda subject to change)
  • 8:00 AM Walk-in Registration, Orientation and Conversation
  • 9:00 AM Common Educational Session
  • 10:00 AM Your 1st Elective TLI Course
  • 11:00 AM Your 2nd Elective TLI Course
  • Noon - Club Officer Role Specific Break-out Session
  • 1:00 PM TLI Wrap-up (15 minutes)
• TLI Registration Form (pdf)
• TLI Course Catalog (pdf)
• Questions?
  • TLI Dean Arnie Grot, DTM
  • '09-'10 LGET Dave Wheeler, DTM

Be a Valued Volunteer Sponsor
     The International Convention Fundraising Committee cordially invites you to participate as one of our Valued Volunteer Sponsors. Your financial contributions are needed to help support the 300-plus convention volunteers during the four-day convention. District 53 is responsible for providing name badges, food and beverages, and other support for its volunteers. According to Toastmasters International regulations, all funds for volunteer support must be raised from private donations; club funds cannot be used. Thank you for helping our volunteers!

TI to recognize Brian Cavanaugh, ATM-G/CL with a Presidential Citation!

International President, Jana Barnhill, DTM, AS, has a special award to present to Mr. Cavanaugh at the 78th Annual Convention in Mashantucket, CT: The Presidential Citation. This award recognizes his outstanding achievements in representing the goals and ideals of Toastmasters International. It is one of Toastmasters' highest honors. The presentation of the Presidential Awards will be part of the Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday, August 14, which begins at 1:30 p.m. at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Premier Ballroom. Thank you Brian for all your hard work and dedication!

News Reports from the Spring 2009 Conference

• At the Spring Conference held in Norwich, CT on April 25th, the District 53 Council elected the top three District officers to serve from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. They are:

  Marsha Kiley, ACS, CL District Governor	Dave Wheeler, DTM Lt. Gov. Education & Training	Richard Peck, ACS, ALB Lt. Gov. Marketing

• The District 53 Council also elected five of the six Division Governors to serve from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. They are:

  Andre White, CC, ALB Division A Governor	Bette McIntire, CC, CL Division B Governor	Nathan Jaycox, ACS, CL Division C Governor

  Fred Ferris, ACS, ALB Division D Governor	Frank Fasano, ACB, ALB Division E Governor	-- Open --- Division F Governor

News Reports from the Spring 2009 Conference
Contestants representing the six Toastmaster Divisions competed Saturday, April 25, 2009 in the Table Topics Speech Contest and the International Speech Contest.

• Results For the Table Topics Contest:
  The Table Topic is a question or request that is asked of each of the contestants. Each speech contestant provides a 1 to 2 minute impromptu or extemporaneous response. On Saturday morning, the Contestmaster, Jeff Sobel, asked the following Table Topic question: "Clear skies have been projected, but predictions are often wrong. What is your prediction for the future?" The District 53 contest results are as follows:
  • 1st Place: Kevin Wortman of West-Conn TM, Club #599, Area A4, Danbury, CT
    
  • 2nd Place: Nyema Pinkney of Greater Hartford TM, Club #919, Area B5, Hartford, CT
  • 3rd Place: Marilyn Jess of Last Word TM, Club #3853, Area E1, Pittsfield, MA
  • Other participating contestants were:
    - Abhijit Mhetre, representing Div C;
    - Al-Rahim Williams, representing Div D; and
    - Ricki Shapiro, representing Div F.
  • Contest Officials were:
    - Contestmaster ... Jeff Sobel, ACB, CL
    - Chief Judge ... David Freedman, DTM
• Results For the International Speech Contest:
  Every year Toastmasters International seeks to recognize the World Champion of Public Speaking. In August, at the Annual TI Convention in Mashantucket, CT, eight speakers from eight North American Regions plus two speakers from the Overseas clubs will compete for the title of World Champion. The District 53 contest results are as follows:
  • 1st Place: Nana Danso
    BI (Boehringer Ingelheim) TM, Club #7386, Area A2, Ridgefield, CT
    Speech Title: "The Song of Life"
    • Recorded Audio File - IntSpeech09-NanaDanso.mp3
      
  • 2nd Place: Bill Miranda
    Yale TM, Club #820, Area D2, New Haven, CT
    Speech Title: "Opportunities Lost - Opportunities Found"
    • Recorded Audio File - IntSpeech09-BillMiranda.mp3
  • 3rd Place: Mike Cioppa
    Capital TM, Club #6518, Area F6, Albany, NY
    Speech Title: "The Amazing Secret"
  • Other participating contestants were:
    - Jerry Aiyathurai, representing Div B;
    - Abhijit Mhetre, representing Div C; and
    - Elizabeth Larson, representing Div E.
    Contest Officials were:
    - Contestmaster ... Liz Trendowski, ACS, CL
    - Chief Judge ... David Freedman, DTM
• There is one more contest before the big event this August. Our District 53 contest winner, Nana Danso of BI Toastmasters, has prevailed at the Club, Area, Division, and District contest levels. And now he will proceed onward to the Region VII Conference on June 5-6, hosted by District 45 (VT, NH, ME, NB, NS, PEI) at Crowne Plaza Moncton Downtown, 1005 Main St, Moncton, NB, Canada. And with our support, it is possible that Nana Danso will compete at the 78th Annual Toastmasters International Convention at the MGM Grand At Foxwoods, 39 Norwich-Westerly Rd, Mashantucket CT, August 12-15, 2009.

Local Builder is ‘The Change’ of our nation
Bruce, “Bruno”, Hayn of Home Designs by Bruno and ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Voluntown, was selected as one of approximately 70 outstanding leaders throughout the world to receive the Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership award this year.
      The award was presented to Mr. Hayn at District 53 Toastmasters Spring Conference on Saturday, April 25, 2009 – at the Chelsea Rose Ballroom in Norwich, CT. He received a standing ovation after a very inspiring and moving presentation. Toastmasters District 53 Governor Karin Von Kaenel cited Bruce Hayn in recognition of his achievements as both a communicator and leader, as well as a volunteer.
      Background: The Girard family suffered multiple tragedies. Their house was ravaged by fire and then, in June 2008, the family lost their father, Thomas, and oldest son, Marc, 17, in a drowning accident. They were very deserving recipients of a new house from the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ television design team. Local builder, “Bruno” led the army of more that 1,000 volunteers who built the Girard’s new home in 106 hours.
This in itself was an enormous accomplishment that required communication and leadership skills. It was what he did above and beyond the building of the home, however, that made him stand out as a C&L Award recipient. According to nominator Eva Menon, President of Niantic Toastmasters: “Bruno set up an accountant to teach them about budgeting and financial planning. He then got a lawyer to help the family with legal issues, and also arranged for a financial planner to be involved. He arranged for fundraisers that will enable the entire family to go to college. In addition, CVS donated cash towards college and Goodwin College has already given 5 full scholarships.
Bruno has made a positive difference in this family¹s life and he has gone above and beyond to continue helping them even after the "glory" is gone. Even today Bruno is available for the stuck door and leaky tub.”

Club Presidents will soon receive International Proxies
On March 31, the International proxy cards for the Regional Conference (in Moncton, NB Canada) and the Annual Business Meeting at the Toastmasters International Convention will be sent to club presidents of record. The proxy mailing is being sent in a blue envelope with "IMPORTANT PROXY INFORMATION" printed on the front of the envelope. Please watch for this important mailing.
      Proxies are needed for your club to cast its votes to nominate international director candidates at the regional conference and to elect the international officers and directors at the Annual Business Meeting. They will also be used when voting on a very important matter, Proposal A, Global Representation and Support. Read "The Future of Toastmasters."

• What is the purpose of Proposal A: Global Representation and Support?
  The purpose of this proposal, also known as the governance proposal, is to improve the organization’s structure, with the aim of achieving: (1) A balanced system of global representation that would be more fair and equitable, and (2) Improved service and support for every member regardless of where he or she may live in the world.
  
• When will members vote on the proposal?
  The vote will take place during the International Convention in August 2009 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Every club will be entitled to two votes. Results will be announced after voting is completed at the Annual Business Meeting on August 14, 2009.
• Who will decide on the proposed changes?
  Two of the five areas of proposed changes are included in the Toastmasters Bylaws and will be voted on by the membership: (1) Expanding to 14 regions, and (2) Formation of the International Leadership Committee (ILC).
  The other three areas of proposed changes are included in Toastmasters Policy and will be decided on by the Board of Directors: (3) Region advisor marketing role; (4) Year-round district training (in-person and e-learning); and (5) Speech contests and regional business moved to the International Convention held each August.
• Learn more ... Read the complete FAQ (frequently asked questions).
  

The 2009 Toastmasters International Convention needs you!
Visit the TM 2009 Volunteer Page to register as a volunteer for the biggest event of Toastmasters International! For this and other "District 53 Wetpaint links" visit the Useful Links Page

Sights and Sounds: The D53 Fall Conference and TI Presidential Visit:
• Photographs are now available for your viewing pleasure. Click here and Check it Out.
• When Jana Barnhill visited our District in October, she was interviewed by Michael Stone,
Board member of the HR Management Association of Western New England.
This interview in mp3 format is now available [ Click Here ]

District 53 "The Traveling Gavels." Six "Traveling Gavels" named Alex, Bo, Chris, Drew, Ennis and Francis were introduced to encourage joint Toastmaster Club meetings and to extend the fellowship of Toastmasters. Read more, keep your eye on the moves of the "Traveling Gavels." Current Gavel Location Gavel Name Club Name, Number Alex The Bureaucrats Club #790849 Bo Stag Toastmasters Club #2908 Chris Pfizer Phrasemakers #4445 Drew Middlesex County #8340 Ennis Stag Toastmaster Club #2908 Francis Saratoga Care #9748

WELCOME • New 2008-2009 Toastmaster Clubs

• Club #1223576, ESPI Toastmasters Club (O)
  The club was chartered on August 20th and is assigned to Area E1.
• Club #1277113, Fuss & O'Neill Toastmasters Club (R)
  The club was chartered on January 19th and is assigned to Area C4.
• Club #1289907, PwC Stamford Club (R)
  The club was chartered on March 1st and is assigned to Area D3.