On Friday night, Gary Chiu kicked it off in the Banner Parade with not one, but two banners representing Afterburners. Afterburners' first-timers were Steven and Rose Timmons. By the way, Steven was the Volunteer Coordinator for the conference. I know you'll be proud of your club members, because everyone did something extra (other than just attend the conference). What a wonderful meal, dynamic evaluation contest, and outstanding guest speaker, Craig Valentine, 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking, a funny, funny, funny, guy.
Saturday morning started with the Leadership Breakfast, a biiiiigggg breakfast buffet. Setma was collecting tickets (now if you want someone who will enforce the rules, Setma is your woman, no free meals here). Guess who made it to breakfast? You guessed it — Brenda Daniels.
One of the highlights of the Leadership Breakfast was a skit performed by yours, mine, and our own Division A Governor, Pat Quick, along with the division's Area Governors and Gary Chiu. The title of the skit was “Mission Impossible.” They entered the room to the theme music of the old tv show, wearing black trench coats, black hats, black sunglasses, and black pistols — you get the picture. Their mission was to inform us of our accomplishments as clubs. It was a blast! The guest speaker Michael Meier from Seoul, South Korea, was dynamic.
During one of the Educational Sessions, Brenda Daniels had the honor of introducing Safaraz Nazir, who taught on the subject of “Go for the WOW: How to Create Memorable Speeches.” Afterburners was the sponsor for his session.
The District Awards Luncheon was
Fantastic, desert was
Fabulous and the guest speaker, Jennifer Johnson, spoke on the
Future belonging to those who act on making their dreams a reality. (NOTE to readers – the three “F’s”.)
Rose Timmons and Linda Coleman helped on the decorating committee, preparing for the Humorous Speech contest. Great contestants, and oh! so funny.
What we all were waiting for, the climax of the Conference, started with the Dignitary Parade. When Pat Quick walked in, on the arm of her escort George Arndt, it was breathtaking. It is or should be every Toastmaster’s dream to be in that line-up. Guest speaker Kimberly Davis, Founder/Director of OnStage Leadership, inspired us to color outside of the lines, while we “Live in the Color of Our Dreams.”
NOW…The DTM ceremony was a sight to behold. This gives me goose bumps, because as a Toastmaster you have a good idea about what the journey was like. There were 11 individuals who stepped up to receive this award because they conquered obstacles, overcame disappointments, and invested in others to reach the pinnacle, and obtain the prize.
We are so proud of our own newest Distinguished Toastmaster! Pat Quick, congratulations on your accomplishments!
Well, I just wanted to give you little excerpts from the Conference; hope to see you at the Spring Conference.
Linda Coleman
