One of our conference committee positions is minute-by-minute. This lays out – literally to the minute – what is happening and where everyone needs to be. That and a commitment by everyone – district leaders, conference committee members, sergeants-at-arms for not allowing people into the room after an event starts, chairs of the different events – to keep things on time makes for a very successful conference.

If you want more information, send me a note. I hope D30 can turn things around so that people want to attend again – and will continue to attend.

Part of the Toastmasters leadership track is improving our ability to manage time effectively. In my experience, many of our experienced Toastmasters have not mastered this skill.

When a speaker goes over their allotted time, they not only disrupt the event schedule, they are being disrespectful of their audience.

Speaking concisely while delivering your message is an important quality in a seasoned speaker. This quality is absolutely necessary for professional speakers to master.

Healthy clubs are largely a result of involved,excited plus dedicated and committed members. Members who want their respective clubs to succeed and soar. The Ambassador program gets every member stepping and thinking outside of the proverbial box. This program fosters new ideas. It engages critical thinking networking. AG’s and DG’s are on the same playing field in this program and when I see them visiting, it gives me the courage to venture out as well.
I have become an Ambassador and find it interesting,enjoyable and fun visiting other clubs. Also, learning is very educational and learning from others and not just in books gives me the benefit of their expertise. I love this program.

I don’t give a hoot about awards. I prefer to fly under the radar and work on the grass roots level because I care passionately about my clubs and want to see them excel. That being said, I see nothing wrong with AGs such as myself competing in this program. We receive no credit for clubs visited outside of our areas prior to the start date of the program. In other words, ALL AGs & DGs started on an even playing field the day the program was implemented. They all have the same anbassador opportunities that I do.

Here’s why it’s important. When my club members see me collecting ambassador points, they want to do it as well. The program has been favorably received. My goal is to encourage them to stretch their wings and get involved.

I agree that this is an excellent initiative, my favorite to date.

Having attended the conference, I can’t say the timing was any better with things running long in the afternoon as well and almost as bad as if the contest was in the evening.

However, I can say these efforts were not so much the conference’s fault but other obstacles they had no control over. The big ones being the Fall Meeting running almost until noon and a surprise apperance by Les Brown during the afternoon which was delayed due to a late flight and Chicago area traffic.

Like you, I think ACE needs to be more infused somehow. And while I’d like to tell you this committee wasn’t people pulling double duty, a lot of them were or it was indeed the same usual names and faces.

The truth is too much is jammed into Saturday. For some, the day starts at 7am with the achievers breakfast and doesn’t end until the conference closes on Saturday night. I’ve wondered if maybe you couldn’t combine the banner parade and the achievers breakfast which might then allow them to start the business meeting earlier.

I won’t be attending the conference. I hope it turns out a whole lot better than the Spring.

The Advisory Board was created to maintain some continuity and keep up a good conference.

By the way I gave a speech last night at the Area 2 contest about eating CROW. I do eat a lot of it, however serving it is really special.

I hope you will attend the conference and I believe you will have a good time.

I will of course have to deliver the CROWS to you personally then.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Best Regards,

Tim Bolger
District 30 Sgt at arms.

Service and Awards are important and while those 5 minutes are important to them, the rest of the audience is wishing they’d speed it along. District Leadership needs to be willing to work with Conference committees to make this more efficent.