MESSAGE FROM DIPLOMATIC'S PRESIDENT

I consider joining Toastmasters in general, and Diplomatic Toastmasters specifically, as one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I have not only enjoyed getting to meet a great and diverse group of people, but I have greatly improved my speaking skills. For the last seven months I have had the privilege of serving the club as President.

As we get closer each day to the end of this fiscal year, I realize with pride what a great club we have. Our club has a great record for members excelling at achieving their speaking goals. Our meetings are always full of energy. We continue to have members who compete at the Area, Division, and District levels. In fact, just last fall, our own Terri Heath, CL won in the District Evaluation Contest! Rhonda K. Craven is very involved as North Division Governor and a member of two clubs. We have also been privileged to have new members who get involved in the club right from the start.

In the three short years I have been involved with Diplomatic, I have watched many of those before me move into higher positions within Toastmasters and watched many newer members take on bigger challenges. Both have been great learning experiences for me. Now, I realize that anything is possible if you put some work behind it. My hope is that Diplomatic Toastmasters will continue to provide opportunities for learning, improving, leading, and speaking, for many days to come.

Tamara J. Lewis, CL
Diplomatic Toastmasters Club 30-4378 President

MESSAGE FROM THE NORTH DIVISION GOVERNOR

When I first joined Diplomatic, I never aspired to serving outside the club, but I’m so glad that I have done so over the past seven years! It’s given me a greater appreciation of our club's strengths, which have led to our consistent minimum Distinguished Club performance every year. Some clubs have never been Distinguished during their history, and unfortunately, many clubs don’t make it past the first three years. Diplomatic, however, is celebrating its 15th anniversary this month!

I’ve served as the District Sergeant-at-Arms, two terms as an Area Governor and was in two unofficial (non-voting) positions—Assistant Division Governor and M.O.T.I.V.E.—last year. When I was asked to consider running for Division Governor, I said yes, feeling better equipped than five years ago when I was first asked!

Pam Melick, our Division Governor from 2003-2005 (and a visitor to Diplomatic last summer), left me some big shoes to fill! She took the North Division from no distinction to President’s Distinguished both years! Last year, the Division also was first to schedule all its speech contests, have all its dues paid, have all its officer lists submitted on time, and had the highest percentage of clubs with four or more officers trained in both summer and winter!

I’m very proud of our team of six Area Governors! Because of their efforts, the North Division was first to schedule all its spring speech contests. Last summer, we exceeded last year’s 65% of 4+ officers, training 83%--a District 30 record! We were also first to have all of our club dues paid and club visits completed so the District can keep its finger on the pulse of the clubs. This group keeps me well-posted on what is happening in our 29 clubs. We also have two leads to start new clubs, so we anticipate adding to our ranks before June 30!

All this is truly the result of teamwork! Our team picked as its motto, North Shining Stars--Showing the Way. To date, we are truly living this out! I appreciate the groundwork that Pam laid and the chance to learn so much from her! To date, the District leadership (the "Top 3") has selected me as Division Governor of the first two quarters. I've decided to run for the position again for 2006-2007. The club I'm co-coaching (with one of our "ghost members," Dawne Simmons-Archie) is also doing well.

The North Division has great momentum as we are coming to the end of this year. I truly believe we will be able to "three-peat" with the President's Distinguished Division recognition. I hope that Diplomatic will be able to reach that pinnacle with us!

Rhonda K. Craven, ATMS/CL
North Division Governor
District 30 Toastmasters
North Shining Stars--Showing the Way

2005-2006 DIPLOMATIC TOASTMASTERS OFFICERS