District 69 Conference - "Grow by Design"

Four Sandgate Toastmasters attended the District 69 Conference: John T on Saturday, Gail H, Liz and Christiane for both Saturday and Sunday. (Neither attended the Friday night or Monday breakfast and excursion.)

Gail took on judging one contest, whereas the other three members were able to relax and observe.

Congratulations to Sandgate Toastmasters for making it onto the shortlist of finalists for "Best Club Website & Social Media". We were up against Dalby, Lockyer Valley and Waterloo Bay with latter taking the title. (Next year we will even further improve!)

 

Of course, we had the four contests (more below), but the team around Kate had also given us plenty of opportunity to learn and witness great speaking skills.

On Saturday, there was one educational breakout session, whereas on Sunday there were even two to select from three different sessions each:

Educational Breakout Session 1

• Vaughan Paynter - Identify and Engage with Your Unique Voice
• Christiane's feedback: Vaughan had changed the title of his presentation to: "Finding Your Voice - and having the guts to use it". He encouraged us not be happy with vanilla - especially when it comes to the four areas humour, formality, respect and enthusiasm. In those, we should not be in No-man's land since we won't stand out.
• Vaughan reminded us that discomfort is required to grow, because we didn't want to end up as white as rice in milk on a paper plate in a snow storm. He spoke about authority, integrity and simplicity leading to clarity and therefore confidence.
   
• Michelle Priem - Living Intentionally - Prioritising the Things that Matter Most
• Gail H's feedback: Michelle shared with us her experiences of letting go of the 'busyness' of the modern world to live more simple with intent.
• While wearing so many hats in her life, Michelle has found her 'why' that has allowed her to now live life with deliberation.
• It is important to keep in mind when setting goals and making decisions that you are being true to your authentic self.
   
• Jock Elliot - Top Ten Tips For Contest Speaking

Educational Breakout Session 2

• Amanda Rosazza - Creating A Purposeful Culture
• Gail H's feedback: Amanda led an interactive session on club culture and how it can be changed. Participants were encouraged to share the ups and downs of their club experiences.
• Ideas were exchanged on ways that changes can be made. For example: After a club meeting or event or even an executive meeting, ask the questions:
• 1. Name two things that worked well
  2. Name two things we need to improve on.
• The takehome is:
• CLUB CULTURE SHOULD BE BY DESIGN, NOT BY DEFAULT.
  
   
• Lisa Dodis - Cultivating Growth and Flourishing

• Katrina Roberts - Stage Presence - Demystifying The "It" Factor
•  Christiane's feedback: Katrina demonstrated three different circles in life of how we present/ are received. We should strive towards circle number two, where we live authentic. Katrina found that circle number three is a played confidence which can easily be called out.
• Second circle is vulnerable since no-one trusts arrogance.
  

Educational Breakout Session 3

• 
  Kevin Ryan - The Path To Professional Speaker
• Christiane's feedback: You learn everything you need on the journey, but it helps to have passion, expertise and experience in the field you will be speaking about.
• Don't use the phrase "Public Speaking" since people will think, you will deliver for free.
• Take opportunities now to speak outside of your club to build confidence. You might start off with payment/ reward, but don't confuse with being able to get a full-time income.
   
• Luke Meacle - Persona Play: Discovering Your True Self Through Improv
• Lewis Jones - Crash Course in 'Theatricality'
• Gail H's feedback: Lewis gave a session on having a Public Conversation, not a Public Speaking Engagement. You should focus on how you want to connect with an audience about your topic.
• Participants took part in exercises in connecting their body and voice. We dabbed, glided, puncted and floated our way in controlling our bodies.
• Lewis was a vibrant and entertaining presenter who provided an opportunity to 'get physical'.

On top of the educational breakout sessions, there were two keynote speakers on Saturday:

• Rana Saini - The Inner Game of Growth
• Christiane's feedback: Rana stressed that our identity is just a story which can be re-written. He mentioned the three drivers, the four lenses (with Health being the top priority) as well as the 5 resistances.
• He reminded us that if we focus on the weeds, we will surely miss the flowers all along.
• Rana also mentioned that without a plan, we end up where we didn't want to go.
  
• He made some polls when he gave us the lenses and resistances to see how Toastmasters feel.

• Kevin Humphreys - Noble self-leadership
• Christiane's feedback: Kevin told us about his mental illness and the toxic culture. He was down to earth and humbly spoke about his realisation: My mind got me into this, my mind will get me out of it.
• It is important that we show compassion (especially when we are engineers - who don't have empathy) as well as tell ourselves encouraging stories. We should put everything into perspective.
• He encouraged us that a diagnosis doesn't determine.
  
• Kevin concluded with a story about his influence he had on a comrad and only being made aware several years later.

The conference started with Annette and Candice as MCs introducing themselves as well giving us some housekeeping. Annette challenged herself to go reverse alphabetic and called on members to make a ruckus if they were from Western Division (W), Southern Division (S), Pacific Division (P), Northern Division (N), Moreton Division (M), Eastern Division (E), Central Division (C) and Brisbane Division (B).

The flag parade followed.

District Director Denise opened the District Conference.

We then had a "Get to know your table neighbours" by trying to find a common thing. (Ours were "We all have been to the beach", whereas it seemed very popular to have been on a nudist cruise - you learn of new things all the time).

And we were ready for our first contest: Table Topics. It was chaired by last year's winner Thomas.

Contestant were asked to speak impromptu on "The next step". Contestants were Tally (S), Burt (N), Tara (C), Graham (B), Eden (P), Steve (E), Dudley (W) and Kate (M).

Unfortunately, there was one time disqualification.

The awards went to:

1. Steve
2. Tally
3. Graham

 

 

After morning tea, we heard from Rana (see above) followed by the first educational breakout session (see above) followed by lunch. After lunch, we heard from Kevin (see above), before we were ready for contest number two.

The International Speech Contest was chaired by last year's winner Michael.

He called on the following participants:

• Nathalie (W) - "Jump"
• Heidi (M) - "The Little Engine Within"
• Barbara (C) - "Lift Where You Stand"
• Tom (S) - "The Cover"
• Trevor (E) - "A Teddy Moment"
• Colin (B) - "Sunshine"
• Julius (N) - "The Only Way"

There was one time disqualification again.

We were able to congratulate:

1. Colin
2. Tom
3. Julius
   

 

Afterwards, we were able to chat a bit more over afternoon tea and stretch our legs before the gala dinner.

The evening saw us dressed in blue/green or Under the "C" themes: from sea creatures, pirates to Undercover agents.

Gala Dinner saw us having a two-course, alternative served meal as well as celebratory cake: The octopus round cake was organised (and decorated) by Heidi with the square carrot cake being provided by Lisa.

During dinner, we also had several rounds of trivia questions - with some tables being able to score 10 out of 10 in a few rounds.

Afterwards, there was a lot of dancing and singing until late at night.

On Sunday, Candice and Annette were again our MCs.

The District Celebration segment started by District Director Denise acknowledging the officers.

You can find more information on District 69's website: https://www.toastmastersd69.org/district-executive-2023-2024/

 

 

Afterwards, incoming District Director Lou called the incoming Top Table and Division Directors onto stage.

 

Public Relations Manager Thomas presented the Club PR Awards, first by giving us the shortlist/ finalist, then announcing the winner.

• Best Club Newsletter - Lockyer Valley
• Best Club Website - Mount Gravatt
• Best Club Social Media Campaign - Darling Downs
• Best Club Website & Social Media - Waterloo Bay

Thomas also awarded Dalby with the overall PR award since it made three times the shortlist, but never won.

Afterwards, we had the second educational breakout session (see above) before morning tea.

 

For the Evaluation Contest, chaired by last year's winner Kate, we first listened to Clyde presenting a speech titled "The Simple Answer".

Afterwards, Kate called on Franny (M), Robert (B), Kellie (P), Sue (N), Melanie (E), Megan (C), Tia (W) and Gerli (S) to give their evaluation.

Unfortunately, there was one time disqualification.

The placegetters were:

1. Sue
2. Gerli
3. Robert
   

 

After the contest, we had the third educational breakout session (see above) followed by lunch.

Then it was time for the Humorous Speech Contest which was chaired by last year's winner Marilyn.

Marilyn introduced:

• Dudley (W) - "A Happy Vegemite"
• Robert (B) - "Military Birds"
• Eva (N) - "The Sister Act"
• Chris (M) - "Love Is Not Enough"
• Graham (E) - "On-Air Adventure"
• Hillary (C) - "I Wish I Was Perfect"
• Colin (S) - "Wizards"
• Killie (P) - "What Would the World be Without Kids"

For the last contest, there were no timing disqualifications.

The awards went to:

1. Colin
2. Hillary
3. Graham
   

In the Conference Close, Lou awarded the Travelling Gavel (which was relocated) as well as the Adventurous Trophy. The former is calculated on the club with the most kilometres travelled (Supa) whereas the latter is the club with the most members attending (Murphy's Motivators).

Lou then thanked Chief Judge Lennard before calling the organising committee onto the stage. Kate gave a heartfelt closing speech thanking her team and graciously accepting some unwise decisions along the way.

Next year's District Conference will take place in the Gold Coast region.

Sandgate Toastmasters would like to acknowledge all contestants for making it to the District level, congratulate all the winners and extend best wishes to Colin since he is going on to the Regional finals with his International Speech "Sunshine".