District 6 Fall Conference
It's been about three weeks now since the fall conference and we've had an opportunity to reflect on the event and to receive many comments. Now we want to take a final opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in making it a success.
Michon Rogers, Decorations Chair: Michon had a big job coordinating the decorations, programs and signs. Along with Barb Erickson who did the programs and Cheri Ordahl who assisted throughout the weekend, everything was very tastefully done, fit the theme nicely, and significantly added to the event. They invested many hours before and during the conference and it definitely showed in the results.
Sheri French & John Kosse, Silent Auction Chairs: Sheri and John did a spectacular job of pulling together a great variety of excellent items to bid on, both from businesses in the Rochester area and donations from around the district. This was evidenced by over $1700 being raised to fund the continuing valuable work of Toastmasters. Comments were heard from bidders on the high quality of the items available. Thanks also to Sheri & John's helpers at the conference.
Brian Hinton & Terry Ragan, Greeters Chairs: Brian & Terry pulled together a great team of greeters to help throughout the weekend. Greeters were responsible for welcoming and directing attendees, collecting tickets to various events, and announcing events. All weekend their team did its work efficiently and quietly in the background (except for the announcing of events!) helping the conference to run smoothly.
Erika Polansky, Friday Fun Night Chair: Erika accepted the task of planning a different type of Friday Fun Night event. From the entertainers to the castle motif on the stage to the costume contest, the feedback has been overwhelming positive that the evening was a great sucess and much enjoyed.
Michelle McMullen, Publicity: Along with Len Glaeser, Web Site Editor, Michelle handled many aspects of publicity for the conference. Her work helped in attracting much higher registrations for almost all events than originally expected based on the historical numbers. This contributed to the financial and overall success of the conference.
Kim Keilholtz, Registrations: Once again, Kim handled the registration process in her normal efficient manner. It was a great comfort to us knowing that it was in good hands.
In addition, the following people had important jobs that helped to make the conference a success:
- Scott Miller,, Terry Ragan, Brian Hinton, and Pat Croal all helped with photography throughout the weekend.
- Keith Hardy handled credentials and made sure there was a quorum for the business meeting.
- Cliff Heinsch supported the conference planning team prior to the conference and presented memorials at the conference.
- John Marzitelli along with Kirk Johnson coordinated the hospitality room and fulfilled all the other duties of the Sargent at Arms.
- Each of the presenters gave the attendees useful information that they could take with them to enhance their success:
- Brian Rohrenbach, Anne Groetsch, Keith Hardy, Joyce Nelson Shellhart, Peggy Scholberg & Pat Croal.
- Axel Gumbel videotaped the Humorous Speech Contest.
- Linda Westrom served as Chief Judge for both contests and also coordinated the gifts for speakers and others. Thanks also to her team of judges, timers and counters.
- Bruce Trippet handled the Communication & Leadership Award.
- Sue Tinklenberg was our Evaluation Contest Toastmaster.
- Judy Southwick supported the conference planning team prior to the conference and coordinated the Steve Lockwood roast.
- The Division Governors (Evamarie Pokladnik, Minerva Honkela, Mary Linz, Scott Miller, Patricia Passon, Ray Quinn, Linda Schweiss & Joan Watson) helped the Greeters, assisted with the education sessions, and were generally available to help as needed.
- Susan Long attended a pre-conference meeting and assisted throughout the conference.
- Brian Rohrenbach and Bruce Trippet carried special banners during the banner procession.
- Scott Miller, Henry Korpela, Melissa Stotts, Sheri French, Steve Carlson, Michelle McMullen, Steve Lockwood, Rosie Davis, Joan Watson, Janet Fuchek, Brian Rohrenbach recited pledges of allegiance, gave invocations, read the district mission, sang anthems, or gave toasts.
- Pat Casello & Laura Hutt presented information about the spring conference.
- Mark Sannes, Cheryl Finnegan, Stephen Shaner, Dan Grundtner & Sherry Gwegorryn provided Friday night entertainment.
- And, of course, Mary Swanson, Theo Black, and Jeannette Bauch had many, many responsibilities too numerous to mention.
- We also appreciate anyone else's contribution we may have inadvertently overlooked in compiling this list. Our apologies if we did overlook anyone.
As you can see, it takes a huge team to put on a successful conference. We gratefully and sincerely thank everyone who was involved in any way -- everyone's contribution was important.
Fall Conference Reflections continued below.
Congratulations! Fall Contests Winners
|
Winners |
Humorous Speech |
Evaluation Contest |
| First |
Pele Raymond |
Allan Bernard |
| Second |
Dan Bieber |
Craig Ostrem |
| Third |
David Goldsworthy |
David Goldsworthy |
Thank you to all our Silent Auction Donors. See Silent Auction Donor List.
See
District Business Meeting Minutes - 11/6/04
Fall Conference Reflections continued:
Also, thank you for all the feedback we've received since the conference. We trust those who took the time to write their comments will want us to share them now with the whole team responsible for this success.
11-7-04, Subject: Evaluation of a Great Event
Mary, Theo, Jeannette: I write to acknowledge what a great event we enjoyed here in Rochester! My compliments to you and all the cast involved in bringing District 6 to my hometown. Like any speech, the event deserves a good evaluation--while I was gone for part of Saturday, I'd like to make a few remarks about some things that stood out. Friday night was a night of learning and fun, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The salad/potato bar was a nice change and offered a casual meal...personally, I like that format. And the entertainment was lively, diverse and fun; maybe some people think jugglers and musicians are corny, but the audience reaction said it was a hit (I sure liked it!). The evaluation contest seemed to come off smoothly, and gave us all an opportunity to view some different evaluation styles from what we routinely see in our clubs. Oh, I found the food throughout to be just fine! I've learned from my "past life" that good food renders minor meeting flaws invisible...heh. Please never drop the DTM recognition with the medal presentation. Of course, mine is a biased opinion, having just been a recipient, but let me share more detail. I've had some serious health challenges, to the point where a part of my motivation has been to visualize receiving that medal...I achieved DTM over one year later than I had hoped, and held it as a high and very important personal goal. It was a proud moment, and I encourage you to retain that for all future DTM achievers. One final highlight and I'll close. Jeannette, your performance as Toastmaster at the speech contest was dynamite...what a delightful way to wrap up a great event. Thanks again to all three of you and to the many helpers; this was a memorable conference that I'm thankful I was able to attend. Jim Fiebke
11-7-04, Subject: AWESOME!!
The convention was a grand success! I'm certain that had so much to do with the talents and efforts of each of you! There were excellent accommodations with great food, exceptional speakers, and great camaraderie! It all added up to a grand celebration of Toastmasters! Bravo to each of you for doing such an outstanding job! Peggy Scholberg
11-8-04, Subject: Great Conference!
Congratulations to everyone on a very successful Fall Conference! Thanks for all of your hard work and efforts. Although I couldn't attend all the activities, the ones I attended on Saturday were first class. Excellent programs, excellent facilities, excellent agenda and handoffs! Again, thanks for a job well done! Bruce Trippet
11-8-04, Re: Evaluation of a Great Event
I agree that this conference was wonderful. Ross Messick, Harvey Bernard, and team pulled off an outstanding event and they are to be congratulated for their herculean efforts. Jeannette Bauch
11-8-04, Subject: Silent Auction Results
Great job, Sheri and John! $1700 is a great result!! We had great items to bid on and everyone enjoyed participating in the auction. Woo hoo!! Mary Swanson
11-8-04, Re: Evaluation of a Great Event
I also think we had a great conference. A majority of the feedback I am receiving is very positive. Thanks again for all of your efforts that helped make the event such a success!!! Mary Swanson
11-10-04, Subject: Fall Conference
Mary, Just wanted to pass along my thanks to your Fall Conference committee for a wonderful event over the weekend. When you send your thank you's, be sure and tell them how much I enjoyed all the activities. Ross & Harvey did a spectacular job both Friday & Saturday. The Rochester group did a great job and I especially enjoyed the decorations. Judy Southwick
11-10-04, Subject: Congratulations on a Fantastic Conference
Dear Mary and Fall Conference Chairs, This is a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the Fall Conference. Everyone involved with the event did a terrific job. I started to list the things that I especially liked, but found that I was simply making a list of everything that took place. Having said that, I do want to say how much I enjoyed World Champion, Mark Brown and our newest C&L recipient, Dr. Creagan. They really put the event over the top! A sure sign of good planning is that you all made it look easy to the observer. Thanks for a great weekend, Cliff Heinsch
11-11-04, Re: Congratulations on a Fantastic Conference
I second Cliff's sentiments! As I mentioned to Harvey on Saturday night, people will be talking about this fall conference from now on! I especially liked the entertainment program on Friday night after the contest. And Ross should be the District conference/convention promotion chair from now on! Such a creative lad. Oh, and can we get Judy in a bathing suit at spring convention, too? Keith Hardy
11-11-04, Re: Congratulations on a Fantastic Conference
Cliff said it so well - thank you to everyone! It was one of the best. Judy Southwick
11-20-04, Subject: Fall Conference
Hi, Ross and Harvey! This is a belated hearty congratulations on the excellent conference that both of you spent so much time planning and executing. Around the table with the Division Governors today, it was agreed that this was the best conference ever! Your attention to detail made for a wonderful conference. Thank you for all the work that you and your team devoted to the conference preparations! Sincerely, Mary Linz, Frontier Division Governor
11-20-04, Subject: Renaissance Gala! kudos
Hi Harvey and Ross, I was just thinking about how much I enjoyed the Fall Conference, and I wanted to let you know. I thought everything was beautifully orchestrated and well-planned. One of the things that impressed me the most was the number of paper programs for the various events, with all the information complete and accurate. As District Treasurer, I have seen the number of receipts and transactions involved, and it really made me realize how much work goes into the details. We were discussing the convention at the area/division governor training meeting today, and everyone agreed that it was one of the best they have ever experienced. Please pass on to your team how much everyone appreciated all the hard work that was involved. THANKS, SUE TINKLENBERG
11-20-04, Subject: A Huge Thanks for the Fall Conference
Hi Harvey and Ross, On behalf of the Eastern Division, I wanted to extend a big Thank YOU to both of you as well as the fabulous team of people you put together to make the Fall conference fun and educational. I thought the conference ran very smoothly and it was well organized. You should be very proud of all the folks from Rochester. They provided lots of energy and support for the whole event. I enjoyed the fun night on Friday with the entertainment, costumes and the variety of talents displayed. The food was great, the rooms for the speakers worked very well, the decorations were fun, the key speakers were fabulous and you made the event look effortless. Even though I know it was a tremendous amount of work. Thanks to both of you for giving so generously of your time, energy and talent to make this huge event very successful. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Thanks, Joan Watson,
Eastern Division Governor
Again, thank you to everyone for all your work and your comments. The credit for this great success belongs to all of you for everything you did. We are honored having the opportunity to lead your effort.
Thank you,
Ross Messick & Harvey Bernard
Fall Conference Co-Chairs
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