Spring Convention Recap
Thanks
for the Memories...
While it's the contestants, the award winners and officers
that are the stars of the Convention, it's the Convention Committee and those
helping them that make the event even possible. A special note of thanks goes
out to the Convention Committee members in appreciation of their remarkable
efforts to make the convention such a memorable event, by Co-Chair
Peggy Scholberg (
read more ...)
Thank you Helen Grothe, Anne Bjelland and Bill Clark for providing photos of this extraordinary extravaganza!*Click on the "Photo Gallery" link next to each section to view pictures.
Friday Evening Fun Night
Tall Tales Speech Contest (Photo Gallery Index)
The winners of each Division contest competing Friday Night in the Tall Tales Speech Contest. A Tall Tale is a 3-5 minute highly exaggerated, improbable speech with a plot or moral.
Congratulations to all District 6 Tall Tales Speech Contestants!
| 1st Place | Faye Heffele | Riverbluffers #2426 Southern Division, Area 73 |
| 2nd Place | Kay Klaustermeier | Speak Up & Out GLBT #2509 Frontier Division, Area 25 |
| 3rd Place | Dwight Wilcox | Cultivated Toastmasters #4972 Eastern Division, Area 12 |
Parade of Banners (Photo Gallery)
Every year the clubs around District 6 parade their banners into the meeting room to proudly display the ribbons they have collected over the years. The most popular ribbons include Distinguished, Select Distinguished and President's Distinguished clubs.
Ken Kendle, 2001-02 Toastmaster of the Year led the parade. Clubs who brought their banner received "banner bucks" worth $3 at the Idea Fair. See the Photo Gallery for pictures of the parade.
Talent Show - Photo Gallery and "Kane and Black" Skit (doc)
The Friday evening Talent Show, hosted by Kane and Black was a huge success! The talent show lineup included singing, dancing, lip sync, skits, drag (?)... and much more! These pictures are a MUST see... Look out Star Search - here comes District 6!
|
Name |
Club |
Role |
Title |
| Lindsey Ellis | University #6190 | Singer | No Regret |
| Halima, Jameelah, Kassia, and Zahrah | Noon Time Talkers #4953 | Belly Dancers | Banat Hilween |
| Jeremy Haberman | Lawson Thrill Speakers #7507 | Piano Player | Maple Leaf Rag |
| Comedy Club | Comedy Club #2665 | Stand-up Skit | Take the Comedy ... Please |
| David Schaal | New Storytelling Club | Storyteller | Heaven and Hell |
| Richard Brandt | Comedy Club #2665 | Stand-Up Act | Dead As a Dino |
| Lyle Schlundt | Speak Up & Out GLBT | Lip Sync (in full drag!) | Another Kind of Love |
| Ken Kendall and Linda Hawk | Saturday Morning LIVE! and International Director Region IV |
Dancing | The Cha-Cha |
| Karolyn Hoard and Friends | International Division | Skit | The Canadians |
District 6 Toastmasters received the 2003 Pillar Award from Twin Cities RISE! (TCR!) for the volunteer work of members with the Speechcraft class taught at TCR! Past TCR! President and CEO Steven Rothschild presented the award to District 6 Governor Judy Southwick at a graduation ceremony held March 13 at the Minneapolis Urban League. The Pillar Award is given to businesses, organizations or individuals who make significant contributions to TCR!
At the District 6 Spring Convention, Judy Southwick turned over the Pillar Award to Keith Hardy, DTM. In January 1999 Keith Hardy began teaching speechcraft classes at TCR! to help with the agency's mission, which is to provide employers with skilled workers, primarily men, from communities of color in the Twin Cities area -- by training under and unemployed adults for skilled jobs that pay a living wage of at least $20,000 per year with full benefits.
More than 60 Toastmasters members have helped with the 20-plus Speechcraft classes that have been offered at both TCR! campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul. More than 300 TCR! participants have graduated from Speechcraft. Special recognition was given to longtime volunteers Ken Kendle, ATMB; Lois Bell, DTM; and Pat Croal, DTM.
"I'm so thankful to all my fellow Toastmasters who have helped with one or more speechcraft classes over the years." says Keith.
(see the District 6 Digest for the full article "Twin Cities RISE! Honors District 6 with Pillar Award")
Bucanneers Breakfast (Photo Gallery)
The Bucanneers Breakfast started at 7:00 AM with a superb buffet. The Viking Council Boy Scouts of America participated in the Color Guard ceremony. The winners of the Club Newsletter, Website, Flyer and Guest Packets were announced. See the Saturday Morning Summary for details and photos.
Educational Presentations (Photo Gallery)
Linda Hawk, International Director, kicked off the Educational Presentations with her Keynote Speech: The Mystery Unraveled. Saturday morning and afternoon were filled with several more presentations. See the Educational Presentations Summary for details and photos.
25+ Year Club Meeting (Photo 25 Year Club)
The 25+ Year Club held its annual meeting at the Spring Convention. Every member of a District 6 Toastmasters Club who has been a Toastmaster for at least 25 years is invited to join the club. They are invited to assemble at the annual Spring Convention to reminisce about their year, why they have stayed so long, how active they still are, what the organization has done for them and to celebrate their growth. New members receive a 25 Year Toastmasters pin and a Certificate of Recognition. Members receive tags for their pins to commemorate each 5-Year anniversary thereafter.
Judy Southwick had the honor to attend and here's what she said:
At the end of the program I had the honor of presenting certificates and pins for new members reaching new milestones. Toastmaster Holm, received a pin for 40+ years. He has been a member for 44 years and he is the picture of health. One member asked me to share news from the District and I gave a recap of activities up to the convention and remarked how the 25 year members are such valuable role models. Linda Hawk provided remarks as well. Sam Charchian talked about their club's (Cosmopolitan) relationship with a sister club in Las Vegas. It was humorous and interesting. The meeting agenda time has a folksy feel to it, not formal at all. In fact both Lou Novack and A.C. Carlson, 25 year club organizers, wanted to give up their duties to someone else and no one would take it, so the two of them will carry on for another year. I had never attended before, so was unsure of what to expect. It was very enjoyable to meet some of our early Toastmasters.
Communication & Leadership Award Luncheon (Photo Gallery)
At Saturday's C&L luncheon, Len Glaeser, DTM introduced this year's Communication & Leadership Award recipient, Mr. Robert L. Senkler, CEO and President Minnesota Life. This prestigious award is given to individuals from the community who have given outstanding service to his/her community, state and industry through communication and leadership. Bob's achievements demonstrate outstanding leadership both within his company and throughout the community. In addition to his many contributions to his company and the community, Bob was a charter member of Minnesota Mutual Toastmasters #560 in 1979 and continues to be a strong advocate of the Toastmasters program.
Bob joins a select group of leaders who have been recipients of this award in the past including Dr. John Najarian, General John W. Vessey, Curt Carlson, Nils Hasselmo, Patty Wetterling and Mary Jo Copeland.
(see the District 6 Digest for the full article "2003 Communication & Leadership Award: Robert Senkler, Minnesota Life President and CEO")
The Business Meeting was a success! The 2003-04 "Dream Team" was elected.
Top 3 positions (sorted by rank):
Division Governor elect (sorted by Division)
CONGRATULATIONS and good luck in the new Toastmaster Year.
On behalf of the nominating committee, Committee Chair Cliff Heinsch thanks all of the candidates who graciously answered the commitee's questions. Cliff also thanks the committee members: Dan Field, Kent Hawks, Helen Grothe, Dave Jansen, Linda Larson and Claudette Parris.
International Speech Contest (Photo Gallery)
Congratulations to all District 6 International Speech Contestants!
| 1st Place | Steve Carlson* | Jim Hand #1276 Western Division, Area 81 |
| 2nd Place | Char Coal | Sunrisers #2140 Northern Division, Area 56 |
| 3rd Place | Stew Thornley | Centennial Nooners #3580 Eastern Division, Area 14 |
*Steve Carlson moves on to the Region IV Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada! Good Luck Steve!
Dinner Banquet (Photo Gallery)
District Governor Farewell Address - Judy Southwick (Be Your Best!)
District 6 Governor, Judy Southwick addressed the dinner guests to say "goodbye". Judy and her team worked hard to "Be Your Best" and they are on track to achieve a three-peat Distinguished Status year! Congratulations to Judy and your dedicated team!
| "Spring Convention - a time to celebrate personal and team goals, new clubs and increased membership. We are on track to be Distinguished, my thanks to all District 6 Toastmasters for your dedication to the program. The results were achieved due to each of you giving your personal best. Traveling the District, I met so many committed members that welcomed me to their club. I met celebrities - Minneapolis Mayor, R.T. Rybak, Toastmasters International President Gavin Blakey from Australia and formed lasting friendships with Toastmasters throughout the world. I am especially grateful to the Spring Convention committee for their countless volunteer hours giving meaning to "Be Your Best". Thanks too to the Lieutenant Governors, Division and Area Governors for their support. It's been a great honor and a pleasure to serve District 6!" |
District Governor Elect Inaugural Address - Steve Lockwood (Achieve Your Dreams!)
District Governor Elect Steve Lockwood announced his motto for the 2003-04 Toastmaster Year - "Achieve Your Dreams". During the Business Meeting on Saturday afternoon, Steve Lockwood was elected 2003-04 District 6 Governor and his "Dream Team" was also elected:
Hospitality Suite (Photo Gallery)
The Hospitality Suite - located on the 8th floor floor of the Sheraton Hotel - was a fun place to unwind both Friday and Saturday evening. On Saturday evening, Michael VanKeulan of Schwan's was kind enough to bring along some great ice cream treats. Mike took great care to wrap the ice cream is a cooler and blankets to keep it from melting. We had to eat it quickly - but that was not a problem! Thanks Mike!
District 6 thanks our Corporate and Individual sponsors for the Spring 2003 Silent Auction. The Silent Auction was a HUGE success!
Special Thanks to our Silent Auction co-chairs: Bill Clark and Rosie Davis. See the Silent Auction page for a list of our corporate sponsors and the items that were available at the auction.
Every year we strive to host the BEST Spring Convention. Your comments, suggestions and feedback help us to achieve that goal. See the attached Overall Convention Evaluation (doc) for details.
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