Division E is changing...

Over the past few years, Division E has welcomed a lot of new lunchtime clubs! That growth means lots of new Toastmasters, lots of new faces at Area contests - and new responsibilities for Area Directors.

To help spread the load, Division E will soon be changing the way our clubs are organised into Areas. The change will create one new lunchtime Area, and reshuffle the existing lunchtime Areas so that the clubs in one Area are reasonably close together.

The changes (or "realignment") have been through an extensive consultation process, and the resulting plan is supported by every affected club. Thank you to all those involved in consultation! The next step is for the whole country to vote on the plan at the May District council meeting. If that vote is successful, clubs will move into their new Areas on July 1st.

To see what Division E will look like after the change, check out this Google map - or see below for the full realignment report that's going to District.

Long-serving Wellington Toastmaster recognised

This week we recognise Andrew Smith of Wellington Toastmasters club for 25 years' membership of Toastmasters. District Club Growth Director Sarah Bate visited the club on Monday to present Andrew with his long service award.

Andrew Smith DTM receiving his long service award from Club Growth Director Sarah Bate at Wellington Toastmasters. Meeting chair Guy Stapleton looks on.

Andrew joined Toastmasters in June 1990 (the same month as Nicki Mann of Capital Breakfast, whose long service was recognised in December). He has served as an Area Governor and now enjoys supporting and mentoring the many new members at Wellington Toastmasters.

Congratulations Andrew!

Division conference registration open - and online!

It's only a month until the Division Conference at Lifepoint Church - the chance for you to connect with your fellow Toastmasters, watch the International and Evaluation Speech Contests and learn from special guest presenters who are sure to inspire, enthrall and entertain!

We have opened up registration for the Conference, and for the first time in Division E you can make use of our online registration form: tinyurl.com/DivEConference

Don't miss your chance to Step Up to a new challenge and a new level of Toastmasters in April!

Also, this year a very special initiative has been undertaken - the Golden Ticket!

Each new member in Division E this year is being presented with a Golden Ticket which entitles them (on pre-registration) to a two-for-one "Bring a Friend" ticket. This is to encourage new members to experience the excitement of a Division conference along with a friend - so if you're new, you don't have to worry that you won't know anybody!

All attendees are encouraged to pre-register. The cost is $15, but contestants can attend for free.

The conference is:

1-5 pm
Saturday 9th April
Lifepoint Auditorium
61 Hopper Street
Mount Cook

See you there!

Note: Parking at the venue is limited - please plan your travel and carpool or come by public transport if possible.

When and where is your Area contest?

Area contests are coming up! Over the next few weeks, some of the best evaluators and speakers in each Area will be competing in the arts of evaluation and inspirational speaking.

In the evaluation contest, every contestant evaluates the same speech - will they come up with the same recommendations? In the International speech contest, contestants have the chance to go all the way to the top and represent New Zealand at the Toastmasters International Convention in August. Last year the New Zealand representative was Matt Colcombe from Wellington's very own Business Breakfast Club. This time, could it be someone from your club?

Matt Colcombe of Business Breakfast Club accepting his 1st place certificate in the District International speech contest from past District Governor Kingsley Moody. Auckland, May 2015.

Every club can send a contestant to each contest in their Area. Here's where you can go to support your club contestants. (Note: times are approximate. For actual start times, check with your Area Director.)

Area	Contest	Date and time	Hosted by
E1	Both	Wednesday 30 March, 5.30pm	Capital Toastmasters (venue changed to MBIE office, 15 Stout Street)
E2	International	Thursday 17 March, 7am	Capital Breakfast
E2	Evaluation	Tuesday 22 March, 7am	Business Breakfast
E3	Evaluation	Wednesday 23 March, 12 noon	BNZ Harbour Quays
E3	International	Wednesday 30 March, 12.30pm	High Noon Bankers
E6	International	Wednesday 16 March, 12 noon	Statistically Speaking
E6	Evaluation	Monday 21 March, 12 noon	Police Toastmasters
E7	Both	Thursday 17 March, 7.30pm	Turbine Talkers
E9	International	Monday 14 March, 12 noon	St Andrew's on The Terrace
E9	Evaluation	Thursday 31 March, 12.30pm (updated)	St Andrew's on The Terrace
E10	Both	Wednesday 23 March, 5.30pm	Te Aro Toastmasters

The seven Area winners in each contest will go on to compete in the Division contest on 9 April. See you there!

Division E Conference - have you booked the date?

Open your diary - and ring 9th of April - Saturday 1-5pm for the Division E Conference. Get ready to Step Out and Step Up!

The International and Evaluation Contests have been in full swing all over the Capital. Photos of finalists have been popping up on the District 72 FaceBook page and we're getting ready to host the Division E Conference - the event that will decide who goes forward to the next level.

Who will step up in 2016?

The poster is ready - thanks to design maestro Owen Winter. The venue is booked thanks to Conference Manager Area 7 Director Mike McKee. We've been and checked it over.

As you can see Life Point Church in Hopper Street will be splendid.

9th of April. Book that date and watch out for further details coming your way very soon.

Contests - Your time to Speak Up and Step out

Have you ever thought about moving out of your club with your speech skills? Perhaps you would like to get a few insights from evaluators who have never seen your speak before?

Why not volunteer as a speaker?

Volunteering as a test speaker for club Evaluation Contest is the perfect opportunity to push yourself to a new level. Not only do you get valuable speaking experience, but you also get to help out clubs with their contests.

Roberta Eykholt says YES

Recently Roberta Eykholt, a member of Wellington’s newest Toastmaster club Police Toastmasters, took the opportunity to be a test speaker. I (Owen Winter) asked her to share the experience, so that you will be able to see from a first-time test speaker what the experience was like, and what they gained.

And she lives to tell her story about being test speaker

“The call went out for a test speaker to take part in an Evaluation contest. The notice was short, a mere 22 hours. I was the logical choice having just given a speech that day at our local Toastmasters. I had something prepared and an open calendar.

How could I say "no"? Would it be a hostile crowd? Would I know anyone? I am just a baby toastie, what if my speech is too amateurish? As a dearth of excuses struggled to emerge I realised I had no excuse and, if I was serious about improving my speaking I needed to jump at every opportunity.

"Yes" was my response. I took on-board the evaluation I had received and some unsolicited feedback from trusted friends. I made the necessary changes, prepared new visuals and took a deep breath.

What an opportunity this turned out to be. All my fears were needless. 2 faces were immediately familiar, I was among friends. The first benefit was simply getting a second attempt at my speech having revised it according to the feedback received. I knew it was better and at the same time realised that I should have practiced the new version out loud.

I had changed the ending but the revision did not work. Always practice, never assume.

The second thing I learned is the value of independent evaluators. My home members know and love me. We are newly formed and all babes. This makes us a tad conservative with our recommendations. These independent evaluators commented on the basics I should have previously mastered. But they were not cruel. There were 4 evaluators and their recommendations varied; it was the themes that spoke loudly.

I actually felt liberated hearing their recommendations and realising how spot on those evaluations were. The final thing I learned was the format and atmosphere of a contest.

There were moments of awkward silence, people leaving the room and others not allowed to leave. It was all very serious and yet friendly at the same time. There will be a time in the future when I enter a contest and this experience will have prepared me for that event."

Go for it! You can do it!

You can step out in front of you club as a contestant, taking on an official role such as ballot counter, contest chair or judging at another club.

Each of these roles count toward your Competent Leadership Manual goals and is great chance to prove to yourself and your club that you are capable of doing something new.

More Judges please

One of the most important part of the contests is having reliable judges - and it’s extra important that new judges step up for the role. If you have never judged before this is the perfect time to let your club Vice President Education (or your mentor if you have one) that you are interested in learning about judging.

As well as asking your club members to help you with learning about judging you can find video tutorials on the Toastmasters International Website here.

If you are keen to judge as a contest why not contact one of the Area Directors and ask if there is a chance to judge at one the contests in their area? You can find their contact details here.

Post written by Owen Winter Area E6 Director.

Why are we here?

There are times when all good Toastmasters get philosophical. They ask themselves the hard, deep and meaningful questions, and they do not flinch. Not even when it's a superbly sunny windless Wellington Sunday afternoon, and they're inside, with an agenda that would make the staunchest stoic wince.

Fade in on the Division E Director, Area Directors and associated personnel sitting around a table, in a meeting room at TradeMe HQ.

Here we are after our meeting. Simon Lin (Area E1 Director) who works at TradeMe showed us around . What an amazing work space! Everywhere there was something special to check out, including this retro caravan.
L-R: Amanda Hillock, Gael Price, Rob Barton-Howes, Kai Chan, Alice Chu

Why do we do it?

Why do we give up several hours of precious free weekend time to talk about the upcoming Club Leadership Training sessions, to review feedback from the last, chat about the upcoming conference, ensure that all clubs are on track for the contest season, discuss membership levels ...?

Yes, we asked ourselves that question and recorded the answers. They're interesting, challenging, and even if we say so ourselves, inspiring!

The answers

Here they are - the reasons why the members of the Division E Toastmasters Committee are here, rather than there, basking in the summer sun.

• To make a difference - if we do what we do well we provide opportunities to initiate growth, we empower, and educate
• To be of service - to give back, to practically support others on their journey, to witness, appreciate and enjoy watching people grow in competence and confidence
• To help ensure that all Div. E Toastmaster members are given the opportunities to develop to their fullest potential through monitoring club health.
• To take hold of the opportunities on offer. Taking on organisational roles facilitates learning about leadership, people and time management, communication ... which in turn spills over into other areas of life.
• To become a role model. Leading by example enables others to see that, yes, they could do similar which also opens the possibility of becoming a mentor.
• To practice. Toastmasters provides a unique "safe fail" environment at all levels, including here. Commend Recommend Commend rules. Feedback will be given!
• To have fun. It's great to do things with others. It can be a laugh! There's companionship and fun.

Perhaps you'd like to share them with others, particularly with those who are considering taking on a role. They need to know what is in it for them, as well as for others.

After we got the serious stuff done with the place where New Zealander's buy and sell just had to be explored. Thanks Simon. This was fun. Being part of the team has its perks! :)

Gael found a ukulele - "Haeri Mai everything is Kapai"

We whizzed down 4 floors on the slide - well, Amanda and Alice did.

Rob Barton-Howes and Kai Chan on the circular staircase that winds around the slide which you can see in the background top right.

Amanda Hillock looking excited to be here. We took a photo of her on the slide but she slid so fast it was a blur. This one is much better.

Old record covers on the wall. Next to them is an ancient player in a wooden case. We had an experimental fiddle to see if we could make it go, but alas, no.

Inside the caravan , complete with the regulation period mock wood grain formica surface finish on table, drawers and doors. As you can see it functions as an informal meeting room. Handy in a large open office. L-R: Alice Chu, Amanda Hillock, Gael Price, Rob Barton-Howes