[MetroMembers] Fall Conference Recap ...

[Gary Fuhr]

November 2-4, 2007 - District 21 Fall Conference Recap

 

Arrived about 6pm, so we missed the open ceremonies, but we made it in time
for dinner.  Hey, you can't miss dinner. J  All meals were buffets.  This
included Friday evening, Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch.
Surprisingly, for buffets, the food was actually quite good.

 

After Friday's dinner, there was entertainment, a live band.  Obviously, the
music was good as the dance floor was packed.  About 10pm, the Hospitality
Suite opened up and it was a great chance to meet other toastmasters.
Everyone was more than friendly, so personally, I meet a good number of
other toastmasters.

 

Saturday started with a continental breakfast.  L  I am not too crazy about
continental breakfasts, but hey, if you are hungry, it'll do!  After the
breakfast, the educational sessions got started.  There were 2 sessions and
within each session we had 4 different speakers to choose from.  The first
session I attended "How to be a Fabulous Master of Ceremonies" by John
Hawkins.  Picked up more information than I thought I would . so it must
have been good!  For the second session, I went to "The Secret" by our own
Marc Hurtubise; very interesting session.  Marc packed a lot of information
to 45 minutes.

 

Just before lunch was the International Presidents Education Session by
Chris K. Ford who is a Distinguish Toastmaster (DTM).  His topic was
"Collaborative Communication and Leadership".  This was a session not to be
missed.  Chris's session was entertaining, informative and explained so
well, it was impossible not to follow it.  The audience was truly
captivated.  

 

After lunch, the district awards were given and Metrospeakers was one of the
most mentioned clubs.  We actually were the only club to get a special
mention at one point.  Here's a short list:

 

Division J - Select Distinguished Division

Metrospeakers - President's Distinguished Club

Metrospeakers - Smedley Award

Metrospeakers - Talk Up Toastmasters Award

Metrospeakers - Beat the Clock Award

Competent Leader Awards - Cindy Yip

Ribbons award for Area Governors: Sheree Gable & Cindy Yip

 

After awards was the Humourous Speech Contest.  Our own Wayne Ostrowercha
competed and was the second of 10 speakers.  While Wayne did not place, he
did deliver a very professional, well refined speech.  I was impressed and
probably more nervous than him.  J  So the next time you see Wayne,
congratulate him on a fine showing.  Well done Wayne!   See links below for
list of contestants and the winners.

 

After the Humourous speaker contest, our president, Kevin Wang and I attend
the District 21 Business Meeting.  It was about 45 minutes long and let us
just say it was interesting!  The agenda had 19 points on it and all were
covered within 45 minutes.  It ran quite quickly, but not without an issuing
issue or two.

 

After the business meeting was a short break before dinner.  Dinner was more
formal and was followed by an inspirational speaker.  He spoke about his
many decades of living under the influence of alcohol and drugs.  It took a
near death or out-of-body experience for him to realize where he was
heading.  Today, he runs a very successful recovery house for those
suffering from drug abuse.  His speech demonstrated the true power of the
human spirit.  He was nothing less supercharged inspirational . and talk
about animated!  Great speaker!  Amazing life!

 

After his speech there were more awards and then another live band, dancing
and the Hospitality Suite was open again.  Wayne and I skipped this to hit
the hotel hot springs.  Hey, can't be all business!  Got to play some too! J


 

Sunday started with brunch.  After brunch, the Table Topic contest got
started.  Our Division J contestant, John Kirk, did not place.  On Sunday,
there was another inspirational speaker.  He spoke about his childhood as a
misbehaved child.  He delivered a powerful speech.  Really good story!  

 

For those who made it this far . thanks for reading!  Thought I give some of
you a recap of the Fall Conference.  It's probably more detail than most of
you are expecting.  Ah, definitely more than I was planning to type!  Check
out the links below.  Please note that Spring Conference 2008 is in Nanaimo.

 

Gary Fuhr

VP Education

Metrospeakers.

 

LINKS .

 

October 18, 2007

2007 Division J Humourous Contest Photos

http://toastmasters.bc.ca/photos/thumbnails.php?album=39

 

November 3, 2007

2007 District 21 Humourous Contestants

http://www.members.shaw.ca/linda24/contestwinners/

2007 District 21 Humourous Contest Winners

http://www.toastmasters.bc.ca/home.php

1st Place . Alan Warburton (won last year)

2nd Place . Nicola Lott

3rd Place . Patty K

2007 District 21 Table Topics Contest Winners

1st Place . Allan Warburton

2nd Place . Nicola Lott

3rd Place . Patty K.

 

May 9-11, 2008

2008 District 21 Spring Conference

Location: Nanaimo, BC.

 

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