Sign up for the District 86 Spring Conference 2023
Live Up To Your Potential!!
Are you being the best you? Are you taking advantage of all the ways Toastmasters can help you become the best you? Are you the best communicator you can be? Have you reached your full leadership potential? Is your club performing at its best?
I am Nicole Holas, Conference Chair, and I want you to attend the 2023 District 86 Conference to become the best you.
Have you ever done something and said, “That’s three hours of my life I won’t have back?” Me too. I don’t want our Conference attendees to feel that way. I want them to enjoy the Conference, and say, “I value my experience. I’m glad I attended.”
The Conference will be online, starting from Friday April 21 and ending on Sunday, April 23. Our keynote presenters include Toastmasters International President Matt Kinsey and renowned author Sam Horn.
I’m really excited to be your Conference Chair for 2023!
Sincerely,
Nicole Holas, DTM
District 86 2023 Conference Chair
Education Workshops
Workshops are taking place Friday Night at 7:10-7:55pm and Sunday Afternoon 1:05-1:50pm. Read all about the presenters and workshops available here.
Author's Corner
Are you interested in books? District 86 has several published authors. Read all about the authors here.
Visit the Author’s Corner Saturday at noon – 1:30pm.
Who Are Your District 86 Contest Contestants?
Are you excited to experience the District 86 2023 Evaluation and International Speech Contests? The Evaluation Contest takes place Friday evening and the International Speech Contest takes place Saturday evening. Want to know who your Division Contestant might be, click here to learn more:
Saturday Night Entertainment
Come ready to enjoy some tunes with DJ Nicky Zee & Billy Beats!
Whether you want to join in with Karoke or simply listen – be sure to send your musical requests to billkirby65@gmail.com
Conference Highlights
Friday April 21
- First Timers/DTM Meet & Greet
- Opening Ceremony
- Banner Parade
- DTM Recognition Presentation
- Workshops
- Evaluation Contest
Saturday April 22
- District Council Meeting Part 1 (Reports)
- Candidate Showcase
- District Council Meeting Part 2 (Elections)
- Incoming District Leaders Induction
- Matt Kinsey Workshop
- International Speech Contest
- Chat with Matt
- Virtual Karaoke - DJ Nicki Z & Billy Beats
Sunday April 23
- Dr. Kevin Snyder Keynote
- Sandra Savage Keynote
- Sam Horn Keynote
- C&L Award Presentation
- Workshops
- Matt Kinsey Keynote
- Closing Ceremony
Keynote Speakers
Matt Kinsey DTM, International President - Workshop Title: Balance is a myth!
Keynote Title: Are you a Leader?
Bio:
Matt Kinsey, DTM, of Coral Springs, Florida, is the managing director and Chief Information Security Officer of IT Fusion, LLC in Coral Springs, Florida, which was formed in 2021 as a result of a merger between MK Tech Group and three other local IT firms. Kinsey oversees operations and security for this IT consulting firm that services small and medium-sized businesses in the South Florida area.
Kinsey holds a master’s degree in computer information systems from the University of Phoenix, Arizona. He has a certificate in strategic management and was recognized with the Silver Beaver and Vigil Honor awards for his work with the Boy Scouts of America. As a Boy Scout volunteer for more than 25 years, he has held numerous positions within the organization, including Scoutmaster, district chairman, event chairman, and the council’s camping chairman.
A Toastmaster since 2003, Kinsey is a charter member of his home club, Outspoken Toastmasters, in Coral Springs. He has held a number of high-profile leadership positions within Toastmasters and has attained the Distinguished Toastmaster designation—the highest level of educational achievement in the organization.
“I have learned that to be most successful, you need to lead with your heart and not your head,” he says. “There is no finer program than Toastmasters for helping people build their self-confidence, communication and leadership skills.”
As an officer of the Toastmasters International Board of Directors, Kinsey is a “working ambassador” for the organization. He works with the Board to develop, support, and modify the policies and procedures that guide Toastmasters International in fulfilling its mission.
Workshop Description (Saturday, 45min):
A workshop to help you focus on what’s most important. Do you struggle with balance between the different aspects of your life? This was something I struggled with for years until I realized that balance is a myth. In my experience, it does not work for the majority of people. This workshop will present an alternative view of how to manage yourself in time while supporting who you are.
Keynote Description (Sunday, 1hr):
A definition of leadership for the 21st century and beyond… What is leadership? If you ask 100 different leadership experts, you’ll probably get 150 different answers. While the words are different, many of the principles are the same. Over the past 30 years, I have developed a definition of leadership that guides my actions in leading teams. This keynote presentation will present that definition for your consideration.
Sandra Savage - Keynote Title: Pathways, With Purpose
Check out Sandra’s resources:
Google Drive (shared with permission):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rUvvqb88dqyY1fcfQ6tWqoEF-zJl_Lu5?usp=share_link
Bio:
Sandra Savage is known worldwide for her innovative workshops on: “Pathways – Your Way,” “”Membership Retention and Acquisition”, “Mentorship Leads to Membership,” and “How to Write a Delectable Speech.” She is the author of the Pathways Catalog and the newly released Path decks of cards.
A Toastmaster since 1988 and mentor to 19 members, she has completed six paths, held all officer roles, is a club coach, sponsor, graphic artist/marketing professional, and has recently retired from her third career. She continues developing workshops, is writing a novel, and is using her 7th path to create a pitch to obtain a literary agent.
Keynote Description:
Many Toastmasters find it challenging to come up with an idea for a speech. Like the legacy program, Pathways leads you through incremental growth, but to WHAT END? How can you navigate through and select projects that will help you?
What if you took a project or a goal that you’d like to like to take a go at finally? One example might be “to start a personal shopping career.” Or (like me), you’re a writer and want to prepare a pitch to obtain a literary agent. What if you have an event, like a charity initiative, but don’t know how you’ll get everything organized?
Using the methodology in my presentation, you’ll look at Pathways as a tool for YOU to USE towards your goal(s). By turning Pathways upside down, you’ll get excited and won’t lack ideas for speeches – although you may have to struggle to get on the speaking roster as your fellow club members will be diligently working on their goals, too.
As a former project manager (16 years) for Adobe, Macromedia, and other software companies, I can show you how to break down your goal into projects that Pathways will incrementally teach. In your club meetings, you can practice your pitch before going out in your best suit and presenting to a client or committee.
This workshop will benefit ALL Toastmasters
Sam Horn - The Intrigue Expert - Keynote Title: Talking on Eggshells – How to Deal with Difficult People without becoming one Yourself
Bio:
Sam Horn is the CEO of the Intrigue Agency, a positioning/messaging consultancy company. Working with global executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations to help people design and deliver TEDx talks, keynotes, funding pitches, one-of-a-kind brands, and other intriguing offerings.
She is also the CEO of the Tongue Fu!® Training Institute, a conflict resolution/prevention consultancy company hired by hundreds of companies, associations, government agencies, non-profits and schools. She has a trade-marked communication skills approach that teaches how to give and get respect at work, at home, online and in public.
Additional achievements include:
• Executive Director and Emcee of the Maui Writers Conference, named “The Best Writers Conference in the world for 17 years by Writers Digest.
• International speaker addressing more than 500,000 people in 12 countries including China, Germany, Greece, Canada, Mexico.
• Hired by NASA, Richard Branson’s New Now Leaders, TED Fellows, and EO to train Executives and PM’s in media and public speaking.
• Former Pitch Coach for Springboard Enterprises whose grads have generated $26 billion in funding/valuation.
• 3 TEDx talks with 500,000+ views. Her talk on INTRIGUE is often shown at staff meetings to help employees turn speeches into conversations.
Keynote Description:
Offering sample conversations and an upbeat approach to making your point, Sam Horn delivers the secret of making small shifts for big benefits to communicate better at home, at work, online, and in public, with kindness and clarity.
Relatable, real-life stories and energizing, instantly usable insights will teach anyone how to think on their feet, reduce stress, and deal more proactively and diplomatically with bosses, coworkers, customers, friends, family members, partners, children, and even that date who just ghosted them. With short situation-based chapters, audience members will learn how to:
- stop complainers, blamers, and shamers from targeting them
- keep emotions under control — no matter what
- motivate people to stop talking, listen, and see another point of view
- hold bullies accountable for unacceptable behavior
- be more confident in meetings, in interviews, and when networking
- set an example of respect and kindness that inspires people to respond in kind
The key takeaways from Talking on Eggshells will be everyone’s go-to for clearly communicating what they want and need to get the results they desire and deserve.”
Kevin Snyder - Keynote Title: Tapping Full Potential™: Forward, Upward, Together!
Bio:
Dr. Kevin Snyder is the only Toastmaster in the world who earned the Accredited Speaker designation in 2022. He also recently earned the Certified Speaking Professional® (CSP) credential, one of the highest honors in the speaking profession held by a very small percentage of professional speakers. Kevin has presented for 1,000,000 people through 1,150+ organizations in all 50 states and several countries.
However, Kevin is not a natural speaker or motivated person. He struggled with depression as a teenager which is why sharing his story through speaking inspired him to push through his own comfort zone to help others. He credits Toastmasters and his professional speaking community empowering him to launch full-time into professional speaking. Kevin is the author of several best-selling books, holds a Doctorate degree in Leadership and is a multi-TEDx speaker. He also authored the #1 book and Online Course for aspiring professional speakers.
We Thank Our District 86 Conference Team
On behalf of the Planning Committee, we warmly welcome you to the District 86 Annual Spring Conference!
We have an exciting program that will allow you to renew and extend networks, reflect upon, celebrate, and explore living up to your potential. We hope that you will have a productive and fun‐filled time at our very special conference.
Conference Team Members – We Thank You !
Conference Team:
- Conference Chair: Nicole Holas, DTM
- District 86 Director: Deridor Collier, DTM
- District 86 Program Quality Director: Nancy Movrin, DTM
- District 86 Public Relations Manager: Matthew Obgulafor, DTM
- District 86 Logistics Manager: Anne Dockeray, DTM
- Education Chair: Myrna Barthe. DTM
- Zoom Coordinator: Gerry Tullio DTM
- Promotions Chair: Anja Gangur
- District Chief Judge: Jimmy Chien, DTM
- Administrative Assistant: Xiaodong Zhu
- First Timers/Distinguished Toastmasters Meet and Greet Chair and Opening Ceremonies Chair: Morgan Dandi
- Banner Parade Chair: Dan Gangur
- Evaluation Contest Chair: Gary Ford
- International Speech Contest Chair: Annie Bai DTM
- Conference Webmaster: Kristina Johnston DTM, PDD
Conference Zoom Masters:
- Fabiola Cleofa DTM,
- Clifford Graham, DTM,
- Anja Gangur
- Marianna Burka
- Mayank Mandhar
- Mikael Gatje DTM
Workshop Support Zoom Masters
- Amar Sandu
- Nancy Parkhill, DTM
- Dale Sinstead
- Lorne Devarajan
Contest Zoom Masters
- Russ Deacon
- Yang Gao
Workshops
What's your story? Make it an irresistible pitch to news media
Kevin Swayze, CC
Learn how to build relationships with journalists and bloggers.
Tell-A-Vision: Engage Your Audience with Simple Sketches
Emily Nichols, PM5
When leaders express their ideas through sketches, meetings are more engaging, presentations are more interesting, and projects are more fun.
The A.R.T. of Creative Leadership
Novelette Gordon, DTM
Participants will be encourage to tap into various experiences in their life that could provide valuable insightful meaning to their leadership capability.
Powering Up Your Vocal Power
Darryl Hartwick, CC
Power of the Pause, Inflection and Projection, The Importance of Finishing Strong (sentences, paragraphs, speeches)
Conference Schedule
Time | Activity |
|---|---|
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Sign on, Settle in, Network |
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm | First Timers – DTM Meet & Greet/Networking |
6:30 pm – 6:45 pm | Opening Ceremonies Welcoming Remarks Acknowledgement of Dignitaries |
6:45 pm – 7:00 pm | Parade of Banners |
7:00 pm – 7:15 pm | Breakout to Workshops |
7:15 pm – 8:00 pm | Workshops (4) What’s your story? Make it an irresistible pitch to news media Tell-A-Vision: Engage Your Audience with Simple Sketches The A.R.T. of Creative Leadership Powering Up Your Vocal Power |
8:00 pm – 8:15 pm | Everyone returns to main room |
8:05 pm – 8:10 pm | Comfort Break |
8:10 pm – 9:25 pm | Table Topics Contest |
9:25 pm – 9:30 pm | Announcements – Saturday Schedule |