Friday night at a conference ...

Is there any better time than the Friday night at a Conference? Getting together with old friends ... meeting new friends.

All through the day Friday there were Toastmasters trickling into Red Deer from around the District, which was nice as it was a chance to catch up before the excitement started. And LGET Tim, LGM Greg and I had a great lunch with our lovely International Director Judy, where we had the chance to fill her in on the happenings in our District (you'll be happy to know she seemed very pleased!). Judy also kept busy that day with media and corporate visits. She was especially moved by her visit to Cosmo Industries, where the Dream Catchers club meets.

Friday night started out with a welcome by Conference Chair Barb and me banging the proverbial gavel and officially opening the Conference. We had a great meal, and then it was time for the entertainment. Wow, this guy made Richard Simmons look boring! He broke everyone up into groups and they had to come up with a song and a design using materials he'd brought to explain the saying that we had chosen. We have some pretty creative souls in our District!!

At 9 pm, the contestants were off to the contestant briefing and the first timers were off to the First Timers Event, where every first timer got a run down on what makes up Toastmasters International and how each of us fit into our organization.

Then it was time for the door prizes (limited, of course, to the first timers). Everyone received a prize and then there was a special draw ... an opportunity for the newest member and 6 other first timers to eat breakfast with our International Director Judy. Judy was quite tickled to be a door prize - that was a first for her!

9:30 pm and it was time for the judges to get briefed. Ah ... it's a tough job being a judge at District (I've done it several times and much prefer being in the position where I don't have to!!).

10 pm ... everyone's favourite spot ... the hospitality suite. The first timers were armed with their First Timer's Bingo Card and were busy meeting people and getting their sheets signed. The winner, drawn the next morning, won a Toastmasters wheeled backpack!!

The hospitality suite is always great, especially when Tony and Cindy are providing the musical entertainment. They are definitely a crowd favourite!! It was a time to visit, kick back, relax and just have some fun.

Special thanks to my friends Deb and Laura who both added to my dragonfly collection that evening. You ladies definitely hold a special place in my heart!! And for those of you in attendance, Laura's hand-made dragonfly was hanging in front of the lectern at the Saturday night banquet.

And then it was off to bed to rest up for an exciting Saturday ... stay tuned ... more news from the Fall Conference will follow in the days to come ...

Cheers!
Joan

A Charter Party at Sylvan Lake ... a night to remember ...

Well, travel to Red Deer for the Fall 2008 Conference was relatively uneventful, unless you count realizing in Perdue that a valuable mem stick was left at home, having to turn around, returning to Saskatoon, then leaving 2 hours after the anticipated departure time.

We arrived in Red Deer and after time to relax (aka a power nap), we were picked up by one of our fabulous Area Governors, Mavis. Mavis took us out to Sylvan Lake, gave a tour of the town and then took us to the Marina where we met many of the charter members of Sylvan's Slick Speakers.

One of the great surprises, was that I actually knew 2 of the Sylvan's Slick Speakers members. Last year I was Best Man for my friend Glenn's wedding. At the wedding I had the chance to meet the lovely bride Kari's aunt and uncle, Helen and Don, now members of Sylvan's Slick Speakers! We had a chance to catch up on news. It was so great to see them again!

What an amazing group of people at Sylvan Lake (and I heard similar reports from Div F Gov Dave and our LGM Greg about their time at the Leduc C&C Charter Party the day before). Wonderfully welcoming and hospitable, it was a great time.

It started with a fantastic pot-luck supper (you have great cooks in Sylvan Lake!). Then our program started ... LGET Tim, Div F Gov Dave and I had the great pleasure of presenting the charter certificates to the members present.

It was then time to install the officers (I won't give the surprise away, but I'm having special mementos created for each charter executive this year). I was moved by the dedication and enthusiasm each of the members and officers showed.

It was then my pleasure to turn things over to Charter President Debbie, who gave a lovely presentation.

We then heard an incredibly inspiring speech about leadership from one of Sylvan's charter members. In it, she referenced the recent US elections and talked about leadership from various aspects.

Then (yikes!) it was my turn to present my keynote speech. And then we had time for visiting and socializing before heading back to Red Deer for a great night's sleep.

Special thanks to all of the members of Sylvan's Slick Speakers. You definitely Impacted My World, and I know that each of you will Impact Our World in the years to come.

I hope to see many of you in Saskatoon in May!!

Next up ... memories of the Fall Conference ...

Cheers,
Joan