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