Messages from the OTY's Champions
Rookie of the Year: Kathleen Goebel (Mosaic Masters)
Testimonials:
- Completed levels one through three in the Presentation Mastery pathway, thereby achieving Triple Crown Pin.
- Have been a Club Officer, and a Mentor of a member.
- Played a crucial role in developing the Club Success Plan.
- Set the tone for their club’s journey to become President Distinguished.
- Participated as Nomination Committee Chair; Awards Committee Member; Moment of Truth Oct 2023 and Led MOT April 2024.
- Highlighted both the club’s strengths and areas for improvement, during the Moments of Truth sessions, fostering a culture of continuous enhancement.
- Attended 3 leadership training sessions.
- Participated in International Speech Contests and reached the division level.
- Taken the Contest Chair role for the Speech Evaluation Contest.
- Completed 7 announcements and recognition PowerPoint.
- Visited 3 clubs outside of his/her own club.
- Attended 2 events outside his/her club and attended the town hall on the Speech Contest.
PR Program Of The Year: Vesna Ivkovic (Calgary Pace Setters)
Thank You, District 42! I am deeply honored to have received the PR Program of the Year Award for District 42.
This achievement is not just mine, but a reflection of the support, collaboration, and inspiration that I’ve received from our members of D42.
A special thank you goes to my club, Calgary Pace Setters. Your unwavering support, encouragement, and trust have been the foundation of this achievement. I’m so proud to be a part of such a dynamic and inspiring club that constantly pushes me to grow. I love you guys!
To the new VP Public Relations across the district, I encourage you to embrace this role with enthusiasm and dedication. Being a VP PR is one of the most creative and rewarding experiences you can have in Toastmasters. You have the opportunity to tell your club’s story, highlight its members, and help your club grow by spreading the word far and wide.
Yes, it’s hard work, but it’s also fun! Take pride in everything you do, whether it’s crafting social media posts, creating newsletters, or promoting events. Each effort you make helps build connections and inspires others to join the Toastmasters journey. So, enjoy the ride and let your passion for communication shine through every project!
Thank you again, District 42, for this incredible recognition. I look forward to seeing all the amazing PR work that’s yet to come!
Testimonials:
- Increased PR metrics, elevating efforts from great to outstanding.
- Consistently presented impressive statistics at Executive meetings, showcasing increased social media engagement and website traffic.
- Enhanced the club’s social media presence in various ways.
- Organized weekly online events to promote upcoming meetings, achieving consistent engagement.
- Explored diverse topics, including member testimonials and mini-training sessions on Toastmasters roles.
- Created an entire YouTube segment, interviewing Executives and key members, editing the content, and sharing it on social media.
- Posted daily across various media channels, engaging club members to boost content reach.
- Leveraged club membership to maximize PR and social media outreach.
- Designed a vibrant, informative newsletter for the club, featuring important dates, events, and a President’s Message.
- Documented club activities with photos of meeting winners and events, using them for social media and website updates.
- Created special Zoom backgrounds to show solidarity with a member battling illness.
- Strategically planned and scheduled social media posts weeks or months in advance using specialized software.
- Used high-level analytics to track the success of marketing and PR efforts, providing hard data to demonstrate impact.
- Excelled at creating visual content for themes, contests, and events with remarkable creativity and skill in visual software tools.
- Designed, created, written, and updated resources entirely, serving as an excellent resource for members.
- Served as D42 webmaster and Dispatch Editor, showcasing dedication to Toastmasters beyond the local chapter
Toastmaster of the Year: Catherine Secundiak (Wild Oats)
I was very honoured to have been nominated by my club, Wild Oats Toastmasters (we meet Mondays from 12:05 pm to 1:00 pm CST), for Toastmaster of the Year and to be amongst such esteemed Toastmasters nominated at the club, area, division and district levels.
At the start of this Toastmasters year, I had set my personal development goals and lined up my Pathways projects to help with those goals. The two Pathways Paths I was working on were Strategic Relationships and Persuasive Influence. As Director of the Strategic Improvement department in my workplace, I felt these two paths would assist me in developing and maintaining relationships in my organization and externally in my field of work, while also supporting me in leading my team and the organization through a new beginning. I am proud to say that I was able to accomplish those goals this year much more successfully with the help of Pathways and the Toastmasters program.
As a member of two clubs, it takes quite a bit of planning to ensure opportunities line up, and both my clubs’ VPs of Education (Connie Paus and Cathy Morrell/Marg Ustupski) were very supportive. I completed my Member Interest Survey in June of last year and communicated with both VPs of Education about my goals and my progress along the way. My goals were quite aggressive; to complete 5 levels, complete the Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM) project, sponsor a new club, earn my 3rd DTM award, stay involved in International Committees to improve the Toastmasters experience for all around the world, and continue to mentor and support District leaders in District 42 and around the world.
I am proud to belong to the Past District Governor/District Director Committee in District 42. Each of those members has a strong commitment to continuing to support and guide newly elected/appointed District Leaders and I am so grateful to be in the company of each of those exceptional role models, my mentors, who serve our district tirelessly, often behind the scenes. As a club sponsor of the newly chartered ISM Toastmasters club in District 42, I had the opportunity to build my influence skills, support the organization with marketing and promotion strategies, and support the newly elected club officers in getting started with their learning journey. While also being supported by the District 42 Extension Team led by Past District Governor, Brad Korbo. I was also appointed “Assistant to the Area B24 Director” and I had a chance to work closely with the amazing Nicole Barber, who was awarded Division B Area Director of the Year!
It didn’t always go exactly as planned this past year. Life happens and I had a significant life event come my way that I needed to navigate through and focus on. As a result, I was unable to complete my DTM project and I had quite a bit of adjustments that needed to be done near the end of the year to complete my Pathways levels. But I was able to complete my levels with the support of my club members, club VP Eds and friends around the world (thank you!).
To all my mentors and proteges from this past Toastmasters year, thank you for contributing to my Toastmasters and leadership journey, I have gained so much from each team member I work with and am truly grateful for the opportunity! I am very proud to be a member of District 42 and wish you all the best as you each continue down your own path.
Testimonials:
- Delivered 17 Pathways speeches and completed one Path within a year.
- Organize club and division contests (spring).
- Assisted an Area Director and participated in hosting corporate visits.
- Attended TI webinars, D42 Conference, and Road to Regina pre-conference events, and attended various District, Division, and Area events.
- Promoted Toastmasters enthusiastically by sharing personal success stories.
- Mentored others in leadership roles using knowledge and experience.
- Set an example in the club by planning speeches and meeting roles in advance and progressing through Pathways.
- Facilitated Leadership Training, Peer Calls, and District Leader Orientation.
- Co-facilitated D42’s Train the Trainer sessions.
- Began as Club Sponsor for a potential new club and successfully chartered the club.
- Attended club meetings across different districts.
- Actively engaged at all levels of Toastmasters, setting an example of what can be achieved within the program.
President of the Year: Aditya Verma (Fluor Communicators Club)
Having started my Toastmasters journey two short years ago, I did not expect to fall in love with the Toastmasters program and community this much. I joined Fluor Communicators Toastmasters in the Fall of 2022, and in the Spring of 2023, I was offered the role of Club President.
Now, Fluor Communicators is a Toastmasters club with a long, rich legacy in Calgary since 1979. Up until 2023, we had been a President’s Distinguished Club for 9 consecutive years. So, the only reason why I said yes to taking on this challenge was because of the support and mentorship I received from the experienced members. My club executive team was the A-Team with brilliant ideas and execution strategies. Together, we continued to foster an environment where exploration and experimentation with public speaking and leadership skills were encouraged. But above all, we ensured that the joy of learning and the camaraderie of our gatherings remained at the forefront of each meeting.
Our club membership flourished during my tenure, member engagement soared, and participation grew exponentially. We achieved the status of President’s Distinguished Club for the 10th consecutive year and commemorated our club’s 45th anniversary. It was a historic moment that filled us with joy and immense pride, a feat made possible by our executive team’s stellar work and our members’ relentless enthusiasm. Together, we built a vibrant community that was now more prominent than ever within the Fluor office and our local community.
Testimonials:
- Exemplified commitment to excellence and demonstrated remarkable leadership skills during tenure.
- Liaised with the corporate sponsor to promote the club within the office. Increased visits from employees and management, enhancing the club’s visibility and impact. Maintained strong membership, with most members joining from the company.
- Fostered a sense of connection among members.
- Regularly check in with members, showing sensitivity to their individual situations and needs.
- Led a voluntary organization with a strong legacy within a large corporate entity.
- Dedicated to the club’s goals and success.
- Significantly enriched the community through active presence.
- Effective communicator, well-prepared organizer, and enthusiastic club figurehead.
- Demonstrated exceptional leadership and organizational skills, particularly as a newer Toastmaster.
- Built strong connections between new and long-standing members, as well as between the club and the sponsoring corporate entity through networking and promotional efforts.
- Achieved the prestigious Toastmasters President’s Distinguished Club status.
Area Director of the Year: Arobo Ako (A27)
Being recognized as District 42’s Area Director of the Year is a deeply humbling honor that fills me with immense gratitude. This award is not simply a personal achievement but a testament to the collective efforts of the many people who have supported and guided me throughout this journey.
Serving as Area Director for Area A27, working with four remarkable clubs; Current Speakers Club, Glenmore RSVP, Cranston Communicators, and MVP Advanced has been both fulfilling and enriching. Each of these clubs, led by resilient and dedicated members, demonstrated unwavering commitment to their growth and development. Supporting them through their challenges and successes has been a privilege, and I am honored to have played a part in their progress.
I owe a deep sense of gratitude to the entire A-Team, particularly the Immediate past Division A Director, Irma Goosen, and my fellow Area Directors. Their leadership and shared vision were vital in our collective success. Together, we cultivated a spirit of determination, ensuring that every club not only survived but thrived, a goal we proudly achieved through collaborative effort.
Success in this role extended far beyond metrics or achieving distinguished status, it was about building relationships, fostering collaboration, and stepping outside my comfort zone to engage with members across clubs. This experience has broadened my perspective and taught me invaluable lessons about leadership & communication, while also enabling me to connect with Toastmasters from diverse backgrounds.
The most rewarding part of this journey has been the opportunity to relate with, learn from and grow alongside my fellow Toastmasters. Every challenge faced, every success celebrated, and every interaction shared has contributed to my professional and personal growth in ways I never anticipated. This recognition is not mine alone, it belongs to every member, mentor, and friend who has supported me along the way.
Looking back, I’m reminded of my previous experiences on the District D42 virtual stage; as a nominee for Rookie of the Year, President of the Year, and now Area Director of the Year all at the District level. They say the third time’s the charm. Each recognition reflects the growth, dedication, and passion I’ve poured into this organization. Toastmasters has been a guiding force in my personal development, helping me evolve into a more confident and articulate leader through every speech, evaluation, and meeting.
As I look to the future, I am inspired to continue serving and contributing to this extraordinary community. With the knowledge I’ve gained and the continued support of my fellow Toastmasters, I am confident that we can achieve even greater things together. Thank you to everyone who believed in me and made this recognition possible. This celebration belongs to all of us—together, we exemplify the power of perseverance, teamwork, and the transformative spirit of Toastmasters.
Testimonials:
- Arobo is an exceptional Area Director, embodying the ideals of Toastmasters. Her area acheived Select Distinguished status.
- She offers valuable feedback, inspires others, and leads by example through her communication skills.
- Attends club meetings and social events, showing strong commitment and engagement.
- Ensures clubs are well-informed and encourages participation in all events.
- Organized a successful in-person Area contest with professionalism and positivity.
- Knowledgeable about Pathways, always supportive and motivating others to grow.
- Displays excellent leadership, meticulous attention to detail, and high-quality work.
- Fun yet professional to work with, driving results with dedication and energy.
- She encouraged future leaders and set an example by developing her own leadership skills, earning a Triple Crown award.
- Arobo led two Youth Leadership Programs and mentored many members.
- She helped plan and deliver three officer training sessions, serving as a Toastmaster and presenter.
- Strongly endorsed for the Area Director of the Year award for her significant impact on the clubs she supports.
Division Director of the Year: Chelsea Nelson (Division E)
I am honoured to be District 42’s Division Director Of the Year! It means the world to me. I am filled with gratitude and wear this title proudly as it reminds me of the year we had.
Achieving Distinguished Division status was a surprise to me as this year seemed like an uphill battle to start with only 2 official Area Directors. Two willing individuals stepped in to act as Area Directors giving us the opportunity for team collaboration as a division to share the workload. We gave our members high-quality hybrid area and division contests by bringing consistency with our experienced team of superstars and helped each other with club visits. I enjoyed visiting clubs and attending events. Division E had Igniters, Speaker’s Edge, Literally Speaking, To the Point, and Kepler Astrologers achieve President’s Distinguished status. I am especially impressed with Kepler for their achievements over their first 2 years as a newly chartered club and Mountain Mumblers that had a rough start to the year to become Distinguished.
I enjoyed working with the different Division Directors to provide meaningful officer sessions. We brainstormed on topics that officers need to know and do at each time of the year which was my goal when I signed up to be a division director. Each session received positive feedback about it being meaningful. I felt supported by the Toastmasters community to make all these amazing things happen for our members!
This award is dedicated to Division E and is a testament to our team collaboration. Thank you everyone for the support!
Testimonials:
- Visited clubs in person, even in remote areas, to write Area Visit reports.
- Supported the ‘To The Point’ club as a guest speaker and at their year-end awards, making a strong impact.
- Helped plan three District Club Officer trainings, including one in-person, each with its challenges.
- Used Division assets to create a successful event.
- Empowered leaders and supported a hybrid speech contest, taking on any needed role.
- Provided reliable support as in-person and online SAA.
- Stayed committed to clubs and events with calm confidence, following through on all commitments.
- Attended many meetings, generously helping and supporting members.
- Actively contributed during contest season, collaborating with Area Directors and ensuring smooth hybrid contests through advanced planning.
- Showcased strong planning and facilitation in organizing Leadership Training events.
- Remained a steady support for struggling clubs, inspiring them to attract members and continue meeting.