# 86 – September 2010 

You have just opened the September Issue of From the Boardroom.

Your Editor is anxious to know if FtB gets through to you the member.

Please acknowledge by clicking on THIS email link (Ctrl+click). State your Club and Region and by what means you received this edition then please return the mail. 

In this issue of FtB:

• Dates and Deadlines
• The POWERtalk International Website
• Message from the President       
•  International Dues for 2010-2011
•  International Training Weekend       Total Membership 
• Resolutions and Amendments to        3090

•          International Bylaws and Standing Rules

• Reporting Dates to International
• Info for Wikipedia
• Target Twenty Twenty        
• PREM Extension Chair Change
•  Education Feature of the Month            
•  Zenith in Heart of America Region
• Website Quiz    
• Anniversary Charter Dates

Dates & Deadlines

The POWERtalk International Website

www.powertalkinternational.com  

The POWERtalk International Website is regularly updated. For the month of August the updates are:

• The FtB Index showing contents of editions of From the Boardroom for 2009-2010 can be found in Member Resources ►News ►From the Boardroom.
• The Calendar of Events can be found in Member Resources ►Events ► Calendar. Be sure to send dates and venue of region events to Website Chairman – Bronwyn Ritchie email webchair@powertalkinternational.com
• Coach for Success #11 & #12 are in Member Resources ►News ► Coach for Success.
• The PREM newsletter POWERlines is full of ideas and can be found in Member Resources ►News ► POWERlines.
• Several PREM publicity tools such as a “Terrified of Public Speaking” poster can now be found in Member Resources ►Marketing and PREM ►PREM.
• The Donations & Bequests committee has had new forms uploaded to Member Resources ►Membership and Donations ► Donations. They are Adoption Option forms, It’$ for Success and the new It’$ for Success Memorial Gift form.
• Education Feature “Out of the Box” is in Member Resources ► Training & Publications ► Education Features ► Special Programs/Assignments.

Many of these documents can be quickly located by using the Search Document facility in Member Resources.

Message from the President 

Members, we have reached another crucial time in our history. We are gaining new members and it is pleasing to see that almost 500 new members joined the organization in 2009-2010.  However this is not enough new members to see us grow and replace those members who leave our ranks. Unfortunately we are an ageing population and each term we lose members because of age, illness, joining the pensioner ranks and just plain “been there and done it”.

How can we retain these members? What are the options? Don’t just accept that this is the way it is. Look for solutions.

If we as an organization want to survive, action needs to be taken NOW, and I ask you all to take on board the 1 + 1 initiative.  If every member brings in ONE new member this term it will make a difference.  I believe that what we offer today is as relevant as it was at our inception. Probably more so since communication has become the “must have” for those working in the cut throat corporate world; for graduates who are looking for that first work experience and for anyone who wishes to have meaningful communication with others in their community.

Make the effort to run a POWERtalk Short Course. Do not be embarrassed to charge accordingly for the wonderful training we offer. Include membership costs at all levels for the term. If the participants choose not to remain members at the end of the term, that’s fine, you have probably achieved the purpose for those members.  Run the course again.  Yes, I know we get tired, but think of the alternative.

How do you think the early pioneers of our organization achieved what they did, do you really think they did not get tired, felt like throwing in the towel, well they did not and we have had 70 years of exceptional training and friendship because of their “can do” attitude.

Get on the growth train now, personally make a difference, commit to bring in one new member for the term and watch us “Coach for Success”.

Margaret Sutherland

International President 2009-2011 

International Dues for 2010-2011

URGENT 

 Urgent call to Club Treasurers and Members-at-Large to submit:

• International Dues per member ($NZ90 ninety New Zealand dollars)
• Convention Fee per club ($NZ18 eighteen New Zealand dollars)

Keep your club and its members in good standing with full access to the website and all its resources.

Don’t Delay. Payment can be made by using the secure on-line payment system in Shop on the POWERtalk International websitewww.powertalkinternational.com

International Training Weekend

22-23-24 October 2010 

 September 30 is the very last day to register for the International Training Weekend in Kobe, Japan.

Come and join the 400 other members who have registered for this exciting event full of excellent workshops, networking opportunities and a taste of another culture.

For the Weekend Program and further information on the many workshops available go to the Members News & Info pull-down tab on the POWERtalk International Website www.powertalkinternational.com.

Training Weekend Tip: “Good morning” in Japanese is “Ohayo”. “Kon-nichiwa” means both “Hello” and “Good afternoon”.   

Resolutions and Amendments to

International Bylaws and Standing Rules 

The International Bylaws and Resolutions Committee is requesting resolutions and amendments to the International Bylaws and Standing Rules from member clubs, councils, regions, ITC committees and the ITC Board.

Article 22 of the Bylaws provides that any resolutions or amendments must be submitted to the Committee by November 23, 2010 for consideration at the Convention in Indianapolis July 23-27, 2011. The submission date for the International Board is January 23, 2011.

Written resolutions or amendments are to be sent to Sue Simpkins, Chairman, by post, Fax  or e-mail, using either of the addresses below.  

Sue Simpkins DC

P O Box 798

KLOOF…Code 3640

Natal

Republic of South Africa

E mail: simpkins@iafrica.com

Fax:         + 27 31 764 5122

The duties of the Committee are set out at Article 13.4 of the Bylaws and include:  “coordinate and submit all resolutions and amendments for dissemination” and Article 13.4.7 “make corrections to article and section designations, punctuation and cross-references and make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the intent, and that which cannot result in a change of meaning”.

Members with a query about a proposed resolution or amendment are invited to contact the Bylaws Chairman in advance for discussion and/or advice on formulating resolutions or amendments.  Members should ensure that they formally submit any resolution or amendment by November 23, 2010.  Any resolution or amendment received after that date will not be considered.

Members must consider their amendments carefully to ensure that their propositions are beneficial to the organisation as a whole and germane to the ideals of POWERtalk International.

Sue Simpkins, Chairman

Hilary Bartlett

June Pietrantoni 

Reporting Dates to International

September 20, 2010   –   February 12, 2011   –   June 15, 2011

Info for Wikipedia 

POWERtalk International is seeking confirmation of information about our past to place on Wikipedia. The Board is interested in members who can, or who know someone who can, provide proof of authenticity of the following citations:

“The first International Toastmistress's assembly took place on August 11, 1939 where Ernestine White was presented with a gavel that had been used by the Vice President of the United States” 

“In 1970, the Apollo 13 astronauts carried three Toastmistress seals on its trip to the moon.” 

  “In March 1971, Pat Nixon, wife of the then President of the United States Richard Nixon was granted Honorary Membership of ITC.” 

“In 1988, a special ITC award was made to the Australian Speaker of the House of Representatives and was hung in the Federal House of Parliament in Canberra, Australia.” 

“In 1989, the first club in China was chartered one week before the Tiananmen Square eruption and the club was forced to operate underground. Many members around the world adopted the club and sent monetary help”. 

We need to get our brand name POWERtalk International known to the public. Our name on Wikipedia would help enormously. If anyone has information that will help to achieve this then please inform International President – Margaret Sutherland MargS@bigpond.net.au.

Target Twenty Twenty 

Last month FtB reported that eight clubs had increased their membership by 20% and their names would go into a draw to receive a free International membership for this year.

The lucky winner is Tijbult Club in Europe ‘92 Region. Congratulations to all members of Tijbult for their dedication to increasing membership. The International PREM team hopes you will keep up the good work and continue to draw members to your club.

This goes for all clubs. The Target Twenty Twenty Project will continue this term and a free International membership could be your prize.

Remember! ONE + ONE. Every member, bring a member.

PREM Extension Chair Change 

Due to unforeseen circumstances the International Recruitment Chairman – Ásthildur Sigurdardóttir has resigned.

Felicity Cory of Two Oceans Region has been found willing to take over the task. Felicity’s email address is: cory@telkomsa.net

The Board thanks Ásthildur for her wonderful contribution to the PREM team and wishes Felicity success with her new task.

Education Feature(s) of the Month

Interviewing Skills

Out of the Box

Parliamentary Procedure – Basic Information 

Submitted by:   Publication Chairman – Louise Stanford 

It’s happened!  Our first new educational feature has been submitted and added to the Web site.  It is “Interviewing Skills”.  This is a must read feature.  It is informative if you need to interview someone, but it also should be an inspiration to others to think about writing an education about something you have had to do and not found on the website. Members, share your ideas and talent with others.

“Out of the Box” has been revised and should be substituted on the web site by this issue of FtB.  It is a marvellous outline of a workshop for your club that is enjoyable and educational.  You get to practice impromptu speaking, evaluating and having fun doing it.  After reading it, I am volunteering to present it to my club.  It truly is a unique educational feature.

Do you have new member(s) in your club?  Even if you don’t, the basic information on Parliamentary Procedure should be reviewed at one of the first meetings of the year.  It is a help to everyone to be reminded of the correct procedures.

All educational features can be found on the POWERtalk International Website www.powertalkinternational.com in Member Resources ► Training and Publications ► Education features.

Zenith in Heart of America Region

BIG Youth National Champion 

He did what couldn't be done, by taking it to a higher level, and of course, he won. He won the National BIG Oratorical Championship at Kansas City, Missouri, Friday August 20, 2010. Congratulations to young Karl Hibbert and the Hibbert Family.

Karl was one of two competitors representing BIG Region V that valiantly competed and won the rare honor of attending the national competition.

Karl joined more than 20 students from eleven regions across the entire US in the annual Oratorical Contest. As promised, they were lavishly wined (not) and dined, pampered and mentored in the Kansas City Marriott's, eloquent, downtown hotel.

Everyone delivered a 4 to 6 minute oration on the topic, "Social Networks and Cyber Communication...Progress or Problem?"  But, their efforts, though commendable, did not prevail. For again, Karl's presentation was suave and debonair, and his voice and delivery,

magnificent.

Karl represented BIG Region V; POWERtalk International and Youths Speak with distinction, snatching the $1000.00 top prize and plaque from the hungry grasps of his extremely articulate competitors.

Karl's mentor is DFAS's own, Irvin Walker, coach and director of Youths Speak, and he hopes to return to national next year with several youths, including Karl, or course.

We are extremely proud of Karl's accomplishments.

The above text was an email received by President Mary from Zenith Chairman – Irvin Walker. President Margaret heard Karl speak at the Heart of America Zenith Speech Contests in 2009 and 2010 and was so impressed, 1) with the maturity and growth from 2009 to 2010, and 2) with the flawless presentation at the 2010 Heart of America Region Conference.  The adult Speech Contest candidates were so happy that their contest was held first as had they listened to Karl prior to their competition they would have felt intimidated by his performance. 

For those of you who are not aware of the synonym BIG, it stands for Blacks in Government. 

Website Quiz 

Last month’s quiz was a bit of a trick question.

The question was “how”, not “where” to find certain documents.

The answer to all three questions is the same.

In “Member Resources” go to “Search Document” and

type in name of document in “Search Keyword” box. 

No winner this time. 

Anniversary Charter Dates

September 

  “COACH for Success” 

FtB Editor – Mary Flentge