July Division D News Letter

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to our new home designated Division D instead of Division H. Its actually just a name change for most of us so its not really that big of a deal. We have a few clubs joining us in the newly formed Area-4. Welcome Visalia Toastmasters #1444338 and Hanford Toastmasters #4680115.

A list of Areas and clubs can be found via our District Website here: District 33 District Leader List 2025-26 (for website) – Google Docs

District 33 District Leader List 2025-26 (for website)We List Current as of July 2, 2025 NOTE: Club assignments listed are based on the realignment changes approved by the District 33 Council on 4/25/2024 and submitted to World Headquarters. *District Executive Committee (DEC) Members (stared) are defined by Article XI-a of the bylaws of Toastmast…docs.google.com

It looks to be a real exciting year this year. Lots of tasks going on. Plenty of work to be done as all our members strive to reach their goals.

AREA DIRECTORS

There are several items that need to be taken care of at the beginning of any Toastmaster year. It is your job to ensure your clubs have a handle on it all. Please reach out to your clubs and help them wherever they need your help to ensure they are ready for the year. Here is a list to start with.

1. Club Officer List – Club officer names for this year submitted to TI in Club Central – this is important – without this your clubs do not have access to club central and cannot conduct any club business. Access is required to fill out the Club Success Plan.

2. Club Success Plan – Each club must fill out their Club Success Plan and submit it via Club Central by the end of August in order to participate in the Distinguished Club Program. This is a new requirement from TI this year. 
3. Area and Club calendars – I attached here a sample of an Area and a Club calendar. Note these are samples. Please feel free to use them as a base and make whatever adjustments you need to fit your plans for this year. Please pass the club calendars on to your club and provide any assistance they might require to successfully build a plan for this year.
4. Distinguished Club Program – There are several changes to the qualifications of the DCP this year. Membership requirement changes, point changes, category changes as well as the previously stated Club Success Plan. You should review the DCp Manual throughly in order to help your clubs qualify. Be cognizant of dates. You can get a copy of the manual here: 1111 Distinguished Club Program1111 Distinguished Club ProgramFoundation for Success in the Distinguished Club Program High-quality clubs enhance the member experience. They encourage and celebrate member achievement, provide a supportive and fun environment, and offer a professionally organized meeting with variety. In those clubs, officers are trained in all aspects of club quality to ensure that members have access to a formal mentoring program, are …content.toastmasters.org
5. Club Officer Training – it is the Districts goal to have all seven officers from each club trained. Officers cannot effectively do their jobs if they do not know what is required of them. Please check with your clubs to ensure their officers are trained. Some of them were trained during the Early Bird held earlier. There is Club Officer Training on july 26 and a make-up training coming on August 4. Details for training can be found here: Events from July 13, 2024 – December 7, 2024 – District 33 ToastmastersEvents from July 13, 2024 – December 7, 2024 – District 33 ToastmastersWelcome 2025-2026 District 33 Leaders! District Officer Training (DOT) will be hosted in-person in Bakersfield, CA. Lunch will be provided. DOT is required for all District Officers and District Leaders. Please register by 18 JULY. Click Here to Register Now! Required Attendance: District Director Program Quality Director Club Growth Director Public Relations Manager Finance […]d33tm.org
6. Area Executive Meetings – I reccommned you have a monthly meeting with your Excutive Board to keep them fully appraised of what is going on from a District perspective. You are the liaison between the Clubs and the District Leadership. You have your fingers on the pulse of the Clubs, know what their successes and issues are. Push your clubs to be successful through constant communication and feedback via your Executive Meetings.
7. Area News Letters – while not required, it is recommended that you produce a monthly newsletter to allow all your members know what is going on in your Area and keep them up to date on Local / District Events.

CLUB OFFICERS

1. Club Officers List – by now all clubs should have their new officers list for this year submitted to Ti via Club Central. If you did not get this task done your club is already behind because you do not have access to Club Central. All officers should have access. If you do not contact your Area Director immediately and get this situation fixed. 
2. Club Success Plan – all clubs are required to submit a Club Success Plan in order to participate ine the Distinguished Club Program. It is recommened that you build and submit the Club Success Plan via Club Central. Do this ASAP. It will be your roadmap to success this year. I recommend you get this done in the month of July. It will take approximately 30 minutes to fill it out online. Do not delay this task. A PDF version can be found here: 1111CSP Club Success Plan but it is highly recommended that you fill it out online. 1111CSP Club Success PlanThe Club Success Plan is a helpful resource for the Club Executive Committee and club members to strategically plan and map out how the club will achieve its desired goals within the Distinguished Club Program. The club should work together as a group, creating action plans and measurable checkpoints for each goal. The club should review these things periodically throughout the year.content.toastmasters.org
3. Club Calendars – attached you will find a sample club calendar – its not perfect but it gives you something to work wth. Take it, change it to fit your clubs needs. It will help you to keep track of the different events your club is taking part in. You can build your planning around the data you enter in the calendar.
4. Distinguished Club Program – there are several changes to the DCP this year. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the changes because you will need to help your members navigate the new requirements for your club to qualify for the DCp this year. You can find a copy of the DCP manual here: 1111 Distinguished Club Program1111 Distinguished Club ProgramFoundation for Success in the Distinguished Club Program High-quality clubs enhance the member experience. They encourage and celebrate member achievement, provide a supportive and fun environment, and offer a professionally organized meeting with variety. In those clubs, officers are trained in all aspects of club quality to ensure that members have access to a formal mentoring program, are …content.toastmasters.org
5. Club Officers Training – the districts goal is for all seven club officers from each club be trained. There are upcoming events to help your club accomplish this. Officers training by the District is on July 26 and a make up session on August 4. You can find the details here:Events from July 13, 2024 – December 7, 2024 – District 33 Toastmasters. Have your officers click on the training link to register for the associated event.Events from July 13, 2024 – December 7, 2024 – District 33 ToastmastersWelcome 2025-2026 District 33 Leaders! District Officer Training (DOT) will be hosted in-person in Bakersfield, CA. Lunch will be provided. DOT is required for all District Officers and District Leaders. Please register by 18 JULY. Click Here to Register Now! Required Attendance: District Director Program Quality Director Club Growth Director Public Relations Manager Finance […]d33tm.org
6. Speech Contests – if your members want to participate in the speech contests this year I recommend they begin practicing now. This will give them plenty of time to hone their skills and sharpen their punch lines. If possible, have them practice their speech at the club meeting to get feedback via round robin evaluations.
7. Club Coach Module – there is a Club Coach Module in pathways. It is highly recommended that ALL officers go through and complete this module, whether your club needs a coach or not. It will help you understand the Club Coach Program and what all is entailed to have a successful coach when assigned.
8. DTM – are there any members in your club going for their DTM. There is a DTM Club in our District designed to help any member achiev their DTM. The club sets a path with a mentor for each member. They walk through all the steps and remove roadblocks to help ensure successful completion of the DTM requirements.
9. Membership – Does your club lack members? There is a District wide DTM Project going on right now to drive up membership. Three different teams are available. Team one, designed to get your club to eight members. Team two, designed with coaching in mind to drive your club to 12 members. Team three, designed with driving your club to the membership levels needed to achieve Smedley Distinguished status. Your point of contach is Gavin Haffner from Memebrship Masters Toastmasters Club.

Members

Your job is to have fun and reach your goals. It is important for you to remember YOU ARE NOT IN THIS ALONE.

What are your goals?

Does the VPE of your club know those goals?

Are they helping you plan a path to success?

If you need help, contact your officers. They are there to help you succeed and move forward toward attaining your goals.

I see a lot of people afraid to get up and speak in meetings. I often wonder why they are in Toastmasters if they are not going to speak. The realization that the more you speak the better you become somehow does not register with everyone. If you are not doing a speech at your club meeting, then take on a meeting role. That way you still get to speak. Speak as often at every meeting as possible. Your continuous speaking will by default improve your speaking ability without you even realizing it. LOL – gives new meaning to the saying “speak now or forever hold your peace” – LOL

I am looking forward to a wonderful Toastmaster year. If you need me, my number is below. I prefer text or phone call over email contact. Sometimes it will be several days before I see email. If its urgent, call me. If I do not answer, leave a message – I will call you back.

jim kearney DTM

818-636-5547

Div D Director