District 42 Spring Convention 2011
 
Whether a convention, conference, boot camp, contests at you club, area or division what do we need to make these events work.  In one word, volunteers.  When the phone rings and someone asks you to help out in some way jump in with both feet and volunteer. 

I want to share a few highlights - At Division B boot camp on February 12, 2011 in Regina I met so many new toastmasters and we shared so many exciting things including our SMART goals.  

Over the years I have volunteered at many conventions and conferences.  In Regina, I was Sergeant at Arms for the whole weekend and with the minute by minute that Connie and Bev provided I knew what I had to do and when.  There was not a detail missed.   ‘Under the big top’ is a vivid memory for me.

In Calgary at the World Convention, I was thrilled to volunteer and it lead me to meet new people from around the world, get on the ins and outs of the opening ceremony and to learning more about Calgary and the value of voting!

Grande Prairie saw Barb and myself being at the registration table so we got to meet most of the people who were coming in - what a great way to spread your smile and pride in our toastmaster organization.    

With every volunteer position you accept you will learn Volumes about yourself, Observe the talents of others, Learn new skills,  Understand the Need for volunteers and earn a new respect for Timing.  You will be Eager to do it over and over again and Even Remember these events more vividly.  I urge you to volunteer at the Spring Convention in Regina at the end of April, we need you.

Respectfully submitted,
Maryann Samida, DTM

 
Volunteering at the convention is a great way to interact with your fellow Toastmasters.

More information on volunteering opportunties and how to let the Volunteer Committee know you are interested in volunteering can now be found on the 'Call for Volunteers' Page recently posted on the website.

Eloise Blackstock ACS - CL
Webmaster
 
Remembering all the fun of conventions and conferences got me reminiscing about the fun I have had getting to these places.  Well sometimes the carpooling was going to a TLI in Regina or an Area contest in Moose Jaw.  Seems to me that a car plus toastmasters equals lots of laughter and getting to the destination in record time.  Well, it depends on who is driving.        

I remember stopping at the Home Depot, on the way to Calgary, to get ourselves some tools to use as props at the Friday night fun and games part of a District 42 get together. 

I remember how quickly we got to Edmonton when Connie was Division Governor for an Area Governor training.  How exciting it was to get trained and the bonus of the networking and the sharing of ideas, concepts and plans for the upcoming year.

I remember not stopping anywhere along the road with Faye as we were so excited the get to a Region IV Conference in Winnipeg and the short trip home -  recapping of the 'bead dog' I got from one of the speakers, the sore dancing muscles and sadly thinking: "Wow, the last one." 

I also remember a whole carload of us planning the events and speakers we would encourage to have at our Division B TLIs (Toastmaster Leadership Institutes) and how the excitement just rolled from one person to another.   Man, we could have planned several years of TLIs that time.
 
I encourage toastmasters to carpool whether it is to a convention (in Regina soon), a conference, a contest or a special toastmaster day - you will learn a lot and laugh a lot guaranteed!

Respectfully submitted,
Maryann Samida, DTM