Eastern Middlesex Toastmasters Turns 40

Eastern Middlesex Toastmasters Club in Stoneham, MA is turning 40 years old! Join us to help celebrate the momentous anniversary. Ray Snay, DTM, will be the Featured Speaker. A Toastmaster since 1972, Ray has been a sponsor or co - sponsor of several Toastmaster Clubs in District 31. He has held every club office many times, has been an Area Governor and Division Governor several times and was a Past District 31 Governor (1984 - 85).

Anniversary Party Details:

When: Monday, June 7th 2010 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Where: Stoneham Public Library (lower level) at 431 Main Street Stoneham, MA (Click here for directions.)

RSVP Required: Please contact club President Marguerite Shepard DiCiaccio by Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at m.diciaccio@comcast.net 781-396-6200.

Refreshments will be served

Hail and Farewell Luncheon

Ronald Couming, Assistant to the District Governor, Sherri Raftery, DTM, 2009-10 District 31 Governor, Taking Center Stage as we promoted the District 31 Prison Clubs during the Spring 2010 Conference on Saturday May 15, 2010 at the Hilton Hotel in Dedham, MA

Did You Attend the D31 Spring Conference?

We hope you had a good time! We certainly had a good time putting the conference together for you. We decided to save some trees and do our evaluations over the net. If we get enough replies, we will do all of our evaluations online. So, if you would be so kind as to click here to give us your thoughts, we'd appreciate it.

Click here for a post-conference wrap-up, including photos!

Important IRS Information
for All Clubs

All US clubs must file IRS form 990-N for any given year no later than May 15 of the following year. Failure to file by the due date could cause the club to lose their nonprofit tax exempt status as a subordinate under Toastmasters International.

Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Exempt Organizations Form 990-N (e-Postcard)

Small tax-exempt organizations whose gross receipts are normally $25,000 or less may be required to electronically submit Form 990-N, also known as the "e-Postcard." This applies to all of our US clubs. All US clubs must electronically submit the 990-N in order to retain the club's nonprofit status.

See this link for instructions on how to file http://www.toastmasters.org/irs_990n.aspx.

District 31 Spring Conference

Click here for conference information and online registration.

If you're a Club President or Vice President of Education, it is your responsibility to attend the Fall and Spring Conferences and vote at the District Council Meeting. (There is no registration fee to attend only the business meeting, but we ask you to register anyway so we can get an accurate head count.) If you're unable to attend, you can delegate your responsibility to another member of your club by giving that member a signed proxy form. Click here for proxy details.

With Deep Sadness

With deep sadness, we must relay news that the wife of Raytheon Sudbury former member Matt Slate, Harriet passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2010, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Matt was a member of Toastmasters for over 40 years, and served as an Area governor about 10 years ago. Harriet was a long time supporter of Toastmasters, and whenever Matt's club needed something, Harriet was there. Matt reports, "We are planning a graveside service at the New Town Cemetery, off Concord Road in Sudbury. It probably will be on Thursday, May 20 or Friday, May 21, but this is dependent on the schedule of the Highway department." We will post more information as it becomes available.

We're very sorry to report that Robert K. Miller of the Network Voice Club has passed away. The funeral will be a graveside service at 232 Fuller St Everett Ma. 02149 at the New Tifereth Israel Cemetery of Everett on Sunday May 23rd at 11am. Memorial week will be Sunday & Monday at Naomi's house (wife) in Weymouth..The address is 122 Morningside Path E Weymouth Ma 02189.

The International Speech Contest, 2010

Click here for Speech Contest deadlines.

Click here for District 31 Speech Contest dates/times/locations.

There is one big change when you get past the district level. There will be no regional competition, instead all district winners will be flown to the International Conference in California, where they will compete in groups of nine on Thursday, and those winners will stand on the International stage Saturday. Only the final speech has to be different. You may use the same speech at club through Thursday at International.

D31 International Speech Contest Winners

(Above) Paul Jones, Dan Kupferman, and Dave Cohen, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in the D31 2010 International Speech Contest

Congratulations to the 2010 District 31 International Speech Contest Winners!

In a District-wide contest with 7 truly excellent, entertaining, thought-provoking, and inspiring speeches, Paul Jones of The Last Word Toastmasters took first place. (This is the second year in a row in which the D31 International Speech Contest winner is from The Last Word!) Paul will be progressing to the next stage of competition at the International Conference in Palm Springs, CA this August.

Incoming District 31 Officers

At the D31 Business Meeting on May 15, 2010, the District Council voted in District Officers for the 2010-2011 year. They are:

Top Three

• District Governor: Bil Lewis
• Lt. Governor of Education & Training: Ben Lappen
• Lt. Governor of Marketing: Stefano McGhee

Division Governors

• Division A: Elizabeth (Liz) Benson
• Division B: Laura Fritz
• Division C: Roger Swenson
• Division D: Ruth Levitsky
• Division E: Hilary Wilson
• Division F: Maryann Murphy
• Division G: Tom Nyzio

Congratulations to our new leaders!

2010 Toastmasters International Convention

Excitement is running high for Convention 2010! The 79th annual Toastmasters International Convention takes place Aug. 11-14 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, Calif.

Click here for more information.

Paul Jones, the D31 International Speech Contest winner, will be speaking at the Convention. Get a preview of his speech by asking him to practice at your club! Click here for more information.

D31's Newest Distinguished Toastmasters

Barbara Theriault	John Mulcahy	Victor Carbone

Congratulations to District 31's Newest Distinguished Toastmasters!

Click here for a list of all our Distinguished Toastmasters.

D31's Newest Distinguished Toastmasters

Satvir Maudgal Andover Club	Tien Truong State Street Boston	Loraine Stewart	Marlene Westerman Rumney Marsh

Congratulations to District 31's Newest Distinguished Toastmasters!

Click here for a list of all our Distinguished Toastmasters.

Communication & Leadership Awardee

District 31 is excited to announce that Linda Nathan, Ed. D, founding headmaster of the Boston Arts Academy, is our Communication & Leadership awardee for our Spring 2010 Conference. Click here for more information.

Dr. Nathan will be available for a book signing at the District 31 Spring Conference, Saturday, May 15, 10:30AM-11:30AM.

Nominations for 2010-2011
District Officers

You are invited to nominate certain District Officers (District Governor, Lieutenant Governor of Education and Training, Lieutenant Governor of Marketing, and Division Governors ) to serve during the period from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. The nomination deadline for submitting nominations has been extended to February 28, 2010. Click here for more information.

Toastmasters Leadership Institute
Winter 2010 Club Officer Training

Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) is a training seminar held by each Toastmasters District to ensure that incoming club officers are prepared to meet their responsibilities. Click here for more information and to register for TLI. (Note: We've added a TLI in Rhode Island!)

Day and Location Change for February
Executive Committee Meeting

The Executive Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, February 18, from 6PM-8PM at:

Tom Nyzio - District 31's
Newest Distinguished Toastmaster

Congratulations to Tom Nyzio, District 31's Newest Distinguished Toastmaster!

"It still seems hard to believe that I've earned my DTM. For my first few years as a Toastmaster, it seemed quite out of reach. I am fortunate to have had the support and guidance of my Division Governor, Esther Paris, as well as encouragement from my fellow Providence and Brown Noise Toastmasters. They are owed a debt of gratitude for this achievement."
-Tom Nyzio, DTM Division G - Brown Noise Club

Please offer your congratulations to Tom on this momentous accomplishment.

Click here for more information about District 31's Distinguished Toastmasters.

Rich Baker - District 31's
Newest Distinguished Toastmaster

Congratulations to Rich Baker, District 31's Newest Distinguished Toastmaster!

Rich says, "My DTM means that I have reached another pinnacle in my career; it means that I have transitioned from nervous speeches with more AHs and UHMs than actual words to an accomplished speaker looking forward to my next opportunity to stand up in front of a crowd."

Please offer your congratulations to Rich on this momentous accomplishment.

Click here for more information about District 31's Distinguished Toastmasters.

About Carmen Lowe,
Past District Governor

District 31 has received some very sad news. On Sunday evening, December 6, Past District Governor Carmen Lowe, DTM, wife of past District Governor Chris Lowe, passed away.

Chris writes, "Carmen was called home to God on Sunday at 6:30 P.M. She left peacefully and quietly surrounded by friends and family."

Very Distinguished Toastmaster Carmen Lowe
1990-1991 Area Governor of the Year
1991-1992 Toastmaster of the Year
1994-1995 District 31 Governor - Theme: "Spread Your Wings and Soar to New Heights"
1996 Region Vii Host Chair
2004 Region Vii Conference Chair
Presidential Citation

Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Carmen's family.

If you would like to send a card to Chris and you need his mailing address, please send an email message to getchrisloweaddress@district31.org, and we'll send you his mailing address. (Please do not use this email address to correspond with Chris. Use it only to request Chris's mailing address, which we don't want to post publicly on this site.)

About Our Fall 2009 Conference

Thank you to our Fall 2009 Conference Chairs Satvir Maudgal and Doug Sheadel, as well as our Educational Chairs Lena Maxwell and Sara Marks and all of our Conference Chairs and volunteers!

It was great to see the Parade of Banners filled with so many clubs from around the District, which included both Massachusetts and Rhode Island!

Congratulations to all the Division Contest winners and Standing Ovation to our 2009 Humor Contest Winner Toastmaster Aaron Synder!

The Hilton staff was very accessive and helped us along with any of our event needs.

Thank you to our Past District Governors - registration Desk PDG, Deb Cartier, DTM, Credentials Chair/Desk, PDG, Victor Carbone, DTM, Morning Inspiration, PDG, Dan Jones, DTM, Lunch Invocation, PDG, Ruth Levitsky, Business Meeting Inspiration, PDG, Paul Fischer, DTM, Parlimentarian, PDG, Tom Weber, DTM, Contestmaster, PDG, Cherylle Garnes, DTM, Chief Judge, PDG, Ray Snay, DTM.

More applause to those of you who attended our conference!! We have recieved such positive feedback in our written evalutations, and emails and verbal comments.

We missed those of you who were not able to attend. We hope to see you at the Spring 2010 Conference on Saturday May 15, 2010. Our Keynote Speaker will be our Region Vii International Director, Annelie Weber, DTM.

Of course we always have room to improve and we are always looking for volunteers. Please contact the Lt. Governor of Education & Training, Bil Lewis, DTM, with your comments, feedback and availability at: lget@district31.org

Enjoy your holidays with your family & friends!

Our Winter TLI's will begin on Saturday December 19, 2009 at the Sunlife Building - Wellesley Hills, MA

Dues are Due!

Club Treasurers: Fall 2009 due$ are due to World Headquarters by September 30, 2009!

Click here for information about club dues.

District 31 is partnering with NSA-NE again this year!

For 35 years, Les Brown has empowered millions of people to discover and nurture their in-born greatness and blossom into powerful, influential achievers in all walks of life. As a result, many have become millionaires. Now he is coming to the Boston area. The National Speakers Association is offering a special $57 rate for Toastmasters who want to attend this presentation. You can't afford to miss out on this opportunity to see him in action and be inspired. Click here (www.nsanewengland.com) for the Toastmasters discount and to register for events

District 31 is "Distinguished"
for the Sixth Consecutive Year

Congratulations to District 31! For the sixth year in a row, we're a Distinguished District!

District 31 Takes Center Stage during the Hall of Fame Ceremony with PIP Jana Barnhill, DTM!
Photo by Frank Storey