A LETTER FROM THE AREA GOVERNOR
Linda Pilcher is appointed the new Area 10 Governor
June 27, 2003
Fellow Toastmasters,
I have been appointed as the new Area 10 Governor. As many of you know Millie Mahan was our Area 10 Governor for the 2002-2003 year. I will also be holding the office of VP of Education for our Club.
I have accepted this appointment for two reasons, one personal and one to better our Club. My personal goal is to learn better speaking and leadership skills. This position will stretch my skills in both areas.
As we have learned this past year, stretching is where the learning takes place. For some of you just standing in front of the room was a great step forward. Others found their challenges in different areas of the Club, such as becoming an officer, entering a contest, planning and organizing events, and most important in building the skills to become a better speaker. We have all learned that teamwork is what makes our Club a success, and that through mutual support and feedback; we can better evaluate ourselves as a speaker.
To help our Club reach higher levels of success and find new opportunities for growth is the second reason I have accepted the appointment. Area 10 is composed of seven clubs in the Fort Myers and Cape Coral areas. I will oversee the growth of each of these clubs, by interacting with all of the officers of these clubs as well as all of the other officers in the Area, District and Division levels. I will receive specific training on how to provide leadership for these clubs and help them achieve a higher level of success.
My goals will be to learn how each officer can improve their skills in that particular leadership role. As well as developing some opportunities for you to interact with the officers of other clubs to share and help each other grow. Our Club is now in need of a plan to provide more opportunities to members to challenge themselves as public speakers. If you are comfortable in front of our Toastmaster members, then you need to step out into an area that you are not completely comfortable. Maybe this year you should become an MC for a contest, or enter a humorous speech contest, or how about entering the International Speech Contest. A few of our members are still uncomfortable to speak in front of the all employee meetings, this year maybe your goal is to speak before all of AISI and TMS. This past year, District 47's motto was "Unlocking the Possibilities"; let's carry this motto into the new Toastmaster year. This is an educational program as well as a self-improvement program; set your personal goals high, set your Club goals high.
Many of us who attended this year's Team Building Event in Durango have learned more about goal setting - both personal and professional. In Toastmasters the goals you set will affect both aspects of your growth. In my roles as VP of Education and Area 10 Governor I will be responsible for helping each of you set your goals. I will set up appointments with each member during the next few weeks, either during lunch or after work, to discuss your personal and professional goals in regards to public speaking and leadership. Then as a Club we will help each person meet their goals this year.
Linda L. Pilcher