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Eric Matto
Guest
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 Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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"Colin Angus Mackay" <colmac_dontspamme_2003@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:44cfd106$0$12151$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...
| Quote: | Out of curiosity, has the International Convention ever been held outside
of North America? The costs (including the addition of a transatlantic
flight) make it somewhat more expensive for me to attend although I'd love
to go one year.
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No, and unfortunately it won't be for the next few years either - 2006 is
Washington, 2007 Phoenix and 2008 Calgary. I read somewhere that 2009 was
going to be in Connecticut but this hasn't been posted on the TI website yet
and I can't find the source. Maybe someone on this NG can confirm?
There is no rule barring the convention from being held outside of North
America. Factors include the sheer number of members within travelling
distance, as well as the cost of shipping stuff from world HQ (not just
catalogue items, but all their specialized and some very large stage props).
There is also a sizable contingent of Board members, world HQ staff,
District Governors, LGETs and Regional speech contest winners who get their
way all or partially paid, and most of these people are from North America.
Someday I'm sure they will go outside NA, though I don't know know if the UK
would be their first choice. Following the USA and Canada, the next largest
group of Toastmasters is in Australia.
--
Eric Matto, DTM, PDG
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Treasurer, Voice of Experience Advanced TM Club #583400-60
Member, Mississauga Valley Club #8277-60
Member, Creekside TD Club #864603-60 |
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Regina Litman
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:43 am Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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Colin William wrote:
| Quote: | "Regina Litman" <rslitman@infi.net> wrote
I joined Toastmasters in 1991. But, before 2006:
I had never won a Division level contest.
I had never competed in a District level contest.
I had never served as a club President.
I had never served in a position of responsibility on a District
Conference committee.
And I had never attended an International Convention.
The first two have already happened this year (calendar year, not program
year). The next two are in the process of happening. And I'm about to make
the last one happen.
Great! What motivated you to take so many plunges in one year?
Colin
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They just fell into place. I entered the club Evaluation contest (our
District does Evaluation in the spring) but only came in second.
However, the top two advanced to Area, and I won Area and Division to
advance to the District contest.
I also decided that I was ready to be the club President. While I didn't
have any opposition candidates, I had to clear "space" for this in my
life by declining to run for another term of office in another organization.
Due to reorganizations, this is the first time since Spring 2002 that
I'm part of the host Division for the District Conference. We rotate
this between the Divisions. When I first became aware of the
organization of District 38, we had four Divisions. Now we have seven,
but we had five for a several years.
My club was formerly in Division B. Division B hosted the Fall 1999
conference. I eagerly stepped forward to volunteer, and I drew a plum
position - Toastmaster for the Saturday morning breakfast. However, I
wasn't involved much with the planning. Toastmaster for a meal event at
a District Conference is a position of responsibility, but what I meant
by my original wording was a position of responsibility on the planning
committee.
It was Division B's turn again 2 1/2 years later, in Spring 2002. Even
though I was an Area Governor in the host Division, the only role I was
assigned was backup timer in the speech contests. As registrations
rolled in, the Conference chair emailed the registrants asking them if
they'd like to volunteer to do something. For one reason or another, my
registration, sent rather early in fact, slipped through the crack, and
I wasn't contacted. I arrived at the conference still eager to help in
some capacity only to find that virtually every bit of "face time" had
been filled, and all they could find for me to do was to be backup timer.
Just before Division B's next shot at hosting came along, in Fall 2005,
a reorganization put my club into the newly-created Division F. And now,
it is Division F's turn, and I'm the Treasurer/Registration Chair.
Finally, for the first time since I joined Toastmasters, the
International Convention is being held in the northern half of the East
Coast. While the Convention is supposed to rotate between the eastern,
central, and western portions of North America (so far just North
America, and specifically the U.S. and Canada), the times in the past
when it's been in the East, it's been in places like Atlanta and Miami.
So, it's great to see it come to Washington. And as someone else pointed
out in another message, Region VII is going to get to be host again in
three years, with the Convention scheduled for one of those casino
resorts in Connecticut. If I like what I see in Washington, I'll plan on
Connecticut for twenty-oh-nine. (By the way, if this year's East Coast
location had been more southerly again, I would have made an effort to
go to the one in Toronto last year. That's bending it a bit for a
central location, and in fact, the one in twenty-oh-eight, which is the
central portion's turn again, is going to be in a more western Canadian
city.)
--
Please note my correct email address:
rslitman [at-sign] infionline [dot] net |
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Regina Litman
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:46 am Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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I used to live in the Washington area (in Maryland). I moved away almost
20 years ago. Are you saying that Metro is still so minor league as to
not run as early as, say, 6:00 a.m. on weekends?
Please don't tell me that the Metro still doesn't run after 8:00 p.m.
(or even earlier) on Sunday nights! I almost got stranded in Baltimore
on Sunday of President's Day weekend this year because their still
somewhat new light rail stops running around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday nights,
even when Monday is a holiday and thus people might want to stay out a
bit later.
betsy_in_va wrote:
| Quote: | Great, hope I see you at the Convention. I'll be there everyday,
volunteering in some capacity or another. I don't know why we're having
the contest so early, but I'll be up and running from 5 am on that day.
We were instructed to take the Metro because there's no real parking
for volunteers... then they realized the Metro doesn't run that early.
Should be interesting... :-)
BTW who else is coming out? I posted my picture on the frappr map, so
if you see someone who looks like me, I hope you'll say hello.
Betsy
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--
Please note my correct email address:
rslitman [at-sign] infionline [dot] net |
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John Fleming, DTM
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 11:36 am Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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On Wed, 02 Aug 2006 19:23:23 +0100, while chained to a desk in the
scriptorium, Colin Angus Mackay <colmac_dontspamme_2003@yahoo.co.uk>
wrote:
| Quote: | $John Fleming, DTM wrote:
$> On Tue, 01 Aug 2006 23:09:09 +0100, while chained to a desk in the
$> scriptorium, Colin Angus Mackay <colmac_dontspamme_2003@yahoo.co.uk
$> wrote:
$
$While I was what?
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LOL
Chained to a desk in the scriptorium. It's based on a one of these odd
little bits of history.
Back in the days when books were copied out by hand by monks in European
monastaries, some monks liked to slack off a bit. You know, slip out to
enjoy the sun rather than sit in a dark room, called a scriptorium,
illuminating manuscripts by candle light.
To ensure important books were copied, the abbots would sometimes have
these slackard monks chained to their desks until they had illuminated a
certain number of pages
| Quote: | $>> $Out of curiosity, has the International Convention ever been held
$>> $outside of North America? The costs (including the addition of a
$>> $transatlantic flight) make it somewhat more expensive for me to attend
$>> $although I'd love to go one year.
$
$> Not that I'm aware of.
$
$> I'm not even sure it's been held outside of the United States and
$> Canada, evne though Mexico is only a short drive from TM WHQ.
$
$That's a pity. I see letters in The Toastmaster magazine from people all
$over the world bemoaning one article or another that shows the fact that
$many people from the States have very poor cultural awareness beyond
$their borders that I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to get
$them a bit more cultured.
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It would be fun to have the International Convention in a nice Mexican
destination like Tijuana--which is right across the US-Mexico border and
a couple of hours drive from WHQ--if that.
| Quote: | $Also, selfishly, because I don't have the funds at present to make
$another visit to North America at this time, and if I did I'd be
$choosing western Canada as I've not visited there yet.
|
Yes, because if you can make the time, you'd want to come a bit
earlier--make it a two month trip.
Then you could enjoy the greatest outdoor show on Earth, also known as
the Calgary Stampede (which is in early July).
Between the Stampede and the International Convention, you could make a
trip out to Banff to enjoy the Rocky Mountains. Or if you prefer
shopping to wilderness activities, drive north to Edmonton to visit the
Mecca of shopping centres--West Edmonton Mall. (Covers an area of about
30 city blocks, and in addition to hundreds of shops, includes a hotel,
a theme park, movie theatres, restaurants, a sea world, and a few other
neat things.)
| Quote: | $Colin Angus Mackay
$Vice President - Education
$Capital Communicators - The Edinburgh Branch of Toastmasters International
$http://www.capitalcommunicators.org
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So how is your club doing? I paid a visit back in 1997.
--
John Fleming, DTM
Edmonton, Canada
Attitude Boosters Toastmasters (7022-42) - Member
Chamber Toastmasters (5594 - 42) - Immediate Past President
A scientist can discover a new star but he
cannot make one. He would have to ask an
engineer to do it for him.
- Gordon L. Glegg |
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Colin Angus Mackay
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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John Fleming, DTM wrote:
| Quote: |
So how is your club doing? I paid a visit back in 1997.
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It is going grand. We have 46 members at the moment (time to think about
spinning off a new club). One of our members, Erick Rainey, came third
in the world at the International Convention last year.
We also have problems similar to everyone else. We have problems with
members not wanting to become club officers, with retention after CTM -
As the new VPE I recently looked over the books and was disappointed to
see that many people left around their CTM 7, 8 or 9 over the years.
However, back on the plus side we've had two or three members the left a
few years ago return to us. So, I guess some people just want a break
and not attend meeting every fortnight.
--
Colin Angus Mackay
Vice President - Education
Capital Communicators - The Edinburgh Branch of Toastmasters International
http://www.capitalcommunicators.org |
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Colin Angus Mackay
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 2:56 pm Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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Eric Matto wrote:
| Quote: |
No, and unfortunately it won't be for the next few years either - 2006 is
Washington, 2007 Phoenix and 2008 Calgary. I read somewhere that 2009 was
going to be in Connecticut but this hasn't been posted on the TI website yet
and I can't find the source. Maybe someone on this NG can confirm?
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Well, I'll start saving for 2008. Calgary is on my list of "places still
to see in North America"
--
Colin Angus Mackay
Vice President - Education
Capital Communicators - The Edinburgh Branch of Toastmasters International
http://www.capitalcommunicators.org |
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betsy_in_va
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:04 pm Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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Regina Litman wrote:
| Quote: | I used to live in the Washington area (in Maryland). I moved away almost
20 years ago. Are you saying that Metro is still so minor league as to
not run as early as, say, 6:00 a.m. on weekends?
Please don't tell me that the Metro still doesn't run after 8:00 p.m.
(or even earlier) on Sunday nights!
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Hee hee hee... it's still so minor league that it hasn't made it out to
the airport. The latest prediction is the link to Dulles may be
finished by 2015.
ps. If you're visiting the area, please feel comfortable about taking
Metro. The stops downtown are convenient and the trains run frequently. |
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betsy_in_va
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:08 pm Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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I'm not a reliable source, but the rumor I heard is it will be Foxwoods
Casino Resort in Connecticutt. It hear it's pretty nice.
Colin Angus Mackay wrote:
| Quote: | Eric Matto wrote:
No, and unfortunately it won't be for the next few years either - 2006 is
Washington, 2007 Phoenix and 2008 Calgary. I read somewhere that 2009 was
going to be in Connecticut but this hasn't been posted on the TI website yet
and I can't find the source. Maybe someone on this NG can confirm?
Well, I'll start saving for 2008. Calgary is on my list of "places still
to see in North America"
--
Colin Angus Mackay
Vice President - Education
Capital Communicators - The Edinburgh Branch of Toastmasters International
http://www.capitalcommunicators.org |
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Rod Taylor
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:07 pm Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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"Eric Matto" <picaresque@mindless.com> wrote in message
news:earkk7$9e0$1@emma.aioe.org...
| Quote: | "Colin Angus Mackay" <colmac_dontspamme_2003@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
message
news:44cfd106$0$12151$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...
Out of curiosity, has the International Convention ever been held
outside
of North America? The costs (including the addition of a
transatlantic
flight) make it somewhat more expensive for me to attend although
I'd love
to go one year.
No, and unfortunately it won't be for the next few years either - 2006
is
Washington, 2007 Phoenix and 2008 Calgary. I read somewhere that 2009
was
going to be in Connecticut but this hasn't been posted on the TI
website yet
and I can't find the source. Maybe someone on this NG can confirm?
There is no rule barring the convention from being held outside of
North
America. Factors include the sheer number of members within travelling
distance, as well as the cost of shipping stuff from world HQ (not
just
catalogue items, but all their specialized and some very large stage
props).
There is also a sizable contingent of Board members, world HQ staff,
District Governors, LGETs and Regional speech contest winners who get
their
way all or partially paid, and most of these people are from North
America.
|
True, but District winners outside of north America don't get a cent
towards their travel costs when they are required to attend the
DNAR/International contests when they are held in north America. When
the Conference is finally held outside north America, will the north
American contestants have to pay their own way, or will they enjoy free
travel while the 'locals' still have to travel thousands of miles at
their own expense?
Rod Taylor (rodt iafrica - don't forget the @ and the dotcom)
Transformers Toastmasters Club
District 74, Southern Africa |
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Colin William
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 3:15 am Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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"Regina Litman" <rslitman@infi.net> wrote
| Quote: | They just fell into place.
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So does all thsi put you in a position to be making a run at your DTM? do
you think you'll try a district office sometime soon?
Colin
(Still waiting for word from TI on the DTM app I sent in a month ago...) |
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Colin William
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 3:15 am Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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"Rod Taylor" <seemysignature@nospam.ever> wrote
| Quote: | True, but District winners outside of north America don't get a cent
towards their travel costs when they are required to attend the
DNAR/International contests when they are held in north America. When
the Conference is finally held outside north America, will the north
American contestants have to pay their own way, or will they enjoy free
travel while the 'locals' still have to travel thousands of miles at
their own expense?
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That really is quite annoying; IMO that would have been a worthwhile use of
the dues increase.
Colin |
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Joy
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 3:30 am Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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"Colin William" <colintwilliam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4jf3uuF7ngq6U3@individual.net...
| Quote: |
"Rod Taylor" <seemysignature@nospam.ever> wrote
True, but District winners outside of north America don't get a cent
towards their travel costs when they are required to attend the
DNAR/International contests when they are held in north America. When
the Conference is finally held outside north America, will the north
American contestants have to pay their own way, or will they enjoy free
travel while the 'locals' still have to travel thousands of miles at
their own expense?
That really is quite annoying; IMO that would have been a worthwhile use
of the dues increase.
Colin
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I agree. We can't legitimately call ourselves an international organization
when members from most of the world are treated as second-class members.
Joy |
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Michael K. Heney
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 3:36 am Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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In article <1154404872.774013.4050@s13g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, Jim Key wrote:
| Quote: | I'll be there from Wednesday until the end of the convention. If you
spot me (I'm pretty easy to pick out of even a big crowd), please
introduce yourself.
I've met a handful of NG posters at various events during the last few
years, and hope that continues.
+===========================
Make it an AWESOME today, for a BETTER tomorrow!!!
Jim Key, DTM
2003 World Champion of Public Speaking
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I'll be there as well - I kinda have to be ;-)
If you're a first-timer, look for me at the first-timer's event on
Wednesday - I'll be the guy at the lectern! |
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rich.hopkins@gmail.com
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:11 am Post subject: Re: Finally Going to International Convention! |
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I'll be there Michael!
Rich Hopkins - ATM-G
District 9, Region I
www.richhopkins.net
www.buildingachampion.blogspot.com
Michael K. Heney wrote:
| Quote: | In article <1154404872.774013.4050@s13g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, Jim Key wrote:
I'll be there from Wednesday until the end of the convention. If you
spot me (I'm pretty easy to pick out of even a big crowd), please
introduce yourself.
I've met a handful of NG posters at various events during the last few
years, and hope that continues.
+===========================
Make it an AWESOME today, for a BETTER tomorrow!!!
Jim Key, DTM
2003 World Champion of Public Speaking
I'll be there as well - I kinda have to be ;-)
If you're a first-timer, look for me at the first-timer's event on
Wednesday - I'll be the guy at the lectern! |
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Colin Angus Mackay
Guest
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