Contests, contests and more

District 42 Conference in Lethbridge

The annual district conference will be held on Friday May 2 and Saturday May 3 in Lethbridge. There will be speakers, education sessions, awards, networking, a banquet and dance, and contests. This year the contests will be: Table Topics and International Speech. Each of the district contestants has won contests at the club, area and division levels already.

We are proud to say that the district table topics contestant representing Division E and our club, Igniters, is Elaine. Members of our club will be cheering for her whether they are at the conference or at home. Congratulations, Elaine!!

District 42 Online Contest

This year District 42 offered an online speech contest led by two dynamic Toastmasters: District Online Contest Chair - Nandini, and District Online Chief Judge - Marvin. What a partnership! Igniters is proud of all your contributions to our club and to the District, Nandini and Marvin.

The contest ran smoothly under their direction, with the help of a host of seasoned volunteers - some of whom were from Igniters. See if you can find them. Justin, Mary, Christina, Ksenjia, Russ, Darlene, Lenore, Lina ... and of course the secret judges. 

Congratulations to all the winners!

First:     Olanari Okungbowa     - Division D
Second: Leia Marie                    - Division E
Third:    Iliana Ontiveros            - Division B

Tip of the Week

Elaine, a contestant in the upcoming D42 Table Topics contest in Lethbridge, shares some valuable advice she received at Circle of Gold.

1) Warm up your brain every day before the contest, by asking yourself rapid fire questions - 3 people you admire, 3 stories, 3 pieces of advice, and so on.

2) Ask your club to email you table topics that you can practice.

3) When you see the yellow light, wrap up your speech with a message, call to action or a take away that the audience will remember. 

 Results of the Division E in person contests

There were eight strong contestants in each of the Division E Table Topics and International Speech contests!

Huge congratulations to Elaine who came first in the Table Topics contest! Elaine will now move on to the District 42 contest in Lethbridge on May 3. Nandini said that she answered a difficult question "with confidence and passion".

Darlene represented our club well with her inspiring speech, "An Unexpected Gift". She engaged the audience with her energy and passion but didn't place.

Table Topics                                                 International Speech
1. Elaine (Igniters)                                          1. Michael Nunn (TTP)
2. Alexander Jamieson (CATS)                      2. Wendy Ireland (Literally Speaking)
3. Josh Dech (Crowfoot Communicators)                 3. Mary Schoendorfer (Literally Speaking)

Volunteers from Igniters were: SAA Ksenija, Timers Yvonne and Lenore, Ballot Counter Nandini. Also present were Marvin and Diane. They all made the contestants feel very special.

Congratulations to all who participated as contestants, volunteers and cheering section.

Celebrating members who have completed a level since Oct 1, 2024:

• Ali -          Level 3 and Level 4 in Strategic Relationships
• Chamila - Level 1 in Visionary Communications
• Diane -     Level 4 in Dynamic Leadership
• Nandini -  Level 1 in Engaging Humour
• Darlene -  Level 1 in Engaging Humour

Several more members are working on their final speech for a level. Way to go, Igniters!