Rookie of the Year Award.

Congratulations Adam on winning the Rookie of the Year Award for 2013!

Nandini wins the Spirit of Success Speech Achievement award.

Congratulations Nandini on your achievement.

Spirit of Success President’s Choice winner.

Congratulations Christy for winning the Spirit of Success President's Choice award for 2013!

Igniters Grow in the Fall

 Mentoring - Silvina is our Mentoring Coordinator Why would you want a mentor? Support, Advice, Experience, Recognition. Saves you time too! Theme Meetings - Every week we have creative themes and challenge words too. Share your passions and interests! Igniters have fun with politics, theatre, England, Halloween & more. Club Contest - Members learned about leadership skills, thinking on their feet, and humor. Chris - Chairman Results T.Topics                                       Humor 1. Shana                                       1. Nandini 2. Michel                                      2. Dave 3. Mary Jean

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Congratulations, Jeanette!

Bright and early in the morning, speaking in the dreaded number one slot, Jeanette Williams seized second place at the District Evaluation Contest. Way to go, Jeanette! Next time let's see if they can schedule one a couple hours later.

Content Update

Jeanette is advancing again to the District 42 Spring Convention, after a second-place finish in the Division evaluation contest. Division winner Harvey Taphorn was unable to attend the District contest, so Jeanette will represent us once more ... at least! Evaluation contest is at 8:30 a.m., Sunday May 6 at Radisson Hotel Calgary Airport. Seating is by registration only at http://www.d42takethelead.ca.

Contest update

Igniters are advancing to the Division evaluation contest on Friday, April 20, represented by Jeanette Williams. Jeanette won in our own club evaluation contest, and later the same night gave us a deeply moving speech in the international contest. She placed second in a tough field in the area evaluation contest, but has advanced to Division due to the absence of the winner. Come out and support Jeanette, 6:30 - 9:30 at the Brentwood Sportsplex.

In our international contest, Garrett Ulmer won our club contest with a speech about his daughter's struggle with reading, edging out Dave Brown's speech about changing his name twice. Garrett was unavailable in the area contest, so Dave advanced, and placed second behind an astonishing speech about the power of storytelling from the area winner, Darlene Davies. Darlene's speech is a thing of compelling beauty, anyone who missed it at the area contest, and anyone who wants to speak better, should make a point of seeing it on Friday at the division contest.

Directions to Brentwood are here. Admission is $5.

Congratulations Chris!

Congratulations to Chris Crooks, who completes his stint as Speechcraft Coordinator this Wednesday, March 21.

The job is a huge responsibility, bringing the Toastmasters program into the community with our corporate client, Safeway. It's a challenge for their employees, a challenge for all of us to volunteer and help out, and especially a challenge for Chris, who has held it all together for us.

The last night of the program will be a bit more casual, with extended table topics and a few snacks. No homework for the participants, because district speech contest winners Garrett and Dave have agreed to deliver two of their best speeches from past contests. All Igniters are welcome, we meet at the training center for Safeway, 1020 64 Avenue NE, at 6:15.

My trip to Lethbridge was successful -- Igniters win the District Humorous Speech contest for the second consecutive year! I've been checking with District 42 to figure out if that's ever been done before -- two different people from the same club winning in consecutive years. Going into the club contest, my goal was just to get past the club level. And I remember thinking it wasn't really fair to have to beat last year's district champion to attain that goal. But next year, somebody may have to beat two district champions.

You can take two lessons from my experience if you're thinking about competing next year. One: Even champions remain beatable. And two: If you can beat Igniters, you can beat everyone.

DB

Igniters were out in force at the Division J contest Friday night, and brought home some new hardware in the Division Awards and the Humorous Speech Contest.
Igniters won Newsletter of the Year, for what, the third year in a row? Congratulations to the editor, Eden. She has really thrown down the gauntlet for whatever brave soul is supposed to follow that act.
And I won the division humorous speech contest. I really want to thank again everyone who helped me refine The Evilution of Rock over the last few weeks. Those little bits of paper you collect after a speech? They're actually full of insightful and useful advice! I never really sat down with them and studied them, for two reasons -- one, there haven't been many occasions on which I plan to do a speech more than once. And two, by habit, I've always been kind of solitary in the creative process. I thought I didn't like collaborating. But last night was the sixth time through that speech for me. I've had the time and the motivation to really think about peoples' suggestions, and incorporate a lot of them. When I look at the difference between round one and six, I can see how much I've learned from everyone at the club. Thanks, everyone!
There is just one more round to go: the District 42 Conference, at the Coastal Hotel and Convention Centre, Lethbridge, Nov. 4 - 6. If there are options for car-pooling, let's discuss them after the meeting on Tuesday.

- Dave Brown

Area Contest

Congratulations to Terri and Dave, winners of our club table topics and humorous speech contests. Come and cheer them on at the as they represent Igniters at the area contest, at the University of Calgary Student Council Chambers, MacEwan Student Centre. Thursday, Oct. 6, from 7 pm to 9 pm with registration at 6:30.

It's been a whirlwind summer for Igniters, and we've had some accomplishments that should be recognized:

• Glen Brown, one of the most experienced and supportive long-term Toastmasters around serves our club well in executive roles, and with his keen evaluations and hilarious style as toastmaster. And now Glen has turned his energy back to planned speeches and reached his long-sought Advanced Communicator Silver award. That's about 20 speeches and two presentations, and more work than even that sounds like. Congratulations Glen!






• Garrett Ulmer, last year's district Humorous Speech champion, continues at full speed, and reached Advanced Communicator Bronze with a side-splitting speech about an oblivious uncle versus a rambunctious dog. Congratulations Garrett!

What A Year for Igniters!

Congrats! Presidents Distinguished Club!! How does this happen?
New members, members achieving personal goals, leadership and teamwork in exec., mentoring, and fun dynamic meetings.You all helped! Thanks exec Dave, Dawn, Terri, Nan,Garrett, Tammy, Chris
Way to go Julie for Spirit of Success New Member Award and Pres. Dave for Speech Achievement. 
More photos below.


Big thumbs up - educational goals.  Igniters - your goals for next year?

CC - Competent Communicator - Tammy, Georgi, Dave, Terri
ACS - Advanced Communicator Silver - Mona
ACG - Advanced Communicator Gold - Keith
ALB - Advanced Leadership Bronze - Eden

2 Safeway Speechcrafts - Helping Community - Dynamic leaders  Diane & Jeanette 

Remember the fun meetings?! - Spirit of Success awards, mentoring,  potlucks, contests, ed sessions, and creative themes?  Only more of it this year! Press play  - enjoy the ride.

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Supporting ESL Members at Toastmasters

At the first meeting of the year, January 4^th, our guest speaker, Yvea Zaels facilitated a panel discussion. The topic of this discussion was how we as Toastmasters can support English as Second Language (ESL) members. Mona Cooley, Keith Lee and Maria Kandaurova were the 3 Igniters who participated in this panel. All three of them offered us practical tips how we can support ESL members. Review and practice their tips below:

Mona’s Tips

· Offer a clear explanation on the importance of Table Topics and why we do it

· Explain the importance of having a mentor

· Explain the value of Toastmasters

Keith’s Tips

· When evaluating keep STRESS in mind

Specific

True – be honest

Respectful

Encouraging

Sensitive – to differences in culture

Strategic – provide 1 – 2 suggestions that would be most effective for the speaker

Maria’s Tips

· Explain all meanings for the word of the day and use it in a sentence.

· Write and display the challenge word for all to see

· Have monthly meetings between clubs so they can practice in front of different people

Let’s work together to help all members feel supported and guided at Igniters.

How will you Succeed This Year?

Nandini gave an inspiring speech "The Gift" and shared how you have a much better chance to succeed at your new years resolutions (goals) from the 9 most powerful words she learned from her friend Ray - By the End of the Year, I want to....
What are your goals?
Feel more confident speaking...be a more effective leader... communicate your ideas more clearly...

Garrett working on his advanced manual - Humorously Speaking gave an a funny and informative speech about investing. What is your dream?

Mona the Mentoring Coordinator gave a survey - all the members completed to keep building on the mentoring program. Mentors can help you get to your goals and dreams faster.

Empowerment Has 3 E's!

This meeting was held on the first Tuesday of the last month of the year and was full of inspiration. Fitting for the theme was Empowerment and Toastmaster Russ offered the crowd "The 3 E's Necessary for Empowerment".

Environment - This is important because if you are in a negative environment (like a bad job) you don't feel very empowered. Toastmasters is a positive and supportive environment, and at Igniters do a fantastic job of creating this atmosphere.

Emotion - Gaining control of your emotions is the key to successful personal empowerment. People tend to do things that they feel like, and avoid things they don't feel like. Therefore, your feelings are a huge part in being able to get yourself to do what you need to do, even when you don't want to do it!

Education - Because we already know what we know, and it's gotten us what we got, in order to get what we don't have, we must learn what we don't know now. Oprah Winfrey said "I think education is power. I think that being able to communicate with people is power. One of my main goals on the planet is to encourage people to empower themselves."

This evening the audience was delighted to hear new member Robin give a cool second speech on "Hip Hop's Contribution to Vocabulary". During introductions we learned that it really takes different strokes to please different folks, diversity makes the world go around!

Some of the tools, tips, and techniques that Igniters shared that they use to motivate and empower themselves are: "working out", "spending time with friends and family", "brainstorming", "a gratitude rock", "delegation", "lip gloss", "music", "daily walks", "lucky bells and bracelets", and even a "pet snake"... albeit it was not real (thank goodness, as some member might have found that very disempowering!)

"Empowerment is not giving people power, people already have plenty of power, in the wealth of their knowledge and motivation, to do their jobs magnificently. We define empowerment as letting this power out. "It encourages people to gain the skills & knowledge that will allow them to overcome obstacles in life or work environment and ultimately, help them develop within themselves or in the society." - John P. Carlos

Growth is Falling into Place!

 Why does Toastmasters work? Practice. Every week you have an opportunity to practice your skills.
SAA Chris has taken on this leadership role and speaks every week and jumps at the chance to speak during Table Topics (impromptu speaking). Members see him speaking more confidently and clearly sharing his ideas. Thumbs up!

Georgi gave an entertaining &  persuasive speech #9 and shared 3 reasons to get a smart phone. Do you have these apps? - Red Laser, Shazam, RunKeeper.

Fall Conference - Keynote - Curling Silver Medalist - Cori Morris
What an inspiring keynote! She shared her values: Passion for figure skating & then curling, Phun (Fun) with Family, and Perspective - "Silver is the New Gold" - She felt like a winner with her silver and her team was celebrated by Canadians from coast to coast. What else helped her achieve her dream?

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Igniter Sizzle in the Contests!

J41 Area Contest - Thurs. Oct. 21
Governor Rosario organized a good contest filled with fun and laughter. Igniter Marvin was the capable Chief Judge and former member Darlene was terrific as the TT Master. The Igniters made up a small yet enthusiastic group!

Host Club: Speakmasters - Univ. Calgary
Results TT Contest                                        
1. Dolores  (Speakers Edge)                              
2. Carole   (CTI Techtalkers)

Humorous Contest
1. Garrett (Igniters)
2. Val (CTI Tectalkers)  
                        
Division J Contest
Come support Garrett for the Humorous Contest! Yes, you may see another familiar face in the T. Topics Contest too representing her advanced club. It will be filled with a fun night of laughter and impromptu speakers. Igniters continue to sizzle in leadership with Div. J Gov. Keith in charge! If you can volunteer - let Keith know.

Date: Friday Oct. 29, 2010
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Thorn Hill Baptist Church
                128 Tache Avenue NW

Igniters Sizzle in the Summer

August 10 - Theme:  What is on your Bucket List? Great turnout!Welcome to newest Igniter - Amanda!

TM Nandini was inspired by Terry, 29 an Australian who had made a bucket list and one of the items was to deliver a baby. A friendly Canadian woman in Regina invited him to help with her third child. The baby was overdue and Terry got to go to his first Roughriders Football Game. Want to hear the latest and find out what else Terry has achieved besides running with the bulls, breaking a Guinness World Record, and cycling through Cuba. www.100things.com.au It might help give you ideas about how to live your best life!
Keith gave an inspiring speech  about the Toastmasters Program.

Aug. 3 -Theme: Slang
Yo wicked TM Russ was in the house!  We had a fun time LOL, ROFLOL as TTM Mona had a list of slang words 2 teams had to try and speak on  the real meaning. Know what a nifty is? Or a face card?
You do want it! Nifty = 50 bucks and face card = $100.00. We learned lots!

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July 27 - Hats! TM Diane looked sharp and led a creative evening. You should have seen what some Igniters had on their heads!  July 20 - Igniting Miracles - Joint Oudoor Meeting! Check out photos.
Thanks to Pres. Miracles - Dana for some of the pics! Esperanza & Dave gave powerful thought provoking speeches on 3 steps to communication & landmines.

Igniters Celebrate Success

Congratulations Igniters - Select Distinguished Club! Way to go Garrett, Terri, Mona & Victoria for your educational awards. You are in our hall of fame - look at right menu (Educational Achievements)
Annual Igniters Spirit of Success Awards. Drum roll......
Who won the membership contest this year? Who was inducted into the new Executive by Area Governor Rosario? Who has the famous traveling tea lite candle? Press play and find out!

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