A. Brand New Year, Brand New Self
B. Preparation is the Key
C. Season of Speech Contests - Important Rules
D. New additions to our family
E. District Calendar

Dear fellow toastmasters,

A. Brand New Year, Brand New Self

New Year is always a wonderful time. We throw away the junks accumulated over the year, while cleaning up our house to welcome the new year. It is time again to reflect on our goals in life, and to throw away our emotional baggage to start our year afresh.

Being Toastmaster has been amazing for me. It brings the best in me in a way which I might never have fully realised on my own (it will, for you too). Speaking regularly on project speeches has helped me become a more confident person, while being a District Officer has developed my leadership skills. I strongly believe Toastmasters will continue to change people in this new century.

Take the first few days of the New Year to make new resolutions for yourself. Stay focused on your goal to become a better speaker, make an effort to do that next project speech which you have been procrastinating. Mark your calendar, and make that special effort to attend your next Club meeting. The New Year is the best time to make a personal BREAKTHROUGH...believe in yourself and let toastmasters transform you into a Brand New Self.

B. Preparation is the key

Planning and preparation is vital for success of any toastmasters club. One key characteristic of a successful club is the amount of preparation for the success of the club towards Distinguished status.

Plan now for the next 6 months, and prepare your members to achieve success in their CTM/ATMs. Encourage your guests to sign up as members at your Club meeting. To make a breakthrough, we must have an unwavering commitment to do whatever is necessary to become fully prepared for the tasks ahead. Each step we take to prepare will become a building block towards Distinguished. Go for it!

"There is no substitute for hard work. There will be disappointments, but 'the harder you work, the luckier you will get.' Never be satisfied with less than your very best effort." - Gerald R Ford, 38th President

C. Season of Speech Contests - Important Rules

As we begin the new season of Speech Contests, do take note of the following rules relating to International Speech Contest:

1) Area Speech Contest - If an Area has 4 or fewer assigned clubs 8 weeks before the Area Contest, the District has the option to allow the 2 highest placed contestants from each club to compete in the Area Contest. If 1 or more clubs charter in the 8 weeks before the Area Contest bringing the total number of assigned clubs to 5 or more, the 2 highest placed contestants from each club still may compete.

District 51 will allow 2 highest placed contestants of clubs to compete at Area level if the Area has 4 or fewer assigned clubs 8 weeks before the Area Contest.

2) Division Speech Contest - If there are more than 4 Areas in a Division, only one contestant from each Area can compete at Division level. This means that Division A, E, I & T must allow 2 highest placed contestants per Area to participate in the Division-level speech contest.

If you need further clarification, please email LGET Lilian Lau, DTM at llau2200@hotmail.com

D. New additions to our family

A warm welcome to our family in District 51 (for month of November).

1. Seagate AMK Toastmasters Club 4192-51, Area S1
Chartered: 13 November, 2000
Sponsors: Christopher Goh (Cheng San), Simon Low (Cheng San)
Mentor: Zenobia Aspar (Thomson), Christopher Goh (Cheng San)>
Sponsoring Club: Cheng San Toastmasters Clubs

2. WDM Toastmasters Club 5044-51, Area C4
Chartered: 30 November, 2000
Sponsors: Tham Chee Wah (DU Adv), Chua Suat Khim (DU Adv)
Mentor: Matthew Wong (DU Adv), Yip Wah Pung (D'Utama)
Sponsoring Club: D'Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club

Congratulations to all sponsors and mentors, and to all toastmasters friends who have helped to build the above club.

E. District Calendar

** TIP: Announce these events/programs at the end of each Club Chapter Meeting

January 2001

1. Club-level Speech Contests for:
- International and Table Topics (Jan/Feb)

2. Membership Campaign: Tell-A-Friend!
** District 51 award **
- Governor's ribbon : for individual sponsoring 3 new members
Check out new marketing webpage at http://connect.to/d51marketing

3. Club Officers Training - 2nd round (Dec 00 to Feb 01)
- Part 2 requirement of DCP Goal #9.

4. Start Planning for Toastmasters Month - Mar/Apr 2001
- form a organising committee, confirm dates/programs/venues
- promote Speechcraft, Success/Leadership Series, Speech Contests

February 2001

1. Area-level Speech Contests for:
- International and Table Topics (Feb/Mar)

2. Publicity Campaign begins for Toastmasters Month - Mar 2001
- Press release, radio announcements, etc

Wishing all a prosperous S N A K E lunar new year.

EXPERIENCE THE BREAKTHROUGH

With best regards
DTM Christopher Teo
District 51 Governor, 2000-2001