Breaking News
A. Toastmasters Awareness Month commences!
B. District 51 slipped to No.2
C. Breakthrough with Leadership
D. Recognition for Toastmasters of The Year
E. New additions to our family
F. District Calendar

Dear fellow toastmasters,

A. Toastmasters Awareness Month commences!

Toastmasters around District 51 (Pan-Southeast Asia) start campaign for Toastmasters Awareness Month in the month of March. Get involved, share new ideas, let the world know! Your club can launch a success Awareness Month campaign with a series of creative programs during this month.

Successful clubs let their part of the world know about Toastmasters and the benefits their club bring to the community. As a result, they attract new members, expand their relationships with other local organisations and become recognised as a significant community asset.

B. District 51 slipped to No.2

For the month ending 31 January 2001, our District lost our No.1 spot to District 43 (Arkansas, Central Mississippi, Western Tennessee) by 4.33 points.

This race is not over until June 30. However, it reminds us the core mission of our toastmasters club: to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills. Is our club helping our members grow in their communication and leadership skills? One of the good measurement is the number of Competent Toastmasters (CTMs) achieved.

Keep the mentoring spirit alive. Friends help friends succeed. Let us encourage our fellow members in the quest to achieve CTM or ATM. Our District will recognise all CTM/ATM achieved by 30 April 2001 with a special gold-plated toastmasters pin. Go for it, don't miss it this time!

C. Breakthrough with Leadership

It is time now to look for your successors for the coming term. Taking up leadership is a breakthrough experience. Personally, I have learnt so much over the past few years, not just on leadership but also about interpersonal skills. Do not hesitate when called upon to be a committee member of your Club. Take up the challenge!

District 51 nominations for 2001-2002 are also opened for the post of District Governor, LGET, LGM and Division Governors. Forms are available on the district website and also in the 3rd issue of District Newsletter. You may also request a copy by email from District Secretary at jojo202@singnet.com.sg.

Area Governor elections will be held at their respective Area-levels. Club President, VPE, VPM will be eligible to vote for their choice of the new Area Governor. Area Elections should be completed by 30 April 2001. Please refer to District Governor should you have any query.

D. Recognition for Toastmaster of the Year

Who will be the shining star for your Club? We would like to encourage all Clubs to recognise your member with the Outstanding Toastmasters award. Please see Guideline on page 79 of the "When You are the President" Handbook.

Club President should submit a nomination per Club for "Toastmaster of the Year" to your Area Governor by 8 April. Area Governor will select the Area "Toastmaster of the Year" and submit to the Division Governor by 20 April. Division Governor must submit their choice of Division "Toastmaster of the Year" to the District Governor by 30 April.

Recognition for Divisions "Toastmaster of the Year" award will be presented at the Annual Convention at Hong Kong on 18-20 May 2001.

E. New Additions to Our Family

A warm welcome to our family in District 51 (for month of January):

1. Graduate & Professional Association Toastmasters Club 161-51, Area H1
Chartered: 10 January, 2001
Sponsors: Myra Siu (Hong Kong), Alex Lai (Hong Kong)
Mentors: Angela Chong (Hong Kong), Bernard Yue (Hong Kong)
Sponsoring Club: Victoria Toastmasters Clubs

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

F. District Calendar

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

March 2001

1. Official Launch of Toastmasters Month - Mar 2001
- Press release, radio announcements, etc

2. Early-bird Educational awards by 30 April 2001
It's back - be a earlybird CTM/ATM and earn a miniature gold-plated TM pin. Complete those final assignments and earn your CTM/ATM soon.

3. Membership Campaigns:
Check out new marketing webpage at http://connect.to/d51marketing
(a) Talk Up Toastmasters! Feb 1 to Mar 31, 2001.
- Add 5 new members and receive a special ribbon for your club banner.
(b) Tell-A-Friend! ** District 51 award **
- Governor's ribbon : for individual sponsoring 3 new members

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

5. Division-level Speech Contests for:
- International and Table Topics (Mar/Apr)
(Division level contests must be completed by 15 April 2001

6. Start collections for April's semi-annual dues, NOW!!!

April 2001

1. Nominations for 2001-2002 Officers
Submit your nominations for DG, LGET, LGM and Division Governors for the term 2001-2002 to DG Christopher Teo by 15 April 2001.

2. District 8th Annual Convention 18-20 May 2001
Regal Airport Hotel, Hong Kong
- PS/VPE to attend District Council Meeting on 18 May 2001
- Star Series Awards
- District International and Table Topics Speech Contests
Special: Full package HK$1,250.00/US$160
Convention Web Site: www.area-toastmasters.org.hk/pansea2001
More details, contact: hk_pansea01@yahoo.com

EXPERIENCE THE BREAKTHROUGH

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