Attention Incoming Club Officers: Summer 2021 Training Has Started!
Our District Mission…
We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.
District Director – Akihiro Ishii, DTM
Program Quality Director – John J. Hogan, DTM
Club Growth Director – Patti Walter, DL4
Public Relations Manager – Bettyann Peck, DTM
Division A Director – Tom Farrelly, CC, ALB
Division B Director – Zachary Fisk, PM2
Division C Director – Molly Hayward, DTM
Division D Director – David Thornton, DTM
Division E Director – Beth VanKempen, ACB, ALB
Congratulations to District 53’s Jeff Sobel, who was elected an International Director representing Region 9 during the Toastmasters International convention!
Jeff, a Toastmaster since 2005, served as our district director during 2012-13. He’s also served as Region 6 advisor, and the district’s chief ambassador (2013-2015) during the Pathways rollout.
Jeff is a member of Capital Advanced Toastmasters, Bethlehem Club, NYISO Toastmasters, and New England Advanced Toastmasters. He served as a volunteer EMT for more than 20 years and is currently president of his townhouse community’s Homeowners Association (HOA).
CONGRATULATIONS to Norm Thibodeau, DTM for being awarded the 2021 Presidential Citation from Toastmasters International President Richard E. Peck, DTM. This award is presented in recognition of outstanding achievements in representing the goals and ideals of Toastmasters International and is one of Toastmasters’ highest honors.
Norm’s achievement will be recognized at the Hall of Fame ceremony that will air on August 25 at 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (3 p.m. Mountain Time) as part of at the 90th International Convention that will take place online August 23-28, 2021.
Congratulations Norm on your outstanding contributions and dedication to District 53 and Toastmasters International.
Using Toastmasters Gift Certificates
District 53 celebrates and recognizes member and club achievement with gift certificates to the Toastmasters International store. Stumped by how to make the best use of these valuable rewards when you or your club receives them. How to use TI Gift Certificates…
We’re Ready to Serve Incoming Club Officers
We’ve curated a collection of resources designed to help club officers get off to a running start as they take office. Find links to downloads from the Toastmasters without having to search. Click to view the collection…
To the following Clubs Celebrating Charter dates in August!
Yale Toastmasters Club – August 28, 2001
KAPL Toastmasters Club – August 10, 2009
Taconic Toastmasters – August 18, 2010
Lincoln-Hartford – August 27, 2010
Speak Easy – August 9, 2011
NE Toastmasters – August 31, 2014
NYS Forum Toastmasters – August 4, 2017
Find UR Voice – August 12, 2018
JGM Toastmasters – August 21, 2019
Coronavirus Update – Revised May 20, 2021 – Review New Information
As vaccinations proceed apace across New York State, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, there is hope for a return to in-person meetings in the future. Public health agencies and officials are starting to loosen mask restrictions and travel limits, and more facilities are opening to semi public meetings.
Since each Toastmasters club is an independent entity, each club may decide to return to in-person meetings by a majority vote at a regularly scheduled and announced business meeting. The District suggests that a committee of club members develop a procedure that meets local public health guidelines and satisfies any requirements imposed by the host venue. Please include processes for members and guests to attend virtually wherever possible in your club guidelines. Know also that your club and its officers have insurance to protect you against physical damage to your host facilities, but that this protection may not extend to claims arising from a member or guest’s health care.
District 53 Toastmasters has a more complex route back to in-person meetings than individual clubs. Many of our historic venues for TLIs, Club Officer Training, and District meetings are still closed to outsiders, and are choosing to remain so until later this year.
For a complete update with important new information, go to the District 53 Coronavirus Update.