Happy New Year District 53 members…actually Happy Toastmaster New Year. My name is Patti Walter and I am your new District Director. First, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity.
I would like to take a moment to introduce your new district team. I have been a Toastmaster since May of 2013. I have also been your Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, Division Director, and Area Director for 2 terms. I reside in Ludlow, Massachusetts, and I am a recent retired Learning and Development Consultant. I enjoy spending time with my children and six grandchildren.
Our Program Quality Director this year is Bettyann Peck, DTM. Bettyann was previously our Club Growth Director and Public Relations Manager.
New to the trio, in the position of Club Growth Director is Mohan Padamati DTM. Mohan was our previous Public Relations Manager, and a prior Division D Director and Area Director before that.
Zachary Fisk will be joining us as the new Public Relations Manager. Zachary also has been a Division Director. Administration and Registration manager Norm Thibodeau. Also on our team is Webmaster Andrew Watt. We are still recruiting for Finance Manager and Executive Secretary. Please feel free to let me know if you are interested in either position.
I am so grateful that these members have stepped up to assist with running District 53 this year!
I want to conclude by sharing a little bit about my goals this year. First, I want to make sure the District grows! I hope to see that we are in a better place on 30 June 2024 then we were on 1 July 2023. I want to continue to get out to the clubs and see what we as a district can do better. I want our members to understand what our district does and the enormous number of opportunities that are out there for our members to grow as communicator and leaders. I have said in the past that it takes a village.
The District Team cannot do it by themselves. We are always looking for new people to step up and assist in and share their idea. Please reach out if you have questions or idea. Finally, I am open to visiting clubs, attending open houses, giving speeches or provide an ear for concerns. Reach out to me at dd@d53tm.org. Let’s become distinguished together this year. Together we can do this.
In your service,
Patti Walter, DTM
District Director 2023-2024