2021 Conference Recap
Toastmaster of the Year: Debbie Young
Retired Toastmaster of the Year: Elaine Curry
Endearing Service Award: John Barry & Tom Coscia
Division Director of the Year: Karen Leingang & Art Stanze
Area Director of the Year: Annetta Works Salley
District 8 Officers for 2021-2
District Director - David Kincade, DTM
Program Quality Director - Karen Leingang, DTM
Club Growth Director - Dawn Tucker, DTM
Division A Director - Patrick Hunt
Division B Director - Sarah Van Meter
Division C Director - Annetta Works Salley
Division E Director - Victor Mattison
Division F Director - Lawson Calhoun
2021 Table Topics Speech Contest Winners
First Place: Kevin Desrosiers
Second Place: Patricia Sherwood
Third Place: Nathan Randall
2021 International Speech Contest Winners
First Place: Brad Adams
Second Place: Meenakshi Sharma
Third Place: Yutaka Ikeda
Click HERE for the Program
2021-22 Candidate Showcase
District Director Candidates
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Larry Kimbrow
Candidate Biography
Video Interview
If I am elected as the new District Director, I envision seeing District 8 achieve greater success. My vision includes building a smooth-functioning Executive Council to aid in the formation of new clubs and retention of current clubs. Plus, I want to have plans and procedures to enable the clubs to enlist new members and retain their current members. Also, I want to provide the framework and opportunities for ALL new and current members of D8 to be able to achieve their communication and leadership goals.
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David Kincade
Candidate Biography
Video Interview
My vision for District 8 is to continue and expand the work done to establish the district’s leadership in virtual meeting and education protocols. The District mission is to establish new clubs and support existing clubs in their educational mission, and through innovative communication and team building with the resourceful members of District 8, we will navigate the new landscape of the hybrid virtual/in person Toastmasters world.
Program Quality Director Candidate
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Karen Leingang
Candidate Biography
Video Interview
If I have the honor to serve as the District 8 Program Quality Director I would like to achieve the following things: • Develop ways to make officer training more engaging and to provide training to clubs that charter outside of training periods. • Start the year with committees to help plan the TLI sessions and District Conference. • Recruit more members into District activities so networks can be forged and new ideas are born. • Encourage members to review their Pathways program and develop plans that allow them to use the results in both their personal and professional lives.
Club Growth Director Candidates
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Larry Hemmingway, Sr.
Candidate Biography
Video Interview
My vision for Club Growth Director is to operate with servant leadership. Encouraging from the TOOLBOX mindset; with purpose and support throughout our existing district. We will rise through life’s vagaries and build our district programs for lasting change.
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Dawn Tucker
Candidate Biography
Video Interview
Based upon Toastmasters International’s job description for Club Growth Director, and my experience as D8 Program Quality Director this year, my vision is to • Collaborate with District 8 officers, the marketing team, clubs and members • Reach out to communities and businesses within the boundaries of District 8 • Create opportunities to market Toastmasters International and District 8 for the purposes of • Increasing awareness of the Toastmasters brand and education program • Increasing the interest of individuals in joining current clubs and starting new clubs • Increasing the interest of organizations in sponsoring new clubs thereby • Increasing the membership and strength of current clubs • Growing the network of clubs and opportunities within D8
Division Director Candidates
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Division A
Patrick Hunt
Candidate Biography
Video Interview
My vision for Division A is to make it into a shining example of what is possible for all of District 8 and beyond. We have many clubs who do amazing things, but they fail to reach their full potential because they limit their projects to their own individual chapters and do not collaborate with the Toastmasters world at large. I will work with the Area Directors in Division A to draft the framework for a bold new experience, where clubs can work together at the Area level and build new ties between themselves and their local communities. If there is one thing that I have learned over the last year, it is that connectedness is the key for the thriving of the individual and the thriving of the organization.
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Division B
Kesha Kent
Candidate Biography
Video Interview
My Vision Statement for (Division B Director): Serve, empower, collaborate and build relationships across generations within our current District 8 teams, while amplifying the goals and vision set by our leadership.
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Division B
Sarah Van Meter
Candidate Biography
Video Interview
Our Toastmasters District 8 mission is to “build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.” As the current Area 18 Director, I found the recipe to success is to take the time to build relationships and understand club needs. This can be done partnering with the club officers to help them create a supportive and engaging environment for their members. This requires a customized approach. In some instances, it may be training them on the basics, like how to submit a pathways award and approve it in both base camp and club central. Other times, it might be sharing best practices for attracting members or enriching the member experience or lending a listening ear to talk through a situation. I am excited about the opportunity to strengthen existing clubs and attract new clubs to District 8. I humbly ask for your vote for Division B Director in 2021-2022 so that I may empower a team of Area Directors to success.
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Division C
Annetta Works Salley
Candidate Biography
Video Interview
Annetta’s Vision as District 8 Division C Director: Take the changes and opportunities set before me to lead with passion in servant leadership to bring Division C to its next level of achievements. Invest in Division C Area Directors for their continued growth and development in support of helping our great Area clubs to achieve their mission and fulfill their responsibilities to its members. I look forward to collaborating to identify and implement creative and impactful incentives to enhance existing District 8 programs.
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Division E
Victor Mattison
Candidate Biography
Video Interview
Together with leaders within Division E we will grow the number of clubs and members via a plan I launched as the current District Club Growth Director. We will ensure the club experience is meeting the needs of members thereby facilitating growth and reducing membership churn. We will develop strong club and area leadership teams to help deliver an excellent membership experience and prepare future leaders and better communicators for our communities, businesses, civic, faith and charitable organizations and neighborhoods.
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Division F
Lawson Calhoun
Candidate Biography
Video Interview
My vision for the District 8 is to assist the district through the area clubs to enhance the district mission to build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence. This will be accomplished by building self-confidence, improving public speaking skills, leadership skills and personal growth of the leaders, club officers and members. I am looking forward to this challenge.
May 15 - 16, 2020
Link to the Conference Program
2020 Conference Recap
Toastmaster of the Year: Rebecca Jordan
Retired Toastmaster of the Year: Kevin Desrosiers
Division Director of the Year: Suresh Gopalakrishnan
Area Director of the Year: Karen Leingang
2020 Humorous Speech Contest Winners
First Place: Chris Farishon
Second Place: David Kincade
Third Place: Joseph Taylor
2020 International Speech Contest Winners
First Place: Charmin Gans
Second Place: Krystal Clay
Third Place: Melanie Ciotti
Friday Night Achievement Slides
2019 Conference Recap
2019 Evaluation Contest Winners
First Place: Joseph McCall
Second Place: Nicholas Kwolek
Third Place: Jean Broida
2019 International Speech Contest Winners
First Place: Joseph McCall
Second Place: Brad Adams
Third Place: Robert Washington