1947

1946 Speech Contest Winner

JOHN MEEKS

Hillsboro

Second

JUDSON T. KLINGBERG

Longview, Washington

Source: Toastmasters Magazine 1947 The Directory of Toastmasters Clubs October 25, 1947 and Letter Carl Hasenkamp

Clubs Chartered, Disbanded, and Name Changes

The Dalles Toastmasters Club #522 chartered in 1947 The Dalles, Oregon.  The club has disbanded and number 522 reassigned to Borealis Toastmasters Club 2/1/1979.  This

Club meets in BP Building Anchorage, Alaska on Thursday 7:00-am to 8:00-pm. 

Longview Toastmasters Club # 180 transferred from District 2 to District 7 sometime February 1, 1946 to 1947.   Club met at Columbia Coffee Shop on Mondays at 6:15-pm. 

Source: The Toastmaster (Club Directory Edition) February 1, 1946

Source:  Handwritten Notes Glen Meek

5-1947

I started Oregon Trail.  Don Nelson and I ran a race to form a new Toastmasters club.  Don beat me.  He started Oregon #424 one of the best clubs ever.  I also belonged to the P Food Salesmen, I had three of them coming for the second time, I told them three of them how easy it was for Max (Max Dudley Kleist) and I to start Oregon Trail. 

District Seven Meetings, Speech Contests and Events

Speech Contest

Area One

Hillsboro #158                                    Oregon City #390                   Tillamook #94

Columbia Empire #171                       Timberline #94

Contest held at Van’s Chateau, near Tigard, Oregon, southwest of Portland on April 4, 1947.

Area Two

Eugene #145                                       Albany #307                           Corvallis #395

Coos Bay #249                                   Capitol #391                           Salem #138

Speech contest held in Albany at Hub restaurant on March 22, 1947. 

Area Three

Not Announced as of February 12, 1947

Area Four

Portland Club #31                               Vancouver #353                      Oregon #424

Longview #180

Speech contest held at Hotel Montecello in Longview, Washington on March 22, 1947. 

District Conference held on afternoon and evening of May 3, 1947 at Salem, Oregon. 

Source: Letter Carl Hasenkamp

Sources: Toastmasters agenda and newspaper articles Sunday Oregonian November 23,

1947 and Journal articles and photographs reproduced with permission from Oregonian newspaper and copyrighted Oregonian © 1947-2009.

District 7 Toastmasters Dinner

DISTRICT 7, TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL

Dinner honoring George Benson of Minneapolis,

President of Toastmasters International

Benson Hotel, Portland, November 22, 1947

1.         Invocation – Chalmer Blair, Timberline

2.         Everett Mitchell, Columbia Empire, “It pays to be lazy”

3.         Irv Saucerman, Portland Toastmasters, “This age we are living in”

4.         Gar Hurley, Oregon Trail

5.         Ray Johnson, Tillamook “You’re working to hard”

6.         Bob Hazen, Oregon “Mamie saves the U.S.A.”

7.         Mystic Order of the Rose – Mrs. Joyce Enright

8.         Introduction of George Benson – Don Nelson, Director, Toastmasters International

9.         George Benson of Minneapolis, President of Toastmasters International

Sunday Oregonian November 23, 1947

Toastmaster Club Growth Cited by National President

   Toastmasters International, the club for teaching public speaking to members, has grown into the ranks of the nation’s truly large clubs through increased interest in its activities, George W. Benson, Minneapolis, club president, said in Portland Saturday. 

   The clubs are formed to allow members to make talks, and then have their efforts criticized by fellow members.  Benson said this gives the advantage of immediate audience reaction, and does not, and does not have the disadvantage common to most speech classes – the criticism being limited to only one man, the teacher.

   Donald T. Nelson, Portland, is a director of the national organization.  There are 20 clubs in Oregon, five in Portland, R.G. Crakes, Eugene, is governor of district 7; I. L. Saucerman, Portland, is lieutenant governor, and Carl Hasenkamp, Portland is past director. 

    Portland has been selected as host city for the Pacific Northwest regional contest in June.  District speech winners from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia will compete to represent the area in the finals to be held during the national convention. 

Newspaper articles Sunday Oregonian November 23,

1947 and Journal articles and photographs reproduced with permission from Oregonian newspaper and copyrighted Oregonian © 1947-2009.

Newspaper article unidentified (Oregon Journal).

President Heard by Toastmasters

   The Toastmasters is not a “club” but an education; it serves the community by training men for leadership and helping them to increase their usefulness in business and civic affairs. 

   This was the statement of George W. Benson, president of Toastmasters International, at a dinner meeting Saturday night at the Benson hotel.   In at attendance were 150 members representing Oregon chapters. 

   Benson is making a tour of the West attending district conferences.  He will go from here to Santa Anna, California, to attend an executive committee meeting. 

   He stressed the importance of critical listening and oral expression in selling “Americanism and playing down of the other “isms.”  This he said is one the prime purposes of Toastmasters. 

   The organization has 568 chapters in 38 states, Great Britain, Canada, and the Hawaiian Islands. 

________________________________________________________________________

Source: Typed Letter

                                                                        Portland, Oregon

                                                                        November 11, 1947

Carl

Dear: Toastmaster:

            In addition to the banquet to be held at the Benson Hotel, for President George Benson of Toastmasters International, there will be a Luncheon for him at 12:45-pm, at the Chamber of Commerce.

            This will be an excellent opportunity to meet and become acquainted with our President.  The meeting will be informal, (no prepared speeches), It will not last to long, the price will be reasonable.  $1.00

            We will be happy if we have a nice attendance.  Will you please give this publicity in your club, attempt to find out how many will be present from your club and notify Carl Hasenkamp when a return is made on the Banquet tickets. 

            Yours for a large turn out at both events

                                                                                    Yours very truly,

                                                                                    Irv L. Saucerman

                                                                                    Lt. Governor District Seven

________________________________________________________________________

Source: Typed Letter

                                                                                                DISTRICT SEVEN

                                                                                                Eugene, Oregon

                                                                                                March 3, 1948

Mr. Carl H. Hasenkamp

Portland, Oregon

Dear Carl:

            At last, we have determined that the dual presentation of charters for the Cascade and Springfield clubs will be held the evening of March 24 here in Eugene.  It is to be a ladies night affair, strictly informal, and I hope that you will plan to be there. 

            We are getting together next week to plan the program and final details.  At that time, we shall drop you a line as to the part we would like to have you take in the exercises.  With kindest regards,

                                                                        Yours very truly,

                                                                        R. G. Crakes

                                                                        Governor, District Seven

                                                                        TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL

Miscellaneous and Correspondence

Source: Typed Letter

                                                                                    July 31, 1947

Mr. Ralph C. Smedley

Box 714

Santa Ana, California

Dear: Mr. Smedley

You don’t know how much I appreciated your comments on my district report.  Your postal card of July 28^th was just another example of things I have appreciated about the fine cooperation I have had with both Ted and yourself. 

I haven’t always taken time to tell you how much confidence it gives a district officer to know he has the backing of a good home office staff, but in the day to day work with the clubs of District Seven I have encouraged to advocate closer work with International and the district instead of letting each club go its own way alone.  We’ve never been disappointed in you folks, and I know there is a wider outlook among the clubs today than there ever has been before.  They feel they are a part of a big organization.

Personally, I hope to devote myself next year to building up my own club, Timberline, which has fallen into a little slump.  Chal Blair and a few of the other older members are going to work on a series of talks (similar to speechcraft) presently the better points of criticism.  I want to help on that.  And along that same line, we want to develop a judging worksheet for speech contests.  You probably saw the one we used this year because I sent Ted samples. 

That reminds me, I was always going to ask for a copy of Speechcraft and somehow I never did.  I wonder if you would see that I get a copy for my personal file.  All year, I’ve used the club’s copy.

I’ll be looking forward to seeing you at the Convention

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Carl H. Hasenkamp

Hand written notes on letter

Timberline did a fine job on Criticism 1948, 1949 & 1950

The speech contests worksheet is the one we are using now. 

CONTEST JUDGING SHEET

DISTRICT 7 – – Toastmasters International

1947

Contestant’s Name _____________________________Date ________________

Subject________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                            Total Score_______

(Please return all sheets so that speakers may benefit from criticism.)

Source: Typed Letter 2/12/1947

February 12, 1947

Mr. Ted Blanding, Exec. Secretary

Toastmasters International

Santa Anna, California

Dear:  Ted

I imagine you folks must wonder what, if anything has happened to District Seven.  To tell you the truth, that report system has been partly to blame, because every time I had an opportunity to drop you a note, I’ve wanted to make it complete and the result is that I have postponed it until I got some date or other fact in mind.  Anyway, a number of letters I have intended to write never got finished.

However, we haven’t been asleep up here, and I know that many of the club secretaries have been keeping in touch with you.  I have visited all the clubs personally, except Coos Bay, Corvallis, Longview, and Oregon City.  I am attending the meeting at Oregon City tonight and will be in Coos Bay next week.  However, all of the clubs have been visited by District representatives and we have had good success exchanging speakers and critics. 

All areas are functioning and all have held their second Area Council meetings of the year except I have had no recent word from Southern Oregon (Medford) Area.  The District Council met at Eugene in October, and we enjoyed a visit from Bob Grube at that time.  I think Bob was very pleased with the fine representation we had. 

The speech contests are coming along fine.  Area One (Hillsboro, Oregon City, Tillamook, Timberline, and Columbia Empire) will hold its contest at Van’s Chateau, near Tigard, Oregon, southwest of Portland.  Date is April 4^th.  Area two (Eugene, Albany, Corvallis, Coos Bay, Capitol, and Salem) will meet at Albany on March 22 at the Hub Restaurant.  Area Four (Portland, Vancouver, Oregon, and Longview) will hold the contest at Hotel Montecello Longview on March 22^nd.  Area Three has not announced its date yet. 

The District Convention and contest will be the afternoon and evening of May 3, Salem, Oregon.  Both clubs in that city are anxious to make it a big affair.  Do you suppose some one of the International Officers would be able to attend and help us work out an educational session?  Of course, Don Nelson will be with us, but we would like to have as many more as possible. 

– 2 –

One feature we are planning is a Past District Governors table.  So far, Chalmer Blair, Charles McElhinney, Don Nelson, and Ernest Davis have indicated they would try to be there.  I will appreciate it if you will check the records for other names that I might have overlooked the District records are not too complete. 

Al Quine of the Timberline club is working on a judge’s work sheet as a supplement to Don’s plan for selecting a contest winner.  Our club is trying it out and as soon as the “bugs” have been somewhat eliminated we will fire it down for your comments.  We think it has some definite possibilities and even the newest members in our club are contributing opinions and ideas to its development. 

Two weeks ago, I was in Spokane and talked to Mert Rosauer about the proposed Zone Contest.  I believe Don and he will work out something for about the first Saturday in June if that is agreeable with the other Districts.  Anyway, you can count on District Seven to participate and help finance the winner to Minneapolis in accordance with the proposed rules.  I didn’t get a chance to visit clubs up there, but the ones with whom I talked seem to be as enthusiastic as in our District. 

We are interested in the experiment that some Districts have made with an Executive Lt. Governor.  Whoever succeeds me will probably be someone who will not be able to travel as extensively as I have the past year and will need all the help he can get.  Furthermore, there is the matter of emergency succession to the Governorship should a man be unable to complete his term of office.  In our District all, the Lt. Governors are on an equal footing.  Has the plan been a success in other Districts?  Would you recommend it or are there modifications that should be incorporated in any amendment to our By-Laws.

I’ve really been under the gun the last few months in my personal work.  The Assistant State Director of the Production and Marketing Administration, Oregon, resigned about Christmas time and I have had all his work in addition to my own regular duties without any change in title, etc.  In addition to that, I have two small private businesses in which I have an interest that have been demanding some of my time.  This has forced me to let some things go that I really wanted to accomplish, but have kept in touch with things in the District and Toastmasters are doing all right.  I want you to know that your prompt information and material has all been greatly appreciated and I have been using it. 

Best regards,                                       Carl Hasenkamp

Source: Typed Letter March 1947

Portland 11, Oregon

March 4, 1947

Mr. Ralph C. Smedley

Toastmasters International

Santa Ana, California

Dear:  Mr. Smedley

We have been having a successful year for Toastmasters in District Seven, and while there seems to always be more things that ought to be done than we get time to do, we are proud to report that all clubs are functioning and have good healthy programs. 

We have a better district organization than we had a year ago in the sense that each club seems to be more aware of its place in the movement as a whole.  There is more inter-club exchange of visitors and ideas.  There is willingness and desire to work together rather than each club going its own way as was the case when I first joined Toastmasters.  I think Don Nelson did a fine job awakening that feeling last year and the men who worked with me this year seem to have caught the spirit. 

Three of the area speech contests have been scheduled, although I have not received definite word from the Medford area, I am sure that Claude Haggard has the plans well laid for that contest.  There have been at least two area council meetings in each area since the first of January, and the men have found the exchange of ideas so helpful that they continue the idea without prodding from the district officers. 

All of which, leads me to believe that our District Meeting at Salem, Oregon on Saturday May 3, 1947 will be one of the best speech contests and District conventions we have had in District Seven.  Most of the boys that I have talked to, want some kind of an educational meeting on the afternoon of May 3, in connection with the District Council Meeting, and I think it is a good idea. 

Will it be possible for you to be present with us on that date?  If so, would you suggest a short theme that could be developed in an afternoon session of about two hours, similar to some of the material that was presented at the international convention at Seattle?  It has been a long time since we had a visit from you and we would especially like to have you with us.  Many of our members have never had the pleasure of knowing you and I am sure they would find it as stimulating as I did last summer. 

In case you cannot arrange your time so that you can be with us, can you arrange for some other member of the Educational Committee to lead an open discussion on club problems with us?  We expect to plan something along those lines any way, but we know the added prestige of someone like yourself or Sheldon Haydon would give the delegates something to quote when got home. 

We are planning a District Executive Committee meeting in Portland next Saturday and will start plans for the meeting at Salem.  Most of the arrangements are complete as far as the dinner and place to meet, but we would like to have your reply in time to get the printing done after April 15^th. 

With kindest personal regards, I am

                                    Sincerely Yours,

                                    Carl H. Hasenkamp.

Source: Typed Letter May 9, 1947

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL

Home Office

Santa Ana, California

May 9, 1947

Dear: Carl (Hasenkamp)

                        I have to offer my apologies

            The matter of sending something for your District Conference was in my mind, but I had it set for a later date.  When I went into my files yesterday to start work on it, imagine my embarrassment to find that it had been set for the third.

            I have been rather overloaded lately, and some things have suffered as a consequence.  I am extremely sorry that I fell down on you this time, for I did have some rather good ideas in mind for you. 

            By next year, I hope that we shall be able to work out coordinated dates for the district meetings so that some “official” visitor may be present for each one.  This can be done by arranging the meetings in some sort of sequence, and I believe we are far enough along so that it will be possible.  We realize that the man from the Home Office or the Board of Directors is just one of us, and that he may have no great contribution to add to the work of the local man, but there is a certain value in having someone from a distance, even though he is not a superman. 

            Your district has done well under your leadership this year, and we are looking for new growth, based on the foundations you have laid.  I look forward to the time when I may again visit Portland and some of the other centers in that vicinity.

                        I hope to see you at Minneapolis.

                                                            Sincerely Yours

                                                            Ralph Smedley

                                                            R. C. Smedley

Other Toastmasters Districts

District One

Source:  1947 Club Roster

Progressive Toastmasters Club

Charter No. 18

April 6, 1934

Meeting Date

Tuesday 6:15 P.M.

Cole’s Cafeteria

6514 Pacific Blvd., Huntington Park (Los Angeles), California

JE-2383

Officers for Term

April –September 1947

President – H. A. Ryerson

Vice-President – Charles Lumpp

Secretary – Dave Rodgers

Treasurer – Paul Mekeal

Sgt.-at-Arms – Earle Summers

Deputy Governor – Charles Winslow

Associate – Day, C.O.                        Entry Date 1944         Occupation Real Estate

Associate – Allyn, A. L.         Entry Date 1936         Past President

                                                Occupation Chemist

Note: Telephone numbers and addresses excluded to comply with TI privacy policies. 

Progressive Toastmasters club disbanded some time after 1953 and number not recycled. 

Source:  The Toastmaster magazine               Club Directory Issue   January 1953 Page4

California

Huntington Park, Progressive, No. 18 (District 1) Tuesday, 6:15, Coles Cafeteria,

6514 Pacific Boulevard

Hand Written Notation on Schedule:  Attended club meeting and was interviewed on radio   Good meeting                      Glen Meek may have attended that meeting in 1947. 

Progressive Toastmasters

Progressive Toastmasters club won the “The Club of the Year Award” at the 1947 Toastmasters Conference. 

Progressives Toastmasters Club #18

T – Toastmaster           C – Critic        5 – Five Min.               X – Ten Min.

Progressives Toastmasters Club #18

T – Toastmaster           C – Critic        5 – Five Min.               X – Ten Min.

Toastmasters International, Zone Conferences, Toastmasters International Conferences

Source: Toastmasters International Santa Anna, California Special Bulletin – Anniversary Month of October Form 1150-47-a.  1947 Quotation

   “This 23^rd anniversary finds some 540 clubs chartered, with a total of nearly 15,000 members, in 38 states, Great Britain, Canada, and Hawaiian Islands.  Each club is limited to 30 members, and all the clubs carry on the standard program of speech practice and evaluation, parliamentary practice, group discussion and leadership training.” 

Source:  Toastmasters International Letterhead

Toastmasters International Officers May 9, 1947

President – Joseph P. Rinnert             Vice President – George W. Benson

Los Angeles, California                                  Minneapolis, Minnesota

Secretary – I. A. McAninch                Treasurer – Robert L. Grube

Los Angeles, California                                  Seattle, Washington

Past President – Franklin McCillis      Founder and Honorary President –

Seattle, Washington                            Ralph C. Smedley

                                                                        Santa Ana, California

Executive Secretary – Ted Blanding

Santa Anna, California

DIRECTORS

Ed. W. Alexander                                           H. O. Buoen

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio                         Tulsa, Oklahoma

Ashleigh K. Chamberlain                                James A. Clark

San Diego, California                         San Francisco, California

Tracy M. Jeffers                                              Donald T. Nelson

Saint Paul, Minnesota                         Portland, Oregon

George Reed                                                   W.W. Welker

Los Angeles, California                                  Minneapolis, Minnesota

Source:  The Toastmaster       November 1947                      Vol.  13 – No. 11

Source:  The Toastmaster       November 1947 Vol.  13 – No. 11 Page 11

Wilbur M. Smith Joins The Home Office Staff

          From Zanesville, Ohio, comes Wilbur (Wib) Smith to aid in giving more and better service to Toastmasters wherever they talk. 

          This young man was spotted by the officers of Toastmasters International when he represented District 10 in the Speech Contest at the Seattle Convention.  While he placed second in the contest, his talk showed unusual appreciation for the training available to Toastmasters.  His stimulating talk before the educational session on “How to get the most out of your Toastmasters Club” not only attracted further favorable attention, but it stirred the speaker to new efforts on his return to Zanesville, where he went to work on his “Pictorial Presentation” of the club work – a series of placards, graphs and cartoons – designed to aid members in their speech work. 

          This display was so impressive when displayed at the “Workshop” session in Akron last fall that Wib was asked to present it at the Minneapolis Convention.  Those who saw this exhibit will remember it as an unusual display of visual selling. 

          An enthusiastic Toastmaster, Wib believes in his own motto “Toastmasters is not only a club – it’s an education.”  Because of his spirit and enthusiasm, he was selected to fill a place in the Home Office at Santa Ana as helper to Blanding and Smedley in service to clubs. 

          He is a graduate of Ohio State University.  He spent seven years in selling, and five years with the American Rolling Mill Company in research work.  This experience, added to his enthusiasm for Toastmasters training will make him a valuable addition to the group who devote their lives to promoting the cause of better speech through the Toastmasters Clubs. 

2Page 1

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL, SPEECH CONTEST RULES,

YEAR 1946-1947

1.         DATES          CLUB contests to be completed by March 1, 1947; AREA contests by April 15; DISTRICT contests by June 1^st; ZONE contests by June 30^th INTERNATIONAL contest to be held at the time of the International Convention.

2.         PRELIMINARIES   Each club shall chose a speaker and an alternative for its area contest.  It is suggested that the club hold a contest among its best speakers.  The area contest shall be under the supervision of the lieutenant governor.  The district contest shall be under the supervision of the district governor.  Each district shall choose a speaker and an alternate, one of whom shall represent it in the zone contest with the names of its winner and alternative together with a copy or an outline of the speeches given by these men. 

            Each club, area and district is free to choose its own contest rules.  However, it is suggested that the rules of International contest be followed. 

3.         UNDISTRICTED CLUBS              Clubs not assigned to districts should enter their contestants in the contest of the closest area.  In case such clubs fail to enter an area contest but wish to enter a district contest approval thereof should be obtained from the district governor. 

4.         ELIGIBILITY          Any paid-up member in good standing in an active Toastmasters Club which is in good standing at August 1, 1947, shall be eligible to compete except that International officers and directors, district officers (except deputy governors) and past International winners shall not be eligible to compete in the zone and International contests. 

5.         THE ZONES For the purposes of the zone contests the districts have been divided into five zones as follows:

            A.        Pacific Northwest, Districts 2, 7, 9, 15, 17, and 21.

            B.        Mid-West, Districts 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14.

            C.        Eastern, Districts 8, 10, 11, 13 and 14.

            D.        Districts 4, 12 and Founders.

            E.         Districts 1, 3, and 5.

6.         ZONE CONTESTS  Each zone contest shall be under the supervision of a member of the International Board of Directors.  The city where the contest will be held shall be chosen by such director after consulting with the districts involved. 

            Each district shall be representative by its winner speaker or alternative.  Each contestant shall give one speech (for not less than five, nor more than seven minutes) upon a subject of his own selection.  However, the speech must be on a subject different from the one used by the contestant in the district contest. 

            Each zone shall choose a winning speaker and an alternative.  Each zone shall supply the chairman of the International contest with the names of its winner and alternative together with a copy or outline of the speeches given by these men. 

1180-47-a

Page 2

7.         INTERNATIONAL CONTEST     The international contest shall be held under the supervision of the International Speech Contest committee.  Each zone shall be represented by its winning speaker or alternate.  Each contestant shall give one speech (for not less than five, nor more than seven minutes) upon a subject of his selection.  However, the speaker will not be permitted to use the speech, which he used in the zone contest, nor the speech, which he used in the district contest. 

8.         TOASTMASTERS OF THE CONTESTS            The Toastmaster shall supervise the drawing of lots by contestants for speaking positions.  He shall announce a brief resume of the rules just before the contest begins so that all will understand them.  He shall not mention the name or the location of the club to which the contestant belongs, nor his place of residence.  He shall make no preliminary remarks about any speaker or his subject.  The contestant’s name and the subject of his talk shall be announced twice, slowly and clearly.  A short interval shall be provided between each talk to allow the judges to complete their notes.  The Toastmaster shall make sure that all speakers know the location of the timing light.  All contestants shall talk from the same place.  At the conclusion of the contest speeches, the Toastmaster shall introduced the speakers, giving the club, area or district they represent and other facts of interest. 

            If the procedure set fourth is carefully followed, the results of the contest should be determined within 5 or 10 minutes even though a large number of judges are used.  By CAREFUL PLANNING a tiresome interval of waiting for the contest, results can easily be avoided. 

9.         JUDGES        All of our Toastmasters training is directed toward teaching us to make an appeal to the AUDIENCE.  It is for this reason that we have been advised to use member critics rather than professional critics.  Therefore, it follows that the only TRUE judge of a speech is the AUDIENCE, not a small body of “experts”.  However, since audience judging is not yet widely used, the next best practice is recommended, USE OF A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF JUDGES. 

            The number of judges shall be as follows: area and district contests, not less than nine zone contests, not less than twenty judges who shall be chosen on a representative basis.

            Judge shall be Toastmaster members.  No judge at the International final contest shall be a member of a club represented by a contestant. 

            At each contest, the chairman shall appoint an extra judge whose vote shall be counted only in case of a TIE. 

10.       MANNER OF JUDGING    Each judge shall receive a sheet on which the names of contestants and their subjects shall have been printed or typed.  At the conclusion of the talks, he shall award 4 points for first place, 2 points for second, 1 for third.  The judging sheet shall provide space for making notes and shall contain suggested judging standards. See sample attached.  The judges shall disregard under time and overtime. 

1180-47-b

Page 3

11.       COUNTERS Prior to the Contest the Chairman shall appoint three or more members as counters.  At the conclusion of the contest speeches, the judges shall be asked to arise.  Each judge shall be seated as soon as his ballot has been picked up by the counters.  The counters shall retire from the room and shall post the points on a form previously prepared for this purpose. 

12.       PENALTIES Penalties shall be computed as follows: 15 seconds under five minutes or 15 seconds over seven minutes, no penalty; however,

            A.        If the talk runs under 4-3/4 minutes

Or over 7-1/4 minutes                                                   5% penalty

            B.        If the talk runs under 4-1/2 minutes or

over 7-1/2 minutes                                                      10% penalty

            C.        If the talk runs under 4-3/4 minutes or

over 7-3/4 minutes                                                      15% penalty

            D.        If over talk runs under 4 minutes or

over 8 minute’s                                                           20% penalty

            The penalties, if any shall be deducted by the counters from the total points.  The counters shall determine the results and give a record thereof to the Chairman of the meeting.  The Chairman shall announce the winners in reverse order, i.e.: third, second and first.  In case there are only three contestants, he shall not mention a third place winner. 

13.       TIMERS        There shall be at least two timers who shall be provided with a stopwatch.  They shall keep the official record of the time of each contestant’s speech, which record shall be handed to the counters.  The timers shall be seated in such place that the warning signals will be clearly visible to the speakers.  They shall warn the speaker at FIVE minutes by a green light, which shall be left on for one minute.  They shall turn on the red light at SEVEN minutes leave it on.  Time shall be started when the speaker addresses the Toastmaster. 

14.       AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT        Amplifying equipment is prescribed for the zone and International contests and will be used by all contestants at these contests. 

15.       FINANCES               Each district at the time of entering its speaker in the zone contest shall pay to Toastmasters International an entry fee of $35.00.  Those fees shall be used by Toastmasters International to pay the railroad fare (including lower berth) or plane fare of the zone contest winner (or alternate) from his home to the International convention and return. 

            If the travel fares of the zone winners are greater than the fees collected, the deficit shall be made up by Toastmasters International; conversely if the fares are less than the fees the difference shall be retained by Toastmasters International. 

Attach:

1180-47-c

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL

SPEECH CONTEST JUDGING SHEET 1946-47

            Name of Judge____________________________________________________

            Club_____________________________________________________________

CONTESTANT                                SUBJECT                              POINTS

Give the contestant who, in your opinion, is FIRST, 4 Points; SECOND, 2 points; THIRD, 1 Point. Only the POINTS count in determining the winner.  NO TIES.

            The judge may use this space for his notes

Suggested Judging Standards

A.        MATERIAL – Organization, introduction, conclusion, originality and language.                                                    30%

B.        DELIVERY – Appearance, voice, gestures, enthusiasm, and sincerity.                                                                    30%

                        C.        RESULT-Hold interest, effectiveness, audience response.   

                                                                                                                                    40%

                                                                                                                                    100%

1180-JF

Toastmasters

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

ZONE SPEECH

CONTEST

Saturday, May 31, 1947

HOTEL DAVENPORT

Marie Antoinette Room

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

LUNCHEON

1:00 P.M.

____________________

WELCOME

2:25     J.M. “Mert” Rosauer                                                   Governor District Nine

PRESIDING

2:30     Harold Sherman                                              Governor Elect District Nine

2:45     “SPEAKING FOR ZONE CONVENTION

NINETEEN HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHT”

            Nick Jorgensen                                                Seattle, Washington

            Irv Saucerman                                                 Portland, Oregon

            Albert Smith                                                   Great Falls, Montana

            Paul Law                                                         Spokane, Washington

3:15     Recess for Judging                                         

ADDRESS

3:45     Robert L. Grube                                              International Treasurer

“OFFICERS MAKE OR BREAK A CLUB’

4:00     Informal Discussion – EVALUATING TOASTMASTERS

TOASTMASTER

            Howard Jenkins                                                          District Nine

SATURDAY EVENING

May 31, 1947

Syllabus

            Welcome Address                                                       J.M. “MERT” ROSAUER

Governor District Nine

General Chairman                                                       DONALD T. NELSON

International Speech Chairman

Contestants

CHARLES BRYANT                                                                                    Tacoma, Wash.

“MOULDERS OF DESTINY”

Dr. M.E. GADWA                                                                             Salem, Oregon

“THE LIGHT TO LIVE BY”

EDWARD F. HARRIS                                                                      Spokane, Wash.

“LET US TEND THE LAMPS”

GRAYTON W. SMITH                                                                     Twin Falls, Idaho

“A REVOLUTIONARY CRISIS”

GEORGE D. ANDERSON                                                               Great Falls, Montana

“LIFE”

Address

FRANKLIN McCRILLIS                                                     Past International President

“TOASTMASTERS – A NAME FOR A FUTURE”

Toastmaster

JACK M. LOVE, Executive Lieutenant Governor, District Nine

International Officers

            DONALD T. NELSON                                 International Speech Chairman

            ROBERT L. GRUBE                                                 International Treasurer

            FRANKLIN McCRILLIS                             International Past President

District Governors

            District Two                                                                District Seven

JOHN D. HARMS                                                     CARL H. HASENKAMP

            District Nine                                                               District Seventeen

            J.M. “MERT” ROSAUER                                         ALBERT SMITH

Judges

HAROLD SHERMAN, Senior Judge

Franklin McCrillis       Robert L. Grube          George Montgomery

Reuben W. Weil          A. V. Quine                R. G. Crakes

Thor Myhre                 Paul Wilson                 E. W. Williams

W. D. Eminger            W. T. Tobin                 Bill Kirchner

Tally Clerks

            Harold Weston            Charles F. Scanlon      Dick Saldin

            Wm. G. Donovan        John A. Phipps            G. A. Thue

Timer

H. M. GILBERTSON, Senior Timer

Pacific Northwest Zone Committee

Jack M. Love, General Chairman

CHARLES R. STARK                                                                                  Publicity

LLOYD ANDERSON                                                                                   Finance

Wm. L. ELMSLIE                                                                                          Housing

ART R. BRADEN                                                                                         Registration

JAMES STONE                                                                                             Ticket Sales

JAY DEE PATTON                                                                                       Program

BILL PURCELL                                                                                            Contestants

CEIL HAGEN                                                                                                           Award

RALPH WEIMAR                                                                                         Arrangements

Reception

A. E. ARMSTRONG, Senior Greeter

Ed Strang        Bob Tobin       Jerry Poole

Bob Crowe      Scott Robinson

PERSONAL INTERVIEW   NO. VI

From:  Ralph C. Smedley, Educational Director                                March 31, 1947

Toastmasters International

Santa Ana, California

Break in Document Portions of Document Left Out

_______________________________________________________________________

Excerpt Page 2

New Members

            For the past six months, new members have been reported to us at the rate of about 420 per month, on the average.  Every one of these has been “serviced” with his educational supplies and the Magazine.  But we have reason to believe that nearly 20 percent of all new members have not been so reported, and so these have been left unserviced, with no material to start their training, no Magazine, no attention.  If there is a better way to discourage members and lose them, I don’t know it. 

            Who is to blame?  I hate to say it, but if the Club SECRETARY is on the job, the NEW MEMBER is reported right away.  The SECRETARY is responsible for making such reports.  He is provided with an application form, which includes as one section, a postpaid, addressed mailing card.  All he has to do is put the information about the new member on this section and mail it.  Not a hard task, even for a busy man. 

            And it is not fair to delay the report until the new member loses interest.  I was just looking at a new member report, which came in yesterday.  It showed that the man joined the club on January 6^th.  We received it on March 29^th.  That new member has waited nearly twelve weeks for his material.  Maybe he blamed us for it.  We have to blame the Club Secretary.  DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN IN YOUR CLUB.  (Maybe it has!  Look and see.)

Page 2 and 3

We Grow

            We come to first of April with almost 500 charters issued.  The April issue of the Toastmaster Magazine totals 12,500 copies.  If every club were filled to capacity, the number would be about 15,000.  That is a lot of men.  But there is room for hundreds of new clubs to be established.  And there is room for thousands of new members in our present clubs.  I am ambitious to see more men served with our program of training.  Don’t keep anybody out. 

Page 3

We Evaluate

            In a recent issue of “The Fourteener,” bulletin of Huntington Park Toastmasters Club, I read the paragraph, which impressed me.  It was by Walter Haschke, who inquired:  “What would a Toastmasters Club be without criticism?  Suppose we dispensed with all criticism in our program?  Humanly speaking, none of us likes to be criticized, but we in Toastmasters realize the value of Constructive criticism.  It is one of the stepping stones to success.”

            Ask yourself that question.  What would your own club be if the evaluation were omitted?  Pretty flat, wouldn’t it? 

            Well, then, if the evaluation is so important, let’s make it good.  Have you had any of the talks in your club on criticism, as suggested a month ago?  Have you had some study made of the answers to the questions on page 2 of the Speech Evaluation book?

            I get many complaints from clubs about the poor quality of evaluation they are dishing up.  In every case, honest inquiry reveals that no serious study as been given to the subject, or to the material in the book, Speech Evaluation.

            Perhaps I should be too modest to say this, but I am convinced that the problem of improving evaluation can be solved in any Toastmasters Club by a careful and faithful study of the book, Speech Evaluation. 

            Just to try it out, I wish you would see if there is any question about speech evaluation which is not covered and answered in that book.  I want your help, for the book will have to be revised soon, and if there is anything omitted, Indeed to know it.  Raise any question you can think of, and see if the book answers it.  If the answer is not there, WRITE ME ABOUT IT.  Please.  I am tempted to offer a prize for any such question, but then you don’t want prizes.  You want criticism.  So do I. 

PERSONAL INTERVIEW   NO. VI

From:  Ralph C. Smedley, Educational Director                                            May 5, 1947

Toastmasters International

Santa Ana, California

Fellow Toastmaster:

            Just back from an eight-day trip to visit some 23 Toastmasters Clubs in California, I have as usual, observations and comments to share with you.  Here are some of them:

1.         Timing

            Some clubs are clueless of time values.  Meetings are prolonged.  Speakers are not well timed.  This is not good. 

            While we must always make proper allowance, and not let important matters be slighted because the clock’s hands indicate closing time, the observance of time limits is of fundamental importance.  It is just a matter of planning, plus good judgment.  The President who uses his “President’s Reminder” sent him from the Home Office, and who plans his meeting with the timing in mind, is comparatively safe. 

            The end of the meeting should be planned as carefully as the opening.  When time comes for adjournment, the President should not permit the meeting to continue except by vote of the members.  Don’t permit your club to become a slave of meticulous time observance, but don’t let it get out of the habit of watching the clock. 

            Many ingenious timing devices are in use.  One of the newest and most interesting ones has been devised by Ralph Woods, Secretary of Taft Toastmasters.  I’ll tell you more about it later, when I have tried it out. 

2.         Grunting

            In some of our clubs, too little attention is paid to the grunts – the “ahh-h-s” and the “uh-h-s” which hinder good speech.  It is time to renew our campaign against this bad habit.  Will your club go after it, right now? 

3.         Moving

            It is refreshing to find Toastmasters who have changed location going into a club in the new surroundings, to continue training.  Several such cases came to light during the recent trip.  A man moves from one city to another, and in the new location finds a Toastmasters Club into which he may enter and where he can find new friends. 

            One thing, which makes such a change easy, is the uniformity of procedure in most Toastmasters Clubs.  The “President’s Reminder” furnishes the skeleton for the meeting, and the stranger quickly fits into the familiar atmosphere of table topics, speeches and evaluation.  Be on the lookout for men who thus move to your town, and make them welcome in your club. 

4.         Parliamentary Practice

            No “Stream-lined” Script is enclosed with this “Interview,” but one is available.  Since some clubs do not use scripts, material is wasted.  If you want to use it, just drop me a postcard, asking for the Streamlined Parliamentary Script for May, and it will come to you by return mail.  Back issues of the Scripts are available if you wish to use them. 

            Don’t overlook the importance of practice in procedure.  Some of the men may not care for it, but all of them need it.  And here is a funny one for you to enjoy. 

            We had an inquiry the other day from a group of men interested in coming into our fellowship as a Toastmasters Club, but they felt that we do not put enough emphasis on parliamentary training!  Now, how do you like that?  Some of their men had visited a Toastmasters meeting and had observed what they considered too much laxity, and not enough attention to formal procedure. 

            We explained that the club decides for itself how much practice it will take.  We have materials in abundance but, in true Toastmasters fashion, we do not ram it down your throats.  Take as much of it as you will.  In most cases, we think you ought to take a great deal more of it than you do. 

5.         For the Summer

            Summer vacation season brings annual problems.  While most of our clubs carry on without interruption, some take a vacation in July and August, creating serious problems in getting back into stride in the fall. 

            If possible, hold regular meetings through the summer.  Attendance may be smaller, but that means more chances for the faithful ones to speak and learn.  If the summer interval is unavoidable, make it as short as possible, and plan at least once a month to hold a special event, such as a picnic or barbecue or park meeting, with appropriate program.  Try to make at least one of these a family affair, with the wife, or the wife and children, in attendance.  

            Don’t permit the club activities to cease completely. 

            And you, Mr. President, should right now remind your Sergeant-at-Arms that he and his Social Committee are responsible for these summer meeting arrangements. 

6.         For the Convention

            Final arrangements are being made.  The program shapes up wonderfully.  Local arrangements promise you the best possible time.  Now we must line up the delegates and visitors.  Send in your reservations. 

            Each club in good standing is entitled to two voting delegates, and as many visiting members as can be there.  An alternate should be provided for each delegate.  Credentials must be properly filled out and signed. 

            If no member of your club is able to attend, you should authorize a proxy to represent your to represent you.  This proxy should be selected from your own district, if possible.  Your District Governor, or a member of a neighboring club, may be appointed proxy for your club.  If you are isolated, and not in a District, you may designate any officer of Toastmasters International to act as your club’s proxy, but if possible, get some one from your own vicinity. 

7.         For the President and the Educational Chairman

            How to coordinate the work of the Program Committee and the Educational Committee is a live question in many clubs.  Who does which, and when?

            A natural division of the work places the responsibility upon the Program Committee for selecting and assigning the members to places as speakers, toastmasters, table topics, chairman, evaluators, etc. 

            The Educational Committee plans the types of meetings, the methods of evaluation and the other matters involved in a progressive educational program. 

            Thus, the Program Committee assigns for the coming meeting the men who will perform the various functions.  The Educational Committee arranges that his meeting will be of a certain type – an integrated program, or a simulated program, or a panel, or a debate, or whatever should be done now.  Then the Educational Chairman informs the men on that program just what sort of event they are to produce. 

            By planning systematically, the Educational Committee can expose every member to a dozen different speech situations in a few months, without in any way interfering with the orderly assignment made by the Program Committee.  In fact, the two committees should meet frequently in joint session so that everything may be understood and fully correlated. 

8.         Membership Turnover

            A certain amount of change in membership personnel is to be expected.  Natural causes, including changes in work and in residence, make this inevitable.  But any time that a club’s membership shows more than twenty percent of turnover in a year, steps should be taken. 

            First, what causes the change?  Is it from unavoidable circumstances, or is it because of weakness in the club?  Are there always some associate members ready to step into active membership when openings occur? 

            Too much change in membership reflects poor planning, poor programs, poor progress. 

            To hold your membership steady at the maximum limit, strengthen the club’s program.  Make it varied, progressive, and inspiring. 

            When membership or attendance is unsatisfactory, it is time to evaluate your club, to find out the reason. 

            STUDY THE MANUAL.  PUT THE PROGRAM TO WORK. STIR UP THE EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE. DEMAND EFFECTIVE SPEECH EVALATION. 

9.         And In Conclusion

            Remember:  Sheets are enclosed on which to make hotel reservations for the Convention.  The earlier registrants will get a choice of rooms.  If more blanks are needed, write for them. 

            Remember:  No “Stream-Lined Parliamentary Script is enclosed.  If you want it, send us a postcard request. 

            Remember:  This “Interview” goes only to the President and the Educational Chairman of your club.  There are some items in it, which ought to be shared with all the members.  Here’s a happy thought!  You might read a paragraph or two to the men at the next meeting. 

            We’ll be seeing you in Minneapolis – St. Paul

                                                            R. C. Smedley

                                                            Educational Director

Form 1399-VI-c

PERSONAL INTERVIEW NO. VII.

From Ralph C. Smedley, Educational Director                                              June 8, 1947

Toastmasters International

Santa Ana, California

To:  The President, the Educational Chairman, and various other Toastmasters who are expected to share the contents with their fellow members, if anything of importance is discovered. 

The Convention

            Hotel reservation blanks have been sent to every club.  Remind your delegates to make reservations promptly.  Space is filling up.  More blanks may be had on request. 

            Club-of-the year returns are due now.  Send them without delay to Dr. Gordon R. Howard, Bell, California. 

            If your club has any resolutions to be presented at the Convention, send them as soon as possible to Robert W. Sitzler, San Diego Trust and Savings Building, San Diego, California.  If you forget his address, send them to Headquarters at Santa Ana, and we will send them along. 

            You will find the Convention a very democratic assembly.  While every thing is carefully planned, nothing is cut and dried.  There is no “steamroller.”

Business for the Convention

            According to the by-Laws, we mail to the SECRETARY of each club the business to be handled at the Convention.  This includes the report of Nominating Committee, proposed changes in Constitution and By-Laws, and other items on which votes taken.  This material has been sent to your club Secretary.  Check up with him and be sure that each item is well considered by your club, or by the Executive Committee of your club. 

            I can commend the work of the By-Laws Committee, who has worked with painstaking care to improve our fundamental document.  I believe their report can safely be adopted, virtually without change.  Please try to get it clearly understood so that time may not be wasted in fruitless discussion at the Convention.  Time will be very precious in the sessions.  Many questions can be asked and answered prior to the formal meeting. 

Convention Attendance

            We have sent to your club Secretary credential forms for delegates and proxies.  Send personal representative if you can, and be sure that each one has credentials or if but one delegate, he has two votes. 

            If you cannot be represented by delegates, send your proxies.  We are legally required to have a quorum, either by delegates or by proxies, to transact business.  Your proxy may be the one required to make the quorum.  Don’t disfranchise your club by overlooking this. 

Parliamentary Practice

            Last month, we left out the “Stream-Lined” Script from the general mailing, inviting those who wish to use it to ask for it.  The response was gratifying, and we saved a lot of paper from being wasted. 

            From what I see in meetings I visit, most of you could do with some more practice in procedure. 

            A new script for the present month is at your command.  Copies of those previously issued may be obtained upon request.  Send me a postcard making for the new one or any of the old ones.  The only price is a promise that the scripts will be put to profitable use. 

Basic Training en masse

            Huntington Park Progressive Toastmasters again made history on May 27, when they asked me to come over and present Basic Training certificates to all 28 members.  The entire membership of the club has carried through the course, and thus all received the awards.  That is an achievement. 

            What do you suppose I told them, when I presented the certificates?  Of course I Praised their energy and determination, but then said, “Go right back and work through it again.  This time you will get the bigger results.” That meeting was the club’s SIXTEENTH consecutive hundred percent attendance meeting.  Some record!

Get the Address Right

            Club secretary’s end all who correspond with the Headquarters can help mightily to facilitate the work if they will be careful about addresses.  You would be amazed at the amount of mail, especially packages sent to new members, which come back marked “no such number” or “wrong address” or “gone”, no address.”  We check back and find we addressed it correctly according to information given us.  Some of it we eventually get to the right place, but some is never delivered, in spite of our best efforts. 

            Urge the Secretary to make sure – absolutely sure – that he has the correct addresses, and that he sends the right ones to us.  If any member mentions failure to receive materials or magazine, that is a signal to examine the address. 

            When you write to Headquarters, show your mail address on the letter itself, not merely on the envelope.  Add your club’s number and it helps more. 

Watch Your Eating Expenses

            Restaurant prices have been too high for us in most places.  Dinners at $1.50 or $2.00 make the Toastmasters work expensive – not more then it is worth, but more than it should cost.  We are told that a “recession” is in prospect.  Eating-places are beginning to look for more business.  Take time this summer to look around your community and see what better arrangements, if any, can be made for next season.  It ought to be possible in most places to get a dinner for not more than $1.25.  In some cities, meals are available at $1.00.  Try for the best you can get, in a satisfactory meeting room.  Don’t be too stingy, but don’t let the dinners become a burden to the members, if it can be helped. 

Still Complaining

            I manage to visit a good many clubs, and I still carry the same old complaints:  Disregard for timing; time wasted by poor planning; grunts; poor evaluation.

            Here is something I am ready to lay down as an axiom:

“You can’t have a good Toastmasters Club with poor evaluation.  Conversely, You can’t have a poor Toastmasters Club if evaluation is good.”

And you can’t have good evaluation without planning and preparation. 

DON’T FORGET THE DATE:  IT’S AUGUST 11 – 14 MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL

Form 1399-VII-b

Source: Photograph of 16^th Toastmasters International Convention August 10 to 14, 1947 Minneapolis Saint Paul Radisson Hotel

Photograph Date: August 14, 1947 Founders Luncheon

Names of individuals from District Seven listed on back of photograph

George Benson Left Table (front)

Blair Alderman 2^nd table (front)

Mr. and Mrs. Dick Crakes back 3^rd table

June and Glen Meek

Carl and Alma Hasenkamp

Irv Saucerman

Photograph Toastmasters International Convention Hotel Radisson Minneapolis, Minnesota August 12, 1947

PERSONAL INTERVIEW

Series 2, No. 1

Santa Ana, California

From    Ralph C. Smedley                                                                   August 22, 1947

Educational Director of                                                                      to Officers of all

Toastmasters International                                                                  Toastmasters Clubs

GREETINGS:

This interview goes out without waiting for the first of the month, because I want to share with you my enthusiasm generated by the Convention.  Many of you were there; I wish that every one of you could have been with us. 

It was a great Convention, and I am more than ever proud of Toastmasters.  Never have I attended any convention of any organization, which surpassed this one in quality of the members, in sincerity of purpose, in attention to business, in capacity for having a good time, and in avoiding headaches.  I am personally proud of the members and of what they accomplished. 

            The September TOASTMASTERS will bring you a detailed report.  It will be a few days late reaching you, but it will be worth waiting for. 

This is a long “Interview.”  I hope you will take time to read it, for it seems to me that every item is important.  I am trying to boil it down.  Do your best toward through it. 

700 X 70

Hand Written Note:  Glen Meek

The 3 men of District 7 helping or 700 X 70 by February 22, 1948 Dick Crakers, Irv Saucerman, and Leonard Lindas. 

Much interest was roused by the display of this cabalistic design.  You may wonder about it yourself.  The explanation was given at the “Founder’s Luncheon,” that delightful event so graciously prepared for me- yes, for me, myself – which was truly high point of the convention for me

Past President Harry Mattison presided, speaking pleasant words about friendship, which my fellow Toastmasters feel for me.  Then he let me make a speech concerning my hopes and ambitions for our movement.  This was one speech I thoroughly enjoyed making.  Harry explained that the committees in charge had wished to make me a present in honor of the occasion.  They had considered a Cadillac Convertible coupe, but car deliveries were uncertain, and to be frank, they did not have the money.  So they had compromised on something better, which I would appreciate still more.  This was the promise to let me present Charter no. 700 on my 70^th birthday, which comes next February 22.  At the moment, our high charter number was 530, so it would take 170 new clubs to make it “700 X 70.”

Now, wasn’t that something to lift the one’s soul!

It was the finest present, anniversary or birthday, that I have ever received, and that “Founder’s Luncheon” was just about the most appreciated thing that ever happened to me.  The privilege of presenting Charter No. 700 on or about February 22 is such a high one that I can’t think just now of any higher peaks of inspiration for me to climb. 

700 X 70

That is a high mark to shoot at.  Can we do it?  I believe we can.  It means the addition of 170 chapters in 6 months, starting today.  That means 28 new clubs each month, or nearly one a day. 

Breaking it down a little, we find that if each of our districts will organize eight new clubs, it can be done.  Or if one-third of our present clubs will have established one new club, that does it.  Viewed in that way, the task does not look impossible. 

We are getting the Home Office keyed up to handle an unprecedented amount of work, anticipating your response.  Ted and I will do our part to see it through. 

I am thrilled with the thought of achievement.  While, I can’t make a definite promise right now, I will go so far to say that if it is within the range of possibility, I will move everything moveable to be present to hand out personally that Charter Number 700 on my 70^th birthday. 

LETS GO TO IT.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS

Within a few days, we hope to send out the preliminary announcements about the new “Progressive Educational Program” for 1947-48.  The Educational Bureau has been at work on it for a long time.  We presented it at the Convention, where the men received it with enthusiasm.  Taking advantage of their suggestions for improvement, we are working it over so as to give it to you.  The Progressive Program promises to meet a long-felt want.  Watch for it. 

            The District Governors, in their training session, agreed that there shall be an Educational Chairman appointed in each District, to be especially responsible for supervision and promotion of better educational methods in the clubs.  He is to be assisted by an Educational Chairman in each Area.  Isn’t that a sweet set-up?  It must produce results.  We are going to be real educators if we keep on. 

And now, one of the important links in this educational chain is the man who works on it locally.  I need the following information. 

            1.         Name and address of each District Educational Chairman

            2.         Name and address of each Area Educational Chairman. 

            3.         Name and address of each Club Educational Chairman.

If you have any reason to doubt that I have this information, please send it to me quickly.  (Of course, I haven’t the details on any of the District and Area men.)

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

            Refer to your Club Constitution and By-Laws if you need to be reminded that officers for the coming six months should be elected in September.  Elect them early in the month, and see that the election is reported to the Home Office as soon as it occurs.  We have a supply of material for the new officers, which will be sent to the new President just as soon as we get his name and address.  SEND IT QUICKLY.  These new officers should be formally installed the first meeting in October.  They have a chance to learn their duties in the meantime – IF YOU LET US KNOW WHO THEY ARE Of course the Area Governor will be after them for training sessions also.  That is the part of his responsibility. 

A few clubs elect officers at irregular times.  Will all such please give attention NOW to bringing their elections to the regular schedule?  We shall never be able to publish a correct directory listing of the clubs until all elect at the same time.  Read about it in the By-Laws.

Revision of the By-Laws at the Convention provides that Educational Chairman of the club may be elected or appointed, but that his term should be for a full year.  Get a good man and keep him at it.

            THE MEETING SCHEDULE

            Several of our clubs have the bad habit of meeting only twice a month, or every other week.  I call it a “bad habit” deliberately, for that is what it is.  One of my goals for this year is to bring every Toastmasters Club to a regular weekly meeting schedule.  I solicit your help.  If you need reasons for this insistence and can’t think of them for yourself, ask me. 

PARLAMENTARY SCRIPTS

            There is no “Stream-Lined” Script enclosed.  I haven’t had time to complete the next one yet.  It will be ready in September.  Many of you have used these.  I hope that more will do so in months to come as we carry on with that “Bingville Improvement Association,” for your practice. 

CONSITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

The Convention adopted without change the proposed revisions and amendments to our International Constitution and By-Laws, copies of which went to every club months ago.  The new printing is being ready very soon.  Meantime, you can refresh your memory by consulting the report, which was sent you by the Committee. 

The action of the Convention in unanimously adopting the amendments was tribute to the good work done by the Committee on By-Laws, a tribute well deserved by the Committee. 

TABLE TOPIC FOR SEPTEMBER

The Saturday Evening Post of August 16^th carried an article headed “License to Kill” which ought to be featured in Table Topic discussion by every Toastmasters Club.  It is a startling revelation of our dangers in traffic.  Ask your T.T. Chairman to use it some evening, first warning the members to read it with care.  You could even use it for a panel discussion.  In either case, it should bring out some warm words.

Form 1399-SC#1-c