Greetings from Australia.  Bea and I have just returned home from five weeks travelling to five District conferences (Taiwan, New Zealand and the three Districts in Australia).  Late last year we had the opportunity to visit the Gulf Territorial Council (Middle East), District 42 in Canada, and five Districts in the USA.  Visiting the Districts and seeing first hand the outstanding leaders in our Districts has been inspiring.  Toastmasters is changing the world.

 You have been and are making an enormous difference to the members in your District.  You and your team have been bringing out the best in the members in your District.  More members than ever before have been registering their CTMs, ATMs, CLs, ALs and DTMs.  A record number of new members have joined Toastmasters.  The number of suspended clubs is down, and the number of new clubs is up.  All this means that more people than ever before are benefiting from the Toastmasters communication and leadership program.

 You have played a major role in this achievement.  This does not just happen, people like you make it happen.  Distinguished Clubs, Areas, Divisions and Districts mean highly successful Clubs, Areas, Divisions and Districts.  Distinguished means that members are achieving their communication and leadership goals, that our program is being delivered, and that we are bringing out the best in people.

 In Atlanta in 1991 Bea and I had the opportunity to sit at the top table at the Golden Gavel lunch.  I was fortunate to be the Governor of a President's Distinguished District, and was honoured to accept the award on behalf of our District.  In August this year in Atlanta I will have the opportunity as International President to recognise the Governors of our Distinguished Districts.  It would give me a great deal of pleasure to recognise you at the top table as the Governor of a Distinguished District.

 Every member matters, every educational accomplishment makes a difference to that person, and every new club means that even more people will be able to benefit for the rest of their lives from Toastmasters' communication and leadership program.  Immediate Past International President Alfred Herzing describes June as the Month of Miracles.  You and your team have the chance to really make a difference and finish the year on a Distinguished note.

 On Tuesday morning Bea and I fly out to two Region 6 and 3 conferences.  If we don't see you at a Regional conference, then we look forward to seeing you at the International Convention in Atlanta.

 Thank you for all you have, are, and will be doing for Toastmasters.  Your dedication and commitment really makes a difference to people.  Its because of leaders like you that the Toastmasters program brings out the best in people.

 Best regards,
Gavin

 Gavin Blakey, DTM
International President
Toastmasters International
011 61 7 3366 5338  Home
gavinbea@bigpond.net.au
www.toastmasters.org
"Toastmasters: Bringing out the best in people"