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Dear Convention Ambassadors,  

Thank you for joining our convention ambassadors program. Today I'd like to begin my presentation by sharing with you an article “TI, PR & U” Written by Cindy Podurgal Chambers, DTM, for the Toastmaster magazine, August 1998, Page 6 ~ 7. 

In the first paragraph of her article, she mentioned “He who has a thing to sell, and goes and whispers in a well, is not so apt to get the dollars as he who climbs a tree and hollers. Likewise, he who has a club to share, and doesn't spread the news anymore, may find himself, by spring or fall, without a club to share at all. 

Then what is PR all about? “Spreading the news” is it. As the District Convention Ambassadors, let us learn from her how to spread the news. Firstly, Talk Toastmasters, Make it a goal to tell one person each day. It may be as simple as saying, “I bet you'd like District Convention as much as I do.” Practice the better listeners, speakers, and thinker skills outside your club in the same time. Secondly. Show Your Pride, 1. Wear a Toastmasters pin or special recognition pins. Make it a point to add the Toastmasters touch to everything you wear, from ties, watches, to T-shirts. 2. Toastmasters coffee mugs are perfect promotional tools. Thirdly, Put It in Writing, If your computer has a published program with a flier template, be sure to add tear-offs for phone numbers -- they’re an easy, effective way to get people to take the number home with them. You may want to rip one of the tags off before you post it at the community library, or other meeting place. Experience has taught us that nobody wants to be the first to do it. Above are the convention ambassador 1-2-3, as easy as a piece of cake, right? 

Following I would like to share with you another article “Plug with Passion, don't sell an event, sell its significance” in the same magazine, written by Melanine “Mimi” T. Lim, DTM. Toastmaster Lim was the Publicity Chair for District 75's (Philippines) 17^th annual District Convention. She learned that if you plug with passion, people will respond with unparalleled enthusiasm. Mimi was also with us in Taipei for Spring Convention 2002 as the sole delegate from District 75. 

She advised ten steps to promote that convention. They are envision the event, dare to be different, embrace energy and excitement, market the memories, find the facts, seduce the senses, maintain the momentum, push for the personal touch, deliver the delights, and build bridges. Likewise, we as the convention ambassadors, can be proud of us, because this fall convention is the first full-feldged District 67 Fall convention with special celebration program, and district 67 takes initiatives to launch the first convention ambassadors program ever. Let us think about something romantic about the meeting venue--Providence University. We can show up at gatherings to personally invite people to the district convention. When the day of the convention arrives, we can deliver the fun, the learning, the friendship, the passion, the excitement we promised. Even though sometimes people can't make it even if they want to. Don't force the issue—we'll want them to attend the next district convention. 

The last but not least article I would like to share with you is from the internet. I found it unique and interesting to market the toastmasters. It is called “the Supermarketing Toastmasters” written by By Johnny "Pawe" T. Uy, DTM, 1997-1998 District 75 Governor (President's Distinguished District, # 1 in the World). When he was elected as Lt. Governor Marketing of District 75, he joked a lot about "never having gone to market." But being in the retailing business, he is at a supermarket everyday. So, he thought, instead of marketing Toastmasters, how about Super-Marketing Toastmasters? 

The name of the game in the Supermarket business is to attract new customers and get the old ones to keep coming back. If this cannot be accomplished, the business is going to go down the tube. Similarly, all Toastmasters Clubs must continually attract new members and keep the old ones from quitting, or else, the Club will "die." Compare the Toastmasters Club or the Toastmasters Membership experience to shopping in a supermarket. Every time you go shopping at a supermarket, note the following... 

We will be discussing his article in details how we can attract more members and guests to our district convention, and how we can make our convention more enjoyable and memorable so that the members and guests will keep participating in our district conventions in the future. And of course the convention ambassadors will be happy to stay and serve again  

Finally I will conclude my presentation with a story of Odysseus, how he sailed past the island of Siren with getting lured by the lovely maidens with their beautiful singings, and how he reached with the help of Ino to the land of Phaeacians.