WELCOME TO DISTRICT 18 TOASTMASTERS
Serving Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia
Our vision for this new year is to build on all our past successes, working together to fly high above any obstacles that may be in our way on the path to success. Together, we will soar, ensuring that no member is left behind. Let’s foster a supportive community where we uplift and empower one another, offering a helping hand to those who may need it. We will all reach new heights in our personal and professional growth. Together, let’s embrace the spirit of camaraderie and inclusiveness, making this Toastmasters year a truly transformative and fulfilling journey for every member.
On July 1, 2023, we embarked on an incredible journey together as a team of eagles with a vision to soar high above the limits. Today, eight months later, our eagles have taken flight and demonstrated tenacity and determination in reaching their club goals. However, your journey is not yet over; there are still new goals to reach and new heights to conquer. Let’s embrace the next four months with the same determination and tenacity. Spread your wings wider, reach higher, and let us continue to soar toward even greater success. Your dedication, resilience, and collaborative spirit are truly an inspiration, and I am immensely proud of your accomplishments. Here’s to our past achievements, our present successes, and our future triumphs!
“There’s no limit to what you can achieve. Soar on, team!”
~ AnnMarie Givans, 2023-2024 District Director
February 2024
Robert joined TM in February 1996, in D65, which is upstate NY. He was district governor in D65 in 2007/2008. Robert moved to MD in 2009 and currently belongs to SSA TM, 2884, and Carroll County TM,2851 Clubs.
Nancy has been in Toastmasters for over 18 years and is currently a member of High Voltage Speakers. The journey to her third DTM took a detour when her husband passed in March 2023. After a lot of encouragement from her club, she restarted work on her DTM project, Traveling Toastmasters.
Nancy truly believes that achieving a DTM is not a personal victory but one you undertake with your Toastmaster friends, who encourage you, help you with your projects and give you feedback on how well you are achieving your goals. Nancy would be happy to help any other Toastmaster who is working toward their DTM. Because everyone can use a mentor along the way.
Amy’s Toastmasters journey began in 2016 when a friend invited her to a meeting. Before long, she recognized the value in the personal development the organization provided, so she joined. Eventually, Amy noticed others around her achieving awards and realized that DTM was her desired goal. Now, here she is, 7.5 years later!
It was a lot of work – but this award isn’t earned alone. Amy learned and gained so much along the way, the greatest being the relationships, deep-abiding friendships, and kindred spirits that have been formed. So many past and present Toastmasters have encouraged, bolstered, and helped her. She wants to encourage others, too!
Toastmasters provides valuable tools to foster personal growth and develop members into effective speakers and leaders. Fellow Toastmasters, remember, your journey is just that – your own unique experience. Enjoy it!
Andrea’s Toastmasters journey began in July 2017 and culminated in achieving the prestigious title of Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). The investment she made in this experience has undeniably paid off. Through completing every project in the Competent Communicator and Leadership Development workbooks and conquered every Pathways level. She has honed her communication and listening skills.
Serving in various club roles, such as President, Vice President of PR, Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms within her club, has enhanced her leadership abilities significantly. Moreover, Andrea extended her impact by taking on roles at the District level, including Area Director and Club Mentor.
In 2017, Andrea started her journey in Toastmasters. Through this experience, she has transformed into a skilled communicator and leader far beyond her expectations. Into a poised and accomplished individual, all thanks to the invaluable experiences gained through Toastmasters.
Dwayne White has been a member of Toastmasters International since 2017 through the Delmarva Toastmasters Club. In 2020, Toastmaster White became the President of the Delmarva Toastmasters Club. At that time, the Delmarva Toastmasters Club had already been a President’s Distinguished Club for eight consecutive years. During Toastmaster White’s tenure as President of the Delmarva Toastmasters Club, he maintained the consecutive streak to make it nine consecutive years of the Delmarva Toastmasters Club being a President’s Distinguished Club. In addition, the Delmarva Toastmasters Club was named Toastmasters Club of the Year. The very next year, Toastmaster White was appointed to the position of Area 71 Director. During his time as Area 71 Director, Area 71 achieved the distinction of a Select Distinguished Area. Currently, Toastmaster White is serving his second stint as Area 71 Director, with the goal of achieving or surpassing the Area’s prior accomplishment under his leadership.
For Wesley Gibbs, earning a DTM was never a priority until he attended the 2022 International Convention in Nashville, TN. At the time, he was the Club Growth Director (CGD) for our district and distinctly remembers nearly every district leader in attendance had a DTM. He almost felt out of place and pondered if he was doing a disservice to the district for not taking the time to complete the DTM journey. After returning home, he reviewed which outstanding requirements he had left and made it a priority to earn this prestigious award.
Wesley spent the last year completing his second pathway as well as serving as a club sponsor and club mentor for SSD Baltimore Gas & Electric. It took over 6 years since he first joined Toastmasters, but he is grateful to everyone who helped him cross the finish line. A word of encouragement to anyone who aspires to earn their DTM is to create a multi-year plan for yourself. For example, dedicate one year to focus solely on district leadership and another year strictly on volunteering as a club coach or club mentor. Enjoy the journey. The reward is worth it!
“Earned, Not Given”: My DTM Award Journey
According to Daniel Rex, CEO of Toastmasters International, “The DTM Award is given only to those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and communication skills and who have used these skills to help others in their self-development efforts.” Many requirements must be met and it’s been reported that less than 1% of all Toastmasters earn this achievement.
I still remember the day like it was yesterday. I was sitting at my desk at Bank of America and saw the site newsletter that highlighted Toastmasters. I thought, you know what, I am going to attend a meeting. Little did I know that first visit would spark a journey in me that I never knew I needed. At the time, I was employed at the company for 18 years and was considered a leader who was “not afraid” to speak in front of a group. The biggest question at the time: would I be confident and effective when speaking? I can tell you that I would not have been able to say “YES” back then like I can say “YES” now.
I remember one day, I was telling my husband how excited I was for my Toastmasters meeting that day, and my sweet daughter Lilah who was 12 at the time, asked if Toastmasters was where I went to learn to make toast, because I “like make the best toast”. I assured her it was not, but still chuckle every time she asks me for toast, because it reminds me of how excited I was that day for my Toastmasters meeting.
As I started my journey, I had two questions to answer for myself. How far can I go? What is the ultimate end goal? When I learned about the DTM award, I thought, WOW, that’s a lot, but that day I decided that if that’s the highest honor then I want it. After six years, 35+ speeches, two Area Directorships (one-year terms each), 10 club officer terms, sponsoring a New Club, serving as a Club Mentor, and countless meeting roles, today I received my DTM designation.
This has been an incredible journey and learning experience for me, and I can proudly say that I learned a range of skills from communication, training, to servant leadership. Most importantly, I have formed incredible friendships inside the company and in my local community. I am truly grateful to Bank of America, for offering an amazing program to its employees and also encouraging participation! Special shout-out to Take the Lead members (past and present), and my family for all the support throughout the years!
Being a Distinguished Toastmaster was not the reason I joined Toastmasters. It certainly was not on my radar, and not being a person motivated by acronyms, I didn’t think it was something that I would pursue. That was 5 years ago. 3 years ago, I took on a D18 leadership position as Division C Director, but I still was not thinking about working toward my DTM. Then, I started noticing that A LOT of the people I respected the most in Toastmasters had those 3 letters behind their names. I started wondering what exactly a DTM was, what it meant to have earned that award, and whether was it worth my energy to strive for it.
What I learned was that being a DTM showed that the person had served in several leadership roles: including club and district level. Being a DTM signified that the person had completed multiple paths in Pathways (or other educational accomplishments in the past). Being a DTM symbolized that the person had helped a myriad of Toastmasters throughout their journey. Those things struck a chord with me. I wanted to be seen as a member who helps and serves where I can. I wanted people to know that the core values of Toastmasters are important to me. So, I set my goal to become a DTM.
Now that I have achieved my Distinguished Toastmasters Award, I hope that my actions and service encourage others to seek out those 3 simple letters: DTM.