District Council Members*, Vote on April 30, 2023 for your next District Leaders
Appointed roles will be announced at the District Council meeting after the election of the following nominees by the incoming District Director. These roles include: Area Directors, Finance Manager, Administration Manager and Public Relations Manager. Excerpt from the Governing Documents & District Administrative Bylaws are found below.
ASTRID TEUNISSEN-BLOCH – NOMINEE DISTRICT 59 DIRECTOR
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
At the moment I am serving as PQD. Working on plans to improve the experience of the whole District is what I really enjoy and want to continue in the area of quality, club growth and leadership. I am not finished yet.
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
Stimulating and guiding members to achieve their full potential as member, speaker, leader and human. Working together towards growth on each level and in each role. The start is that point where the member is right now. Creating growth and personal developing within every Toastmasters experience is what I really enjoy and want to do.
ILONA RUITENBERG – NOMINEE DISTRICT 59 PROGRAM QUALITY DIRECTOR
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
First and most of all is that I gained so much through Toastmasters that I want to give something back. Secondly I think that I believe in learning from each other. I see so many clubs still struggling, while others are flourishing. I see the district as something that can encourage others to look further than just their club. Thirdly I like to challenge myself and learn new things along the way.
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
If you look at the district mission: we build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence than I think first that we never should loose side of the building and growing aspect of our task. I worked a lot in the district to look at building and growing in a different way so that people can get enthusiastic again about it. The second part is about achieving excellence. I want to continue working with exchanging education and information so that club officers know what to do how to build a quality club and let their members have the progress they want. I believe in basics by the way. So a solid guest to member journey, a proper start in pathways and a decent administration in the club.
GILLES BACQUET – NOMINEE FOR CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
- Interest to act directly at District Trio member
- Want to discover more fellow toastmasters with their background diversity (region 10 & TMI)
- Want to see what is happening at district board to see connect between district & central TMI
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
- Animate the RISE + Diversity TMI mantra in our district
- Support weak area (e.g. mine F1) to regain strength by securing current clubs or creating new one(s)
- Increase number of corporate clubs within the district to emulate them
- Spread & share district goals & achievement to each individual members
PHILIPPE-MINH NGUYEN – NOMINEE FOR DIVISION A DIRECTOR
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
- To support Area Directors & clubs sharing my experience, connections & enthusiasm!
- To inspire Club, Area officers and regular members to become leaders themselves
- To bring further awareness to TMI through my experience as Toastmasters Poitiers club mentor
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
- Improve awareness of District resources & events to attract potential future leaders:
- advertise events and benefits regularly via email, social media & attending meetings
- reinstate “Speaker’s Corner” monthly event to foster cross-club network and learn
- scout and empower promising new members, by offering them roles & rewards
JACK GILBEY – NOMINEE FOR DIVISION B DIRECTOR
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
As with the example I gave in motivating my credentials team, I am at the point where I feel I can excel in motivating others to – in turn – motivate others further.
I feel that I can inspire even experienced members to grow further, and that I can inspire them to further optimise performance.
Inspired by how a club coach – a friend of mine – managed to get a club that had only one member grow into a club with 20 members and get distinguished status, I took on the challenge of reviving a club in similar difficulties. Not only is the club on track to be soon reinstated, but I inspired a member of an existing club to further push himself in another leadership role.
I’ve given a lot of service to my own club; I think it is time that I allow others to grow in club officer positions I have occupied, and as Division Director I could develop my skills in coaching, empowering club presidents to help develop the talent in their own teams (their club executive committees).
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
I see the general mission of a District as twofold: ensuring that the clubs under its supervision are training their members so that the men and women of these clubs surpass themselves in their communication and leadership goals, and at the same time growing the District in terms of member numbers and club numbers so that more individuals can benefit from the Toastmasters experience. With regard to my District as it today, I see it as rebuilding the sense of community that got fractured from the periods of lockdowns and social distancing we have recently experienced, with the major consequences that has had not only on the way we structure our time and our lives but also on the way we communicate – which connects with the other District objective of keeping Toastmasters relevant when more and more communication is done remotely, and when professional and personal lives have been so disrupted.
I would work to achieve them by first meeting with Area Directors under my supervision. Having learned as Club Coach the importance of observing first without making any recommendations, I would share this with Area Directors and – once they are established as trusted figures in the clubs under my supervision – then guide them, listening to their needs, but also showing them the value of adherence to established good practice evidenced by Toastmasters International.
GERBEN BROENS, DTM – NOMINEE FOR DIVISION C DIRECTOR
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
- Further develop my leadership skills
- Supporting other leaders (e.g., Area Directors, Club Officers) in their development
- Leading a team to a great outcome as a Division
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
For the District, the most important stakeholders are the members and officers of the various clubs. My leading principals that they get the support they deserve. The Toastmasters’ values service and excellence are of the highest priority. I will try to be visible to the different clubs/members as much as possible and also encourage other leaders (Area Directors) to be so. If there are any questions, I will do my best to answer or get them answered. I will also do my best to bring clubs together throughout the year. Both at COTs, Area and Division conferences and at interclub/social events.
CHRISTINA LE DUC – NOMINEE FOR DIVISION D DIRECTOR
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
First, I would be honoured for your trust and being able to work with dedicated, resourceful, positive, visionnary Toastmasters leaders. I also aim to support my future Area Directors and be the connection between the District Leaders, requests and my team of AD. In addition, this position is also a means for me to keep learning and develop myself and being useful.
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
In my opinion, the mission of the District is to maintain the District’s clubs in good standing and developping new clubs, making sure that communication between Toastmasters International and the Districts club is fluid, helping Division Directors, Area Directors, Clubs in their own missions by advising, supporting them throughout the year and ultimately leading every one to excell in their mission through official recognitions but also and importantly going beyond their own comfort zone.
DIMITRI BINIARIS – NOMINEE FOR DIVISION E DIRECTOR
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
For myself I enjoy the toastmasters journey and think it is good for my social and communication skills to continue the district officer journey for another year. Furthermore, I think it is good that a toastmaster who knows the clubs in the division steps up to become a division director.
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
The District should serve the clubs and club members. This can be accomplished by finding out the needs of the clubs and club members and give support.
STÉPHANIE TAMAS – NOMINEE FOR DIVISION F DIRECTOR
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
I want to promote TMI method because since 2019, I have saw so many transformation from stressed and anxious people into good public speakers. TMI is a fabulous way to share your knowledge of public speaking, but also to improve your managerial skills (team management, project management, delegation management) within a friendly community.
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
As part of club development, I plan to recontact with the help of the area directors all the people who were in clubs that closed because of the Covid, and motivate others to create new clubs in cities where there are none yet.
the district can provide a lot of support to the clubs in terms of knowledge, and I want to be the link that allows the sectors to develop thanks to my experience in leadership and event management during my two years as Area Director
LEON VAN DER PLOEG – NOMINEE FOR DIVISION G DIRECTOR
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
- Personal development,
- Promoting the valuable contribution that Toastmasters offers.
- Gain experience in larger organizations.
- Develop further leadership
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
De spil tussen het district en de area director. Ondersteuning van de Area Director. Door regelmatige contacten met het districts bestuur en het organiseren van divisie bijeenkomsten. gesprekken met Area Directors. Organiseren van evenementen, Opstellen van plannen en rapportages.
The pivot between the district and the area director. Support of the Area Director. Through regular contacts with the district board and organizing divisional meetings. conversations with Area Directors. Organizing events, Drafting plans and reports.
*DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBERS 2022-2023: Club President, Club Vice President Education, District Director, Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, Immediate Past District Director, Division Directors, Area Directors, D59 Finance Manager, D59 Administration Manager, D59 Public Relations Manager.
