4th Dimension Toastmasters

Maxicon is held every year around June. This year was no exception except it was held in Port Elizabeth famed for being the “Friendly City”.

PE is definitely friendly but it is also a tad on the windy side. Nonetheless with a jacket in hand the 4^th Dimensioners trawled through PE with ease.

The one great thing about going to a conference faraway is that we get to spend more time getting to know our fellow toastmasters. Kirsten Long, Graham Nicholls, Matt Hindley, Richard Riche and myself were holding the 4^th Dimension flag high. Well we would have held it high except I had forgotten to bring it along!

Anyway back to the conference! The conference was well run and the food was very good. We had Matt Hindley representing us in the International Speaking Contest but unfortunately Coralie Rutherford, our Impromptu guru was unable to attend. Matt was a first timer at a Toastmasters conference and what a way to get into it when you are one of the contestants!

We also had Graham Nicholls our IPP voted as the “Area Governor of the year” for H4 and we roared with pride. Well Richard did cat calls but the rest of us roared… We are also very proud that the new Division C Governor – Erich Viedge and Division H Governor – Graham Nicholls are both members from 4th Dimension!

The Keynote Speakers at the conference were Dorian Haarhoff who showed us the power of stories. By using a story we give the audience the ability to take what the need from each story instead of forcing a message through. Robert Brooks took us on a journey through pictures. Most of them were from PE but also showed just want a beautiful country we have.

There were 3 workshops run where we had to pick one. Kirsten and I decided that being a bit over 21 that we should look into my retirement so went to Paul Leonards talk “Investing your treasure wisely”. It was so powerful that I bought the CD. Kirsten didn’t need to as she won the competition the lucky thing! Basically he showed ways to decrease your debt and how to invest your money in such a way that you get greater returns. Unfortunately this means that shoe shopping is out of the question…

I was informed by fellow toastmaster Matt Hindley, that Alan Glovers “A True Champion” was inspiring and showed techniques on how to achieve what you want.

Unfortunately I cannot comment on Mike Webb “Seeking your treasure” but based on the calibre of speakers, I am sure that he wowed the audience as the other two did.

The outcomes from Treasurecon are listed below:

Hall of Fame Awards

Toastmaster of the Year – Adrian Spruyt

Division Governor of the Year - Ruth Goodbrand, Division H

Area Governor of the Year – Graham Nicholls – H4

ICSA Administrators Award – Carol-Ann Louw

Golden Goose Award – Kwazulu Natal Youth Leadership Team

Public Relations Event of the Year – Bankon 2007 Conference Team

Public Relations Quality Award – Division D – Toastmasters Day

Club VP PRO of the Year – Jacques de Villiers

Club Bulletin of the Year – The Tattler – Standard Bank Operations Club (Editor: Phindiwe Ngele)

Club Website of the Year – Ernst & Young Cape Town www.toastmasters.co.za (Lloyd Dicks)

Triple Crown Award (three or more communication or leadership goals)

Vic Brits, President Club

Lois Strachan, Cape Town Club

Elaine Swanepoel – Umhlanga Club

Linda Tucker Winelands Club

Martin van Zyl – Pretoria East Club

International Speaking Contest

Will Bowker – Division A

Iann Bratt – Division B

Roberta Donovan – Division C (2^nd)

Christof Appel – Division D (1^st)

Nicholas Mitchell – Division E

Elaine Swanepoel – Division F (3^rd)

Matt Hindley – Division H

Impromptu Competition (Word = Back)

Will Bowker – Division A (3^rd)

Ian Bratt – Division B

Roberta Donovan – Division C (2^nd)

Andrew Freeborn – Division D(1^st)

Nicholas Mitchell – E

Graham de Kock – Division F

Beverley Kluckow – Division H

Evaluation Competition

Evaluation Speaker Antoinette Baatjes – Can You Appreciate Real Art?

Jan Hendrik Grobbelar – Division A

Ian Bratt – Division B

Kathy Angus – Division C (2^nd)

Hugh Solomon – Division D

Nicholas Mitchell – E (1^st)

Graham de Kock – Division F (3^rd)

Keith Bowen – Division H

Election of District Officers 2008/09

District Governor Elect – Lois Strachan

Lt. Governor Education & Training – Craig Strachan

Lit. Governor Marketing – Rob Douglas

District Public Relations Officer – Ruth Goodbrand

District Treasurer – Keith Bowen

District Secretary – Marie Ribeiro

Division A Governor – Vic Brits

Division B Governor – To be appointed

Division C Governor – Erich Viedge

Division D Governor – Jurgen Pieterse

Division E Governor – Michael Warren

Division F Governor – Craig Perry

Division H Governor – Graham Nicholls

Well done to Division E for hosting Maxicon from the 15^th – 17^th May 2008. We enjoyed it thoroughly and Division C have a hard act to follow!

Kind regards,

Carla

4^th Dimension President