CONCORDIA:--- For the first time on St. Maarten, two Area Governors (AGs) have been installed to lead the total of six Toastmasters Clubs in Division E of District 81. Advanced Communicator Gold (ACG) and Competent Leader (CL) Sinatra Rouse is now at the helm of Area 23, with responsibility for The Disciples, Philipsburg, and Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Clubs; while Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB) and CL Malclom Jacques will guide Achievers, Saint-Martin Evolution, and the newly-formed Anguilla Toastmasters Clubs as part of Area 24.
Prior to this division, the five clubs on St. Martin fell under Area 26 with ACG, Advanced Leader Silver (ALS) Leona Romeo-Marlin as Area Governor, but due to the addition of the Anguilla Club, the need arose for two Area Governors.
The installation of the two AGs, as well as the club officers of Areas 23 and 24 took place last Saturday night at Opale, Maison des Enterprises (Chamber of Commerce) in Concordia. Amid the pomp and ceremony, MC Joy Arnell, ACB, CL guided the elaborate programme of awards and speeches, before bringing the curtains down with dancing.
Three clubs – The Disciples, Philipsburg, and Soualiga Corporate – received the highest recognition of President's Distinguished Awards; while Saint-Martin Evolution copped the honour of Distinguished Club.
According to Toastmasters International, the Distinguished Club Programme, which is an annual programme, running from July 1 through June 30, consists of 10 goals each club should strive to achieve. At year-end, the number of goals the club achieved is calculated. Based on this and the number of members it has, the club may be recognized as a Distinguished, Select Distinguished, or President's Distinguished Club.
Outgoing AG Romeo-Marlin echoed the sentiments of immediate past District Governor, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Rolande Tobias that the clubs in Areas 23 and 24 must see themselves as completing each other, instead of competing against each other.
AG Jacques, in his very succinct address, said it is his goal to make sure that every member reaches his/her highest potential. He stressed the need for membership retention. AG Rouse, who outlined her goals for the 2013-14 Toastmaster year, told the audience that service to others is what makes a person learn to communicate, and through Toastmasters, one's character is shaped even more.
"The goals for Area 23 are to follow primarily the leadership and communication track of Toastmasters International, to embrace Area Speech competitions, reestablish the Youth Leadership program for the youth, and host educational sessions, such as debates, and a social to recruit more members...and to extend our network system, while giving each other honest opinions through evaluations," said AG Rouse, while pledging to achieve at least Distinguish Area come June next year.
"Every toastmaster session enhances skills...Just as the rain nurtures the soil that produces specific fruits in a timely fashion, Toastmasters can nurture you in a SMART way - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and with Timely goals...I dare to add to the list of advantages that your Toastmaster experience is Mastering, Incredible, New, and Timely heights – MINT goals."
The new presidents of the various clubs include ACB, CL Ingrid Holoman (The Disciples); Competent Communicator (CC) Arliene Chittick (Achievers); ACB, CL Georges Richardson (Philipsburg); Toastmaster Danae Daal (Soualiga Corporate); and Vernicia Brooks, CC (Saint Martin Evolution).
Toastmasters meetings continue during the month of July and interested persons are encouraged to visit and join. Philipsburg Toastmasters Club meets every first, third and fifth Thursday at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library from 7:15pm. The Disciples Toastmasters Club meets every second and fourth Sunday at St. Maarten Academy's academic campus from 4:45pm. Souliga Corporate Toastmasters Club meets every second and fourth Wednesday at the Government Administration Building from 5:00pm. Saint Martin Evolution Club meets every first and third Tuesday in Marigot from 7:15 pm. Achievers Toastmasters Club meets every second and fourth Thursday at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library from 7:00pm. While Anguilla Toastmasters Club meets every first and third Saturday at La Vue Hotel from 7:00pm.
