As Toastmasters our official motto is “Where Leaders are Made”.
In this period of rapidly evolving responses to the COVID-19 update, we have the opportunity to be made into even more effective leaders as we continue our journey with Toastmasters.

Recently the Toastmasters International Board of Directors issued a statement on having in person meetings in response to COVID-19. You can read the whole document at this link: https://www.toastmasters.org/-/media/8beca6ab35744d23ae2dfc64c0219f9d.ashx

What is most important for you in this contest and event season is to focus on the following decisions:

”Area, Division, or District events can no longer be conducted in person, on or prior to June 1, 2020. As an alternative, we encourage Areas, Divisions, and Districts to host events online to help clubs and members through this difficult time.
…
Each District Executive Committee is authorized to determine whether they will continue to conduct or cancel Speech Contests for the 2019–2020 contest cycle. Each District is responsible for notifying World Headquarters of their decision.”

This means we will have no events, contests, business meetings, or conferences on or prior to June 1st, 2020.

However, I’m pleased to let you all know that our District Executive Committee has met this evening to vote on these matters, and we have decided upon the following:

1) We will continue with our International Speech Contest event in an online format, both at the Division level and at the District Level. All Division contests not yet conducted will be online, following the mandate of Toastmasters International.

2) The District International Speech contest will likewise be online, with the hopes of sending a contestant to the World Championship of Public Speaking in Paris, which is not planned to be online.

3) In an effort to simplify our transition to online contests, we will not move forward with further Table Topics Contests at the Division or District level.

4) Our Spring Business Meeting will in conjunction with the District Contest, more info on that to come.

5) For Division Contests and International Speech Contestants, the District will be holding informational sessions and mock online contests to facilitate this transition. Please check www.d5tm.org and the calendar for details that will be posted this weekend. We will be here for you to answer any questions and concerns you may have. We always appreciate hearing from you, and thank you for your service!

We also want to thank all of you for your understanding during this time of change. I am confident that despite some real challenges, we will rise up from this as even better leaders and communicators.

Best,

Jonathan Deane, DTM
Program Quality Director
District 5, Toastmasters International