The 2007/2008 International President’s theme for this Toastmasters year is

“Toastmasters: Shaping Ourselves… Shaping Our World!”

My challenge to every member, every club, every area and every division, is to “Reach Beyond” to shape ourselves and shape our world.

“Be bold with your dreams.  Nurture your dreams that inspire you to go beyond your limits.” Author unknown.

We must “Reach Beyond”

• Our limitations and achieve our goals
• Our insecurities to help others achieve their goals
• Our boundaries to shape ourselves and shape our world, our businesses, our communities.

“Welcome the task that makes you go beyond yourself” Frank McGee

We must “Reach Beyond”

• To grow our district
• To grow our membership
• To achieve more Competent Communicators, Advanced Communicators, Competent Leaders and Advanced Leaders
• To embrace the club spectrum as a management tool
• To have all Clubs Distinguished
• To have all Areas Distinguished
• To have all Divisions Distinguished

Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” Will Rogers

Two years ago, as Lt. Governor Marketing, my theme was “Megastar Members”.  I still believe that our focus must always be on our members.  We keep our members happy through:

• Exciting club meetings
• Meeting their needs (and not just our own)
• Quality evaluations
• Giving opportunities to grow and serve
• Recognising progress
• Encouragement

We grow our clubs by:

• Keeping our members happy
• Presenting quality educational sessions
• Having every meeting a showcase meeting
• Inviting guests to every meeting

It is time to “Reach Beyond” our wildest dreams, our wildest imaginations and go that little bit further than we have gone before.  Whether it is stretching ourselves to present a speech, that scares us, or stretching ourselves to present our first evaluation, or perhaps it is a leadership role that is stretching you this year, but whatever it is Reach just a little further Beyond where you have gone before.

Karin Cremer, DTM
District Governor 2007-08
Toastmasters International District 74