I sure missed a great Fall Symposium last weekend, but I was busy enjoying myself at my Alma mater. Once the rain cleared, it became a nice day albeit somewhat cool. But this is October after all.
From what I heard, the 2021 Fall Symposium was a huge success. Both keynote speakers did a great job and awards were handed out to some prestigious members of the District.
I was at the Homecoming festivities at Slippery Rock University on Saturday when I got word of the award winners via email 📧. I posted it on my Facebook while eating lunch with the alumni 👩🎓.
Congratulations 🎉 to the award winners. Pittsburgh Club takes the win in Division Awesome (I need to check that club out); Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters in Division Brilliant (congrats once again; they’ve adopted me as a member just like Paula and the girls have adopted me into their family; I think CHN has made Presidents Distinguished every year), PENN HILLS TOASTMASTERS CLUB in Division Confounding once again (the famous From Extingushed to Distinguished club from a year ago) and H.E.L.P.S on Smithfield in Division Dynamic (I believe that might be Dana Mitnik’s other club he belongs to).
As for individual awards, I want to give a huge shoutout to Nick Cecchetti for winning Area Director of the Year. He helped lead Area 24 to success with Presidents’ Distinguished clubs as well as his work helping launch the Laurel Highlands Toastmasters club. Marci Antion wins Division Director of the year. Her home club (South Hills) and Pittsburgh both achieved Presidents Distinguished honors in 2020-21 Michelle Teague won the Spirit of Toastmasters along with Dr. Elizabeth Carter. Both women are enthusiastic and deserve the award. I did Greensburg proud with that one last year. Now she gets to represent our home club with the Spirit of Toastmasters award. We can do it again next fall!
I would love to share what Michelle posted after her Spirit of Toastmasters award win. This includes the note written by our past District Director for 2020-2021, Patti Thor, DTM.
Warning – long post.
Wow! Just, wow!
Yesterday was a typical mid-October Saturday. Tons of events, only so much time in the day, and I was booked for two speaking events, one in the morning, one in the afternoon. One of the events I could not attend was the District 13 Toastmasters Fall Symposium.
It was a long and busy day. Imagine my surprise when my husband Jim handed me a box and told me it had arrived earlier in the day. Inside of it were two items: a card and a box. Here’s what the card said:
“Dear Michelle,
Congratulations for being selected to receive the Spirit of Toastmasters Award! It is a distinct honor for any member to receive. You were nominated for this role by many on the district leadership team.
You were an amazing help to me every week as we navigated not only the district leadership duties but all of that during a global pandemic. Your keen insight and quick wit provided much needed relief from the tension of 2020 and helped inspire forming the Jest Speaking club.
You were always willing to step in as Toastmaster of the Day or timer, whatever was needed in the moment. You’re an inspiration to every member with whom you work.
I can say that 2020-2021 was a more spirit-filled Toastmasters year in District 13 because of Michelle Teague, Administration Manager.
Thank you and congratulations again,
Patti Thor, DTM, PDD
2020-2021 District 13 Director”
Inside the box was a beautiful plaque with the following engraved on it:
“Spirit of Toastmasters Award
Michelle Teague, PM, MS
2020 – 2021
In honor of your support of
District 13 members & leaders
with your selfless service,
joyous team spirit and
inspirational leadership.”
Thank you to Patti Thor and the D13 leadership team for this honor. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have served with all of you. I truly appreciate being honored with this award. It means so much to me.
And thank you to my Greensburg Toastmasters club for all of their support last year. I could not have been nearly as successful without them.
Lastly, Fred Vornbrock congrats on Toastmaster of the Year. I think both Fred and Nick deserve a round of applause for their work in leading their areas to Presidents Distinguished. Fred stepped in mid season and did a bang up job as Area Director. He also serves as Corporate Liaison for the District and he and his wife Mary Ellen served as club mentors for the new Laurel Highlands Toastmasters.
Last night we presented Michelle with her Spirit of Toastmasters award and she gave an awards speech and read the card from Patti. We all congratulated her and then proceeded to have a great meeting.
Stylish 🍒 