As the 2011-2012 Lieutenant Governor Marketing, I would like to welcome everyone in District 16 to the new-year. If you are not a Toastmaster, I would tell you that Toastmasters will change your life, as it has for so many others.

As District 16 LGM, I have the responsibility for all aspects of marketing, club-building, and member and club retention efforts within the district. This includes defining an overall marketing strategy for the district, developing outreach and retention efforts with existing community and corporate clubs, and penetrating new markets. Additionally, I will support challenged clubs and help them to become distinguished clubs.

We are the Oklahoma Team, District 16 Toastmasters. We are a team that loves to talk about Toastmasters. I want us to be a distinguished district. I need your help and together we can get this done!

Some suggestions I have are:

• Welcome every visitor with a smile.
• Have someone designated in your club to greet every visitor.
• Wear your Toastmasters pin everywhere you go.
• Invite your friends to club meetings and contests.
• Talk to your church leaders and members about Toastmasters.
• Talk to your your supervisor and civic leaders.
• Visit the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club and Rotary."
• Broaden your speaking skills. Join the Speakers Bureau.
• Help a struggling club by joining the club.
• Visit other clubs. You may pickup some ideas to take to your club.
• Volunteer to fill a vacancy. Become a District assistant. Run for office.
• Join the District 16 Facebook group. Share your experiences with others.
• Write an article in the local paper about how Toastmasters has helped you in your personal life.

Dylan said, "Grandpa, do you have a tall ladder?"

I said, "No. Why do you need a tall ladder?"

He said, "To climb up there and get those stars down."

Think about it Toastmasters. If a four-year-old boy can imagine himself climbing a tall ladder to the heavens to get those stars down, why can't we as adults climb up there and get it done.

Our goal is to reach every business in Oklahoma, every community, every household. We want to build new Clubs. We want to strengthen challenged clubs. The Toastmasters experience does not end with a competent communicator or DTM. It is just beginning.

We are the Oklahoma District 16 Toastmasters Team. As Lt Governor Marketing, I challenge District 16 to "Shoot for the Stars!"

Benjamin Cox, DTM
Lt Gov. Marketing