There is still time for more Smedley winners and opportunities for your Area Governor to Toast your club. Toastmasters International's Smedley membership contest runs through September.  Find out more about it online at: www.toastmasters.org/1620.aspx  Find out more about District 22's Host-a-Toast contest at www.toastmasters22.org or contact your Area Governor.

Money Talks Club in Wichita signed up 7 new members, growing it to 20 members.  It is  the first club in Area A1 to add 5 members and win the Smedley Award, also making it a Host-a-Toast winner.  See the article by their Area Governor Steve Gridley about his visit to toast the club's achievement.

Top Box Toasters is a Host-a-Toast winner for Area L6 Governor Jeff Sullivan.  Six new members joined bringing the club's total members to an incredible 33.

Cerner Innovative Toastmasters is a Host-a-Toast winner for Area L4 Governor Marilyn Schwartz.  Its five new members grew the club past charter strength to 24 members.  Marilyn says that the club's VP of Membership, Faviola Hart, and her membership committee follow up with new and returning guests and sent them a weekly invitation to the meeting.  Fabiola personally greets guests at club meetings, making them feel welcome and giving them a membership application.  These were tips that she picked up at Club Officers Training this summer.

Beechmasters Club is a second Smedley winner for Area A1 Governor Steve Gridley.  The club's success is a testament to the hard work of club members, such as Teresa Wallace, who led the way for the clubs revival by recruiting management support and implementing a successful company wide promotion and demonstration meeting.

I have reached speech number 7 in the Competent Communicator book, and have done several "table topic" speeches. Once, I even entered a speech contest!  I still get butterflies, but now they fly in formation.

This is the first installment of a monthly feature that will highlight a District 22 Toastmaster, who has benefited in everyday life from being a Toastmaster.  It may be something as simple as enjoying coworkers more by listening more effectively to them, or something as special as having a life changing event.

The very first Shining Star is - drum roll please.  The Area A1 Governor, Steve Gridley.

Steve and District Governor Mike Tuttle were having a conversation Thursday night September 13^th when Steve mentioned that he had interviewed for a management position at his job recently and had accepted the offer Wednesday. Steve was quick to give credit to Toastmasters for giving him the speaking abilities to make him successful in his interview. Congratulations Steve!!!!

Mike would like to make this a monthly feature.  To nominate (self nominations are allowed) a Toastmaster, simply inform your Area Governor and they will pass it along to the District trio for review and selection of each months winner. Nomination deadline is the 5^th of each month for inclusion in that month's Gavel. The District trio can't wait to see October's nominees, so talk with your fellow Toastmasters and learn how it has helped them in their everyday lives and then nominate them to be a Shining Star.