TM District 31 Newsletter

Table of Contents

Side Bar:
Table of Contents

Charlie Keene
Remembered

A Note About
Bettye Lewis-Underhill, District 31 Governor, 1982-83

Page 1:
Dis. Gov. Message
Lt G E T Message

Page 2:
Lt Gov. of Marketing Message
Public Relations Officer Message
District Officers' Names & Contact Info

Page 3
Various Special District 31 Programs
Advanced Clubs

Page 4:
Toastmasters International and
District 31 Contests and Awards

Page 5:
District 31 Fall Conference

Page 6:
District 31 Fall Conference
Morning Keynote,
C & L Award Winner, and
Location Directions

Page 7:
Conference Registration,
and Club Proxy
for the District Council Meeting

Page 8:
District 31 Webmaster Assistants Needed,
District Store Clerk Needed,
Conference Volunteers Needed,
District Directory Revisions Request,
Rumney Marsh Toastmaster Club Founder Frank Zarba Performs in Naples, Italy, and
State Street Bank Toastmasters Clubs

Charles V. Keane
Remembered

Distinguished Toastmaster and Past Distinguished District Governor Charles V. Keane, one of D31's beloved members has died. Charlie lived a full, happy and very productive life. He took on tough challenges. In 2002, at 95, he accepted the leadership role as Lt Governor of Education, assisted by District Governor, Paul Fischer and many other supportive Toastmasters. The following year, as District Governor in 2003-2004, he surrounded himself with hardworking, generous, dedicated people like Chris Lowe and Tom Weber and achieved distinguished district. I'm proud to say, as District Treasurer, I was part of his team.

As many of you know, Toastmasters is a great place to meet new people and make friends. But few friends have touched my life and my heart like Charlie. My heart is full of special moments with Charlie and I'd like to share a few with you.

Charlie loved adventure and travel. Up, up and away in a hot air balloon to celebrate his 99th birthday, wearing a blue slicker while braving the pounding water of Niagara Falls on the "Maid of the Mist", riding the carousel in Disneyland or parasailing over Cape Cod for his 100th celebration, he was always ready, willing and able!

I like to think that it was his very positive outlook on life and good nature that gave Charlie such a long, productive life. Of course, it may have been the "Jameson"... While at the International Conventions, Marcel, my husband, and I would stop at Charlie's room, an hour or so early before dinner, for a bit of socializing and a drink. A "session" of Jameson Whiskey on ice. Before 911, he brought his own bottle on the plane... but that's another story. We would exchange pleasantries and talk about life, love and work. As you may know, Charlie was a Cost Engineer. He got his opportunity to enter the engineering field during the WPA of the Great Depression. Charlie briefly, if ever, spoke of the hardships of the Great Depression, instead, he focused on his good fortune to find a great career. No talk of bread lines, unemployment... instead opportunity and his passion for his career.

I'll share with you an incredible moment, a testimony, to illustrate how loved and admired Charlie was by his fellow Toastmasters worldwide. I've been to many International Conventions and attend the Hall of Fame event. But the 2004 Hall of Fame was exhilarating. This event held on Friday afternoon, is where district members, who have made their marketing and educational goals, distinguished district, receive their 5 minutes of fame and get to "rush" the stage for a picture with the International President. The top 3 district officers receive plaques. The announcer calls out the district number, the district members go to the stage and there is applause from the crowd. Typically, you'll hear the enthusiastic cheers from the fellow region toastmasters and friends... and everyone else politely claps. The thunderous applause is held for the top presidential districts and the host district. In 2004, when the announcer called District 31, the audience went wild. Two thousand Toastmasters, were on their feet, cheering and chanting "Charlie! Charlie!" as he made his way to the stage to shake hands with International President Ted Corcoran. It still thrills me today.

Here is one of my top ten moments with Charlie. As you may know, Charlie's eyesight and hearing were limited in his later years. At the World Championship of Speaking, August 2001, we had "nosebleed" seats. I knew Charlie couldn't see the jumbo-trons well and the stage looked like it was in another county. Not being the shy type, I asked the facility director to please try to find a better seat for "District 31's most Distinguished Toastmaster, Charlie Keane." Then I went off to find Darren LaCroix, to wish him luck. Didn't find Darren. I was making my way to my assigned seat when Carmen Lowe found me. "Charlie has a seat for you." she said and led me to the second row! There I found Charlie, surrounded by past champions, past International Presidents and the executive team from World Headquarters. He was positively beaming as he motioned to the seat next to him. Wow! And as if that wasn't thrilling enough, to be sitting next to my dear friend in the VIP section, we watched Darren LaCroix deliver his winning speech.

As Toastmasters, our mission is to help each other succeed through better communication skills. Charlie credited Toastmasters with his professional success as a cost engineer. His dedication to give back and help others succeed is why he stayed in Toastmasters long after he got what he needed. Charlie epitomized good leadership. Add respect, love, sense of fun, integrity, faith, a glass of "Jameson" on occasion, and a bit of Irish charm, and perhaps we can all aspire to live a full, happy and very productive life, like my friend, Charlie Keane, DTM.

...submitted by PDG Deb Cartier, DTM
debcartier@cox.net

A Note About
Bettye Lewis-Underhill, District 31 Governor, 1982-83

My mother, who loved Toastmasters and this district above everything, is fading. They are telling me that she probably has 2-10 weeks left. She was always so proud of district 31. It was she who got me into Toastmasters back in graduate school.

Many of you knew her from the 80's. She has sent her fondest regards with me to so many over the years. She speaks of you often.

Many of you met her when she came out in '07 to present me with my DTM--a highlight of both her life and mine. She was overjoyed when I
decided to run for district office and filled me with campaigning secrets. She was the consummate Toastmaster.

Mom was first and foremost an educator. She was head of the Early Childhood Education Department that Santa Ana College in Southern California and remained close to education ever since, serving on boards and directing programs. All of her children followed in her footsteps in some fashion. My sister teaches High School Chemistry, my 1/2 brother teaches religion, I have taught all grades through graduate school, and my brother teaches horsemanship. We are who we are because of her.

…an informal note from her son,
Lt. Gov. of Martketing Bil Lewis, DTM

"Courage to Conquer"