Transcript Document
Club Building & Membership Building District 78 Toastmasters Leadership Institute Monique Levesque-Pharoah. Region 4 Advisor Why build Toastmasters clubs? Just as new members are vital to a club, new clubs are vital to Districts Qualify to be a President’s Distinguished Area Theory of Abundance Why build Toastmasters clubs? Many Toastmasters join new clubs because this particular opportunity meets their needs: •Perfect location/date/time •Their Toastmasters journey includes colleagues and friends learning at the same time • They would not have sought out Toastmasters otherwise Some unexpected benefits Gain exposure of other industries Chance to see an organization you might want to work for one day…. This might land you your next perfect career Who do you Approach? Your own company Your community club Your favorite charity Your church Companies/Associations/Chambers Who Can We Approach? Time to Brainstorm! Please circulate handout for this session Vital Words – A brief history Syd McMurray chartered club in 1959 Thriving club with 20-30 members for many years In the late 90’s things changed and in December 1999, we lost our charter member, Syd McMurray The Ugly Duckling Incident Do you have an Ugly Duckling Incident? After the Ugly Ducking Incident... Find out who’s on board and at what level Then.... meet the needs of your core Meeting the needs of your core Address burnout issues by: Spreading out the responsibilities Developing an attendance plan Hosting joint meetings Truncating meetings, but never cancel a meeting Meeting the needs of your core What areas do your core members want to focus on? Job Interview Skills Chairing a board meeting Giving feedback Seek Advice, Direction and Support Membership Building Membership Building Contests Club Coach Program Area Governor support Toastmaster magazine The Basics of Membership Retention Marketing Resources Speechcraft Successful Club Series Moments of Truth Finding New Members for your Club Evaluate to Motivate Closing the Sale Creating the Best Club Climate How to be a Distinguished Club Meeting Roles and Responsibilities Mentoring Moments of Truth Moments of Truth is a great tool in assessing your club’s health. What have you learned from the Moments of Truth? What changes needed to happen? The Exit Interview Why did your Toastmasters leave? Much like an exit interview in professional organizations, ask them for their valuable input. Ask them to share with you the strengths of the club so you know what to continue Ask them to also share their least favourite item about the club or if they could have changed 1 thing, what would it be? Invite feedback from past members Then incorporate their suggestions for growth and invite them back to evaluate your progress Some examples include: Stronger evaluations needed – Evaluate to Motivate Would have liked a mentor – Start a mentorship program Meeting started too late or lasted too long – Start on time Vital Words Variety - The Successes 24 Hour Presidential Challenge Backwards Meeting Academy Awards Night Halloween The Great Debate Other themed meetings Keeping members engaged Step up to the DEC How to Run the 24 Hour Presidential Challenge A few weeks prior to the event, Toastmasters let the President know which manual they are working from and sign up for the challenge knowing that they will only have 24 hours to prepare their speech President determines a subject matter that best suits the Toastmaster & their manual 24 Hours before the event, he/she emails topics to each speaker 24 Hour Presidential Challenge – The Benefits It’s a great challenge for both experienced and new Toastmasters If members don’ t know what to talk about, this is a great opportunity It allows for emulation of potential real life events such as being asked to fill in for a work presentation a day before Fosters an environment of trust and respect Themed Meetings Do you want more creative themes? Simply go to www.brownielocks.com Build your meetings around creative calendar observances such as: National Tooth Fairy Day, International Flirting Week, Extraterrestrial Visitor Day, Random Acts of Kindness Week, Texas Cowboy Poetry Week, Celebrate Your Name Week, Sherlock Holmes Weekend, True Confessions Day, April Fool`s Day, World Give Day etc. Meetings Ideas from District 19 Do a full meeting where every Toastmaster speaks in the third person Ken Boardrow, Division B Governor, District 19 Bring out the Improv, District 19 District Governor Mark Latta Keeping members engaged Properly Induct them – Limerick, welcome card signed by members, Cake, pictures etc. Share club history Introduction questionnaire Set them up with a Mentor Keeping members engaged Celebrate educational achievements/Anniversaries DTM Roast Nominate your club members for District Awards Invite them to go beyond the club Ideas from District 78 • Inform guests what Toastmasters is all about by providing a full overview once a month – Billie Sutherland • Have a Table Topics and Potluck Meeting – Everything is a surprise – Mihri Mendis • Don’t forget about Community Access programming – IPDG, Rochelle Williams Ideas from District 78 • Alternate between daytime/evening meetings to capture more members – Kim Smith • Facebook advertising really worked for our club – Dan Chihos • Take all meeting roles and pick them from a hat before the meeting – Larry Jacobson Get the Word Out in Unique Ways Are you a Toastmasters club that meets in the mornings? What about advertising in local gyms and fitness facilities. Target the approach – You work out your body, what about working out your mind once a week with Toastmasters? Get the Word Out in Unique Ways Put bookmarks in the books that address the fear of public speaking in the bookstores and libraries near your club Advertise the expertise of your members to draw a different audience What is your plan for success? “The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps — we must step up the stairs.” — Vance Havner American Author & Spiritual Leader