Merle Shinault, DTM, LGET

   Get With the Program

You've heard the saying, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it!”?  Have you tried to fix it anyway?  I believe we sometimes fall into this trap within our Toastmasters clubs.   What am I trying to say?  Are you following the Toastmasters program and standards?

For almost 90 years, clubs have been changing lives by following the program and standards set forth by Dr. Smedley when he founded the Toastmasters organization.  Sure, there have been some changes made over the years to improve how we deliver services, but basically, the program has not changed measurably.  The following standards are still in place for operating as a club sanctioned by Toastmasters:

-                      meet at least 12 times per year

-                      regular meetings shall be conducted in person/face-to-face

-                      have members working toward Competent Communicator and/or Advanced Communicator awards

-                      have members give oral manual speeches

-                      have members give, and receive oral evaluations

-                      give members the opportunity to develop and practice leadership skills and earn Competent Leader and Advanced Leader awards

Has your club embraced these standards?  Are they being followed on a consistent basis?  The ongoing success of our clubs and members in District 40 is dependent upon following the prescribed program.  As “franchisees” of  Toastmasters International, each club should strive to move the mission of the club forward, and support the overall goals and standards of this great organization.  To do less would imply that we are not really Toastmasters.

In the coming year, I challenge club officers to examine your club, and find out if you are aligned with the program . A good first step is to look at your Distinguished Club Program (DCP) report (The Moments of Truth available through the Toastmasters Store is another great resource).  This report is intended to show metrics as to how your club is performing against Toastmasters goals and standards.  Find where your club is weak, and conduct a drive to get the numbers up.  Concentrate on recruiting, developing and retaining members. 

“Ask them, and they will come, meet their needs, they will stay” 

Ensure that the product you are delivering to your members (customers) is of high quality, and meets the standards set forth by Toastmasters.  Let the DCP be your guide to a successful club year.

Let’s go for at least four Competent Communicator (CC) and two Advanced Communicator awards per club this year.  This means that your members are moving forward with their communications skills development.  Add a couple of Competent Leader (CL) and Advanced Leader (AL) awards, and you are well on your way to Distinguished Club.

Plan for success.  Successful clubs are FUN clubs, so let’s “Focus on the Fun” this year by achieving our club goals.

 

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