Frequently
Asked Toastmasters Questions:Frequently
Asked Toastmasters Questions:
Q: Who can we call to get Toastmasters Information?
A: You can request information be sent to you by calling 1 (800) 9WE-SPEAK or you can contact Toastmasters World Headquarters at 1(949)858-TALK.
Q: What are the responsibities of the officers in a Toastmasters Club?
A: The officers are the clubs executive council. Each have clearly defined DUTIES.
Q: Can you explain the Educational Programs?
A: Two years ago Toastmasters International introduced a NEW RECOGNITION PROGRAM.
Q: What can we as a club do to get new members and still keep the ones we have?
A: Here are eight Ideas for Retaining Club Members:
#1 - QUALIFY PROSPECTS
Before a person joins your Club, establish that the prospect understands both the challenges and the opportunities involved with Toastmasters Membership. Carefully review with the prospect what is required in time and effort to obtain successful results in the Communication & Leadership Program. Some Clubs request that the prospect attend two or three meetings before formally asking them to join. New Members are more likely to "stick to the program" and achieve ever higher goals if they start Toastmasters with a clear and realistic set of expectations.
#2 - "...SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND"
Members stay in Clubs that meet their goals and needs. Clubs that keep their Members do a lot of listening. Therefore, "... seek first to understand". Use the 'New Member Profile Sheet' (Catalog 4405, set of 10), which is an interview form for introducing a new Member to Toastmasters and for determine his or her goals and how to meet them. For all Members, use annually the "Member Interest Survey" (Cat. #403, pad of 25) to help Members to communicate their needs and goals on a continuing basis. Empower the VP-Educ. and the Club Educ. Comm. to interview new and established Members using both of these two forms, and ask them to shape the Club's educational program on the basis of survey and interview results.
#3 - INDUCT AND COMMIT
Induct new Members in a two-way approach that bonds the New Member to the existing Members. Joining a Toastmasters Club should be treated as a major decision or step in one's life, and a dignified induction ceremony will reinforce that fact. Each new Member can be inducted as they join, or your Club can schedule quarterly Induction Ceremonies involving dignitaries from the District. Be certain to ask both new Members and existing Members to pledge their commitment to the Club, using suggested scripts that can be found in the "New Member Orientation Kit for Clubs" (Cat. # 1 162), the Club President Officer Handbook (Cat. 41310-A, pgs. 25-27) or the Club V.P. Membership Officer Handbook (Cat # 1310-B, pgs. 14-16). Recognize your new Members with a Membership Pin (#5751), Membership Card (#401), Promise Card (#402), or ID Badge (#339, 4343, #395).
#4 - ORIENT & MENTOR
The first weeks following a new Member's induction are the key to predicting their degree of participation. Have either the Club VP-Educ. or VP-Memb. conduct an orientation interview with each new Member, using the "New Member Profile Sheet'. Assign a friendly and experienced Toastmaster as mentor. The mentor should: ensure that the Member has received the New Member Kit from World Headquarters-, answer any questions about the educational program-, explain the Comm. & Leadership Program and speech evaluation; help the Member prepare the first 3 or 4 speeches; and, make the new Member feel wanted and needed. Use the "New Member Orientation Kit for Clubs' (# 1 162) and "Mentoring" (Successful Club Series, #296) to. launch a successful Club mentoring program.
#5 - INVOLVE IMMEDIATELY
From their first meeting, new Members should be asked (and be prepared by the Club) to participate as timers, counters and Table-Topic respondents. As soon as they are ready, schedule their Icebreaker. Follow that with assignments as Evaluator, Invocator, Table-Topic Master and continue to schedule more projects from the Comm. & Leadership Program.
Keep experienced Members from leaving by telling them about educational programs such as the Success/Leadership series, Youth Leadership and the Advanced manuals. Ask them to get involved as mentors to new Members. to serve as Club Officers, and to prepare educational talks at Club meetings using both the "Better Speaker Series' and the 'Successful Club Series". Keep them motivated and setting new goals by using the new 'Member Achievement Program' (Cat. # I 1 15) and by encouraging them to attend District, Regional and International conferences.
#6 - KEEP THEM EXCITED
Meetings should be a valuable use of the Member's time: well-organized, punctual, informative, and smooth. Use programming variety to make meetings fun and enjoyable. Keep in touch with exciting meeting ideas by scanning The Toastmaster magazine and the TIPS newsletter, by attending Club Officer Training and conferences, and by using 'Patterns in Programming" (#1314) and "Master Your Meetings' (#1312), both available from World Headquarters.
#7 - SHARPEN THE SAW
When on top, stay on top! Clubs that continue to maintain high levels of excellence "sharpen their saw'. Schedule educational talks using the 'Better Speaker Series", a program of six scripts on, among other topics, beginning your speech, speech fright, and impromptu speaking. Talks can also be adapted from the "Successful Club Series", a program of seven scripts on mentoring, evaluation, meeting roles, member recruitment, and other topics. Finally, show the 16 minute "Meeting Excellence' video (#216-V) at a meeting to help even the best Clubs to stay focused on achieving the highest levels of club quality.
#8 - "MOMENTS of TRUTH"
Every year we bring our car in for inspection, and every six months we visit the dentist for a check-up. "Moments of Truth" (#290) is the flagship module in the "Successful Club Series" because it is a powerful self-evaluation tool to help Clubs monitor and maintain their overall health using a 36-point set of service standards. Use the program annually, either through an educational talk or a theme meeting.
