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P. 22
wcasing Success. . .
Grants Pass Toastmasters: A Culture of
Excellence in Action
By Larry West, DTM
Grants Pass Toastmasters Club #852 chartered in 1950. Over the years,
our club has ebbed and flowed like other Toastmasters clubs. We have
encountered many difficulties but have faced those challenges through
commitment and excellence.
About three years ago one of our officers prepared and executed a Speechcraft class. We
gained a new member! We then held open house events where we gained even more
members. Each officer began to perform their full duties as described in the Leadership
Manual and progress began. Our VP Public Relations created an award-winning website.
Our members began utilizing it as their primary resource for club information. One
member excelled at humorous speaking, and the club supported her with many speech
contest practice sessions. She won at the club, area and division levels. Several members
attended the district speech contest, where she won second place. This really motivated
the club to perform at a higher level and illustrated
the importance of professionalism. All members
began performing at a higher level. We were now
preparing our speeches much more thoroughly with a
sincere focus on the skills taught in the manual
speeches. We focused on being in the Distinguished
Club Program. It became important that we
maintained what we accomplished. L to R Dianna Demith, Becky Holm, Nena Heitz
Following the Toastmasters International educational program and committed officers
willing to fulfill their responsibilities (as well as creating a positive safe environment for
our members to grow) are the main reasons this club prospers, grows and attains the
highest honors. Today, there is an expectation that we will continue to achieve
President’s Distinguished each year. The bar has been raised and the standards are
expected to be met for achievement as a team. This team is firing on all 12 cylinders and
as a result our membership continues to grow and our turnover rate has decreased. We
can’t say enough about the importance of going all-in and following the descriptive
functions of each officer’s role, following proven Toastmaster processes, speaking from
manuals, keeping track of our accomplishments and just having FUN. It works.
Larry West, DTM joined Toastmasters in 2006 and is a member of Grants Pass Toastmasters. He is currently
serving as VP Membership is a past area and division governor.
22
Grants Pass Toastmasters: A Culture of
Excellence in Action
By Larry West, DTM
Grants Pass Toastmasters Club #852 chartered in 1950. Over the years,
our club has ebbed and flowed like other Toastmasters clubs. We have
encountered many difficulties but have faced those challenges through
commitment and excellence.
About three years ago one of our officers prepared and executed a Speechcraft class. We
gained a new member! We then held open house events where we gained even more
members. Each officer began to perform their full duties as described in the Leadership
Manual and progress began. Our VP Public Relations created an award-winning website.
Our members began utilizing it as their primary resource for club information. One
member excelled at humorous speaking, and the club supported her with many speech
contest practice sessions. She won at the club, area and division levels. Several members
attended the district speech contest, where she won second place. This really motivated
the club to perform at a higher level and illustrated
the importance of professionalism. All members
began performing at a higher level. We were now
preparing our speeches much more thoroughly with a
sincere focus on the skills taught in the manual
speeches. We focused on being in the Distinguished
Club Program. It became important that we
maintained what we accomplished. L to R Dianna Demith, Becky Holm, Nena Heitz
Following the Toastmasters International educational program and committed officers
willing to fulfill their responsibilities (as well as creating a positive safe environment for
our members to grow) are the main reasons this club prospers, grows and attains the
highest honors. Today, there is an expectation that we will continue to achieve
President’s Distinguished each year. The bar has been raised and the standards are
expected to be met for achievement as a team. This team is firing on all 12 cylinders and
as a result our membership continues to grow and our turnover rate has decreased. We
can’t say enough about the importance of going all-in and following the descriptive
functions of each officer’s role, following proven Toastmaster processes, speaking from
manuals, keeping track of our accomplishments and just having FUN. It works.
Larry West, DTM joined Toastmasters in 2006 and is a member of Grants Pass Toastmasters. He is currently
serving as VP Membership is a past area and division governor.
22
