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FROM THE DESK

The Secret

by Leanna Lindquist, DTM Program Quality Director
I learned a big secret at the Toastmasters International convention. It is the secret to attracting more club
members, keeping the ones you have, and earning educational awards. The secret is Club Quality.
How do you know if your club demonstrates quality? The tried and true method is to conduct a Moments
of Truth.

This secret has been staring us in the face all along. The clubs that we hold in high esteem all do the
following:

1. Welcome guests with open arms
2. Hold well planned meetings that are lively and professional
3. Support member growth with good evaluations
4. Provide leadership opportunities
5. Earning education awards is a given

When you visit one of these clubs you sense the camaraderie. There
is a full agenda and everyone has a copy. At the end of the meeting
people stand around to enjoy one another’s company. First time
guests fill out member applications. Members anticipate the next
meeting. Everyone leaves feeling their time was well spent.

If your club isn’t quite there and you want a place to start try Moments
of Truth. MOT is a club self-assessment done by the members. It will
lead to a Club Success Plan, the road map to a Quality Club. Check
out the latest issue of Toastmasters Magazine to see how one club
turned themselves around.

Wanted: Club coach coordinator

Our District mission says, “We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving
excellence.” To help achieve the second part of that mission—support all clubs—
we need coaches willing to help a low-membership club reach Distinguished or
better status.

District 7 also needs a member to manage the club coach program. This role involves
matching a veteran Toastmaster with any club with fewer than 12 members that
requests coaching help. Most coordinator duties can be done by e-mail or phone.
You can also help the Club Growth Director recruit more coaches.

Even as a Distinguished District, we have more than 50 clubs with 12 members or
fewer. Not all ask for coaching help, but those that do deserve our support. To be
considered as club coach coordinator, contact cgd@d7toastmasters.org.

Welcome, club coaches!
This month, Peter De Graff stepped up to coach Leader’s Edge Club in Vancouver,
and Diane Allen will coach Highnooners Club in Bend. We wish these coaches and
clubs a year of growth and success!

Volume 2 Issue 2 - AUG 2015 9