Page 8 - 2016 MARCH issue

FROM THE DESK

What’s in Your Club’s DNA?

by Leanna Lindquist, DTM Program Quality Director

Is your club Distinguished ‘N’ Achieving? begins when a club

If your club is Distinguished you are in a recognizes busi-
club that will help you grow your skills. Your
club embodies what Toastmasters is all about. ness as usual is not developing communication
Members are empowered to develop communi-
cation and leadership skills, resulting in greater and leadership skills. Business as usual is not
self-confidence and personal growth. It is in
your clubs’ DNA to strive for excellence. We have attracting and retaining new members. Albert
many such clubs in District 7. People join these
clubs because they recognize all that is being Einstein said, “insanity: doing the same thing
offered. Members feel challenged, satisfied
and look forward to attending meet- over and over again and expecting different
ings. The club holds contests.
Mentors are provided to new results.” Clearly it’s time for a change. How do
members. Accomplishments
are celebrated. There is a you start? A Moments of Truth. This tool will
great sense of comradery
and pride. “We are always help your members look at their club
Distinguished.”
up close and personal and iden-
It would be great if all clubs
had “Distinguished” in their tify areas that need some work.
DNA. Sadly, it isn’t the case. Many
clubs have lost sight of the Distinguished What do Distinguished clubs
Club Program. Educational awards are not
being earned. Manuals are not being completed. have in common? All weekly
Members are losing out. They are not getting their
money’s worth. Personal growth is not occur- speeches are manual speeches.
ring. Most likely the club struggles attracting and
retaining members. Every speaker receives a high

The good news is, club DNA can be altered. It quality oral evaluation. All meet-

ings are well organized. They

begin and end on time. Members

feel satisfied when they leave the

meeting.

If your club is not Distinguished talk to

your club members. Let them know your

time is too valuable to spend in a Toastmasters

Club that does not strive to be Distinguished.

Then offer to help. Mother Teresa said, “I

alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a

stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

What ripple will you set in motion? How will

you alter your club’s DNA?

Think of success as a game of chance in which you have
control over the odds. As you begin to master concepts in
personal achievement, you are increasing your odds of
achieving success. —Bo Bennett, Founder & Developer of
FreeToast Host

8 Volume 2 Issue 8 - MARCH 2016