Page 11 - aprl 2017 Voices

FROM THE DESK

Excellence is a Choice

by Donna Stark, DTM—Program Quality Director

I grew up with a two-volume Funk & Wagnalls someone to attend
dictionary. I used it regularly during my school your Toastmasters
years to look up the definition and spelling of meeting?
words (and for pressing flowers between the Goals 9 and 10 are administrative in nature.
pages). In this electronic age, my go-to dictionary Effective club officers will attend training.
app is Dictionary.com. Today I checked for the Dues and required paperwork are submitted to
definition of Distinguished. The first entry was, Toastmasters International in a timely manner.
“made conspicuous by excellence.” Simply put, these goals ensure that clubs are
Excellence, fellow Toastmasters, is the focus taking care of business (queue Bachman Turner
of the Distinguished Club Program (DCP). It Overdrive). Do your part by submitting your
provides a framework designed to foster a stan- dues to your club treasurer. If you’re a club
dard of excellence that helps individual members officer, there are several opportunities to attend
achieve their goals. Let’s look at the DCP goals district-sponsored training. If you haven’t been
and why they matter to you. a club officer, step up to leadership!
The first six goals reflect progress members The DCP isn’t really about clubs at all. It’s a
are making in the program. A healthy, vibrant tool that helps ensure an optimal experience for
club has members that are completing speech the member. Toastmasters is a learn by doing
and leadership manual projects. Are you giving program! What will you do to improve your
manual speeches? Are you using the Competent Toastmasters experience and help make your
Leadership manual to help you be more effec- club conspicuous by excellence?
tive in the meeting roles you fill? If not, you are
short-changing yourself and
your club.
Goals 7 and 8 are about
membership. Attrition is
normal. Schedules change,
people achieve their goals,
and they move on. Without
an influx of new members,
it doesn’t take long before
there aren’t enough members
to fill meeting roles, or
members take on multiple
roles per meeting. Instead
of being fun, burnout sets in
and meetings can become
a chore. Many people first
hear about Toastmasters from
someone they know. When
was the last time you invited

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