Page 21 - 2017.May Voices
P. 21
Adding Tools to the VPE’s Tool Box
by Paul C. Fanning, ACG, ALB
They’re just a simple ribbon of satin stamped I could personally cajole, guide, mentor, bribe
in silver with the Toastmasters International and coerce (well not really) members to achieve.
logo and the words “HALFWAY TO I put up weekly progress charts, but we as a
COMPETENT” Communicator club weren’t recognizing their progress.
or Leader. Truth be told, they’re That’s when surfing the Toastmasters Store
practically unknown to the awards I “discovered” a new tool, a new
average club. However, they’re incentive award and a new way of publicly
an incentive tool hidden recognizing their progress.
away in any club’s or VPE’s There were two ribbons-the blue
“tool box” to promote the Halfway ribbon to Competent
Toastmasters Education Communicator and maroon Halfway
Award Program. to Competent Leader. They could
I “discovered” them be given out after five speeches
after doing an analysis of or five projects completed. The
my home club. I found sense of progress received at the
that many of our newer beginning of their journey could
members seemed to once more be felt and received
have lost interest by the member with waning
and momentum in achievement in their goal
achieving their CC progress to CC or CL. In
or CL awards in fact, we award them for
their first year. As AC and AL awards as
you may recall, it well. Once a month the
takes a good ten Club President or VPE
months towards a will present the ribbon
CC award, and maybe awards. Smiles returned
twelve to accomplish all the roles and tasks to frowning doubtful faces—they could
required for the CL award. People seemed to receive their awards with just a little more work!
lose sight of the goal and viewed the education Their goal achievement would help the club
system as daunting and unobtainable. achieve their DCP goals! Everyone became a
There were positive areas I discovered in winner.
the analysis such as “we” did a respectable Oh—and by the way—I also saw there were
job starting new members off on their trail to ribbons for all ten speeches or projects as well
being competent. With twenty club members as for all the advanced awards. Maybe after I
all working towards their awards and at diverse do a little more analysis we could. . .
levels, sometimes the newer Toastmasters, who Paul Fannng joined Toastmasters in 2009. He
had received mentorship and encouragement is a member of Downtown Lunchbunch, Columbia
in their first three speeches or months, were Square Squawking Heads, and Talk-In-Tel.
then “put on the back burner” when new He is serving as VP Education for Downtown
members joined, or experienced members Lunchbunch and club coach for Talk-In-Tel. He
achieved their awards. Award certificates, “ICE is also serving as area 72 director, and is the
BREAKER SPEECH” ribbons and advanced incoming Division F Director.
award ribbons were given out, but the ten
to twelve months to get to that level seemed
out-of-reach to some. Oh, yes. As VP Education,
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 11 MAY, 2017 21
