Page 32 - Voices April 2018
P. 32
SUCCESSFUL CLUB
Communicators Plus:
Investing in What Works
Corinne M Westphal, ACB
There are many reasons for Communicators we were able to rectify those situations
Plus members to feel proud. Over this past quickly, and we learned important lessons.
year, we’ve almost doubled our membership, 2. Maintaining a balanced environment of
several members have achieved milestones in learning, professionalism and fun. Here
communication and leadership, including one in Bend, on any day, you can be learning
DTM, and we’re on track toward our President’s at Central Oregon Community College
Distinguished Club goal. or Oregon State University, fishing,
But what makes us proudest is not so hiking, enjoying myriad craft beers,
quantifiable: We feel we have a great club. snowshoeing, cycling, or attending festivals
For us, creating “a great club” has meant: and concerts. As an evening club, most
1. Doing the best to be welcoming and of our members are working people or
inclusive while establishing standards have full-time family responsibilities. So,
without judgment. As Toastmasters, we’re competing for precious free-time.
“be welcoming” is a given. But, through Our meetings need to be entertaining,
time together and shared growth, close educational and enlightening—or at least
relationships naturally develop. So, it’s 2 out of 3. We need to feel and hear, “I
important to remain conscious to not fall look forward to coming to meetings”, “I
into an “in-group” and “out-group”. By always go away in a good mood and learn
creating a welcoming and non-exclusive something”, or “This was so much fun!”
environment, each member is encouraged 3. Keeping the energy up! Hand-in-hand
to do the same for newer members with points 1 and 2, we strive to keep
and guests. The other side to that is energy levels high. We all have bad days,
establishing standards. Over the past and sometimes it’s hard not to bring
year, we’ve had situations where we were, that into after-hours. But, overall, our
indeed, welcoming, but we neglected to members try to keep Negative Nancy/
make our standards for behavior clear. As Norman to themselves or put it right out
a result, some of our members were put there in a Table Topics response and allow
in uncomfortable situations. Thankfully, the camaraderie to melt away some of
32 ONE COMMUNITY
