Page 14 - August 2019

The Art of Story
FROM THE DESK

Leadership Learning Starts

at the Club Level

Cate Arnold, DTM

Program Quality Director

Like many organizations, Toastmasters has a from what we do well, but even more from our

leadership pipeline that starts at the clubs, goes mistakes and weaknesses. We learn to appreciate
up through areas, divisions, districts, regions, to and enjoy hearing good tips on what we can do
the International level. At each level, we have the better next time, an amazing practice that is
opportunity to work on leadership skills that, if missing in many organizations.

done thoughtfully, teach us how to be good team The leadership pipeline starts with our
members and leaders. Skills that we need to be officers, especially the Vice Presidents and the
effective everywhere—you don’t have to look far President. While different clubs divvy up the
to see how ubiquitous and important leadership leadership work differently, the VPs and President

is in our world. accomplish their objectives by encouraging
We think of leaders as being in charge, and leading members. The VP of Education
setting the direction. However, great leaders encourages and monitors members’ progress
don’t do that by using their authority to tell in earning education awards, plans contests,

people what to do, but instead by learning to manages the mentor program. The VP of Public
inspire, support, and guide people, so that their Relations works to publicize the club to bring in
members are motivated in ways that contribute new members through organizing open houses
to the organization’s vitality and success. This is and other methods, especially in these electronic

especially important in Toastmasters and other days, by managing an interesting website and
volunteer organizations where people leave if social media. The VP of Membership also works
they don’t like where they’re being led. to bring in new members by assisting visiting
We start by practicing leadership in club guests and encouraging members to bring guests.

meetings. We learn to follow an agenda in a The President oversees the officer meetings,
positive, productive and timely manner. Through presides over club meetings, and encourages the
roles, speeches, and table topics we build our club members and officers to focus on being a
communication skills. The evaluation portion distinguished club.

of the meeting teaches us to be good listeners, to We say that Toastmasters builds leaders. It
learn to give and receive constructive feedback starts when we consciously consider what we can
and feel good about it. We practice being strong, do to achieve leadership learning in our safe,
well-intentioned team members who learn structured clubs.

14 ONE COMMUNITY