Page 16 - March 2020
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FROM THE DESK
COVID-19 and Club Growth
Eldred Brown, DTM - Club Growth Director
WOW! I can’t say I’ve experienced a time this educational program. Your clubs now have an
crazy since September of 2001. The coronavirus extra month to pay dues to remain clubs in good
epidemic has forced the cancellation or standing. You will remain eligible to compete
postponement of everything from our District in your Division speech contest if you haven’t
7 annual conference to my weekly church paid dues before April 1. Your access to Pathways
services. We’re all making adjustments! Even our Base Camp will also not be interrupted on April
International Board of Directors and the staff at 1 if you haven’t paid your dues yet.
World Headquarters are scrambling to adapt to
an ever-changing landscape. Having given you Area Director Club Visits
that background, please allow me to share with Online participation in club meetings has
you some of the adjustments that have been made become the only alternative for most of our
at the District and International levels to foster District’s clubs due to the social distancing
club growth and membership retention during rules announced by Governors Jay Inslee
this public health crisis. (Washington) and Kate Brown (Oregon). Our
International President, Deepak Menon, has
Membership Renewals asked me to encourage our Area Directors
This pandemic couldn’t have hit us at a less to continue conducting club visits, online if
opportune time in the lives of our clubs than our necessary. The experience of conducting online
spring membership renewal period. Recognizing club visits can be valuable as a way for your Area
this, our International Board of Directors has Directors to observe how creative and positive
extended the due date for membership renewals clubs can be with this transitional time and
to April 30. You now have until April 30 to pay allow them to lend a hand in a supportive role
your dues so you can continue receiving the as needed. If your club decides or has decided
benefits of full participation in the Toastmasters to move its meetings online to comply with
16 ONE COMMUNITY
