Page 18 - April 2021 Voices

FROM THE DESK

Community vs Corporate Club

Lorri Andersen, DTM - Club Growth Director

One big difference is that in a Corporate officer training,
Organization Toastmasters is not a club, it is a there are critical
program. success factors

Have you read the book, “A Handbook for rather than club
Vibrant Toastmasters Programs in Corporations” goals, and there
by Past International President Patricia L. is a strategic plan
Johnson? rather than the

It is a must read for those who want to make Distinguished Club
an impact and start a new Toastmasters Program Program (DCP) [1].
in a business organization. There are a
Who me, sponsor a new Toastmasters few points to consider when you work with

program at my workplace? Why not? Toastmasters in Corporations. Toastmasters
If you are not employed at a corporate represents values and integrity. When you
organization, perhaps this information will demonstrate them to those around you, people
change your mind set about Toastmasters all feel positive about Toastmasters.

together and help you think and talk differently Toastmasters offers experiential learning.
when sharing Toastmasters with friends. When you complete different projects and try
For starters, there is a new language to learn. new things, you learn and grow. I was once told
It’s called “Corporate Speak” [1]. When you talk to that we take a role in Toastmasters, not because

executives and Human Resources in a company, we know how to do it, we take it because we want
you need to make a business connection and to learn how to do it. It is learning as we grow, or
relate to executives in words they understand. on the job training. Toastmasters is self-paced,
For example: A Corporate Toastmasters and there is no graduation. There are, however,

program has leadership positions, a Community levels of development.
Club has officers; a business has tuition, a club There are many benefits with quality training
has dues; and a Corporation is concerned with in Toastmasters.
a training program, while a Community Club We become lifelong learners in an educational

offers Pathways. and leadership program. I don’t ever want to
It is not a meeting at the place of business, it graduate, do you?
is a session or program. The executive board gets
involved with leadership training instead of club [1] (Johnson, Patricia L, 2018).

18 ONE COMMUNITY