Page 34 - April 2021 Voices
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FIELD NOTES
Open House or Member Event?
Jennifer Schmidt, EH1
Anticipation glowed from my screen as the New magic. This led to Magical Katrina and the stage
Horizons virtual windows opened to welcome was set. Magic is not a typical Toastmasters
forty-two people popping into view for Magic meeting theme, but it provides a path to
& Performance: The ART of Speaking to Your introducing elements of public speaking and
Audience with Magical Katrina. We were all set, forming opportunities for fun. When you are
prepared, excited, and ready to showcase both picking a theme, choose a topic that has wide
special guest Magical Katrina, who appeared interest (travel, career, etc.) to easily engage
on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and the skills of our members in the event.
magical members!
No whoosh of a wand caused everything Identify Experts Within Your Club and
to magically appear. A team of dedicated Beyond
Toastmasters started weeks earlier to prepare. Everyone in your club and people they know
The goal was to transform our regular meeting are experts in something. Whether it be in
into a memorable experience for our members their work or a hobby, you can find people with
and attract a bigger audience by stretching our interesting experiences. Perhaps you know a
speaking and outreach skills. Toastmasters contest winner or career enthusiast
You might ask, “Wasn’t this an Open House?” that could share insightful communication tips.
You’re right, was both an open house and a They may even have their own social media
fantastic event for our membership. A few key followers to help attract people to your event,
items that bring in new members are invitations, a winning partnership for you both. In our
engaged club members, and the welcome to join! case, Magical Katrina is a club member relation
Magicians are bound by a code to never reveal making it easy to connect with her. Member
how a trick is done, fortunately, this doesn’t apply Ralph Galantine’s larger network of magicians
to us! Any club can design captivating events by and magic lovers provided an expanded area
following the steps below. This will add one more for outreach.
piece to your club’s quality and growth.
Build a Solid Event Team
Phase 1 – Planning Your most enthusiastic and committed person
Start With Enthusiasm is probably your project leader. Ann Kroetch was
our event leader and asked our President Maren
New Horizons’ Magic theme started as a
Zieba for help in determining who to invite to
conversation between members who enjoy
34 ONE COMMUNITY
