Page 15 - january 2022
P. 15
Let’s Get Growing
Jim Robison, DTM - Club Growth Director
Think of a forest. Trees grow and over time with at least 10,000 residents. If there is a
many will die out while new trees grow. Some McDonalds, there can be aToastmasters
of these trees grow long enough to become club. Consider existing community groups
massive old growth trees. A healthy forest will such as Rotary Clubs, LionsClubs, Chambers
have a mix of many old growth trees as well of Commerce, etc. The new club will require
as many younger trees growing to eventually 20 members to charter. More details are
replace the older trees that inevitably die out available on the Toastmasters website.
over time. Please send your club leads to me at cgd@
Think of the forest as a metaphor for d7toastmasters.org, or if you would like to
Toastmasters. We have many old growth trees. I discuss potential leads feel free to call me at
happen to belong to the oldest tree in our 503-960-3736.
forest. We do everything we can to help these District 7 has two incentives in place to
trees remain healthy and continue to grow, encourage new clubs: 1) a $100 gift certificate
but we also need to ensure that new trees spring from Toastmasters International will be
up throughout the forest to not only replace awarded to any member who submits a
trees that don't survive but to expandthe new club lead that results in a chartered
forest. club by June 30, 2022. All qualifying leads
Let’s set a goal to plant one new tree (club) will be entered into a final drawing. Three
in each area of the district. This is not a huge winners will be awarded a $25 gift card from
goal. We only need two things in each area. One Toastmasters International. Qualifying leads
solid lead for a potential new club and one (or must include a specific contact person who
two) sponsor(s) who can take the lead to help is interested in building a new Toastmasters
charter that club. Our District 7 team can then Club; 2) new clubs chartered by June 30, 2022,
help the club establish roots. will receive their choice from a selection of
What has the strongest potential to be a solid clubmaterials up to a value of $200.
new club lead? A business with 250 or more Let’s get growing and build these new
employees. (Many large corporations have clubs so the forest stays strong and expands.
multiple Toastmasters clubs). A community
VOICES! | JANUARY 2022 15
