Page 6 - january 2022
P. 6
COVER STORY
Best Practices to End the Year Strong
Time for a Tune Up?
Leanna Lindquist, DTM and Phyllis Harmon, DTM
Leaders.
According to Merriam-
Webster, a best practice is “a
procedure that has been shown
by research and experience to
produce optimal results and that
is established or proposed as a
standard suitable for widespread
adoption.” We thought that was
a good beginning but added our own
interpretation: “A best practice historically
It’s January and the countdown to the end has been found to work; is current, organic,
of this Toastmasters’ year has begun! What and flexible within each Club culture; and
shape is your club in? Is it bursting with gets results.
energy and growth? Or. . . ummm . . . errr In the following paragraphs, we share
. . . not so much? best practices for Club growth, member
It seems that about this time every year, engagement, and long-term retention.
panic sets in as Clubs review their progress
in the Distinguished Club Program and Club growth
discover they may not make their goals. Continued growth should be on every
Whether your Club is in great shape or Club’s radar. I’ve seen Clubs who were at
needs a remedial tune-up, there is no the top of their game, well-over charter
time like the present to implement best strength and doing well, experience an
practices to help your Club finish strong. exodus of members at renewal time. The
At the recent Toastmasters Leadership remaining members often don’t have the
Institute, Past District Director Leanna energy to rebuild, and the Club eventually
Lindquist and I shared best practice dissolves. With a continuous focus on
tips learned during our years as District growth, Clubs can offset member losses.
6 ONE COMMUNITY