Page 15 - October 2022
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FROM THE DESK
1. First Impressions - Essentially, how well are guests meeting can be the deciding factor to get a guest
greeted, introduced, and invited to participate and to return and join.
join? I have heard the horror stories of someone
who attends a Club meeting as a guest, sits 2. Membership Orientation - Once a prospective
through the entire meeting, then leaves without member decides to become a member, they will
any member of the Club ever greeting them, asking need help to know how to complete the educational
them to participate, asking for their thoughts or projects. They will need help understanding the
anything. They might as well have not been at the meeting roles so they can take turns filling them.
meeting at all. Those guests do not return. That is They will need help knowing what they can do to
not what you want to happen at your Toastmasters get the most out of Toastmasters. If a new member
Club meeting. You want guests to feel that they is left to flounder and does not know how to get
would have been missed if they were not there, and the most out of Toastmasters, they likely will find
they should be excited to return and participate in other priorities to use their time, and not renew
the next meeting. Remember too, a prospective their membership. Mentorship plays a huge
member will not join if they are not ASKED to role in this process, but so does a strong new
join. Give them the option. Following up after the member orientation process. One suggestion for
VOICES! | OCTOBER 2022 15
