Page 16 - October 2022

FROM THE DESK
helping new members get a jump start, is to have
a complete set of the Pathways Level 1 Projects
along with the Pathways Navigator ready to give
them as soon as they join.
3. Fellowship, Variety, and Communication -
Many Toastmasters members will tell you that
their Toastmasters Club is like family. We build a
community of people who are working to improve
their communications and leadership skills, and
who are excited to help others do the same. The
Toastmasters program by its very nature creates
a community of individuals who are helping each
other with direct feedback and mutual support.
Club social events and fun activities help to bind
the group together and help all members enjoy
the process of learning,
4. Program Planning and Meeting Organization
- The Toastmasters Educational Program
provides a curriculum for members to follow.
The Toastmasters meeting format provides a
structure to help members get the most out
of the Educational Program. Meetings that are
disorganized, unplanned, and haphazard detract
from the Educational Program. Members who can
rely on organized Club meetings can plan out their
schedule for completing projects in the Educational
Program, enabling them to meet their educational
goals, which then encourages them to remain as
members to continue their skill development.
5. Membership Strength - Toastmasters
International long ago determined that 20
members was an appropriate target for Clubs to
maintain. One reason for 20 is that this is a large
enough membership that would allow a Club to
fill leadership roles without having to rely on a few
16 ONE COMMUNITY
individuals year after year. The Club should have
the ability for new members to take on leadership
roles with the support and mentorship of members
who previously filled those roles. Recognizing that
not all members can attend all meetings, a Club of
20 members should ensure that enough members
are attending each week to have a full agenda with
multiple speakers. Sufficient members to have
full and dynamic meetings makes the experience
attractive to guests considering membership.
6. Achievement Recognition - How would you
feel if you complete a major milestone in
your educational development, and no one
notices? Giving members proper recognition
for their achievements can help encourage
those members to continue and can help
motivate other members to achieve their goals.
If no members are ever recognized for their
achievements, the feeling might grow that no
one is accomplishing anything by being in the
Club.
If your Club has not already completed the
Moments of Truth Module this year, I encourage you
to take the lead and conduct it. You can have some
flexibility with your Club, and determine whether
you want to complete it in one meeting or multiple
meetings, but it is a great opportunity to review the
state of your Club. You can celebrate those areas
where your Club excels and develop a plan for how to
improve those areas where improvement is needed.
If needed your Club's Area Director can be called
on to help conduct the Moments of Truth.