Page 6 - voices-2024-06

District Leadership

The Transformation within the Transition to D7 Club Growth

Director

Dr. Gwendolyn Avington-District 7 Director

This has been a transforming experience for me we put our hearts, minds, and efforts together
this year as I transition into the role of District to achieve a particular goal. At the writing of this
7 Club Growth Director. I have learned the article, we have 103 paid clubs. The Club Growth
transforming power of taking on this role for my Director team is taking a ‘all hands-on deck’
growth. I took on the role not realizing all that approach to get this done by June 30, 2024. We
was involved in the role of Club Growth Director. have built two new clubs with two others almost
It has been sobering to realize the depth, the to the finish line.
responsibility to District 7 Toastmasters, and Throughout the year, we have deployed many
Toastmasters International different strategies and
that comes with the role. tactics to help support our
I understood this was a existing clubs and build
building and sustainability new clubs to enhance the
role, aka sales and marketing. membership in District 7.
Which begged the question I believe the entire team
I had to ask and answer for has experienced the
myself before running for transformative power of ‘we’
this office. as we have watched every
“Can you take the area of the Club Growth
transferable skills you have Director Team advance
to successfully fill this role initiatives and achieve
as an accountable and specific goals. For example,
responsible membership at the beginning of the year,
and club builder?” As I our Club New Source
answered the call, I had Research Chair and team
identified the skills needed put their data collection,
to do a good job. I also research, and marketing
looked at the skills I would skills to work. They created
need to bolster to lead a brilliant District Marketing
this effort successfully. plan that captured club
One of the best decisions I growth possibilities
made was the team that I throughout District 7’s vast
assembled before the term began. Critical to the territory (South and Central Oregon, Southwest
team was to choose those who wanted to serve Washington, and 2 Counties in Northern
for the year even when it was difficult. California). This team looked at existing industries
As the year has gone along, the team and I with and without Toastmaster Clubs, population
have made great strides towards becoming data, community club potential. Armed with the
distinguished in the paid clubs’ section of the knowledge of where to start the club growth
D7 District Performance Dashboard. The base work, our team held several listening and training
number needed to be distinguished is 131 paid sessions to explain the data and possibilities to
clubs by the end of the Toastmasters year. We the rest of the team. Kudos to Kamili Talley and
have a few short weeks for clubs to pay their dues Stephanie Stephan.
and gain at least eight paid members in their Our Club Extension Team started the year strong
club. I have learned anything is possible when by organizing the Toastmasters Lead
6 Voices!