Why Leadership? What’s in it for you as a District Leader?- Morag Mathieson

by

If I were to ask you to describe yourself as a leader today, what would you say?
Are you a happy leader? An experienced leader? A reluctant leader? or maybe a terrified leader?

One question I am often asked in Toastmasters is why leadership? Why do you put yourself through it?

5 Cs to help remember what’s in it for us when we take up the mantle of leadership.

1. Contribution
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – when we get to the top of the pyramid and reach level of self actualization there is a desire to give back and taking a leadership role allows us to do that.

  • Make a contribution to the district mission (We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence), helping bring the advantages of Toastmasters to a wider audience and helping members be fulfilled in quality clubs
  • Make a contribution to the Toastmasters International Mission (We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders). You support clubs to become centres of excellence for the member experience and so enable members to reach goals and achieve greater levels of competence and confidence
  • Make a contribution to your district – encouraging excellence in education wherever you are
  • Make a contribution to your peer group in the District Council meetings – sharing perspectives, encouraging each other.

    Read more

Toastmasters improved my confidence

by

My friend asked me to be bridesmaid at her wedding in Dubrovnik. I was ecstatic. She then asked me to do a reading at the wedding. I immediately started worrying.

I have done readings at weddings before. They sounded fine but but my legs and lips would shake uncontrollably. However, this time, when I stood up, I didn’t feel nerves. I was actually looking forward to delivering the reading. What was wrong with me?

I gave the speech, projecting my voice across the Palace; The words came out controlled and clear and I used pause for effect. People laughed at the funny parts because I gave them a chance to. I got a big round of applause, which filled me with pride and emotion. As I sat back down, I reflected on where my new found confidence had come from. It was from Toastmasters. Every member of Trojans has helped me to improve my confidence, speaking and leadership in someway or another. Whether it be from spoken or written evaluations, mentoring, chats etc. Everything that I have learnt from these wonderful people, came flooding out when I needed it the most and for that, I will be forever grateful! May the journey continue!

Hannah Widdison, Trojan Speakers

DLT Dispatches Jul2018

by

Andy Hammond, District Director 2018-19

A New Team:

The District Leadership Team (DLT) has been working hard since May, firstly to ensure a smooth handover, and then to put plans in place to support our members. Meet the new DLT team

We met at the start of June and were joined on the second day by the new Division Directors. We decided on key calendar dates. These will shortly be published on our website.

It was great to see so many of the new Division and Area Directors at the District Officer Training at the end of June. Thanks to Florian and Alison, and all presenters and attendees. One outcome is that we are compiling a comprehensive list of all Division and Area training events and contests for the year to share with members.

Program Quality Director Florian Bay, Club Growth Director Arnaud Sartre and I will be attending the International Convention in Chicago next month, where we will receive training. We will also be representing you at the Annual Business Meeting, so Presidents, please remember to assign your club’s proxy vote so that we can fully represent your members.

One personal ambition is to hear far more of your stories. You have achieved such amazing successes supported by your Toastmasters experience, and I want you to share them. Changing lives, one speech at a time.

Florian Bay, Program Quality Director 2018-19

Planning for Success:

The new Toastmaster year has started. I find myself moving to a new leadership role and to new challenges. One challenge was to organise our weekend District Officer Training event last month. Another challenge is to find out exactly what is preventing you, our clubs and members from achieving even more.

This is where I love to call “situational awareness” comes into play for us leaders. This mean getting to grips with your club situation, analysing it carefully with a dispassionate eye and then making conclusions. In District 91’s case, I analysed data stretching from 2012 onwards to see exactly where we could serve our members better. Within your clubs, this could involve looking at how many guests turned up last year, what your guest-to-member conversion rate is, how many members completed educational awards and what attendance at meetings is. Other tools include SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis and doing a members’ survey.

Use all the gathered data to draft your club success plan for the year ahead. This plan is strategic; it aims to answer these questions:-
• What is your vision as a club leadership team for the year ahead for the club? Why this vision?
• How can you inspire your members to embrace the Pathways Learning Experience?
• How can you ensure that members proactively sign up for speeches and roles?
• What actions can you take to drive more guests to meetings?How can you inspire more guests to join your club?
I am currently putting together a document that will answer similar questions for our entire District. New initiatives will likely result from it, so watch this space. I may not be done with giving away free pizzas yet 😉

Arnaud Sartre, Club Growth Director 2018-19

Goals:

Toastmasters year and I am sure many of you are thinking about holidays but there has never been a better time to share your passion for Public Speaking.

As a member, enjoy the experience of the Club Meeting and invite a guest to the next one. If we all brought a guest, then meetings would have even greater variety. In the near future, I will be introducing a range of incentives and awards to claim, one of which rewards individuals sponsoring new members. Share your passion for Toastmasters today!

As a Club leader, you will have most certainly attended a Club Officer Training and helped devise a Club Success plan. How is your Club marketing itself? Do you have the resources needed? Last year, the District introduced a range of marketing materials you can all take advantage of.

Thinking about stepping outside your comfort zone? Living in a community where you believe a new Club could add value and transform lives? I will be happy to discuss your ideas, and share the range of District incentives and support available to make your project a success. Simply email me.

Ready for the next challenge, want to share ideas or willing to help our District? Please drop me a line.

Finally, the Smedley Award is upon us, named after our founder Dr Ralph Smedley. Stay tuned for the official launch on 1st August.

In this video, Dr Smedley himself explains why he started Toastmasters.

Happy holidays!

Pedro Casillas, Immediate Past District Director

District Success Plan Update:

District 91 2017-18 officially closed-we have finished 11th out of 105 Districts across the world. A fantastic achievement!! District 91 is a Select Distinguished District
D91 will be honoured at the Hall of Fame ceremony on Thurs 23 Aug 18 in Chicago!

 

Grand Expectations

by

When you first came to a Toastmaster club, you arrived with expectations. You also have expectations of your Area, Division and District. As a new year begins, this is the best time to renew those expectations, so that guests and members are aware of their responsibilities within the club and the wider Toastmaster community.

Have you ever had an enthusiastic guest come along and become a member only to be shocked that they are expected to serve as an officer in their club leadership team when called upon? Have you ever had a long standing club member who was taken aback when your VP Membership called them up to discuss their waning attendance? It all begins with what is expected of your fellow members and preparing them for their respective roles.

As the then new President of Early Bird Speakers, I introduced a questionnaire for prospective members. It included ‘What would you like to get out of Toastmasters and our club?’ and ‘How do you see yourself giving back to the club?’ A key question was ‘Which leadership role will you stand for in the next leadership team elections?’This keeps everyone mindful of leadership roles. Yes, we have the Toastmaster promise “To serve my club as an officer when called upon to do so”, but sometimes it takes a club to embed these points into their member induction for the message to be driven home.

One could argue that a new member comes just to learn public speaking and has no interest to serve as a leader. But as a leader, you must ask: in the short and long term environment of the club, how is the member serving and supporting your club and the Toastmasters community? By just embracing public speaking, are they really getting their money’s worth?

Read more

Social Media Means More Members

by
1. Introduction

Below are some of my hot practical tips on how to build your club membership using social media, in particular Facebook. My experience is based on many years as a Director of several corporates responsible for marketing and business development, plus eight years of building my own small consulting practice, along with being responsible for the initial marketing and branding of Haresfoot Brewery and more recently BerkoBeerFest. I was the District 91 PR Manager last year (2017-18) and this year I have started Stevenage Speakers Club. This blog follows on from my webinar masterclass delivered last week (I will share the link to the video once live).

Read more