A fatal flaw? The importance of the first impression.

I came across this blog entry today via Technorati. The author identifies what he calls a "major flaw" in the Toastmasters program: "You can't teach something if you are incompetent!" He goes on to describe his first visit to a Toastmasters club during which the club President gave a speech. His expectations were that an effective leader would be among the best speakers in the club, not a novice. What he observed indicates the opposite.

We as members should expect excellence from our leaders. We should expect that they perform at a higher level - after all, that's why we elected them! But we also realize that, like any of us members, they are also learning how to communicate effectively (as they simultaneously learn to lead effectively). Thus, there may be a wide gap between expectations and observations, between where a leader is and where we think he or she should be. Most of the time we can accept this as part of learning in a "living lab," where we have the luxury of making mistakes before we go out into the "real world" where it really counts.

Where it can be a fatal flaw is when the observer is a guest or new member. They can quickly become disillusioned and believe, as this blogger did, that Toastmasters has nothing to offer them. What our guests and new members expect is a system in which they can learn, safely "crash and burn" and recover to grow from positive, supportive feedback.




So what is this positive, supportive feedback? It is not the "social promotion" pat on the back, the "you're doing great; I can't find anything to comment on" whitewash. Positive, supportive feedback correctly recognizes the achievement the member made in preparing (assuming there is evidence of preparation) and delivering the speech. It also honestly outlines what went wrong and what needs focus for improvement. And one can only come up with such a list by focused, critical listening during the speech! Without this genuine honesty, the speaker will never grow or improve.

Take the first step in making your club an effective club. Make it a club that serves the best interests of the member by giving honest feedback during every evaluation. Make it a club that trains every member on effective evaluation techniques - approaches that are assertive, not aggressive. Make it a club where guests and members immediately see and understand the real benefit of practicing public speaking in a Toastmasters club: the opportunity for immediate, honest feedback delivered in a supportive manner. The opportunity for improved self-confidence and personal growth. After all, that's why every one of us joined - and stuck with - Toastmasters.

Help a struggling club become Distinguished!

We need Club Coaches! We are actively seeking experienced Toastmasters to consult with and advise the officers and members of our low-member clubs. There are opportunities in EVERY Division, so there is a nearby club that needs YOU!

What is a Club Coach?
A Coach is appointed by the District Governor (Alanda Dyer, DTM). The Coach mentors the officers and members of a low-member club to help it become Distinguished.

Why should I be a Coach? What's in it for me?
Service as a Club Coach for a low-member club or as a Sponsor or Mentor for a new club is required to earn your ALS. Because the High Performance Leadership (HPL) program is also required for the ALS, why not combine the two? Make your coaching experience an HPL project. You will learn the 6 dimensions of service leadership and practice team building and project management skills in the process!

Am I eligible?
Probably! If you are experienced in club operations and administration, and if you understand the Distinguished Club Program, you can be a club Coach. This does not require achievement of any specific educational level in Toastmasters. The District Governor will assess your skills and determine if you can serve.

You must not be a member of the club to which you are assigned at the start of your service. Once assigned, you may join the club.

How do I find a club to help?
Your District Marketing Team is here to manage that for you. We have a list of low-member clubs in your area, and we will work to find the appropriate coaching opportunity. We can match you with a club that works for you - the right day, time and club climate.

A club is eligible for coaching if it has 12 or fewer members.

How do I get started?
Contact Club Coaching Chair Maira Pineda, ACG, CL. She will work with you to find the right coaching opportunity. Once you are approved by the District Governor, you may begin serving.

What do I do as a Coach?
You will work with the club officers to set goals and develop a plan to help the club achieve Distinguished status or better. You do NOT have to attend every club meeting - you are there to advise and motivate, NOT run the club!

To learn more, plan to attend our next Coach training session on September 15th.

When do I finish serving as a Coach?
Your service is complete at the end of the first year when the club becomes Distinguished or better. If the club does not achieve Distinguished status, you may serve for a second year.

I wish you all success in the pursuit of your personal goals, whatever they may be!

Sponsors, Mentors & Coaches: You can still sign up!

Ken Garber's training for new club Sponsors and Mentors and for low-member club Coaches was well attended this last Saturday. Attendees learned what it takes to start a new club and the role of the Sponsor and Mentor in the process.

• Sponsors work with the District Marketing Team to convert a new club lead into a chartered club.
• Mentors then work for at least 6 months with the new club to help members learn how the Toastmasters system works, help setup the club operating parameters, and help plan and conduct meetings.

Although people throughout Founder's District have signed on to help us build new clubs, we still need more. In order to meet our target of AT LEAST 39 new clubs by June 30, 2008, we will need AT LEAST 39 Sponsors and 78 Mentors. So there is still room for you even if you missed this training opportunity!

We will repeat both Demo Team and Sponsor/Mentor/Coach training in September.

For information how you can help us start a new Toastmasters club in Founder's District, visit our website.

Demo Team Training - did YOU miss it?

Last weekend was the inaugural training event for the Marketing Team. Fred & Wilma Springer trained 16 leaders in how to start a new club and present an effective demonstration meeting to get everyone in attendance to sign up. Among the topics covered:

• How to start a new club from initial lead to charter in 6 weeks or less!
  
• How leads for new clubs are generated
• How to write a "cold call" letter to mine for new clubs
  
• Planning the demonstration meeting
• Sample agendas for the demonstration meeting
• Establishing the program for the second meeting
• Turning the club over to the new club Mentor

This program was a tremendous hit! Comments were universally positive: "The best training I have ever received!" "This should be offered at every District officer training opportunity!"

If you missed this one, don't make the same mistake twice! This weekend we are offering the second training in the series - for sponsoring, mentoring or coaching clubs. This training will be conducted by Past International Director Ken Garber, DTM. Ken is a candidate this year for 3rd Vice President of Toastmasters International, and is passionate about building strong, healthy clubs to bring the benefits of Toastmasters to more people than ever before.

As before, this training session will be held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. The location has moved across campus to the Family Life Center at 13280 Champman Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840. Please RSVP to Elisa Roddy, DTM to reserve your spot!

Founder's District becomes Distinguished!

Congratulations to Immediate Past District Governor Celly F. Adamo, DTM! Founder's District has achieved Distinguished status, exceeding its goals for educational awards, memberships and new clubs. At this writing, we stand #25 in the world! Not since 2002 has Founder's District been recognized by Toastmasters International as a Distinguished District.

We extend our deep appreciation to every member, Club officer and District officer for making this a reality. We have realized Celly's vision to be on the stage at the Toastmasters International Convention in Phoenix this August. Please plan to join Celly and her team at the Convention. Be sure to register online before July 23rd to get the preferred rates!

Our 2007-2008 Toastmasters year has just begun. We all need to work hard for the next 12 months getting new members for our clubs, keeping our valued current members, and building new clubs so even more people will enjoy the benefits of Toastmasters. Let's work hard to help District Governor Alanda Dyer, DTM, make Founder's District Distinguished once more. If we are truly successful this year, we may even achieve Select Distinguished (#7-12 of all Districts in the world) or President's Distinguished (one of the top 6 Districts in the world).

Now, for the commercial: if you are a Toastmaster with experience in new media marketing, or if you would like to gain valuable, transferable skills in this arena, please contact me. I have an opening in the Founder's District marketing staff for a New Media Manager.

Let's Speak - Lead - Achieve! our way to success!