BeGes Newsletter: May 2016
OFFICER ELECTIONS
Our club's elections are May 13th with terms beginning in July.
Mario is gathering names for the following positions:
President presides at meetings of the Club, has general supervision of the operations of the ClubVice President of Education Plans & directs club programs meeting Club members' educational needs. Plans & publishes regular schedules of meeting assignments. Keeps track of member's progress towards goals.
Vice President of Membership Plans and directs programs to retain and increase club membership.
Vice President of Public Relations Develops & directs programs informing members and the public about Toastmasters International and Club activities.
Treasurer Responsible for Club financial policies, procedures and controls. Collects dues and pays dues to Toastmasters International, and maintains records. Makes financial reports to the Club at least quarterly. Receives and disburses, with approval of the Club, all Club funds.
Secretary Responsible for Club records and correspondence. Maintains club roster. Has custody of the Club’s charter, Constitution, Bylaws, and all other records and documents of the club. Keeps an accurate record of the meetings and activities of the Club.
Sergeant at Arms Prepares meeting room for meeting. Maintains Club property, including banner, nametags, and supplies. Greets visitors. Chairs Social and Reception Committees.
Interested in one of these positions? Talk to Mario!
How to Write a Speech in 10 Minutes Workshop
On Thursday, May 5th, Past Toastmasters International President Ted Corcoran came all the way from Ireland to inform, inspire and educate us! He shared how to write a speech in 10 minutes:
The 9 Points of Every Speech (The Aural Signposts) Order you think of it
Opening 1) Get attention - question, story, statistic, etc. 8
2) WHAT - Subject, theme or Message 1
3) Tell them what you're going to tell them 6
Body 4) Point 1 3 Facts, or What-Where-When, or Past-Present-Future 3
5) Point 2 or Problem-Cause-Solution 4
6) Point 3 These explain and support your purpose 5
Conclusion 7) Summarize - tell them what you've told them 7
8) WHY - message reflects your purpose 2
9) Refer back to #1 to complete 9
MEMBER NEWS
Our President is a Papa! In late April, Garrett and his wife Heather became the proud parents of little Leif Bryan Leque ~ we wish the new family much happiness, and sleep!
Member Annaliza Abanes, no doubt emboldened by her short time in our club, left us in March to fly to Cambodia for an extended Yoga Retreat! She shared the following video the start of her journey:
And, lifted directly from District 32's April Newsletter, something we should all be thinking about:
Membership Recruitment and Retention -
It is the Little Things
When we meet someone for the first time the little means a lot. A kind word brings a smile to our face. Being the recipient of a smile lifts our spirits. Have someone acknowledge your contribution to a meeting, event, etc. is encouraging. Something doesn't have to be major to create a valuable memory or impression. The same can be said of our Toastmasters clubs - the little things mean a lot. For example, walking into a club meeting location to a warm welcome, delivering a speech and receiving encouraging and supportive feedback, or positive feedback after serving in a club meeting or club officer role. These positive impressions and interactions foster the feeling of belonging.
As our founder, Ralph Smedley stated, "If we should ever lose the fellowship of personal, friendly relationships, we might easily become just another high grade correspondence school. The personal touch, in all levels of our work, is one of its distinguishing features. Our club must work hard to sustain a climate of caring and good fun." To recruit and retain members we need to look at the little things. If we were a guest attending our club meeting would we join? Do we feel a welcome member of the club?
How well is your club retaining members? Is there a member whom hasn't been at the club in a while? Call the member to let them know they are missed at meetings and check in on them. That personal touch may bring them back if they were contemplating discontinuing their membership. Looking for ways to add fun to a club meeting? Perhaps themed meetings would do the trick. The theme could be woven through the opening remarks, word of the day, and Table Topics. Don't feel like you are creative enough to come up with themes? Check out www.tandemtoastmasters.
Thinking about ways to invite former members back to the club? Hold an alumni meeting or celebrate your club's anniversary and invite former members to a meeting. Looking for other ways? Conduct the Moments of Truth, an evaluation of your club. Also, review the Area Visit report your Club President receives from your Area Director. It is an outside perspective of the impressions guests may be forming of your club. Sometimes taking small actions can make a big difference.
Angela Ritchey, DTM
District Director
