Club Officers: The Host & The Historian

I mentioned in the last post that I would discuss each club officer position, one or two at a time, over the next few blog entries.  I'll start with two officer positions: The Master Host & Secretary.

Master Host:  This office is sometimes referred to as "Sgt at Arms".  As a matter of fact, some of Toastmaster International's material still refers to the office by this title.  No matter how you call it, this officer is very important to the club, since all guests see the results of his/her handiwork immediately.  The Master Host is responsible for setting up the meeting room before the meeting starts.  They make sure the club banner is displayed, the lecturn is set up, evaluation forms laid out in the meeting room, and the timing device is ready for the Timer.  In a community club such as ours, the Master Host works with the restaurant so they know when our upcoming meeting dates are.
      The Master Host also greets people as they come into the meeting room.  At the end of the meeting, they pack up all the club materials, making sure they leave the meeting room in the state in which they found it.  Thus the role is very improtant since they ensure the meeting room looks professionally set.  A guest should see the room setup and know a meeting is happening here, not some haphazard event.

Secretary:  I know - I wrote "Historian" above, but the Secretary keeps track of the club's correspondence both to other Toastmasters entities, and to non-toastmasters as well.  In many clubs the Secretary keeps track of the active members and creates an updated club roster from time to time.  In some clubs, the Secretary keeps minutes of each meeting, recording who was Toastmaster, who were the Speakers and Evaluators, and who served in the other roles for that meeting.  Thus, they keep a historical record.  The Secretary may also record minutes of the officer meetings.
        In one club I belong to, which is corporate-based, the Secretary assists the Treasurer in determining which members will have their dues paid for by the company, and which will have to pay out of their own pocket.

Both of these officer roles are ideal for the member who is deciding to begin their journey down the club officer path.  They are great way to get to know your fellow officers and club members.  You'll also get to know more about the Toastmasters organization.  If you decide to attend TLI (club officer training) then you'll meet members from other clubs who are serving in the same role as you.

Keep these offices in mind when officer elections are held in May.  By helping the club as an officer, you will also be helping yourself by picking up valuable leadership skills you can use outside of Toastmasters.  Happy campaigning!!

Being a Club Officer

The new Toastmasters year begins July 1.  This means (hopefully) that clubs within Toastmasters International should be focusing on the upcoming club elections.  If the new officer team wants to take off running, then clubs need to hold their elections soon (in May) so the new team is in place by July 1. 

So now you are asking two questions: why would I want to serve as an officer? and where do I learn the responsibilities of each role?  Let's tackle each question.

1) Why become an officer?  There are a number of reasons.  Serving as a club officer is one of the requirements for the Advanced Leader Bronze award.  The skills you develop working with others, and on behalf of your club, are transferable to your work and/or home life.  The club does not run itself.  It needs a team of members who are willing to put in some effort to keep the club going and prime it for growth in the future.

2) How do I find out what the responsibilities are of each office?  The are several avenues available.  You can ask the current officers for feedback on their roles.  Each officer receives a manual full of information to help them throughout the year.  You could ask an officer if you could borrow their copy.  Once you become an officer, our District offers formal training to help you learn about your officer role.  Club officers from around the area come together to learn, ask questions, and trade tips with one another.  The first of these training sessions occurs in July, then a follow-up session is offered in January.

            There are seven officer positions: President, VP Education, VP Membership, VP Public Relations, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sgt at Arms (also referred to as Master Host).  While I would not recommend the first two to first-time officers, the others are good starting points for building your leadership skills.  Over the next few weeks I will be posting further information about each of these officer positions. 

            Take the challenge of leadership.  Accept the growth possibilities within you.  Take that next step in your Toastmasters development.  Take the officer step!

PDS offers to pay for meeting space rental

The East Side Madison Toastmasters have been offered sponsorship for meeting space rental. PDS (Paragon Development Systems) CEO, Craig Schiefelbein (philanthropist and outstanding speaker) is interested in supporting the East Side Madison Toastmasters club by funding rental fees so we can meet twice monthly.

As the Sergeant-at-arms, I have contacted various locations that may meet our needs. Nothing EXACTLY fits our needs so far, but I think investigation of alternatives is a worthwhile investment. Before I continue the research I would like to know if you will remain with our club if

1. we change locations
2. the location is outside of the southeast side of Madison
3. the meeting days change to other days of the week
4. the meeting days change to other Mondays of the month
5. we do not have food service available

Another option is to remain at Monona Gardens Restaurant and

1. pay rental on the meeting room and have no food served
2. rearrange the meeting room so more people can fit comfortably in the space.
3. arrange for a table top podium (or free standing podium)

Please post your opinions on this blog or send me an e-mail.

Thank you,

Karen Staebell

Toastmaster on the Slopes

I revisited something new this winter and found myself feeling excited and scared, challenged and exhilarated. I cross-country skied. Actually, I cross-country skied for the first time last winter—only one time and then spring came. That one time was enough—I was hooked. I do look back and wonder why. What I remember most about that day is falling, and falling again (and again). I also remember getting up and trying again. I remember other skiers asking if I was okay. I remember a lot of smiles. I remember feeling really good.

So I tried again this year and was a bit more prepared. I bought my own skis, poles and boots. They’re just right for me (one size does not fit all in this sport).

As I locked my boots onto my skis and looked down the trail, I took a deep breath and asked myself, “Am I ready?” I was.

I began to ski along, challenging myself to look around at the trees and the sky. I wanted to keep my eyes safely turned to the ground. It was easier to follow the trail then to rely on actually feeling the movement of my skis, my legs, and my arms. To learn the trail by rote would take some practice.

Skiing along, I was proud that I hadn’t fallen yet. I soon realized there were skiers on the trail behind me—a girl and a man. She was learning to ski—he was her instructor.

It was then that I inevitably fell. I was embarrassed for a moment. In that moment on the ground, unhurt and struggling to get my feet under me safely, I realized something. I hoped that girl, skiing on the trail behind me, had seen me fall. Because I knew that I fell in the correct form to not get hurt; I knew that while I struggled, I was using the correct form to get back onto my feet. I hoped that girl had seen me fall and had learned something.

I continued on and came to a gigantic hill falling away from me. I stood, paralyzed, wondering how I was going to get down THAT alive. I watched another skier, fairly fresh to the sport like myself, attempt the slope. I watched her fall and then I watched her fall again. I knew that to advance on the trail, I needed to get past this hill. But was I ready for it? I considered all the ways to get past this hurtle and chose what I thought would be the easiest. I fell, but I made it to the bottom. When I turned and looked back, I realized it wasn’t as steep as it had looked on the other side. I vowed to revisit that hill again and ski it until it looked like a gentle bump from the top down.

This winter has been a challenge, offering little snow and terrible ski conditions. To practice this new skill, I can’t wait for the perfect opportunity. I need to reach out and make my own connections, find my own “perfect” place to practice. Next year, I will be even better. The hills will still appear miles deep, but they will be new hills—more challenging than the gentle bumps of this year.

Skiing and Toastmasters have a lot in common. As I strapped on my boots, I remembered the nervousness that I felt when I stood in front of the Eastside Madison TM Club and gave my Icebreaker speech. I remembered the fear I felt when I thought about making a mistake in front of a room full of people. The encouraging smiles and advice brought me back the next meeting. The “gigantic hill” I faced in Toastmasters was the first time I served as my club’s Toastmaster. I will admit now that I flew down that hill a little too quickly. My nerves were wracked and everything in me screamed to “stop!” But I went back and learned from that. I slowed down and began to go at a pace that was right for me. Like skiing, Toastmasters is an ongoing learning experience. I will challenge myself and at times I will wonder, “What was I thinking?” As the hills grow higher, so will my confidence grow, knowing that I am ready for the next hurtle.

TLI or Not TLI - It's Not Even a Question

In a prior post I mentioned how Toastmasters deadlines stay constant each year.  Pick any month, and there is some task or event that needs to be done.  In June/July and again in December/January, it's TLI time.

TLI?

When I first became a club officer in 1994, it was simply referred to as "Club Officer Training".  Sometime in the early 2000's, Toastmasters International designed a reboot.  Officer Training was now called TLI, or Toastmasters Leadership Institute.  What's the difference?  Well, ... plenty.

Many non-officer members believed that "Officer Training" was just for officers.  But it really was for any interested club member.  Hence, the name change.  The summer sessions focus on each club officer role, with specific training geared toward each role.  But one does not need to be an officer to attend.  Maybe you're thinking of being the club secretary next year.  There's nothing wrong with picking up a little knowledge this year.  Plus, there are general sessions that provide valuable information on topics such as club environment and improving individual leadership skills.

We are now in the mid-winter TLI period.  The focus on these sessions is more devoted to taking the club's temperature.  How are we doing?  Are we progressing toward accomplishing our DCP goals by the end of the year?  What can "we" do ("we" = all club members) to help members and the club achieve their goals?

It seems to be a perennial challenge to get club offiers & other members to attend the mid-winter TLI.  In our Wisconsin climate, the weather is definitely a factor.  There are those that say they will learn nothing new.  I've always found that, while the topics or topics may be familiar, there are always ideas that spring forth that I've never considered.  It's amazing what energy and synergy occur when Toastmasters get together.

Here in Madison, the next & last TLI session is on Saturday January 28 from 9:00 - Noon.  All Toastmaster officers & interested members owe it to themselves & their clubs to attend. 

Get re-energized!  Move into the latter half of the Toastmasters year with a strong purpose!  We can all become distinguished Toastmasters who are members of Distinguished Toastmaster clubs.

Speech Contest Season is Upon Us

Spend any length of time in Toastmasters and you find repetition.  The same monthly deadlines are there year after year.  February & March?  Why, it's spring contest season!

In Toastmasters, spring means the International Speech Contest.  The granddaddy of all speech contests.  Our club has set Monday March 5, 2012 as its club International Speech Contest.  What is it?  Contestants prepare an original 5 - 7 minute speech on a topic of their choosing.  Most contestants select topics of a motivational or inspirational nature.  A new look at the human condition.  The rules state that a contestant must be a paid member (naturally) and have completed at least 6 manual speeches.  This contest runs up through all levels of the Toastmasters hierarchy.  A contestant who keeps winning could eventually find themselves on stage at the World Championship of Public Speaking, which is held every August (there's that repetition again) at the Toastmasters International Convention.

But that's not the only contest.  Our club is in District 35, which is the state of Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan.  Our District is also conducting a Table Topics Contest.  Any club member can compete; there is no minimum speech requirement.  Every contestant in a given contest is asked the same question, and the judges determine who gave the best one- to two-minute response.  Our club will be holding its Table Topics Contest on Monday February 19.

Toastmasters literature says that contests are an important part of the overall program.  "They provide an opportunity for Toastmasters to gain speaking experience, as well as an opportunity for other Toastmasters to learn by observing proficient speakers."  (From page 4 of the 2012 Contest Rulebook.)

I've competed in a few contests over the years, and I've always found them to be a great time and a wonderful learning experience.  And no, I've never won the World Championship.  The only time I competed in the International Contest I won at the club level but then lost at the Area level.  I gained a great respect and awe of the speakers who did win and moved up to the next level.

Step outside your comfort zone!  Challenge yourself to take that next step in your communication development!  Compete in a contest -- it's another opportunity to share your voice with the world.

Eastside Madison Toastmasters!

Who are we?  We are a Toastmasters club in Madison, WI  (actually, Monona, WI to be more precise).  I've been a member of this club since 2004, and a Toastmasters member since October 1992.

My name is Jim, and throughout this blog adventure I will be joined by other members of this club.  We will share our Toastmasters experiences & adventures.  If you live or work on the east side of Madison, please feel free to join us for a meeting.  Our club website is at http://1366.toastmastersclubs.org/.  If you live elsewhere, the good news is that there is probably a Toastmasters club near your home or work.  Toastmasters International's website is www.toastmasters.org.

I guess the best place to start is "why are you still a member after 19 years?  Haven't you learned to speak by now?"  Good question.  As we all know, one never stops learning.  Am I a better speaker now than in 1992?  I believe so.  I believe so strongly.

But I still have room to improve.

I owe so much to Toastmasters.  I am able to speak in front of groups of any size.  I still get those pesky butterflies in my stomach, but now I'm their master - instead of the other way around.  I make them fly in wonderful formations.  I also took advantage of the leadership skills one can learn, and not only have held officer roles at the district level, but these skills have helped at work.  You see, I'm one of those pesky computer programmers.  We usually like talking with our mouse, but now I can talk to my mouse, my keyboard, co-workers, directors, and vice-presidents.

Why join Toastmasters?

I think the best response is a line of dialogue from the Academy Award-winning film "The King's Speech".  In case you haven't seen it (and I do recommend it), the story follows Prince Albert, soon-to-be King George VI.  The king has a severe stammer and his wife hires a speech therapist named Lionel Logue to help the king.  Prior to the coronation, both men are in Westminster Abbey where the king is rehearsing his dialogue for this momentous event.  Logue begins to irritate the king and refuses to listen to him.  The following exchange occurs:

King George VI: Listen to me. Listen to me!
Lionel Logue: Listen to you? By what right?
King George VI: By divine right if you must, I am your king.
Lionel Logue: No you're not, you told me so yourself. You didn't want it. Why should I waste my time listening?
King George VI: Because I have a right to be heard. I have a voice!

That final line sums up the movie -- and why anyone would want to join Toastmasters.  No matter who we are - King, President, CEO, computer programmer - we all have a voice.  We all have something to say.  With our voices we can entertain, inspire, cajole, instruct, empathize, argue, amuse, flirt, euologize, or sympathize. 

Toastmasters can help you find your voice and shape it.  It can give you the confidence to be heard - at home, school, work, in the world.  Find your voice.  Discover your passion.  Shape your world.