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.