How to Promote Toastmasters

10 Ways to Promote Toastmasters International

1. Create club or district business cards indicating your meeting time and place, and distribute them to friends and colleagues along with a personal comment on how Toastmasters training has benefited you.

2. Use mugs, wear Toastmasters shirts.

3. Display your Toastmaster trophies in a prominent place in your home and office.

4. Wear your Toastmasters pin! It's a good conversation starter.

5. Libraries. Submit extra copies of the Toastmaster magazine to the library's periodicals department and attach a card with the club's contact information. Also post fliers and ads on bulletin boards.

6. Employee Orientation. Make sure in-house Toastmasters clubs in corporations, hospitals, government agencies or other organizations have their clubs mentioned during new-employee orientation seminars.

7. "Welcome to the Community" packets. These are distributed to all new residents in a city and contain promotional materials from local merchants and organizations. Your ad or flier should be included in this package.

8. Universities and Community Colleges. Like cities, many Universities have internal cable TV and radio stations, as well as publications reaching students, staff and faculty. Arrange to have a Toastmaster give a presentation as a guest lecturer in a speech communication class. Or better yet, try to participate in communication-related campus events – like "Communications Week," for example – and be prepared to host a booth and offer promotional fliers. If your district already has a University club, make sure it is publicized in campus media, as well as in new-student or freshmen orientations.

9. High Schools. Organize or judge speech contests for seniors, or give seminars on career planning. Even if students don't join your club, this is an opportunity for media exposure and gives parents, staff and teachers a good impression of our organization.

10. Offer Speechcraft and Youth Leadership Programs. This is a great way of showing the public what Toastmasters is all about.

You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .

Tips on Making Meetings Extra Fun

Planning for Fun!

When was the last time Albert Einstein presented a speech in your club meeting? How about Vincent Van Gogh acting as grammarian? While our ordinary club meetings are enjoyable, sometimes club members need something extra to ramp up the fun factor. Fill a room with happy surprises and you’ll enjoy watching the spread of giggles, guffaws and grins.

There are many ways to build surprises into your next meeting, and special guests are only one way to add sizzle. Why not coordinate an entire theme meeting that will leave everyone laughing and applauding? Here are some theme meeting ideas for your consideration:

Have a Blast with the Past 
Here’s your chance to invite Einstein for a visit. Slate a theme meeting with scheduled speakers impersonating famous historical figures (complete with costumes, if possible). Then, plan to have those people help with the rest of the meeting while remaining in character.

The rest of the group can add to the fun. If your Topicsmaster knows which historical figures will be portrayed in the scheduled speeches, he or she can design matching Table Topics questions. For example:

“Madame Curie, your husband, Pierre, described how the two of you won the Physics Nobel Prize in 1903 for discovering radioactivity. Please tell us in one-to-two minutes what it was like to be a female scientist when you co-discovered polonium and radium.”

A twist on this game is to give the Table Topics participant the name of a famous person – without sharing the information with the club – and tell the member to portray that person, providing clues about his or her life, in less than two minutes. With the rest of your club members taking one minute to guess the identity of the celebrity, everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a challenge and join in on the game.

Be Judge and Jury 
Is there a lawyer in the room? Set up your meeting as a mock trial. You can have two prepared speeches, one for the defense and one for the prosecution. Some clubs enjoy a mock trial of the Big Bad Wolf (from any of several fairy tales). No matter what country or culture you live in, there’s sure to be a children’s story with an evil character. Conduct a trial and see if your defense attorney can get him acquitted!

If you’d prefer something closer to home, conduct a trial for the crime of running a red light, tax evasion, destroying public property, etc. – any kind of simple nonviolent crime. For those who seek a creative challenge, make it a wild crime, such as stealing the elephants from a visiting three-ring circus. Find a volunteer to play the role of the defendant, and let the trial begin! Select a jury, who must answer Table Topics questions on whether they've seen a crime like this before. Your only limit is the time frame.

Play “You’re a Star!” 
If any member can bring in a video camera on a tripod, you’re in business – show business, that is! Run your meeting as though everyone were a famous movie star. Plan speeches and Table Topics to accommodate this plan. Can “Tom Cruise” tell us what it’s like to star in an action thriller? Can “Nicole Kidman” describe her favorite role? If you can post the video on your club’s website, that’s great. If not, plan to show portions of the video at a future meeting. It can even become a presentation by the videographer.

Enjoy a Very Merry Unbirthday Set aside a meeting to celebrate everyone’s “unbirthday” instead of their real ones. Ask everyone to wear something that has birthday significance – their birthstone, zodiac sign or something they have received as a birthday gift. Encourage your scheduled speakers to talk about birthday themes – a favorite party or what it was like the year of their birth. The Table Topicsmaster can ask questions like, “Where would you like to celebrate your next birthday?”

 Remember: A Fun Group is a Thriving Group
The truth is, when members make fun a goal, they’re reaching their educational goals too. Toastmasters’ founder, Ralph Smedley, summed it up best when he said, “We learn best in moments of enjoyment.” When your members are having fun, they’re coming back for more ... and improving their skills. Now, that’s good planning!

You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .

Successful role-filling for your Toastmasters Club

Filling Club Meeting Roles

Have you ever wondered how you were going to get all the meeting roles filled for the following week? Or the one after that? How about finding a replacement for someone who wasn't able to make it to the meeting? You are not alone. While many clubs have members volunteering right and left, other clubs struggle from week to week to get their roles filled. The reasons for this can vary from busy schedules to lack of organization to not wanting to commit or even not being aware of the opportunities available. Several Toastmasters clubs have experienced success in overcoming these hurdles by using the methods below. While all of these methods won’t work for all clubs, you can pick and choose the methods that work for you.

Educate Your Members on the CL What works for Manassas Community Toastmasters and Speak Up Manassas Toastmasters? According to Bill Malthouse ACG ALB, 2009-2010 Division F Governor for District 27, writing the corresponding Competent Leadership project numbers next to the applicable roles on the meeting agenda helps. This reminds members that they can get CL credit for fulfilling a specific meeting role, and it also encourages them to improve their leadership skills by working through the Competent Leadership manual. Your club’s meeting roles get filled, while members work to earn their Competent Leader award. It’s a win-win situation.

Ask for Volunteers Well in Advance Another great way to get those roles filled is to ask for volunteers two to three weeks ahead of time. This gives members more time to prepare, which helps relieve the pressure and allows them to work around prior commitments. Make sure to remind members of the roles they agreed to fill the week before they are scheduled. Also, try having a “standby” role so that members can fill in for any last minute no-shows or changes in a person’s schedule. If a member does step up and fill a role at the last minute due to a no-show or cancellation, recognize their courage and participation. 

Use Club Management Software
Asking for volunteers weeks in advance, in conjunction with using club scheduling software to schedule and rotate members is also a popular choice. Use these programs and tools to send out reminders, enter requests and create assignments. They are easy to use and can be updated quickly, which helps keep your club well organized and prepared. 

Assign Roles
If all else fails, you may just need to try assigning roles and asking members if they would be up for the challenge. Remind them that a Toastmasters club only works if all members are engaged and participating in meeting roles. Focus on the fact that while they are helping the club, they are also honing their leadership skills and earning credit towards their CL. Show them that you are interested in helping them achieve their goals, as well as helping the club.

Whether your club follows Manassas Community Toastmasters and Speak Up Manassas Toastmasters’ lead or uses another suggested method, you’re well on your way to successful role-filling.

You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .

Benefits of going to Toastmasters training for club officers

Officer Training – Again!

What’s in it for you?

Are you a club officer? If so, are you planning to attend midyear officer training in December or January?

No? Think the training won't benefit you? Please think again – and read on to see what unexpected benefits training can offer. Even veteran officers find numerous reasons to attend.

If you already plan to be there – great! Here’s a sample of what everyone can gain from this enlightening and helpful event.

Learn Something New The initial benefits of mid year training – or “second training” to some – should be obvious to anyone assuming an officer role for the first time in January. You attend to learn about your role.

As technology and resources change, officer roles can be affected. Even veteran officers might need to learn new procedures, functions or processes. For example, officers of clubs using FreeToastHost.org have seen their responsibilities adjust to the increasing functionality offered by the free online website.

Remember and Reflect 
Officer roles are multifaceted. Many times, these positions involve behind-the-scenes work seldom realized or appreciated by members. Rarely do we do everything we're supposed to during our first six months in a role – maybe not even in a whole year. Mid Year training allows you to check in with others about all the duties involved in your position and to think about ways to handle them.

It can also be an opportunity to reflect on the first six months. How did you do? What went well, and what could be improved? Our lives are so busy – who isn't multitasking these days? This session offers that time to focus on your officer contribution and process what’s happened so far.

Share Challenges and Successes For club officers gathered at the training event, the group dynamic is very useful. Edward Chen, of District 67 in Taipei, Taiwan, says, “The main purpose is to share what they have experienced in the past half-year and find solutions for the problem or difficulties they are facing.”

What are some best practices employed by clubs? What activities or approaches have other clubs tried? What are some lessons learned that could benefit you or others? By hearing about best practices or activities that didn't work, officers can quickly add to their portfolio of initiatives. And it’s nice to know that you’re not alone in some of the challenges you’re facing.

Socialize and Network 
Many people go for the social aspect of training. It’s an opportunity to meet new people or connect with other members in a new way.

You can also network to help recruit participants for your club meetings. Chen says, “Both the first and the second officer trainings also serve as fellowship meetings for district and club officers. The meetings offer them opportunities to make friends with the officers from all over the country. This is very helpful in fulfilling their jobs, as they may [then] know many capable and experienced Toastmasters from other clubs who they can invite to their clubs to serve ... in the regular meetings or as judges in their speech contests.”

You might hear about other speaking opportunities or recruit speakers for meetings and contests. You might even learn about something beyond Toastmasters, such as a job opportunity.

 It’s Up to the District
Not all midyear training sessions offer all these opportunities. Some might offer very few. In addition, as Debbie Roes, Area 8 Governor in District 5 and immediate past president of Pacific Beach Toastmasters in San Diego, California, points out, “The level of benefits gained varies widely depending upon the trainer.”

If your district does not provide the training you or your officers need, send the district leaders some constructive feedback. What would help? Toastmasters are trained in evaluation; use those skills to let your district leadership know what you need to be successful. Share your ideas.

A lot of time, energy and resources are put into organizing midyear training. The coordinators and trainers want to make training the best possible experience for all. Give them an opportunity to consider your needs. As Philani Ncube, past president of District 74’s Honeydew Toastmasters in Johannesburg, South Africa, notes, “Like anything else in life, you only get out of it as much as you put in.”

Condensed and updated from “Officer Training – Again!” by Jennifer L. Blanck, ACS, AL, published in the December 2008 Toastmaster magazine.

You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .

TABLE TOPICS: A fun way that Toastmasters Clubs have to speak off the cuff.

Tips for the Topicsmaster

Members Share Table Topics Successes

By Paul Sterman

When leading a Table Topics session, have you ever used office supplies to elicit responses? Or written a stack of letters from fairytale characters? Or brought in photos of food to trigger a culinary discussion?

These are all tools that members have used to produce creative Table Topics programs and creativity is an important part of the exercise. Clubs need to mix things up to prevent their Table Topics sessions from stagnating.

“‘Regular’ Table Topics is a great learning experience, but it’s fun to do something different occasionally,” says George Marshall, DTM, of the Star Search Toastmasters in Newark, California.

If you’re the Topicsmaster, be imaginative and resourceful. Here are just a few ideas shared by members whose experience spans several clubs each:

• Bill Malthouse, DTM, a member of three clubs in Virginia, recommends this tactic: Bring in some common office supplies – a paper clip, a stapler, a pen, even a doorstop. Then put them all in a bag. When Table Topics begins, a member fishes blindly in the bag and pulls out an item. Let’s say they snag a stapler. The Topicsmaster then poses this question: “Please describe your daily life as a stapler.” The next member pulls out another item, and the same pattern is repeated.
• Susan Carroll-Clark, DTM, a member of two clubs in Toronto, Canada, says photographs are a great catalyst for Table Topics responses, evoking all sorts of images and ideas for the speakers. She brings in photos to reflect a specific theme. “I've used [photos] for a food theme, a vacation theme, a sports theme and so forth,” she says.
• George Marshall says “hardware” topics are always a big hit. In a recent turn as Topicsmaster, he brought in very old tools from his kitchen and workbench. The members’ Table Topics challenge: Pretend to sell the object to a customer, describing its function (which can be made up, if need be) and purpose.
• Darla Nettles Edwards, a member of the TRC Toastmasters club in Charleston, South Carolina, enjoys a little tabloid in her Table Topics. She suggests this scenario as a fun exercise: The Topicsmaster tells members, “You’re all staff members for an outrageous supermarket tabloid. As the chief editor, I need to know what stories you are working on this week.” Then, says Nettles Edwards, the Topicsmaster calls on members, asking for a report from “the sports editor,” “the beauty editor,” “the Hollywood reporter,” “the crime reporter” and so on.

Keep in mind a few fundamentals when planning a Table Topics program. Several days before your club meeting, ask the Toastmaster if the meeting will have a particular theme. If so, prepare topics that tie in to that theme.

In addition, choose questions or subjects that allow speakers to express their opinions. Don’t pick complicated topics that require specialized knowledge to understand. Use ones that are broad and general enough for anyone to talk about without preparation.

Pamela Winter, DTM, a member of four clubs in New Jersey, says she learned to take a more flexible approach when serving as Topicsmaster. “I used to be very structured with Table Topics, which required [members to have] some in-depth knowledge in history, physiology, current events or other fields,” she says. “I thought my questions were pretty good, but I would get a lot of complaints from other members after the meetings.

“About two years ago, I switched tracks, and my Table Topics have become less esoteric and thus more fun.”

Winter cites as an example a recent Table Topics program she led. She let her imagination run wild, writing brief letters from popular fairytale characters addressed to the popular American newspaper columnist “Dear Abby,” in which the characters ask for advice about their problems. For example, Little Red Riding Hood seeks help in dealing with a “crazy stalker.” Table Topics speakers were asked to respond to the letters – in essence, to serve as Dear Abby and dole out advice to the characters.

The program, says Winter, “had guests and members alike laughing up a storm.”

The Toastmasters International online store also has some excellent resources to help you with planning Table Topics programs:

• Think Fast! Table Topics Handbook (Item 1315)
• Stand Up and Speak! Table Topics Game (Item 1316)
• TableTalk (Item 1318)
• Chat Pack (Item 1319)
• Penny Stones (Item 1321)
• Master Your Meetings (Item 1312)

 Paul Sterman is an associate editor for the Toastmaster magazine.

You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .