Want an opportunity to grow? Are you working towards an Advanced Leader designation?
If you said "yes" to either of these questions, read on. A great way to test your communications skills is to use them to help a Toastmasters club find the road to success. How? By serving as a mentor or sponsor for a new club that is forming or by serving as a club coach for a club that is experiencing membership challenges.
Below is a brief description of each role followed by a list of benefits to serving in each capacity.
CLUB SPONSOR:
Each new club may have up to two sponsors. The sponsor is responsible for organizing the new club, including selling the new club idea to prospective members, helping to set up regular meetings, completing paperwork, and planning the charter presentation. Sponsors receive a certificate when the club charters and can receive credit toward the Advanced Leader (AL) award. Special recognition is given to those who repeatedly serve as club sponsors.
Note: Sponsors must apply for credit no later than 90 days after the club's official charter date. Any changes or additions to the sponsor assignments must be made no later than 60 days after the club's official charter date.
CLUB MENTOR:
Each new club may have up to two mentors who are appointed by the District Governor. Mentors should be experienced Toastmasters who actually join the new club, providing guidance during the first six months to one year of its existence. The mentor also receives a certificate when the club charters and, if he/she fulfills the role satisfactorily, credit toward the Advanced Leader (AL) award.
Note: Mentors may apply for credit no sooner than six months after the club's official charter date. Any changes or additions to mentor assignments must be made no later than 60 days after the club's official charter date.
CLUB COACH PROGRAM:
A Club Coach is an experienced Toastmaster who is asked to help a struggling club. For purposes of the Club Coach program a struggling club is one that reported twelve (12) or fewer members to Toastmasters International on its most recent semiannual dues report. Successful completion of a Club Coach assignment satisfies one of the requirements for the Advanced Leader (AL) award.
The Club Coach comes from the outside (is not a current member at the time of appointment) with new viewpoints, perspectives, and experience. He or she may not be a member of the club prior to assignment, but may join after being assigned. Assignments are made only by District Governors. Of course, a club needs to want a club coach before one can be assigned.
If your club is interested in receiving help from a Club Coach (or to volunteer to serve as a club coach), please contact Lieutenant Governor of
Marketing or the District Governor. They will determine if your club is eligible and if there are any Club Coaches available.
Please click here for the Club Coach Program flyerBenefits of serving as a Club Mentor, Sponsor, or Coach:
Get numerous opportunities to speak;
Get to go outside the "comfort zone" of your home club to test your communication skills;
Get to witness Ice Breaker speeches given by new Toastmasters;
Get lots of ideas for how to improve your own home club meetings;
Earn credit towards an Advanced Leader designation.
There are any number of openings throughout District 65. Please contact the LGM if you are interested in any of these roles. We are constantly working to match resources with opportunities.