Page 23 - 2018 July Voices

PERSPECTIVES

Are You a Club Supporter?

Donna Stark, DTM, IPDD

Toastmasters offers a variety of activities— club member. Mahatma Gandhi is quoted, “Be

Club Officer Training/TLI, Speech Contests, the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Conferences, and even the International Queue the theme music—your mission, fellow
Convention. I’ve been fortunate to have the Toastmasters—should you choose to accept
opportunity to attend a number of these types of it—is . . .

events, yet to me the power of the Toastmasters What do you do to contribute to a supportive
program is realized at the club level. The mission and positive environment? The Toastmasters
of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually Promise is a great place to start. The Moments
supportive and positive learning environment of Truth module is another good resource to

in which every individual member has the evaluate your club’s strengths and areas for
opportunity to develop oral communication improvement. It contains a Best Practices Chart
and leadership skills, which in turn foster self- that can help you and your club identify potential
confidence and personal growth. The club is causes and recommendations to address all kinds

where the magic happens! of challenges. Even in the strongest of clubs, I
What is a club? Merriam-Webster defines a recommend conducting the Moments of Truth
club as an association of persons. (There’s also module at least annually.
mention of a suit of playing cards, a heavy staff Are you fully participaing in your club? Are

wielded as a weapon, and a sandwich reference you doing all you can to help your club provide
we’ll save those for another time.) Which person a mutually supportive and positive learning
in your club is responsible for making sure environment so that you and your clubmates
your club provides that supportive and positive can continue to develop your communication

environment? Is it the Club President? The VP of and leadership skills, improve your confidence,
Education, perhaps? Or maybe the Sergeant at and experience growth? It doesn’t happen by
Arms? Yes, and— it is not solely the responsibility accident. Commit to the Toastmasters Promise.
of the officer team. It’s the responsibility of each Mission Possible!

VOICES! | JULY, 2018 23