Page 16 - voices.10.2018

PERSPECTIVES
The Fun Factor
Donna Stark, DTM -
Immediate Past District Director
One of the first things I learned coaching
first and second-grade soccer players is
that their motivation was fun. At six and
seven years old, if they weren’t having
fun, they wouldn’t stick with it. Coaching
theory taught that the fun factor is
important not only for kids, but for athletes of
all ages and at all levels. If a professional athlete
isn’t having a good time, they may take their
talents to South Beach (or LA).
The need for fun isn’t limited to sports. One
of my favorite quotes attributed to Toastmasters
founder Ralph Smedley is, “We learn best in
moments of enjoyment.” Done right, fun isn’t an
extraneous distraction. I believe it’s a necessary
aspect of learning to be a better speaker and
leader. I’m much more likely to venture outside
my comfort zone and into my growth zone if I’m
in a safe, enjoyable environment.
Fun can be one of those things that is difficult
to describe but you know it when you experience
it. Here are some things you might want to
consider:
• Add a humorist or jokemaster role to your
agenda. My home club allots one to two minutes
for this role. It ensures our meeting ends on a
light note and it’s an opportunity for a speaker
to practice their humor skills.
• Themed meetings can add a little spice to
your routine. Whether it’s Halloween, Veteran’s
16 ONE COMMUNITY
Day, or National Sandwich Day (November
3rd!), themed meetings can be an opportunity
to add festivity to your meeting. Have a birthday
party for your club on the anniversary of the
charter date! These can be great Open House
opportunities, too.
• Table Topics is a great opportunity for
creativity. A spin of a wheel or roll of the dice
can turn Table Topics into a game.
• I didn’t think I’d enjoy picking meeting
roles out of a hat or a backwards meeting, until
I participated in them. It was a fun challenge to
make my speech match what my evaluator had
already described.
• Does your club socialize outside of the
meeting setting? Toastmasters who play together,
stay together. ;-)
If attending Toastmasters meetings has
become more of a chore than a pleasure, or
your members aren’t engaged, perhaps it’s time
to up your fun factor. I see that November 20th
is National Absurdity Day. I wonder what I can
do with that? Is there something your club does
that you enjoy? I’d like to hear about it!