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Most members choose to give a non-religious I suggest that you take a look at your own club
inspirational thought of the week, but many from the perspective of a new guest. Is it easy for
members give a religious invocation. We have a guest to visit? Does the guest feel welcomed and
had the meeting open with Christian, Jewish, drawn into the meeting? Does the guest enjoy

Muslim, Budhist, Hindu and Wiccan invocations. the experience and feel a desire to return? One
Our approach is to let people express their own great way to help review the guest experience
religion while recognizing that others in the club is to conduct the “Moments of Truth” module
do not share the same religion. from Toastmasters International (https://www.

I wish I could have gone back to that guest who toastmasters.org/Resources/Moments-of-Truth).
left our meeting and corrected the experience I encourage you to review the guest
for her, but unfortunately the first impression experience in your club and make sure that all
was not what she wanted. In Toastmasters we guests feel welcome to return.

need to ensure that everyone feels welcomed
and accepted. We need to ensure that when a
guest comes to the meeting, they experience
an environment that encourages them to open

up and become part of the group and not make
them feel like they do not belong.
In preparing to fill the role of Club Growth
Director I have visited at least 75 Toastmaster

clubs. In most cases I have a great first impression
as a guest. I feel welcomed, I am invited to
introduce myself or participate in other ways, I
am invited to return. I have learned a lot about

the commonalities and differences between
clubs. Each club has something that makes it
unique. I enjoy the fact that every club I visit is
fun to participate in.

VOICES! | JULY 2021 17