Page 18 - Voices-2021-10
P. 18
FROM THE DESK
ecret Sauce of
S Successful Clubs
Jim Robison, DTM - Club Growth Director
I have visited close to a hundred clubs in the guests to make any final comments about the
past few months, plus I’ve been reading the meeting. In addition, some clubs do a great job
Club Visit reports submitted by our Area of sending information to guests in advance,
Directors. I have seen some commonalities and following up with guests afterwards. If
among successful clubs. a guest leaves feeling they would have been
Clubs that seem to be most successful at missed if they had not been at the meeting,
bringing guests and members back to their then the club did a good job of welcoming
meetings, are ones where everyone feels them.
welcomed and everyone takes part in the Fun: While Toastmasters is meant to be
meeting. Three traits stand out with successful a place to learn and practice new skills, it is
clubs. People feel that they participated in a also, for many members, a break from the
meaningful way, that they had some fun, and standard work day. It is a place to learn, a place
that they learned something. Let’s consider to socialize with others, and a place to have
these. some enjoyment during the day (whether in
Participation: If you show up to a group the morning, noon or evening). Many clubs
meeting and are ignored, or just sit there will refer to their weekly meeting as the best
watching without participating in the meeting hour (or more) of the week. If guests have some
at all, you do not feel that you are part of the fun, they will likely return. Many successful
group. You might not feel that you are welcome clubs will have some fun with a meeting theme
to be there. You certainly feel that your and with table topics. Clubs that have a lot of
absence would not be noticed. A welcoming good will among members will enjoy a friendly
club often includes a round of introductions and fun atmosphere of good natured ribbing
for members and guests to get to know each mixed with constructive feedback. A fun club
other, an invitation to guests to participate in will encourage guests to join in and become a
Table Topics, and an invitation at the end for part of that fun. A guest leaving with a smile
18 ONE COMMUNITY
