Today we are going to talk about Toastmaster Myths, Mistakes
and Mission: Toastmasters at the Crossroads.
What is a crossroad? A crossroad is a place where one has to make a
choice as to which way to go. In this discussion the term Toastmasters
refers to each of us, not just the organization as a whole. Both Toastmasters
International and individual Toastmasters come to crossroads where a choice
is necessary to continue.
The challenge is to make a choice which leads to the desired destination.
The problem is that many Toastmasters only have a fuzzy idea of what our
their destination really is. They know they are in Toastmasters and since
their continued involvement is an indicator of some level of satisfaction.
For some the crossroad is which goal to pursue next, which Advanced Manual
or level of achievement to choose.
Unfortunately, many Toastmasters are at a major crossroad with no knowledge
of the destinations available – they give speeches rather complete projects,
they write a speech and then find a manual speech that "fits" – thereby
missing the main purposes for "giving a speech" in Toastmasters which is
to perfect a speaking skill and to provide the opportunity for other members
to learn from the evaluation of that speech against specific criteria.
We're going to talk about why some people are here at the conference
and why others are not. Why some Toastmasters continue meaningfully involved
while others are satisfied with their "status quo".
TOASTMASTERS IS A SUCCESS STORY
Since the Toastmasters organization began in 1924, more than three million
men and
women have benefited from its the communication and leadership programs.
We are the largest and oldest organization in the world promoting communication
an leadership skills. We have experienced steady growth and demonstrated
innovation and a willingness to change. We have a sensitivity to the quality
of membership. We have all the tools we need to train people to be effective
communicators and leaders.
We are fulfilling the Mission Statement of Toastmasters International.
The Mission of Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is the leading movement devoted to making
effective communication a worldwide reality.
Through its member clubs, Toastmasters helps men and women learn the
art of speaking, listening and thinking, vital skills that promote self-actualization,
enhance leadership potential, foster human understanding, and contribute
to the betterment of mankind.
It is basic for this mission that Toastmasters International continually
expand its worldwide network of Clubs, thereby offering ever greater numbers
of people the opportunity to benefit from its programs.
Yes, we are the leading movement for Communications and Leadership,
Besides learning to give speeches in front of audience, we gain confidence.
We learn and teach vital skills that promote self-actualization- (Maslow
would like that). We find new confidence in ourselves and enhanced leadership
potential and a higher purpose- to foster human understanding. That’s the
real payoff in the In the "Communication Skills for Life" brochures, we
are focusing on results....answering the big "What’s in it for me question"
by telling people what they are going to get out of Toastmasters.?
As a world, we are lousy communicators. We would rather exchange lead
than words. In Toastmasters we have a higher purpose, to teach people to
communicate and to become leaders. We are preparing women and men to become
resources to their communities We need to stop giving a speech and try
to find a manual skill to match it. We need to switch that around. We need
to focus on moving forward, gaining skills and pursuing higher purposes.
We have clubs in 69 countries. We have 175,000 members worldwide. That’s
a drop in the bucket to the need and the potential of our organization.
Each of us has gained a lot from Toastmasters. Some reflect on the rapid
growth a dramatic changes Toastmasters experienced during the 1970s and
80s and refer to those as the "golden days". I submit, these days are the
golden days --if we choose to make them so.
Some Toastmasters are concerned that we have reached our peak – that
we have hovered between 170,000 and 176,000 members for the past five years
and since we have grown significantly, we can't grow.
I submit that what matters is members and what is happening at the club
level – that’s where we need to grow – in giving people the "Toastmasters
Experience". they paid for.
In the Membership Growth Manual there is a section named "Moments
of Truth" which is designed to have members look at their club from
the perspective of a new member. As we go through this next segment think
about your club.:
Let me tell out about Dawnbusters, where
I gave my Ice Breaker Speech on April 6, 1982
Dawnbusters met at 6:10 AM every Tuesday at Cocoas restaurant. In the 80s
Dawnbusters was a vibrant exciting club. At a typical meeting there would
be 20-25 members in attendance. Competition for Best Speaker, Table topics
and Best Evaluator was keen. Every functionary was on target, evaluations
were on target, competition to represent the club in Speech Contests was
serious. Dawnbusters was delivering the Toastmaster Experience and members
were thriving.
I left Dawnbusters to help found my present club. I kept in touch over
the years and a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Dawnbusters.
I’m sad to tell you the "Moments of Truth" I observed and sadder still
to tell you that since then Dawnbusters, a club with a 50 plus year history,
has disbanded.
What was missing? First, there were only eight Toastmasters present:
and two of us were visitors. The greetings were warm and the members present
had been longstanding effective members of the club – some were members
since the 80s. But there were signs of trouble – which proved to be the
death knells for the club. (During the presentation at the
Conference each point was punctuated with the single dinging of an Ah Bell)
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The Toastmaster began the meeting by asking people to fulfill
functions. (Ding)
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The club didn’t use a printed schedule which listed functions
4 weeks ahead anymore. (Ding)
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The Toastmaster had not prepared an agenda or confirmed participation
before the meeting. (Ding)
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Members had not called the Toastmaster to confirm they had
found their replacement. (Ding)
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There were two speeches – neither to fulfill a project in
a manual. (Ding)
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Evaluators weren’t pre-assigned, so they could contact their
speaker ahead of the meeting, (Ding)
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Competing to be in a Speech Contest was no longer a priority
– no one had the time. (Ding)
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Dawnbusters had became a social club that enjoyed going on
hikes and campouts, but lost their way in Toastmasters.
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They had lost their former enthusiasm that drew members and
were just holding on. (Ding)
Dawnbusters is gone because members broke the Toastmaster’s
Promise
How long has it been since you read the Toastmaster’s Promise printed
on the back of the Membership Application. Have you considered that when
you pay When you pay your dues, you are reasserting your promise, and this
perpetuates success in Toastmasters.
Look at Promise # 1 – To attend all Club meeting regularly: - do you
do that?
Consider Promise #2 – To prepare all of my speeches to the best of my
ability, basing them on projects in the Communication and Leadership Program
manual or the Advanced Communications and Leadership Program manuals. Said
another way, when we don’t give speeches to fulfill projects in a manual,
we are cheating our members out of their educational experience. The other
promises are equally important, review them.
We need to become more efficient in our clubs. Some
Fuzzy Math
In District 3 we have 140 clubs. If each club meets 50 times a year
and 3 manual speeches are given that equals 21,000 speaking opportunities.
If projections are realized there will be 222 CTM and 102 ATM completions
which will use up 3,444 speaking opportunities. Which means our Efficiency
Ratio is just 16.4% or that only 1 out of 6 speeches given in District
3 is to complete a manual. Stated another way – if we used all of our opportunities
we would have 1755 ADDITIONAL CTM completions.
Toastmasters is Successful Financially
Looking at the 1998 Year-End Financials Toastmasters International has:
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Has $21476.191 in Total Assets ($20,760,503 in Net Assets)
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Showed a "Profit" (Increase in Unrestricted Net Assets) of $1,068,082
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Produces and distributes educational materials at a profit
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Spent $657,061 on Marketing
The operating expenses are being used to serve members and perpetuate the
organization. Investments in infrastructure and particularly the web site
have positioned TI for greater efficiency in the future. We have the capacity
to serve a greater volume of clubs and members.
Areas for Improvement
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We need to shift the emphasis from public speaking (which people fear)
training people to be more effective communicators and leaders
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A large percentage of the members are consumers – paying a fee for a service;
only a small percentage will become long term members
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The members do not comprehend the breadth and depth of the resources available
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Many clubs are allowed to keep their charter while not maintaining charter
strength or delivering the Toastmaster program in the prescribed manner
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Members leave after completing their CTM or stay but only 20% complete
ATM
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Marketing materials are "organization" and "feature" oriented and do not
answer the "What’s in it for me" question". (Advertising is not the answer-
equipping and motivating members to bring prospects is the successful combination)
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Members do not see themselves as being able to "sell" Toastmasters
"I can’t sell." – Yes, you can. Using
the The PREP Formula
How many people in the room are involved in sales? (5% of the audience
responded affirmatively). In the next few minutes I am going to show you
a simple technique called the PREP formula which is a fantastic tool for
organizing your thoughts. PREP is an acronym. To organize you thoughts
write the letters P,R,E,P as paragraph headings. P stands for Point – what
you want the listener to believe. Next, give a Reason why this is true.
Then provide an Example which vividly depicts your point. Finally, restate
your Point. That’s the PREP formula.
Let’s practice. Each of us is going to prepare a Table Topic using the
PREP formula. We are all going to develop the same Point – "How being a
Toastmaster has changed my life".
Some examples from the audience participation segment:.
Geoff: He got a call from somebody that he didn't know, asking him
to be a keynote speaker. This has boost his confidence.
Another volunteer: He gets a chance to interact with people that makes
him feel proud. This makes him feel good.
Those who didn't get to participate, were challenged to use the message
they created to invite someone to consider the Toastmasters program. They
were to think of a Salesperson, Teacher, Engineer or Minister they knew,
get the corresponding Communication Skills for Life brochure, then make
an opportunity to share what Toastmasters has done for them, hand them
the brochure and to invite them to attend a meeting.
Order forms for The Communication Skills for Life
brochures were included in the handouts for this session. The cost per
bundle of 25 brochures is for $5.50 plus $4 S&H. (If you don’t have
an order form, call 602 254-3255) For now, these brochures are only through
and to District 3 Toastmasters.
- - - - - -
Richard was presented a Certificate and a present by Janice Winscot
District 3 LGT Marketing at the conclusion of his presentation.
Richard
Moore Introduction
Richard
Moore Presentation Handouts
Sring
Conference Front Cover
Registration
Opens - First Timers