President's Tip of the Week

Club Standards - Your Opportunity for Leadership
(4/21/08)

Toastmasters International (TI) has researched the ingredients that make the difference between a good club and a great club, and they have identified 10 key factors. I am going to share these with you in a series of Tips of the Week, with a particular focus on how every member contributes to Gilbert Toastmasters success.

Standard 4: New members are oriented and inducted.

Members who are formally inducted into the club and provided with an orientation to the Toastmasters educational program and the club's traditions are more likely to become long-term, active, supportive, and enthusiastic members. You can support this process by attending the New Member Induction every month and taking some time to meet and encourage our new members.

Standard 5: Every member is assigned a mentor.

Mentors help new members become familiar with the club, functionary roles, and the first few projects in the CC manual. Mentors help experienced members in the development of special skills.

• Anyone who has belonged to the club for 4-6 months and has completed the first 3 speeches is qualified to mentor a new member. You can learn about the leadership qualities you will develop by serving as a mentor in Project 9 of your CL manual. Gilbert Toastmasters is currently in need of experienced members to step up and accept mentor assignments so that we don't burn out our current mentors Please contact Emi at emibauer@cox.net if you are willing to help our club in this capacity.
• Experienced members who desire special mentoring in a specific area should identify a member with the skill set they want to develop and then ask that member to mentor them. This is a more informal relationship, but it also counts towards Project 9 in the CL manual.
• Experienced members who are working on their High Performance Leadership project require members to serve on their guidance committee. This is a highly formalized role that includes a separate manual for the mentors involved. It also qualifies for credit toward Project 9 in the CL manual.