To: District 12 Leaders, Division and Area Governors,

Last Tuesday 12/6/05 I had the opportunity to attend a meeting of a TM club I have never been to before.  This club usually has 8 to 12 out of 14 members attend meetings every week. Since I recently moved I have been looking for a club in which to join and continue my Toastmasters adventures.  

At this meeting were 5 guests, 3 of those guests expressed a strong interest in joining the club. But not one of the club officers sat down with these people to explain the membership application or the new dues structure.

Upon review of the Toastmasters DCP figures for this club I noticed the following.

Their Base line membership as of July 1st was 12 members, current membership stood at 14.  This club was eligible for the net growth of 5 members (all they needed was a total of 17 members at the end of this year. The 3 new members would have brought them up to 17 members.  It would have made it a lot easier make the membership goal with just a little pre-planning on the part of the club.

Upon review of their membership stats they have 3 new members. Just signing up one of those interested visitors would have given them credit for 4 new members (1 goal achieved).

 If this club was working the DCP where should they be at the end of this month (Dec 2005)?

Should be at:       Current Status:

 2 CTM’s                1 CTM

 1 ATM                   1 ATM (goal achieved)

 1 more ATM          1 ATM (goal achieved)

 1 CL                     No CL’s

*  7 officers just completed service eligibility requirement do any of them have their CTM?  Do the officers know how to find out who has a CTM that may qualify them for a CL?

 4 New  members    3 new members (missed opportunity)

*  Yet, I was informed that they are planning a speech craft in Feb to increase membership?  Where is the Logic in this?

Min 4 off trained     7 officers trained (on target) (Simple goals to achieve)

Renewals & Officer Lists:  On Time (goal achieved) 

*  (Renewal minimum if 6 members, do not wait for all the members to renew before mailing in the list).

Fellow leaders please do not assume any of the following.

1. That the club officers know the DCP because they went to TLI.

2. That the members of the club know how to fill out an application form.

3. That the club members are aware of what the requirements are for achievement of
the Competent Leader Award.

4. Is the Club aware of the fact that if they get so many more members they are on their way
to becoming a Distinguished Club.

Ask your self these questions.

1. As a leader when was the last time any leader visited that club.

2. Can I make more that one visit every 6 months? (Yes they do not have to be official visits).

3. When you visit the club what are you going to talk about.  You can talk about the benefits of the DCP without making it sound like you are preaching numbers. Or what training class can I give to that club which would be of the most benefit to them?

4. Have I honestly taken advantage of every communications opportunity with my clubs.
(We are a communications organization yet we fail to communicate).

5. Many of the clubs in your area will have new officers come Jan 1st 2006 are you aware of
who they are or will be.  How do you establish communications with them.

6. How are the meetings in your Area, Division, planned and executed.  Are the organized?
Is there an agenda? Is everyone in attendance at the meeting involved.  Does the Table Topics Master pick people not on the schedule to ask questions of, or do they pre plan who they will ask questions of.

7. Does the VP Educations have a speaking schedule?  If so does that schedule represent the
Clubs DCP plan for the year (or the next 6 months)?

8. Do your clubs even know who you are?

9. Am I really doing all that I can to help my clubs succeed?

I hope this information is of help to you.  If you need any additional help or would like to talk please call me at 951-566-5173 or e-mail @ glorbob@aol.com.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Bob Freel: DTM
D12 2003/2004 Area Governor of the Year
Distinguished Area/Division Chair