Have
you ever thought about what it takes to start a new club? How did your
club get started? It might be an interesting
investigation to find out. Some clubs are still in their original
location, while others may be at their 5th or sixth. Some clubs bounce
around from six members, two years later at 25 members. Why is this?
It depends on the go-getters in the club that have the spark to motivate
members first to recruit guests, and then to sign them up, and finally
maintain the program quality to retain members and entice more members to
join, a never ending battle.
Starting new clubs is much the same. Some people within a city or company recognize that the employees or citizens need good communication skills to have a better chance of success. They talk to friends or fellow workers about starting a club. If there are about 5 or 6 people that agree, and say they will help start a club, you are on your way..
New Club Sponsors
New Club Mentors
Demonstration Teams
Starting a new Toastmaster Club is a great way to use and expand your communication and leadership skills to an even wider audience. Plus the member who either sponsors or mentors a new Club will earn recognition toward a future Advanced Leader Silver award upon successful completion of their sponsor or mentor term. But they all have the same overall objective: To coach and to guide the Club’s members and Executive Committee so that this is a strong, stable, and successful Toastmasters Club. District 12 has 4 new clubs with several more forming! They are the ADP Club 947243 in San Dimas, Western University Club 956101 in Pomona, Fontana Leaders Club 943249, and Toyota Talkers Club 951712. Welcome to our District 12 Toastmasters Family!
New Club Sponsor - The
sponsor is responsible for the actual organization of the new club,
including selling the new club idea to prospective members, assisting in
the establishment of regular meetings, assisting the New Club Extension
Chair in handling the paperwork and helping to plan the charter
presentation. Each new club may have up to two sponsors. Sponsors
receive a certificate when the club charters and can receive credit
toward the Advanced Leader Silver award.
New Club Mentor - Mentors are experienced Toastmasters,
who work side by side with the new club Toastmasters, showing them how
to fulfill meeting roles, helping the new officers perform their duties,
and providing guidance to the club during the first 6 to 12 months of
existence. Each new club may have up to two mentors who are appointed by
the District Governor. Mentors receive Advanced Leader Silver credit for
fulfilling their roles satisfactorily for a minimum of 6 and up to 12 or
more months.
Where do new Toastmasters clubs
come from?
Many clubs are organized for the members of a particular company or
organization. Others are open to the public. Do you know of a group of
people who would benefit from a new Toastmasters club in their area?
Representatives of Toastmasters District 12 Club Extension Team would be
glad to visit your corporation, association, town or neighborhood to
discuss new Toastmaster Club opportunities.
The Demonstration Meeting - After an Information Meeting held with the key contacts interested in starting a new club, a Demonstration Meeting is scheduled. This meeting shows interested people how the Toastmasters educational program works. This special abbreviated program provided by the Demo Team, shows prospective members or company sponsors how a club meeting is conducted and what the Toastmasters educational program can do for them.
You don't need to be an expert speaker or seasoned Toastmaster to help with a Demo Meeting. You could always volunteer to be the timer or other functionary. Actually, less-experienced Toastmasters make good speakers for Demo Meetings because they show you can benefit from Toastmasters even if you're not a polished orator. After a short demonstration of the meeting roles, a seasoned Toastmaster explains what a new club needs to do to be chartered. We grow clubs by bringing a Demo Meeting to a company or community group!
We encourage you to be a new club sponsor or mentor, find a lead for a new club, or volunteer to be on the Demonstration Team for a new club developing in your Division. For further information please contact the District 12 Club Extension Chair Sandy Amelino at samelino@sbcglobal.net , or Lt Governor of Marketing Jack Nelson at jnelson@yvwd.dst.ca.us .
Let’s build a new club together!
Hint: Clubs can be formed within a
company, in a business area where there are several small
or medium sized companies, in a church, or in a traditional community.
Getting a place to meet is another challenge, as well is this going to
be meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) club, a snack club, or a no food
club. The following is a form you could fill out and send to me,
or the District Governor.
Company Name:__________________________
Community __________________________
Proposed Location, if
any:_______________________________________________________
Referral submitted by: (needed for presenting proper recognition)
Your
Name:____________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________
Your Home Club Number and Name:________________________________________
Email Address: ________________Home Phone:__________Work
Phone:__________
Sandy Amelino, DTM, New Club Extension Chair, samelino@sbcglobal.net