Leadership and Communication Breakdown

Today we had an incident that sent out the same e-mail twice to the mailing group.  Only twice!  Not three, four five or a hundred times, but twice.  I looked at the two emails and elected one to be deleted since it was a duplicate.  These things happen!  Many people did not see it the way I had seen it.  They were out to get blood from the poor individual that was trying to maintain the website and mailing lists.  Honestly people and computers make mistakes.

I am shocked at the lack of understanding some people have.  A Toastmaster Executive is a volunteer.  They are trying to help our clubs grow and prosper.  With actions and words that I had witnessed today, it discourages good people from stepping up next year for these roles.  This is not their full time job, so please practice a little patience.

In Toastmasters we learn to communicate and how to be a great leader.  An aspect of a great leader is patience, kindness and understanding.  It means you care enough not to belittle someone and practice some understand that mistakes may happen.  A great leader also learns to communicate.  This means that you think twice, keep things professionally and reserved.  You can speak your mind and offer suggestions or even help on a remedy. You attract more with a little sugar than you do with vinegar.  Your words can be like thorns and can hurt.  Be considerate as you are most likely having less of a bad day than the one receiving your emails.

Be the good Toastmasters that I know you are.  Love one another, practice patience and think twice before hitting that send button.  These are your friends, teachers, mentors and even your mentee.

Club Contests

We recently had our Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contest.  Contests are very important to club success and the personal growth of its members.  Contests provide a chance to practice speaking, leadership opportunities and evaluations.  Contests are also a chance to get credit on another speech.   Why not take the opportunity to have so many successes.  It is a chance to see almost everyone in the club do something and get credit for it.  At very least contests are fun for the entire club.  Almost everyone left with a smile on their face.  Contest are also an opportunity to visit other clubs.  During contest time, clubs are looking to other clubs to help judge.  This is important so that there is no bias to the judging.  It is also a time that you can see how other clubs operate.

We Need You

Dear Toastmasters Members;

Clubs have or will be having elections soon to fill the executive positions.   My club at London Western is having their elections this coming Monday.

We Need You!  When I say we need you; I mean your club needs you.  Every club needs a good solid dedicated executive to lead the club.  You can do it!  Even new members can take a leadership role.  Your club executive is a great way to stretch yourself, learn new leadership skills and build on existing skills and talents.  There are roles for all Toastmasters that can and will challenge you.

I had personally enjoyed, learned a lot and think I have helped my club as VP of Membership.  It was a challenging and rewarding role.  I believe that everyone should take on this role.  You get to practice delegating, organizing events and build relationships.  It is through this role, I was able to prepare myself for a management role within a new company.

Here is a list of roles and descriptions as taken from the Toastmasters International website:

Reference URL: http://www.toastmasters.org/clubofficers.aspx

President

As president, you are responsible for providing the supportive club environment members need to fulfill their self-development goals, making sure that members benefit from the Toastmasters educational program, and helping the club recruit new members and retain current ones.

Vice President Education
As vice president education, you are responsible for providing and maintaining the positive environment and the programs through which members can learn and grow. If you do your job well, your club will have satisfied members and will continue to grow.

Vice President Membership
As vice president membership, you are responsible for building membership and ensuring a strong membership base by satisfying the needs of all members. Your efforts contribute to the success of the club.

Vice President Public Relations
As vice president public relations, you are responsible for coordinating an active public relations and publicity program. Your job is vital to the growth and success of the club; your efforts help to attract new members.

Treasurer
As treasurer, you are responsible for keeping clear and accurate financial records of club business and for seeing that the club remains financially stable.

Secretary
As secretary, you are responsible for keeping clear and accurate records of club business, including membership records and correspondence with Toastmasters International’s World Headquarters and others.

Sergeant at Arms
As the sergeant at arms, you are responsible for maintaining club properties, arranging the meeting room and welcoming members and guests at each meeting.

Doing Something Right – Thanks Toastmasters

This year I received confirmation that I was doing something right by being a member of Toastmasters.  I was told that I was the first computer geek that could be understood.  I was told it was obvious that I was a Toastmaster.  Shortly after that, I was offered a job.  It was a position that I dreamed of holding.  I am now Manager of Technology.  I am responsible for Social Media, Programming, the Information Technology Group and more.  It is a pretty tall order of responsibilities.  It is because of Toastmasters that I was able to achieve this and it is my leadership practice in my club that I am able to maintain this position.  Although I am relatively new in the position, I feel like I am doing great.

Thanks Toastmasters for helping me to succeed.  I know I am on the right path with Toastmasters.