Toastmasters BC : District 21

Membership Building Ideas (November 2006) Part One

Here are some membership building ideas.

In this issue:

1. The Membership challenge
2. Advantages and Disadvantages of belonging to a Small Town Club
3. A Simple Method for Signing up Guests.
4. Choose and Idea, (or make up your own combo deal!)

1. THE MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE

Some thoughts about why membership building can be more difficult than achieving education goals, and how to develop your "membership building muscles."

The truth; every District around the world achieved their education goals towards achieving "Distinguished District" status in 2005-06. Yet only 1/3 of the Districts ended up "Distinguished." Why? .... Because 2/3 of the Districts did not achieve their membership goals.

It's easier to support each other at TM for completing speech manuals or leadership objectives, we can easily find out what the goals of other members are. But.... the members we haven't met yet... what are their goals? So, that's harder right?

We might also question whether potential members will find anything valuable at TM, (maybe they're not like me)?...... We don't know who the people are that would join.... AND it's easier to stay with those we know than to LEAD a new person......

IN Short.... it's harder and lonelier and ..... there's no schedule. No meeting centered around membership building..... Plus,you might think "I just want to be with my friends that I respect and care for at my meetings."

What if...... we DO know the "kinds" of people who enjoy and benefit from Toastmasters? What if a non-Toastmaster friend, or that grocery store clerk or the new neighbour, could have their life changed by a Toastmaster experience that you helped them find?

What if you made a small schedule.... like put up one poster a week? What if YOUR LIFE was changed by learning membership building skills? What if those skills affected your life in ways you can't yet imagine? How would you feel if you did improved the lives of .... all those potential Toastmasters? Would the small changes, week by week be worthwhile?

Membership building is a challenge AND it's possible! Grab one of these ideas and give it a go!.... if it doesn't work it's OK... maybe the next idea will work. Work in pairs and Work as a club! It is the leadership opportunity of the VP Membership, our job, to get the job done... not to do it ALL! Teach and share your ideas in your club and learn from others too. But, most of all find a way to make your job FUN for all! (for instance if each person in your club put up one poster a week......)

2. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SMALL TOWN CLUBS.

Check out the attachment. Share with your club members, at a membership theme night! Gloat over the postive things. Did you know that local newspapers in Surrey won't even publish notices of regular club meetings.... the city is so big that there are too many clubs to promote.

OK so I live in the city... what do I know about small town clubs.... The information in the attachment came from members of small town clubs. Can you think of other advantages? Anything Interesting about belonging to a small town club? Disadvantages? Send me an email! I'd love to hear about all of them.

3. A SIMPLE METHOD FOR SIGNING UP GUESTS

Find out what guests hope to gain from their Toastmaster experience. When guests can picture themselves learning in your Toastmaster meetings, they are more likely to sign up!

See the attached 2 forms which you can distribute to all members. Give a report or speech on how to sign up members and the benefits of new members to your club. Even if you are not there any member will then be able to turn guests into members.

Download the attached sample forms for you to adapt. Also make sure you have plenty of "Form 400's,(the new member forms). Fill in your club name and number and District 21.

(Remember if you are enlisting a "dual member" or a "transfer member" you will need to fax or mail the membership, otherwise it is very easy to sign up new Toastmasters on the International web-site at; www.toastmasters.org).

5. CHOOSE AN IDEA

While it's cold out; (It's "snow" use waiting for members, "man" it's time to get them now before your members turn "Frosty" from not enough input!) BUSINESS, COMMUNITY or SCHOOL SOMETHING FOR ALL......

1. Put Toastmasters information in your community welcome packet for new residents
2. Write an article for the company newsletter.
3. Have a "Brag-time Table Topics" session when members announce job< promotions or special awards they attribute to their Toastmaster membership. "Clone the successful ones" Who do you know like the person, (or persons)... what's their story. Invite people who are like that person.
4. Write an article for your businesses events calendar
5. Create a special holiday invitation (Christmas? etc.), ask each member to invite friends and plan your agenda around that holiday theme. Advertise in newspaper.
6. Recognize member achievements?
7. Update your web site contact information, day and time of meeting etc.

Someone once told me; "The thing you're worst at can become the thing you're best at." What do you think?

Files available for download:	pdf 56.014 kb	pdf 47.254 kb
400 Membership Application Form ( pdf kb ) How to Convert Guests to Members ( 47.254 kb )