Tips and tricks for Toastmasters club coaches

Editor’s Note There are few opening ceremonies as auspicious as the christening and naming of a new vessel. The champagne is splashed across the stern and the ship slips bow first into the bay. It is a special occasion because the ship may embark on a decades-long voyage of discovery and service. Like any new…

Editor’s Note On the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River of the North Central United States, two coaches would form a partnership with each other and between two clubs. This is the story of how Jean Lakner and Janice Minder shared their strengths and harnessed the talents of the Capital City Toastmasters to rebuild the River…

Editor’s Note Are leaders made or born?  This is a classic philosophical question for debate.  In this edition of Club Coach Weekly, we learn that leaders are found at Toastmaster Clubs.  Debra, and later Ralph Morrissey, coached the Missouri Toast of the Town #9384 in the 2010-2011 Toastmaster year.  After some initial difficulty contacting the…

From July 2007 through December 2009, I served as the District 26 Club Coaching Chair. In that capacity I tracked the membership status of all the clubs in our district, identified clubs that had 12 or fewer members, and asked these clubs if they wanted a club coach. With time, I noticed two disturbing trends.…

Editor’s Note Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right. Henry Ford recognized that expectations were important. Faced with the challenging prospect of rebuilding a Toastmasters club, Patricia Barrett chose to be optimistic. Actually, she chose several positive attributes such as patience, determination and leadership by example. But as every…

Editor’s Note Edith Baraniecki is the successful club coach of the TM4PM Toastmasters club. Her strategy was simple – lead by example. Her approach to club coaching was effective – serve as the club’s Vice President of Education. In this story, she describes how she led by example by serving as the club’s VPE. Most…

Editor’s Note The recruitment of past members is an untapped opportunity for many low-membership clubs. Toastmasters leave because the people they deal with are indifferent to their needs. If the club corrects this flaw, then members might be willing to return. Sree Ramisetty, coach of the ICC ArtICCulators, worked with her club to make improvements.…

Editor’s Note Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines flexibility as being characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different or changing requirements. When faced with a club that had many last-minute changes, Shari Frances taught them flexibility. Preparation before the meeting can minimize last minute changes. However, life may still get in the way of…

Editor’s Note Astronaut movies have immortalized the pre-flight checklist of a Mission Control Officer. The room is usually full of computers and anxious support personnel running about the floor. The Mission Control Officer addresses the flight controllers with a dialogue like this: “All right people, give me a go or no go. Attitude control? “Go!”…

Editor’s Note Very few people would be willing to climb Mt. Everest. Many more people would be willing to climb a trial-size Mt. Everest, or enjoy a free sample of the exhilarating experience or take a test drive around the Nepalese countryside. After tasting a little part of the experience, some people may awaken the…