Club Leadership Training

This page describes the Club Leadership Training opportunities available during the Toastmasters year, and gives six reasons why you should attend.

When is club leadership training?

District 72 through each Division, offers two club leadership training events to train club officers for their duties as a club officer. Training sessions are held twice each year:

• between 1 June and 31 August for incoming club officers for the year 1 July-30 June
• between 1 December and 28/29 February for all club officers

In addition to the valuable training and advice that club officers receive, participation in a club officer training session helps a club achieve Goal 9 in the Distinguished Club Program and is a requirement for the Advanced Leader Bronze recognition award for individual Toastmasters.

Details are posted in the Online Calendar.

Why should you attend club leadership" 

Here are six reasons why you should attend one or both of the Club Leadership training sessions organised by the District Training team during the Toastmasters year:

1.  Help your club earn a point in the Distinguished Club Program (DCP). Don’t think of it as a duty, but as an opportunity for you and your fellow officers to have direct impact on your club’s success for the year. Earning one DCP point – by having at least four current club officers attend both initial and mid-year training – means that you and your club’s leaders have demonstrated a unified commitment to achieve club, district and TI goals.
 
2.  Get direct access to your district leaders and the important information they have to share. Area and division governors, as well as other district leaders, attend the training sessions, often as facilitators. They bring news from TI headquarters, announcements of coming district events and a wealth of knowledge about our program. Don’t hesitate to approach them individually for advice. They have relevant personal experience, as well as access to resources that can help you achieve club and personal goals. Don’t be a passive listener; bring a list of your questions and concerns so you can take advantage of this forum. (Note: Even if you’ve filled this same officer position in the past, some of the guidelines may have changed! Attend and review the current club officer manual to ensure you have timely information.)

3.  Share your own ideas and experiences with other officers. Personal growth is subtle; we often aren’t aware of how much knowledge and experience we are gaining while developing new skills and handling new responsibilities. But when we participate in our training session, we suddenly realize how much we have learned . Now, instead of merely receiving information from the trainer, you may find yourself sharing unique, practical insights with the other participants. Appreciate this validation of the skills and wisdom you are acquiring in your role as a club officer!

4.  Achieve your goals by networking with members from other clubs. A training session is the perfect place to connect with experienced, supportive individuals who can offer advice and assistance.

5.  Build on the personal relationships you formed at the last training. You may not have the same trainer, but you will see familiar faces. Socializing and nurturing relationships outside your club is a wonderful benefit of attending these training sessions. The members of your extended Toastmasters family are eager and happy to share ideas, activities and growth opportunities that will nurture your development as a Toastmaster, communicator and leader. Some will become very special long-term friends.

6.  Expand your network by meeting new club officers. Every training event is attended by a different mix of district dignitaries, trainers and participants. Take time to introduce yourself, help newcomers feel welcome, and find common ground that will contribute to a friendly, supportive atmosphere for everyone.