Lt Gov Marketing 2007-08
Alun Chisholm DTM

23 July

End of Year Results

The 3 week wait from the last day of the Toastmasters year to
the posting of the end of year results were almost unbearable,

but YES - we did it, my sincere thanks to the club builders,
and to everyone that signed up our newest members.

In that last week, we added the 3 new clubs that we needed
AUT Students (A), Doubtless Bay (F), Taka-Talkers (F),
and exceeded our members goal by 42 members.

One can never consent to creep when one feels the impulse to soar.
- Helen Keller

22 June 08

District Officer Training

we had training this weekend for the incoming District Officers,
unfortunately wellington and Christchurch airports were closed in the morning, so many of the new area governors, a division governor, the IPDG, and the person running the training couldn't get there.

Luckily, the TLI trainer Jan managed to pass on the plans for the day to the TLI's up here,
really, we wouldn't have known, if they hadn't told us.
 

New Clubs

Wainuiomata (E) club has chartered.

What to do this week

in the last week of the year, we need to register 196 new members and charter (or resurrect) 3 clubs
to meet our District goal. With a bit of focus, we CAN do it

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.
If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
- Dale Carnegie

20 May 08

Special Promotion

Every new club that charters before the end of the year will receive a credit for $50 for District Supplies.

For every new member that joins in June, we will give your club a credit for $5 of District supplies,
That's right Five Dollars a New Member until the end of the TM Year! (conditions apply)

New Clubs

City Lunch Time (D), and Statistics NZ (E) - see I told you they were coming.

Rotovegas

There are people out there looking for the skills that Toastmasters can bring,
put out the welcome mat, and watch your club grow.

13 May 08

Special Promotion

Unfortunately WHQ wouldn't let me run the May/June membership building campaign,
so I've had to rethink this. (see above).

Every new club that charters will receive $50 for District Supplies.

New Clubs

New clubs since last time; Ernst & Young Achieving Potential (A),
and on the horizon? there are 17 more clubs in formation - watch this space.

Rotorua Convention

This weekend is the Rotorua Convention, it would be great to see many of these new clubs attend,
and I look forward to finding out about your new members.

Ways to Retain Members

most of the clubs have paid their membership dues,
now is a good time to ask, once we've got the new members, how do we keep them?

These ideas for maintaining the enthusiasm and dedication of your Club's members, again developed my members of districts 10, 28, 60 and 65,  look at each one and pick out those that you think will work for you adapting them as you wish. We hope that they will help your Club remain strong, vital. and FUN.

Agendas

Put the member on the agenda
Don't pressure new members.

Find out the individual needs of the members.
Ask their opinion.
Annual member interest survey.
Have them write down their goals. Get them working on a goal.

Design the meetings that the members want

Assign roles in advance.
Plan ahead four to six weeks.

Meetings

Have well-organized meetings, Follow the agenda.
Have lively meetings.
Fun meetings,
Keep it fun,

Change of pace in the meetings.
Variety in meeting format.
Have a mix of speeches, Always manual speeches.
Allow time for everyone to participate.
Ensure that all members are active to their level of comfort.

Comfortable meetings.
Timely meetings,

Theme meetings,
Have a mystery night.
Have a Backwards meeting.
Have a brainstorming session if short a speaker.

Individual name tags or place cards.

Social yet learning atmosphere.

Occasionally change the meeting time and place.
Break up the routine.

Focus on supportive evaluations and positive feedback,

Make them feel important.
Get them involved.

Be more open to new ideas.

Have refreshments.

Positive and encouraging environment,

Talk about the next meeting and psyche them up.

Child care
Car pools for older members.
Post Toasties - have an informal get together after the meeting.

Mentors

Have an orientation meeting,
Induction ceremony - include sponsor.

Educational Program

Have educational sessions.
Periodically do training speeches to reinforce roles,

Use the Successful Club Series.
Use the Better Speaker Series.
Use the moments of Truth.

Encourage them to work on the leadership track
Encourage members to get CC, AC, CL, AL, DTM.

Recognition

Promote the awards program.

Recognize each member.
Reward achievement,
Recognize progress.
Praise them.
Recognize achievement with trophies and ribbons,

Awards for attendance.
Annual award ceremony or recognition day.

Celebrate birthdays.

Present Toastmaster pin when the icebreaker is delivered,
Over the Hump ceremony when the fifth speech is given.

Outside Club

Attend officer training.
Have guest speakers.
Have interclub meetings.
Incorporate activities outside of Toastmasters.

Have social activities.

Encourage members to enter contests.
Club pays entry fees and expenses for contestants
Be an audience.

Get them to attend a District Conference,

Senior members set good examples.
Have a strong mentoring program

Communicate

Call when absent.
Get well cards.
Send lost members the Club newsletter.
Send out postcards.

Telephone tree - call each member before each meeting.
Toastmaster calls and reminds all participants.
Maintain regular email or phone contact,

Thank you notes for special jobs.
Tell them you miss them.

Re-invite inactive members

Club Culture

Executives speak to members personally.
Get to know each member individually.
Show That you care,

Non-threatening atmosphere,
Solve conflicts promptly and fairly.
Treat others with dignity and respect.

Encourage commitment.
Encourage growth,
Motivate and teach
Executives delegate to members.
Share the load,
Do things as a team.

Use each member's specific skills
Give the member responsibility.
Partner-up members for progess.
Use them as mentors.

Make friendships.

Listen.
Learn to laugh.
Be warm and smile a lot.

Use guilt - 'Don't quit or we will die!"

Elect strong officers.

Talk up the benefits of Toastmasters.
Have a "Terrific Toastmaster" plaque

14 March

District Officer Training

The District Officers got together in Auckland in the first weekend of march, we had good reports about the training, and they made plans for the rest of the Toastmasters Year.

New Clubs

New clubs this year are; Dollan House (G), Silverdale-Orewa (F), Toasties@Foodies (F), Fisher & Paykel Finance (A)

And there's more to come, with 5 more demo meetings of new clubs in Feb and March, on top of the 7 clubs already meeting.

Watch this space for more news!

TM Week

What are you doing for Toastmasters Week?

See if you can work together with the clubs in your area, it may sound obvious,
but if a guest can't make your meeting, send them to another club, and they could send you some guests too!

What ever you do, find the human interest in it, and send an article to your local paper.

Ideas to recruit new members

These are some ideas for getting new members, developed my members of districts 10, 28, 60 and 65.
We recommend that you look at each one and pick out those that you think will work for you, adapting them as you wish.
We hope that they will help your Club grow and become strong.

Club Culture

Encourage interclub visits

Have a reward program for those who bring in new members.
Have incentives for those who join.
Club sponsor a deserving, needy individual.

Elect a dedicated VP Membership.

Explain the structure of Toastmasters.
Ask the District for help.

Outside the Club

Wear your pin.
Bumper stickers
Club business cards.
Have a Club Web Page.
Bookmarks inserted in library books.

Think like a child - how would you get someone to play with?

Advertise in newspaper.
Put posters in stores.
Advertise in church bulletin.
Advertise at local colleges.
Advertise with a blimp at sports events.
Have a marching band spell out your Club's name.
Advertise on public access TV,
Toastmaster minute on radio.
'Do it for you" poster contest at schools.
Invite the media.

Distribute extra magazines in waiting rooms, etc .
Pamphlets in doctor's offices, hospitals, cafeterias, libraries. Etc.
Hand out invitation cards,
Hand out flyers and brochures.

Tell everyone about the benefits of Toastmasters.
Talk up Toastmasters to those who express problems with public speaking.
Share your Toastmasters experiences with others,
Members constantly promoting and raving about Toastmasters,
Give testimonials.
Mention Toastmasters at meetings of other organizations during announcements
When someone notices your progress, tell them why and invite them.
When asked about your speaking skills, tell them about Toastmasters.
Use word of mouth.

Speechcraft.
Hold public workshops.
Teach Public speaking at community college. continuing education, etc.

Sample or demonstration meetings.
Host an Open House
Visitor Day - each member sends out 10 invitations.
Hold meetings at senior centers,
Hold a Talkathon with as many speakers as possible,
Hold a public debate.

Public meetings at malls. outdoors, etc,
Booth at malls. fairs, festivals, etc.
Have table at trade shows.
Participate in community events.
Write letters to community groups,

Letters or personal contact with local businesses.
Contact with Chamber of Commerce. Rotary, Kiwanis etc.
Hold joint meetings with non-Toastmasters groups,
Members give talks at other organizations.

Hold membership drives and contests,
Attract a wide age spectrum.

Ask corporations and employers to sponsor or subsidize- membership.
Corporate Clubs provide brochure for new employee packs.

Network with coworkers, friends, and family,
Invite guests to your place of business to get better acquainted with them,

"put it in words' appeal to writer's clubs.
Interaction with storyteller's organization

Form/ join a speaker's bureau.

Before the Meeting

Ask someone (everyone).
Bring a guest.
Repeatedly invite prospective member.

Bring your boss,
If you're the boss make your employees join.

Contact past members,
Get experienced Toastmasters to join as dual members,

At the Meeting

Meet at a good location, with a clearly marked room.
Provide child care.

Have a guest speaker.
Hold high-profile meeting,

Have a special guest day
Guest introductions.
Have a host for each guest
Have an agenda for each guest.
Guest information packet.
Provide guests with free meals.
Make prospective members feel important.
Ask for comments,
Get a three meeting commitment.
Ask guests to join,

Encourage, but don't force, Table Topics participation.

Warm greeting.
Smile.
Have a planned agenda.
Members should be prepared.
Hold smooth meetings.
Make it look easy.
Lead by example.
Have friendly meetings.
Have informative meetings.
Have educational meetings.
Have enjoyable programs.
Promote humor in speeches.
Make meetings more interactive.
Create more fun, Make it FUN .

Make some meetings social events

Have new member kits.

Have a Club newsletter.
Have a Club brochure.

Have a variety of snacks.
Lure passers-by with free food.

Practice selling Toastmasters at Club meetings.

Display the trophies,

Never cancel a meeting.

After the Meeting

Follow up on guests.
Send thank you's to guests.
Send newsletter to guests.

Publicize Club successes, elections, contests, in local newspapers.

31 Jan 2008

New Club

We had notification a few days ago of a new club in Orewa, our 2nd new Club for this Toastmasters year. Congratulations to Murray Coutts and his team for building up to 20 new members so quickly.

More New Clubs

And there are at least 5 clubs new clubs having their demo meetings in February, so expect the new club numbers to jump very soon.

7 Reasons

someone asked me for the 7 reasons to join a Toastmasters club, it makes a very good flyer, that answers the questions that someone thinking about Toastmasters would ask. (You'll need to change your club details).

7 reasons why joining Toastmasters will vastly improve your communication skills

1) You will learn effective communication skills.
In this Information Age, you are probably more at ease communicating by e-mail and telephone than you are face to face. At Toastmasters, you will learn the art of oral communication.

2) You will overcome the terror of public speaking.
Speaking to groups large or small may intimidate you. In Toastmasters, you will learn how to successfully formulate, express and sell your ideas and yourself.

3) You will get to give short talks.
As you give one to two minute impromptu speeches on general subjects, you will learn how to formulate ideas while thinking on your feet.

4) You will be given constructive feedback.
Whenever you give a prepared speech, an evaluator will point out the presentation strengths and offer suggestions for improving your next speech.

5) You will be coached by a mentor.
Every new Toastmaster is assigned a mentor who acts as a sounding board to assist you during your speech preparation.

6) You get to practise leadership skills.
Leadership is an art. You can’t learn to be a leader in one day; it takes practice. In Toastmasters, you’ll build leadership skills when you organise and conduct meetings and motivate others to help you. Toastmasters is a laboratory for leadership where you will learn skills that can only be obtained in a voluntary organisation.

7) You will be part of a supportive environment.
You will be part of a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every person has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which foster self-confidence and personal growth. A Toastmasters Club enables you to become part of a community that supports continuous progress.

Come along to a Toastmasters Club meeting and see how easy it is to stand up and speak.
If you wish, you may participate in the impromptu speaking session of the Club meeting to get a taste of it. You can attend the first three meetings FREE of charge before needing to make a decision about joining or not.

“Join Toastmasters. Oral communications skills count. Height and hair colour may be in the genes, but public speaking isn’t. One good answer to the public speaking problem is Toastmasters. They do a fabulous job of helping people shape up their communications skills.”
– Tom Peters, Best-selling author of In Search of Excellence

Anytown Toastmasters

Day:        1st and 3rd Tuesdays
Time:       7:00pm  – 9:00 pm
Venue:     Anytown Community Centre ,
               Main St, Anytown

    Contact: John Smith  567 1234 (hm)
                Jane Doe    567 2345 (hm)

     E-Mail: anytown@toastmasters.org.nz
          Web: AnytownToastmasters.org.nz

For information about other Toastmasters Clubs   www.toastmasters.org.nz

December 24th

Christmas Greetings to you all, thanks for your hard work through the first half of the year.

Christmas and New Year is a time for reflection, a time to set plans for the new year,
for us, and for everyone, so January is a time to grab people who have set their new year's resolutions.

Get your name out there
----------------------------
Make sure your first meeting for the new year is posted, in the "what's-on" section of your community newspaper, and on whatever community notice boards that you use.

But, what have you done that's news-worthy?...Can you get an article in your local comunity paper?
Maybe your club helped out at school speech competitions, one of your members was successful in the area contests. Anything with a human interest will get you in the local paper, people do read them, and it works.

Personal Invitations
---------------------
We as New Zealanders are pretty reserved, so we have problems inviting friends and family to come to our meetings,
so try this; the next time you're going to speak, invite a friend, a workmate, or a member of your family to come along to hear you, and give you some support.
If they enjoy the meeting, they could join. This was a technique that Randy Harvey shared with me.

People out there are crying out for Toastmasters,
let's see if we can hear them.

November 21

The waiting area at the airport was filled with slot machines, welcome to Las Vegas. I looked out the window for the hotel, the Luxor, I guess it's that one shaped like a pyramid.
Here, Egypt, complete with dimestore egyptian statues, down the road New York, past Paris to the Venetian.
Yes, the Americans know how to fake something, Canals, St Mark's Square, all undercover, and air conditioned.

It doesn't matter what your budget is, there's a Vegas experience for you. Avoid the gaming area if you want to keep all of your holiday money.

After a couple of days, I was well over it. If you go to the States, is there one place you have to go?,
for me it has to be Disneyland,

Walt Disney said that if you take your kids to the park, you have to have something to do as well,
that was the idea behind disneyland, there are experiences and rides for everyone, from slow to terrifying,
and more importantly, it can't be the same everytime, or you won't come back.
so some of the rides got rebranded, or retired. Every day since it opened in the 50's they have a parade, and they still make it look fresh.

My advice, take money, the food isn't cheap, but it is fast.

What's the connection between these places?

They appeal to people in different ways,In Las Vegas they have different sorts of hotel, ranging from the formal, to the extremely informal,and at Disneyland, they have to appeal to anyone that would walk through the door.
Each has a formula that works, but they are willing to try something new, and it's the new stuff that keeps it fresh.

Like our toastmasters clubs, we have some formal clubs, and we have some very informal clubs,
so when you're looking for new members, you need to develop a marketing plan based on your demographic.

So it's simple, what would appeal to people like you?

October

In *Phoenix*, it was hot, no really, it was HOT, 114F that's 45C. Well it is in a desert, but it didn't get cool at night, it was still around 28C at 11pm. When you leave the hotel, it really is like walking into a wall of heat.

If you travel for 16 hours to get to a city in a desert, you should really go and look at a desert. We went out in a Hummer, it had 800 horsepower and 1000 foot pounds of torque,  I would have said it was cool, but it was still really hot. My suggestion would be to check that the air conditioning was working – first.

You would think that the desert is dry and lifeless, but there is always life, mostly trying to stay out of the sun, the plants grow slowly, in fact many of the big cactii are over 100 years old.

When you drive through a dry river bed, it's not really dry, if you dig down the water is there.

It's the same as finding members, there are always people who need Toastmasters, but if you can't find them, and they can't find you, then nobody wins.

A telling statistic I heard recently, 80% of all contacts now come through the website, so does your club have a web site? 

What's my Target? To leave our district stronger at the end of the year.

The question I have for you - What's your target for the year?