Club Climate

Creating the Best Club Climate : 

Creating the Best Club Climate Successful Club Series March 29, 2010

What is climate? : 

What is climate? Prevailing conditions that affect our lives or activities “Club climate” refers conditions that affect our operations, our members, our attitudes toward our club, and the willingness of guests to join Includes physical surroundings as well as feelings or “vibes”

Importance of Good Climate : 

Importance of Good Climate Club climate influences performance and growth of current members Club climate influences whether new members will join Positive climate lead to success of individual members and the club Negative climate will impede success in the long term

Physical Atmosphere : 

Physical Atmosphere Arrangement of tables and chairs Enough evaluation forms, voting ballots, agendas, etc. Computer set up and working Timer materials out and accessible Gavel and lectern set up

Personal Interaction : 

Personal Interaction High priority for encouraging learning and growth Toastmasters is not a correspondence class! Relationships with other club members and the feedback they provide will help you reach your goals

Ask not what Toastmasters can do for you, but what you can do for your Toastmasters Club! : 

Ask not what Toastmasters can do for you, but what you can do for your Toastmasters Club!

Set a Good Example for Others : 

Set a Good Example for Others Arrive prepared and on time Offer to help Volunteer for committees and offices Be supportive

Arrive Prepared and On Time : 

Arrive Prepared and On Time Arrive at least five minutes early Bring your competent communicator and competent leadership manual Remember to grab your name plate, evaluation forms, and voting ballots

Offer to Help : 

Offer to Help Ask Sergeant at Arms if she would like assistance Offer to help put away materials after the meeting Volunteer to evaluate your neighbor for competent leadership projects

Volunteer for Committees and Offices : 

Volunteer for Committees and Offices Remember that Toastmasters is a group effort If members help officers, less likelihood of “burn-out” Helping officers is a good way to explore your interest in assuming an officer role Serve as a mentor

Be Supportive! : 

Be Supportive! Listen attentively to each participant during meeting Give enthusiastic applause when participants approach and leave the lectern After meeting, congratulate/compliment speakers, the Toastmaster, Table Topics Master, and other speaking roles Express appreciation to officers

Role out the welcome mat to guests! : 

Role out the welcome mat to guests!

Make a Good Impression! : 

Make a Good Impression! Many people have never visited a Toastmasters Club before Sergeant at Arms and Vice-President Membership are responsible for welcoming guests and answering questions Officers need our assistance and help!

Greet Each Guest in a Friendly Fashion : 

Greet Each Guest in a Friendly Fashion Most people would rather stay home than walk into a room full of strangers If guests are met warmly at the door, engaged in friendly conversation, and introduced to other members, fears and self-doubts will begin to fade away

Talk With Guests : 

Talk With Guests Offer guests a place to sit Ask each guest how they heard about us and why they decided to visit After meeting, ask what they thought Answer questions or introduce guests to officers who can provide further information or assistance

Invite Guests to Join : 

Invite Guests to Join Once guests have seen our club in action, invite them to join or attend another meeting

Show Members that We Care : 

Show Members that We Care

Show Members that We Care : 

Show Members that We Care Pleasant and friendly climate will encourage even timid visitors to return Once guests join club, we must stay consistent in encouraging and helping the member to participate and learn

Volunteer to Serve as a Mentor : 

Volunteer to Serve as a Mentor Every new member should be assigned a mentor to provide individualized assistance and advice Mentors encourage new members to present ice-breaker speech Mentors can consult with VP-Education to ensure immediate participation in basic meeting roles / table topics

Pay Attention to Continuing Members : 

Pay Attention to Continuing Members In our quest for new members, don’t forget to serve needs of those who already belong! Each member deserves continued attention and appreciation Each member has goals Be courteous and caring to longtime members Great all members – ask about their weekend, current speech project, work, etc.

Be Considerate : 

Be Considerate When assigned participants are unprepared or fail to attend, meeting experience can quickly deteriorate Be aware of your assigned meeting role and prepare accordingly Give appropriate notice to VP-Education when you are unable to fill a role Inform VP-Education that you will be ready to give a “hip-pocket” speech or take on a vacated role if a scheduled participant cannot attend

Give Excellent Evaluations : 

Give Excellent Evaluations Very important aspect of Toastmasters Should be neither “tough love” nor overly effusive and patronizing Best evaluations are positive, helpful, and based on: Project’s objectives Speakers learning needs Incorporate careful appraisals and thoughtful suggestions for improvement

Recognize Achievements : 

Recognize Achievements Compliments are powerful motivators for future success Often as simple as, “Thanks for giving such a great speech!” Remember to congratulate speakers who have show particular improvement Congratulate members who have achieved Competent Communicator and Leadership awards

Foster Camaraderie : 

Foster Camaraderie Friendship and fellowship among members is unifying “glue” Increases member retention Guests will be impressed by a warm and friendly group of people who like to be around one another Enjoy other’s similarities, respect differences, work together, and the club will thrive!

Conclusion : 

Conclusion Every club needs a “climate check-up” from time to time Everyone must help if we want our club to have the best possible climate Following these guidelines will build a positive club climate that will motivate members to participate and achieve

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