In Pursuit of Personal Growth
As members of Toastmasters International, we have come to the organization for a variety of reasons. Many of us came to Toastmasters to become more confident public speakers. Some came for the social interaction with new friends. And some of us came to Toastmasters that we could grow into better leaders.
It seems to go hand in hand that if we are better at speaking, better at giving constructive feedback, then we should be better at leading. While this may be true in some cases, the fact remains that leaders only get better through the act of leading.
With many organizations, it takes quite a bit to become a leader. Often, you have to demonstrate your qualifications to lead by pointing to examples of past successful leadership. Any examples of leadership failure in your past may be viewed with disdain and diminish your consideration for a new leadership opportunity. However, in Toastmasters your primary qualification is a desire to be a better leader. And just as with learning to be a better speaker, Toastmasters expects learning leaders to occasionally falter, even fail, and recover through peer feedback.
Becoming a leader in Toastmasters usually takes little more than expressing your desire to learn. The rewards of doing so, of stepping into the role of club officer, Area Governor, Division Governor and beyond come back to exceed your imagination of personal transformation and self-confidence as you grow to become the leader who other novice leaders will emulate. This tremendous sense of personal accomplishment becomes its own rich reward as you continue your pursuit of personal growth.
Club Leadership Roles
Do you know when officer elections are held in your club? Some clubs renew their officers annually, while others do so semi-annually. If you aren ’t sure, checking your club ’s by-laws will tell you the frequency of officer elections. Elections are typically held in November and May so that the new club secretary may inform Toastmasters International of the officer list in December and June.
Stepping into formal leadership positions in Toastmasters usually starts at the club. As a matter of fact, some District offices require that you have been a club president for at least six months. Club leadership is a great way for you to stretch your Toastmasters wings, and to growth as a vibrant, dynamic leader. To give you an understanding of what each office entails, here is a brief description of each office, along with links to more detailed information:
President
The president holds the most important office in a Toastmasters club. As president, you provide the leadership and guidance the club needs to meet its standards and to become a Distinguished Club. You are responsible for providing the supportive club environment members need to fulfill their self-development goals, for making sure that members benefit from the Toastmasters educational program, and that the club recruits new members and retains current ones.
Vice President of Education
The office of vice president education is a critical office in a Toastmasters club. The Toastmasters educational program depends on the vice president education to carry out the club’s mission.
As vice president education, you are responsible for providing and maintaining the positive environment and the programs through which members can learn and grow. If you do your job well, your club will have satisfied members and will continue to grow. Your efforts also will help the club become a Distinguished Club, which should be an annual goal.
Vice President of Membership
As vice president membership, you – with your membership committee – are responsible for building membership and ensuring a strong membership base by satisfying the needs of all members. Your job is vital to the growth and success of the club.
Vice President of Public Relations
As the vice president public relations, you are in charge of the promotional activities for your club. The manual When You Are the Vice President Public Relations describes these standards more fully and explains how to fulfill them.
Secretary
As secretary, you are responsible for keeping clear and accurate records of club business, including membership records and correspondence with Toastmasters International’s World Headquarters and others.
Treasurer
As treasurer, you are responsible for keeping clear and accurate financial records of club business and for seeing that the club remains financially stable.
Sergeant at Arms
As the sergeant at arms, you are responsible for maintaining club properties, arranging the meeting room and welcoming members and guests at each meeting.
Beyond the Club — District Officers
For a moment, think of Toastmasters as a large, global corporation, with operations in over 80 countries. Naturally, without some form of corporate structure, this company would quickly collapse under its own weight. So it forms into an organizational hierarchy, with each layer having a different scope of responsibility to their customers.
The only difference is that with most companies, customers are external. With Toastmasters, you are the customer, along with every other member in every club all over the world. We are a worldwide corporation that exists only to serve its membership. But as a corporation, we have structure. From the global operations, we are divided into geographical Regions, each one spanning several countries. Each Region has a number of Districts, which in turn has Divisions, comprised of Areas, made up of individual Clubs. And just as with a corporation, leaders reside at all levels of the organization. Beyond the club, Area Governors, Division Governors and District Officers conduct the behind the scenes operations to keep things running smoothly for the members.
Some of these positions are elected, while others appointed. All of these positions together form what is known as the District Executive Council, somewhat like a company board of directors. And entry into this group of leaders is fairly easy. All that is required is a desire to grow and develop your own leadership abilities. Talk with your Area Governor to find out how you can take the next step in leadership beyond the club. To help you along the way, here is a brief description of each office:
District Governor
As the district’s chief executive officer, the district governor directs the district in a way that fosters strong clubs; produces maximum growth in educational completions, clubs and membership; and is consistent with the interests of the members of Toastmasters International. The governor achieves the mission of the district in a manner that motivates volunteer leaders and promotes a standard of excellence in all district activities. This is an elected position.
Lt. Governor or Education and Training
Under the guidance of the district governor, the lieutenant governor education and training strives to have every club and each member reap the benefits of the Toastmasters educational program and become a Distinguished Club. The lieutenant governor education and training provides direction and counsel to division governors, area governors and club officers on the educational opportunities in Toastmasters, and is responsible for the design and conduct of successful district training programs, conferences and other district educational events. This is an elected position.
Lt. Governor of Marketing
Under guidance of the district governor, the lieutenant governor marketing makes the benefits of Toastmasters membership available to greater numbers of people. The lieutenant governor marketing plans, develops, implements and directs short-term and long-term district marketing objectives, and develops and directs programs for new club development, club rescue efforts, club membership promotion and membership retention. The lieutenant governor marketing promotes high standards of service to the member and to the club. This is an elected position.
Public Relations Officer
The public relations officer establishes and maintains mutual lines of communication, understanding, acceptance and cooperation between the district and its members, as well as between the district and the public, working to increase awareness of Toastmasters through all available media. The public relations officer administers the policies and programs related to public relations for Toastmasters International, the district and the club. This is an appointed position.
District Secretary
Accurate, timely records are essential to district operations. The district secretary records and maintains important district documents so that the district can function effectively. This is an appointed position.
District Treasurer
The treasurer establishes and maintains effective fiscal management of the district. The treasurer promotes the growth of Toastmasters International by providing sound financial guidance to the district. This is an appointed position.
Division Governor
The division governor strives to achieve the mission of the district within the division, accomplishing district goals in membership building and retention, club building and educational accomplishments. He or she ensures that each club realizes its mission and fulfills its responsibilities to its members by providing district support and resources through the area governors. This is an elected position.
Area Governor
The area governor provides support and assistance to each club so that it may achieve the club mission and fulfill its responsibilities to club members. This is an appointed position.
Additional Leadership Opportunities
What about those other Leadership Opportunities that exist every day in Toastmasters? The limits are bounded only by your imagination. As a Toastmaster, you may take the initiative at any time to exercise leadership with your club as well as beyond. Here are just a few ideas that any Toastmaster may use to exercise leadership:
- Conduct a Speechcraft for your Club, Area, Division
- Coordinate a Speech Contest or Training Session
- Plan and Execute a Toastmasters’ Marketing Campaign
- Sponsor or mentor a new club
You can be creative in adding your own leadership opportunities to the list. Talk with your Area Governor and put your ideas into action. Just remember that when you step out front to lead, you’re never alone. You’ll have fellow Toastmasters and current leaders there to help you grow.