People are always looking for “the winning strategy.” Consider a membership-building strategy as an example. If you’re a fan of SMART goals, “we’ll gain 5 new members by December 30,” is a perfectly valid goal. I’ve been a member of clubs that wrote that exact goal on their Club Success Plan.

But while it IS a valid goal, do you know what it’s not? It’s not a strategic process that will get you there. And, to paraphrase Drucker, “processes eat goals for breakfast.”

Where a goal defines the “what,” the process helps fill in the “how.” Usually, this starts with several questions. Here are some examples in membership-building:

•  Who are your ideal members? A former community club of mine answered that question with, “early/mid-career professionals that have discretionary schedules.” Come up with as much detail as you reasonably can. Demographics, geographics, and psychographics are all fair game here.
• Based on the definition of “ideal members,” how do you reach them? Think about where they live/work/shop/socialize. Can you get business cards distributed? Flyers posted? Set up a booth at an event? Buy a Facebook ad?
• What resources might you need? Flyers? A graphic designer? Volunteers to distribute materials/post on Facebook?

Once you’ve asked the questions, you probably have a menu of options to choose from. You might need to get resources in place, or you might have everything you need. Choose what to do next, in line with your answers. You can even make SMART-style goals for each part of the process, if that’s your jam.

And don’t miss this: then you iterate. If you realize your actions aren’t getting you the desired results, that’s not a failure; that’s new information to fuel your process. If your Facebook ad didn’t work, feed that information back into the Q&A process above. Maybe it was something with the ad itself. Or maybe it was the targeting. Or maybe it was the social media platform you chose. Use what you learned to get smarter, and make a different, more-informed choice!

Strategize. Decide. Implement. Iterate. Or put more simply, “wash, rinse, repeat.”

Getting back to the idea of “a winning strategy,” I can’t tell you what that is for your club. What I can tell you, however, is that there’s a high likelihood that your members and officers have everything they need to identify it. And if they don’t, going through the process gives you something useful to share when you ask for help.

Speaking of help, have I mentioned that’s what we’re here for? Your Area Director, your Division Director, and the Trio are here to support your club in achieving its goals. If you’re experiencing challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Here’s to a great Toastmasters year!

Even though my family doesn’t have a first day of school this year, we live around the corner from where I was PTO president. All the kids are back in class! Even though it’s subtle, there’s a definite shift around this time of year from the frenetic fun of Summer to the regimented full calendar of Fall.

Fall is a good time to give your own development some focus. It may mean thinking ahead and actively planning time to sketch out a speech or read a project, but you’re worth it. I’m not saying we should completely give up on binge watching shows (especially not Outlander!). I’m suggesting that you set aside some time for your own development. Even a half hour a week outside the club meeting can give you a start toward practicing those skills you joined Toastmasters for.

If you don’t want to schedule only solo work, check out https://district35.org/events/calendar/

We’re scheduling some workshops, discussions and short training sessions on lots of different topics, from public relations ideas to great table topics resources to Pathways. Maybe you’ll hear an idea that works for your club, or for your own projects. You’ll also meet other Toastmasters who are working on supporting member goals and working on their own improvement – great company to be in! Perhaps you would like to help lead a session? Contact me!

Stepping up your own activities lets you practice those new skills that may have languished over however long your summer vacation may have been. Plan out a couple speeches. Volunteer to mentor a new member. Join a committee to help with an open house. Kids shouldn’t be the only ones who get a fresh start and exciting challenges in Fall!

—
Theresa Flynn
Program Quality Director

On a recent Sunday, I stayed up until 11:45pm reviewing and revising an assignment my significant other needed to turn in a day or two later for a professional development class. Her writing is already excellent, and she has strong voice. I reshaped a few paragraphs, moved sentences around, and added clarity in some spots. My goal was to make her voice stronger and, of course, help her get highest score. My edits are only suggestions: they gave her writing a smoother flow and supported the concepts with stronger evidence.

I did not have to stay up this late, but I did because she asked me to help. This is not the first time she asked for me to help her, and it will not be the last. I do it because when she gets the highest score possible, she wins and has more joy in her life. I put forth my best effort in suggesting ways to improve the writing because it counts in the end (even if it costs me hours of sleep one night). Her success brings me joy.

Think of something that brings you joy and the tradeoff you made to receive it. Is it worth the tradeoff? If you feel less than fulfilled, remember that you can choose something different next time. Let no one dictate the meaning of your joy.

Yuriy Ksenidi
Club Growth Director

Greetings Fellow District 35 Toastmasters,

It is hard to believe September is already upon us, and fall is just around the corner. Our new Toastmasters year is off to a great start.

In August, I was able to attend the Toastmasters International Annual Convention and the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Toastmasters. It was held in Anaheim, California near where Toastmasters International was founded October 22, 1924. This year marks the 7th time I have been able to attend the Annual Convention, and each year, it does not disappoint. Each time, I’ve been able to meet and connect with fellow Toastmasters and friends from across the world, watch the World Championship of Public Speaking, and meet with the International leaders of Toastmasters. I learn new ideas and new things about the future of this great organization.

This year in Anaheim, I was honored to accept an award at the Toastmasters International Hall of Fame Ceremony on behalf of District 35. District 35 was recognized with the 2023 – 2024 District Club Strength Award. This award recognizes Districts that increased average club size by 10% or more between the start and end of the Toastmasters year. I’m pleased to share that because of all of YOU and YOUR hard work supporting your members in your clubs, District 35’s average club size increased by 12.59% between July 2023 and June 2024! This is the first time our District has received this recognition. Thank you and Congratulations District 35! I’m looking forward to us continuing to build on this success as we go into the future together.

In my role this year as your Immediate Past District Director (IPDD), I’m excited to continue to support District 35. According to Toastmasters International, the IPDD “provides counsel and guidance to District leaders and plans, directs, and organizes projects and committees as requested by the District Director.” District Director Robert has chatted with me about a few projects that he would like me to look into over the course of this year. I look forward to digging into those responsibilities, providing support, guidance, as well as being a sounding board to the District Trio, District Executive Committee, and other Toastmasters. I look forward to working together and sharing whatever I can in support of the District Mission, our clubs, and members.

Thank you for all you do; let’s have another great Toastmasters Year!

Please feel free to reach out to me via email at jfeucht.tm@gmail.com.