Introduction to Foundations training for club officers

Hello and congratulations on becoming an officer of your club. This is the foundations course for club officers where we hope to create a training experience that is relevant, engaging and practical. We’re being innovative this year within our district in how we provide this training to club officers so that you can develop the skills that you’ll need in order to be successful.

The foundations course has three different parts. The first is a personalised online training experience where based on the answers that you give you will receive training content that is relevant to you. The second part is an one-hour session where you get to meet people who are experienced in the role, ask them questions and learn from their experience.

And then the third part of foundations will be an opportunity to meet with members of other clubs in your area to network, collaborate and work out how you can support each other. The next stage is to complete the form on the next page. This will allow you to provide information about yourself, your interests and what you would like to do next.

That will then send you a personalised plan for the next stages of the foundations course. Congratulations again and I wish you the greatest of success. Thank you.

The benefits of being a Toastmasters club leader

There are many benefits of being a leader in your time. In fact, I would say it’s one of the most rewarding and exciting ways to develop your skills and your relationships. Let’s explore a few.

You can develop leadership experience. You build team membership and leadership skills that can be used elsewhere in your life. For example, in the workplace.

You help members grow. You can create an environment that supports members’ personal and professional growth. Help them complete Toastmasters Education Awards as a key part of the Distinguished Club programme.

You benefit your club. We all want to be part of something successful and you play a key role in the success of your club and its members. You enrich your own Toastmasters journey.

You can become a better version of yourself by leading by example. You get to benefit from even more that Toastmasters has to offer, all for the same membership fee. You can improve teamwork by working closely with other officers and leaders both within and beyond your club.

And you develop transferable skills, managing processes, communications and budgets. These are all skills that can be used in other areas of your life. And now a question.

What other benefits could someone gain from being a club leader?

Support for you and your club

Steve Campion:
Thank you for sharing your own goals and aspirations. Now that you understand the benefits of being a club leader and how this Foundation’s course will work, I want to emphasise something important, that you are not alone. You and your club are supported by members of the District 71 leadership team.

All volunteers like you, seeking to create the best possible experience for our clubs and for our members. You’ll have an opportunity to meet many leaders from the Toastmasters District, but I’d like to take an opportunity to introduce you to three of them right now.

Hi, I’m Steve Campion, the Program Quality Director, and my role is to make sure we provide training and education opportunities to club officers and district officers.

My goal is to provide those experiences that are relevant, that are engaging, and that are practical to help you in your role.

Kevin O’Reilly:
Hi, I’m Kevin O’Reilly, Club Growth Director. I have the responsibility for building new clubs and also helping our existing clubs to grow and to retain membership. I want us all to work together, work collaboratively, and grow our district for our future leaders.

Mairead Dillon:
Hi, I’m Mairead Dillon, the District Director. I have overall responsibility for our district achieving its mission to build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence. I want us all to have fun and enjoy our year together and also to spread the good news of being a member of Toastmasters.

And on a personal note, thank you so much for stepping up into this leadership role. You’re going to feel such a huge benefit from being a leader in Toastmasters, and I wish you every success in your role this year.