Tag: coaching

Top 10 reasons to be a club coach

Posted on

The club coach program is the best tool districts have to help struggling clubs, yet many districts don’t promote the club coach program very well.  There are districts with 30-40 or more clubs eligible for coaches, but only a dozen or so assigned.

They’re effectively leaving these struggling clubs to fend for themselves, or whatever the Area Governor can spare.  Official training is available, and it’s perfect to include in Toastmasters Leadership Institutes (TLIs).

Any club with 12 or less members (according to WHQ rosters) is eligible for a coach (there can be two coaches per club), and a coach can be anyone who is not already a member of the club at the time of appointment.  To volunteer, contact your district Lt. Gov’r of Marketing!  To find a club that needs a coach, click here, then click on your district number and scroll down in the right-hand panel to the “Clubs that need coaches” section; click on club numbers for meeting information.

The club coach’s goal is to bring the club to distinguished by the second following June 30.  Simple, right?  Of course, the biggest challenge is usually rebuilding membership to be eligible to be distinguished (a whole ‘nother topic!).  A good place to start is the Successful Club Series module Moments of Truth.

Top 10 reasons to be a club coach (some good, some bad!):

10. You’re bored on the night they happen to meet

9. To fulfill the requirements for your Advanced Leader-Silver and DTM

8. To help the area/division/district be distinguished by keeping its clubs

7. Because your Area Governor asked you to help

6. To get more speaking and education session opportunities

5. To exercise your leadership skills in a new environment

4. To help organize a membership-building drive

3. To bring ideas from your club(s) to a new club, and vice versa

2. To network with the members in a new club

1. To give back to an organization that gives its members so much

What’s YOUR reason?  Add it in the comments!

Role of the PDG

Posted on (Updated: )

A PID out to pastureDoes your district put old District Governors out to pasture?  Or does it treasure and utilize this immense amount of experience to help the district and its members?  It’s not just an honorary title that means everyone applauds them every time they attend a function!

The district bylaws mention a past district governors committee in a lengthy list of other committees that the District Governor may appoint as deemed advisable (bottom of page 10).  TI also has a one-page policy on Role of Past Leaders Within Districts that’s good to review as well.  (Remember that International Directors and International Presidents were once District Governors too!)

What does a PDG bring to the table?  Quite a few things:

  • Knowledge about “how it’s done” in the district (though things may have changed since they were DG!)
  • Coach for the district trio (DG, LGET, LGM) and other district leaders
  • Advice on how to address challenges and where sensitivities may lie
  • Assistance at area and division events when trio members can’t attend
  • Experienced trainer for club officer training (but make sure they’re up-to-date)
  • Long-term view for strategic planning

In addition, the Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG) has specific value:

  • Voting member of the DEC
  • Reminders of critical deadlines (e.g., budget, submission of club officer training info, when to order contest/conference supplies)
  • Recognition of the previous year’s accomplishments at the October/November district conference

Don’t forget about the PDGs, call on them to help your district succeed!

[poll id=”2″]