You signed up for Toastmasters to work on your leadership skills. Now, it’s time to lead.
Your club needs YOU to succeed.
And it doesn’t take more than an hour or two a month.
The first week of May is officer election time. We are all contributing members to our clubs. It is ALL our responsibilities to help the club succeed.
If it’s your turn to step up for your club, here are some things to think about:
Which Officer Role should you volunteer for?
If you’re at almost every meeting. If you enjoy encouraging others and leading a team to success. If you DON’T like a lot of admin type work, you will enjoy the President role.
If you have attention to detail and like numbers and data, you will enjoy the Treasurer role.
If you like taking notes and tracking action steps to keep your team on track to success, you will enjoy the Secretary role.
If you like guiding people towards growth and encouraging them to challenge themselves. If you like ensuring that those acts are rewarded and recognized, you will enjoy the Vice President of Education role.
If you like sharing socially and spreading the word about Toastmasters and your club, you will enjoy the Vice President of Public Relations role.
If you like nurturing relationships and welcoming new members, you will enjoy the Vice President of Membership role.
If you like creating a positive, focused, welcoming environment, you will enjoy the Sergeant-At-Arms role.
Time Commitments for each Officer Roles
President: commit to showing up to as many meetings as possible to lead
VP of Education: connect briefly with members at meetings or outside of the meetings about their Pathways progress. Update Basecamp and TI as needed.
VP of Membership: Check-in with members when their attendance is lagging and communicate with inquiries and guests
VP of Public Relations: find opportunities to promote the club in your area and online
Treasurer: main duties happen twice a year in renewal periods
Secretary: attend as many meetings as possible to take appropriate notes. Update TI as needed.
Sergeant-At-Arms: commit to showing up to as many meetings as possible to ensure the room (virtual or in-person) is set up
Key tasks for success:
President (Role Overview):
- Provide positive leadership to all officers and members
- Build a cohesive team and ensure all tasks are completed
- Oversee and facilitate club meetings
- Lead by example and treat all members fairly and equally
VP of Education (Role Overview):
- Set club agenda and assign meeting roles
- Manage member progress in Pathways and act as the primary Base Camp Manager
- Encourage member engagement in the Pathways learning experience
- Plan speech contests (with help from your officer team)
VP of Membership (Role Overview):
- Initiate contact with guests and help them feel welcome
- Provide hospitality and membership information for guests
- Reply to all communications from prospective members in a timely manner
- Manage the process of converting guests to members
VP of Public Relations (Role Overview):
- Promote the club to eligible guests and notify the media regarding the club’s existence and benefits
- Develop and maintain club social media pages and website
- Create club publicity campaigns
- Ensure the Club Contact and Meeting Information is up to date in Club Central
Treasurer (Role Overview):
- Record and maintain accurate and up-to-date financial club records
- Manage club bank account, make deposits, and write checks as approved
- Collect and submit membership and renewal dues
- Create a budget and lead an annual audit
Secretary (Role Overview):
- Take minutes at club and executive committee meetings
- Organize and maintain club records and files
- Update and distribute membership rosters
- Update the club and officer list at Toastmasters International
Sergeant-At-Arms (Role Overview):
- Store club equipment and materials
- Manage meeting facilities (virtual and/or in-person)
- Provide hospitality and membership information for guests
- Distribute club materials
Important final note: YOU ARE NOT ALONE! There is a team of District Leaders that have your back. Find out who your Area and Division Directors are. Attend Officer Training in the spring and fall and ASK QUESTIONS! We are here to help you and your club succeed AND have fun doing it 🙂
Essential Resources from Toastmasters International:
