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Members are the life-blood of our Toastmasters clubs. 20 is the magic number: to charter a new club, to be distinguished for exisiting clubs, to maintain the energy and people needed to fill the club positions each week at the meeting.
Virtually all Toastmasters clubs need a constant influx of new members to stay healthy. People move, get that promotion because of their improved self-confidence and speaking skills, take a break for family, health issues - among many reasons. The bottom line is most members join Toastmasters with specific objectives in mind and leave when they have achieved them. More than 95% of the people who leave Toastmasters leave happy and say they might join again in the future.
There are many things your club can do to attract new members and/or keep the ones they already have. If your club is struggling with membership, are you and your fellow members doing three simple things:
1) Getting Guests
2) Converting Guests to Members
3) Retaining Members
If not, below are some ideas on membership building.
Membership 101:
You need at least 20 members to maintain charter strength or a net growth of 5 members if under 20, to be eligible for the DCP, and put on dynamic meetings. Set a goal of one to two new members a month. Accomplish this by:
Getting Guests
 Word-of-mouth, bring a friend, co-worker, anyone who will listen
Hold an Open House
Participate in TI membership contests during the year:
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- Annual Membership Program - recognizes individuals who sponsor 5, 10, 15 or more new members during the year
- Talk up Toastmasters - Clubs adding 5 new members during Feb-March
- Smedley Award - Clubs adding 5 new members during Aug-Sept
- Beat the Clock - Clubs adding 5, new, dual, or reinstated members during May-June
- District 5 Sponsored Contests - watch for announcements during ther year
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Hand out flyers to business around your meeting location
Create a Club Website - www.freetoasthost.org (then link your club's site to TI & District 5)
Publicity (FYI or Calendar section in local newspaper, submit an article)
Hold a Speechcraft
Have club business cards to hand out
Wear your Toastmaster pin to work
Recycle Toastmaster magazines to promote TM
Post a sign showing TM meeting times at your meeting place
Sign up to be added to District Yahoo email list for leads & announcements. See sign-up box on the home page or send an email to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Converting Guests to Members
Make guests feel welcome
Rate your meeting quality, the club climate makes the difference - see checklist (PDF file)
Have name tags for members and guests
Have a guest register
As Toastmaster of the Day call on a person sitting next to the guest introduce them
Have a Guest Packet to give every potential member
Follow up with guests by e-mail, a note or telephone
Ask them to join (many clubs simply forget this step)
Submit new member applications to Toastmasters Headquarters right away - Mail application, or on-line at http://www.toastmasters.org/Members.aspx
Retaining Members
Assign a mentor for new members
Conduct a new member orientation
Members give manual speeches
Members receive effective evaluations
Start meetings on time, every meeting - end on time.
Prepare an agenda for the meeting
Toastmaster contacts people on the schedule
Fulfill your assignments or find a replacement
Create a professional feel to the meeting
Be willing to fill in for missing members
Hold special meetings
Have a theme for your meetings
Include educational training presentations
Follow up on members who have missed meetings
Recognition on completing awards (half-CC, CC, AC, CL, AL etc.)
Attend Club Officer Training, Conferences, Workshops, Educational programs during term.
Want more ideas? 100s of Membership Building Ideas (PDF file)
Need more help? Contact your Area Governor, Division Governor, or the
Lt. Governor, Marketing.
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