Toastmasters Resolutions: How Will You Grow in 2012?

by Mary Carol Holbert, ACS, D84 Public Relations Officer

Mary Carol Holbert, ACS

This year, I’ve made a New Year’s Resolution for the first time in ages – one I intend to keep. My Resolution is Toastmasters-related, which means it’s about growth as a speaker, leader, and person.

You read it here first: I resolve to complete my DTM by our District 84 Spring Conference in May. I’m sharing it with you, because you’ve all played a role in my journey.

You know the African proverb about how it takes a village to raise a child? The one Hilary Clinton made popular around the globe? If you think about new Toastmasters coming into our organization, seeking growth as communicators and leaders, it’s but a slight leap to propose it takes a Village of Toastmasters to raise another Toastmaster.

We may find our Village within our own club, or we may find a bigger Village of Toastmasters across District 84, or even around the globe, but that support network is available for any member of our ‘family’. My journey started in the nurturing arms of OMNI Toastmasters, but as I ventured further into our Toastmasters’ arena, members from across District 84 have become vital role-players in my Village, helping me learn and grow.

How will you grow in 2012? Will this be the year you get your Competent Communicator Award? Perhaps it’s the year you finally give your Ice Breaker speech – opening up the possibility for so much more achievement in the future!

Do you need help to accomplish your goals? Look to your own Village of Toastmasters!

Have you been assigned a mentor? Don’t be hesitant about asking for assistance – your Village wants you to succeed. Bear this in mind: by mentoring, other club members are fulfilling their own leadership and communication requirements. By helping one another, multiple goals are met.

Perhaps this is the year you finish your Competent Leader Manual. When the next contest period comes up, dare to step up and volunteer as a Contest Master. Run or help organize a membership campaign or membership contest. Mentor a new or existing member. Chair or help organize a club special event. Chair or help organize a public relations campaign for your club. Stepping into any of these roles will help complete your CL projects, as well as provide an invaluable Leadership growth opportunity. Your Toastmaster Village will be there to support your efforts. They are in your corner!

Remember to bring your CL manual to your meetings, and have another member evaluate your role performance so you get credit toward completion of your Competent Leader requirements. You’ll be surprised how quickly you will complete most projects, simply through filling normal meeting roles.

If you’ve obtained your CC and/or your CL, what is next for you? There are advanced manuals that address almost any area you might be interested in pursuing. Check out all the different Advanced Communication manuals on the Toastmasters web site (click here):

If you’re not sure what you need to do to reach your next level Communication or Leadership educational award, there are Award Requirements listed in the back of each Toastmasters International Manual. Additionally, you will find those requirements here:

Leadership Track: (click here)

Communication Track: (click here)

Which Advanced Educational Award are you aiming for in 2012? What will you need to complete to get there? How can your Toastmasters Village help you achieve your goal?

Vice-President of Education at your club

• Be sure to let your VPE know what your educational goal is, so you can be scheduled to speak or fill roles you need to meet your educational requirements

Area Governor / Division Governor

• Do you need to sponsor or mentor a club, or serve a term as a district officer? Let your club officers and your Area Governor know you are interested. District 84 is always looking for Toastmasters who are willing to work with new clubs, or serve Toastmasters on a District level. Your Area and Division Governors can make sure that the District leadership is aware of your interest.

Your Club & Beyond

• Perhaps you are interested in completing a High Performance Leadership Project in 2012. It might be chairing a contest, or planning a special event. It could be a community project, or a special project to benefit your club – the beauty of the HPL is that you get to design any project you want to complete. The HPL is a marvelous growth vehicle, teaching how to design and lead a project from inception through completion and review. Your Toastmasters’ Village will bethere to listen to your plan, to serve on your guidance committee, to hear your results, and discover what you learned in the process.
• 2012 may be when you conduct a presentation from the Success/Leadership or the Success/Communication Series, or perhaps a Youth Leadership program as one of your final steps toward attaining your Advanced Communication Gold Award level.

Other Clubs

• Remember you can speak at other clubs to complete your projects! Many times speaking slots go unfilled – a guest speaker is often appreciated, adding excitement and interest to a club meeting. Speaking in front of a new audience is an excellent learning experience – one that can prepare us to speak in front of anyone.

2012 is here. How will you choose to grow as a leader, a speaker, or a Toastmaster in the New Year?

What educational goal will you set for 2012? How can your Toastmasters Village help
you reach your growth potential?

I wish you a wonderful 2012, filled with happiness and success. I promise to support you in your quest to develop your leadership and communication skills, and hope you will make the same promise to one another.

I hope to see every D84 Toastmaster’s name listed on one or more educational awards this coming year. With help from my Village,

I hope to see my own on the DTM list this May!