“Honest self-reflection opens your mind to reprogramming, change, success, and freedom.” – Unknown
One of the most exceptional traits of being a Toastmaster is that we are continuously self-reflecting and intend on becoming a better version of ourselves with every meeting we attend. Not just as an individual but also as a team, at Toastmasters, we look back to see how we did and what could be done in a different way to achieve greater heights. With reflection, our paths become clearer. It helps to avoid consequences and to achieve many goals.
On July 21st, 2019, ETM members gathered for a session on Moments of Truth. TM Saloni divided us into six different groups to discuss six different areas. Each group had to come up with feedback on areas where our club could do much better.
Very critical and genuine feedback was received from the session. The following is a generic complication of the feedback received that any club can use.
1. First Impressions:
– We must usher our guests and make sure they get name tags before the meeting. Having an usher can help create a terrific impact on guests who come for the first time.
2. Member Orientation:
– Many of us, including senior Toastmasters, are still not comfortable with the online pathways manual. A club needs a proper plan to guide members with pathways.
3. Fellowship, Variety, and Communication
– Most clubs are limited to their meetings only. Inter-club events and joint-meetings are vital in building relationships with members from other clubs. It also helps flourish toastmasters fraternity as a whole. If your club hasn’t done it lately, plan one as soon as possible.
– Postmasters are fun, undoubtedly. In addition to that social, recreational activities like hiking, night-out, a meeting away from the regular meeting venue, etc. can break the humdrum.
4. Program Planning and Meeting Organization
– Evaluators are many a time seen comparing themselves (their level of speaking) with the speaker whom they are evaluating. It is not recommended to do so. An evaluator must understand that every speaker has their journey. Let’s treat them and their progress as an individual while evaluating them.
5. Membership Strength
– Most clubs don’t have a practice of recognizing the member who brings in new members. It would be very encouraging to acknowledge those members as it motivates not only them but also encourages others to bring new members into the club.
6. Achievement Recognition:
– Displaying progress chart of members can boost all those members who are behind in speeches/goals to take up speaking slots and leadership roles. It can also boost up those members who are already ahead to see themselves at the top in the displayed chart.
In addition to the suggestions mentioned above, ETM is reactivating its advisory committee. “This committee will comprise of all the IPPs of the club. The current ex-com will be in continuous communication with this committee for any suggestion, decision, or guidance,” said DTM Suman Shakya in the end. A very sound and genuine step taken by Everest Toastmasters Club. Other clubs should also think of forming an advisory committee.
“It is always our self that we find at the end of the journey. The sooner we face that self, the better.” – Ella Maillart
Chandan Goopta, Everest Toastmasters Club