Show the World – Have a Great Club Website

Do you know that while you are reading this article, several people may be searching for a nearby Toastmasters club they can join? Chances are that they will never consider visiting your club if you don’t have a club website, or even worse – if your website is not maintained and updated regularly.

Don’t despair – if you don’t have a website, you can create a professional and powerful one that meets all of Toastmasters International’s design guidelines, while showcasing the unique identity and culture of your club.
It’s easy - there has never been a better time to create or refresh your club website since many resources have been made available by Toastmasters International in conjunction with their Brand Refresh that was announced in August 2011.

A website opens the doors to potential new members who are full of energy and enthusiasm, yearning to learn and share interesting and inspirational stories, take on leadership positions which in return will help a Toastmasters club grow and thrive. Your website also provides an important communication hub to keep your existing members updated.

Who's our "Toastmaster of the Year?"

The award goes to...

Dr. Patricia Adelekan, DTM, fondly known as Dr. Pat, is the 2010-2011 Founder’s District "Toastmaster of the Year." Ede Ferrari D'Angelo, DTM, our immediate-past District Governor, presented Dr. Pat the award at the District Executive Council meeting held at Crystal Cathedral on August 31, 2011.

Dr. Pat was recognized by the Toastmasters International as a Triple Crown winner with four Education and Leadership Awards earned just this year. She sponsored two new clubs and 30 new members during the year.

“Dr. Pat has been a constant inspiration to me since I met her at the FCBC FV Speech club I started in Fountain Valley on February 1, 2006.  She immediately joined our club on February 12, 2006 and helped our new club become President's Distinguished in the second year.  Since then, she has been actively promoting Toastmasters to fill diverse needs in the community—Toastmasters for people who speak English as a second language, people in retirement centers and people at the Wellness center.  This year she served as our Division A Membership Retention Chair and in May 2011, Dr. Pat was in Haiti for two weeks working together with local educators and humanitarians to build quality schools there.  I am blessed to have Dr. Pat as my friend and fellow Toastmaster”, stated Harry Yan, DTM, Founder’s District Lt. Governor of Marketing.

 Still a Bargain!

It was recently announced that the annual membership dues for Toastmasters International will be raised to $72.00 per year. At first glance, this may  seem like a significant increase in price, but, this is still a bargain! Let’s break this down and look at the various components:

First, let's consider the value. For just $6.00 a month (only $1.50 more a month*) you are given the opportunity to:

• Increase your self confidence
• Build your ability to motivate and persuade
• Become more successful in your career 
• Increase your leadership potential
• Become a better listener
• Improve your presentation skills

*There may be additional club fees

Second, let’s consider the opportunities a Toastmasters club provides its members to practice positive leadership skills by promoting teamwork, encouraging excellence, fostering growth and providing instant evaluations in a constructive way. Best of all the Toastmasters program is . . .

• Interactive
• Convenient
• Friendly
• Supportive

And finally, let's consider the continuing educational opportunities that Toastmasters offers. There is no other program in the world today that promotes leadership and communication growth and continuing education for the price of $6.00 a month (let alone college or university!).