What helps a club retain membership? Interesting question! The answer is just as interesting, depending on whom you ask. If you ask me, I run, not walk to my weekly Toastmaster meeting for my weekly one-hour therapy session! I wholeheartedly enjoy the camaraderie between our members. New and seasoned members experience a safe and encouraging environment where personal growth is watered like a delicate spring flower. Although encouragement, positive feedback, and growth should be expected of any Toastmasters club, Tools 2 Lead club (Club 921159), based out of Department of Child Support Services in Santa Ana, takes their camaraderie to new levels!

In Toastmasters, we are given multiple opportunities to learn, grow, and to become a better communicator. It also gives us an unusual opportunity to learn first-hand about leadership – what to do, and what NOT to do. But in order for us to really take advantage of this learning opportunity, we need to step up and take on the various leadership roles that are available.

You're probably already familiar with the leadership opportunities that are available at the club level; but did you know there are MORE chances to learn about leadership outside of the club? You can learn about how to work with other clubs as an Area Governor (appointed by District Governor); you can learn how to delegate as a Division Governor (elected); you can enhance your team-building skills in the positions of Lt. Governor Marketing or the Lt. Governor Education and Training (elected).

Does your club have a name? I'm not talking about "Smedley Chapter 1,” “Tongues A Flame,” “Vineyard Journeys” or any of the club names registered at World Headquarters. To be successful, a club must be "human" and have many names and faces. People want to connect with other people who have common interests, who are facing similar challenges, and who want to offer support and encouragement.

Remember the Toastmaster's Promise . . . "to attend club meetings regularly." To me, that sounds like yet another obligation in a life filled with obligations. I prefer to think of it as, "twice each month I'll link up with Lee, Jason, Wendy, Siri, Clint, Sami, Sue, to have some fun and coach each other to become better speakers and leaders." I don't suggest that we revise the Toastmaster's Promise; however, the realization that my friends are expecting me makes a huge difference in my motivation to prepare for and arrive to the meeting on time.

It seemed everyone was there. Leaders were trained and leaders trained. The numbers were impressive. Around 900 members were in attendance at the two events on June 1 and June 29. The variety of sessions offered more than officers’ training. The highlighted workshops included "Secrets to Better Photos", "Job Interview: Get Them to Say Yes", "7 Habits of Successful Leaders", "Winning a Humorous Speech Contest", "The P5 Model for Presentation Success", "You Can Turn the Table on Table Topics", "Sharing the Gift of Toastmasters: A Simple Way to Build a New Club", and "They're Not Laughing Because You're Not Funny. But You Can Be". Much magic was required from almost 50 volunteers at each event to plan the day and deliver the 25 educational classes each appropriately at Chapman and Biola Universities.

Recognition and appreciation must be given to Siri Payakapan, DTM and Wilma Springer, DTM, PDG who planned and coordinated the event, spread the message and assured that the day would be memorable and club officers would be ready to lead Founder’s District to greatness and be Distinguished for the 2013-2014 terms.

Several Toastmasters members with iPhones walked around taking pictures of the activity. The photos were uploaded in real-time using the Adobe Grouppix app. You can view the photos here.