Celebrating Progress and Embracing New Opportunities

Happy New Year, Fellow Toastmasters!

As we reflect on the past six months and look forward to the next, we have a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments and embrace the excitement of what lies ahead.

The state of our district is encouraging and continues to improve month by month. Our club base remains at 106, with 89 clubs in good standing—a growth of two clubs in good standing since last month! Of the 15 clubs not currently in good standing, six need just one additional member, and two require two more members. This marks a significant improvement from last month, when those numbers were three and five, respectively.

The Club Retention Committee is actively working with these clubs to bring them back into good standing. Meanwhile, the Club Extension and Retention Committees are collaborating with Divisions and Areas to provide comprehensive support, fostering momentum and encouragement throughout the district.

We are also seeking coaches, sponsors, and mentors to support our clubs and members. These roles offer a fantastic opportunity to develop transferable skills in coaching, mentoring, and leadership while counting towards your Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation. For more information, click here.

The Winter Open House Season begins this month! If your club is hosting an Open House in January or February, notify the District. We will help promote your event on social media and provide promotional materials to support your success. Details can be found here.

Does your club promote annual memberships? Looking ahead, April renewals will be a key focus over the next three months. Many clubs are transitioning from semi-annual to annual memberships, offering considerable benefits. Some clubs provide incentives for members who choose annual memberships, while others have made it the primary option.

Annual memberships simplify processes for clubs and members while ensuring a richer Toastmasters experience. Members who commit to a full year gain more from the Toastmasters and Pathways —much like going to the gym for a year yields better results than just six months! While the six-month option remains available, presenting the annual option as the preferred choice benefits both members and clubs.

For corporate clubs, annual memberships streamline payment processes. With just one payment instead of two, corporate finance departments will appreciate the simplicity. 

Last month, we launched the Charter Quest Challenge! Submit a lead to the Club Extension Committee and you will be rewarded at two key milestones: first, when the club holds a demo meeting, and again when the club charters. When the club holds a demo meeting or subsequently charters, you will be rewarded with Toastmasters swag from the catalogue. Additional rewards are available if you choose to sponsor or mentor the new club. Details will soon be on the District page.

Let us move forward with renewed enthusiasm, continuing to build on our successes and striving for greater achievements in the months ahead!

Lynnette Zotzman, DTM
Club Growth Director, District 42, Region 3