Serving as a club officer with a Toastmasters Club is an invaluable experience that not only enriches your own life but also positively impacts the lives of those around you.

The seven nominated club officer positions are president, vice president education, vice president membership, vice president public relations, sergeant at arms, treasurer and secretary. The responsibilities for each role are specific, though they may overlap or require cooperation between two or more officers. 

There are more detailed roles and responsibilities defined in the Club Leadership Handbook. It helps club officers understand their role and able to see other officers’ responsibilities. Working together as a team and understanding the roles of your teammates will help you all to effectively support your club. It would also be a good idea to bookmark or download this handbook and keep it handy for reference during your year of office.

The District provides two rounds of Club Officer Training (COT) annually. This training teaches club officers motivation, delegation, coaching and SMART goal setting, as well as guiding them through the creation of the Club Success Plan. You have the option to attend one of many training sessions each round either online or in person, allowing you to find one that fits your schedule. Most seasoned officers agree that attending training is invaluable to start your year. Each Club Officer is recommended to take at least 2 trainings every year.  Taking advantage of the online format, Club Officers may also attend training outside the district.

Besides attending training, you may also do some self-training. Read the Club Leadership. Explore www.toastmasters.org for additional resources. Peruse the Resource Library in the Resources section of the website where you’ll find lots of informative handbooks, fliers, templates, slideshows and more. Become familiar with Club Central on the site. Read the Toastmasters Magazine. (Wait! You are!) Connect with other members via social media outlets. Visit different clubs to observe how other officers perform their duties. Search the internet for useful blogs or documents about your position.

Remember, in Toastmasters, you “learn by doing.” Don’t fear making a mistake. Most mistakes can be corrected. Take your role seriously enough to commit to it but lightly enough to allow yourself some slack if something goes wrong.

You are not alone on this journey. Your fellow officers and club members are there to support you every step of the way. Together, you will celebrate successes, learn from setbacks, and continue to strive for excellence.

Becoming a Club Officer develops your communication skills, and problem-solving skills, and gives you the discipline to move forward regardless of hardship. By no coincidence, this is what employers look for when recruiting an employee with leadership. So, seize this opportunity to make a difference in your club and in the lives of those you serve. Embrace the responsibilities of leadership with enthusiasm, determination, and a positive attitude.

Your dedication will leave a lasting impact on your club, your community, and yourself.

Daisy Wei, DTM
D42 Program Quality Director