Elaine Balante and Ann Nakaska, with support from Debbie Stearns, are putting together a spreadsheet schedule of speakers and meeting-role participants to help clubs within District 42. The purpose of this project is to help strengthen the clubs in District 42. Many clubs need help. These clubs could use a club coach, but there are not always enough club coaches available.

We are looking to create a list of Toastmasters members in our District who are willing to help at the club level by giving speeches or by taking a meeting role. This project would be similar to the Angels Project that Division B created, but on a much larger scale.  

Guest Speakers

Guest speakers could help by delivering one of three different types of speeches to clubs needing formal speech speakers.

1. Educational speeches on topics like How to Use Vocal Variety, How to Be a District Leader or How to Be a Contest Judge are some examples. We have a list of tentative speech topics, but if there is an educational speech that you would like to give at the club level, we are certainly open to suggestions.
2. Personal or Professional Development Speeches on a specific topic area you would like to deliver to club members. Maybe you speak on service leadership, how to write a book, or how to create an effective podcast. Club members receive the benefit of added personal and professional development in addition to Toastmaster-related topics.
3. Pathways or Contest Speeches you would like to practice at another club and get additional feedback on.

Meeting Roles

Toastmaster members are also invited to help clubs by taking a meeting role.  You can let us know if you would be interested in helping clubs by being a:

• general evaluator
• speech evaluator
• table topics master
• table topics evaluator
• grammarian
• timer

Logistics

How it would work. You tell us your availability and if you prefer in person, hybrid/online or both and the days and times that work best for you. Clubs who are struggling could then reach out to you a week before their meetings, asking for a speaker or a meeting role to be filled.

For example, I am willing to give a professional development speech on How to Use Pathways Projects to Build Your Career, How to Use Pathways Projects to Build Your LinkedIn Profile, or How to Build a Successful Career twice a month and I am willing to be a general evaluator, speech evaluator, or a table topics evaluator once a month with clubs that need help. Please fill out the attached SURVEY to be used in creating the District 42 list.

Contact information would be limited to only those people available on the same days and times that the club meets.

You are in control of how much you help, making it clear how often you would like to help and how you would like to help. It’s a win-win for the district, allowing members to shine at what they are good at, increasing networking within our district, and clubs that need help will receive the support they need from members of other clubs.

Thank you for your consideration and your support. Let us know if you have any questions.

Ann Nakaska, DTM