As you embark on your Vice President of Education role, you will understand how your role is important with your club members and club growth within Toastmasters. You are the face of the Pathways Education Program to engage and motivate club members to grow within the club, from applying action to their Pathways education paths, attending club meetings, encouraging members to take on roles within a club meeting, participating in club contests, and understanding the Toastmasters mission for Clubs, which is:
“We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.”
The important role in the Pathways Education Program is the Mentoring Program to motivate, develop and encourage club members to understand Pathways Education, because it is a Learning Experience and to apply what you had learned in your modules to grow into an effective speaker and leader and earn badges for each level completed and a certification of completion for five levels completed in pathways!
Here are some Education Strategies from the Program Quality Director
- Distinguished Club Program and Club Success Plan: This DCP and Club Success Plan is setting the vision with the Executive Team of the club to work together on the Education Programming to motivate club members on how well the club is doing based on their contribution to their involvement in the club.
- Pathways Achievement Record: This is a great tool to have to keep a record of your club members' Pathways achievements.
- Schedule Special Events: It’s important to keep your club members engaged and grow their skills in Toastmasters. Planning special events, such as educational events, joint club meetings, and inviting special guest speakers to present on different topics on speaking and leadership to motivate your club members and bring in new guests to convert into members.
Contests Dos and Don'ts
- Never plan a contest a week before the event, start 8 to 10 weeks prior the scheduled contest date. Meet with your Executive Team to plan the speech contest, set the date & time, email to go out to club members with roles that needs to be filled and, the location
- Send out an email to your club members early in advance to see who will be competing, never wait the last minute to scramble in last weeks, when you can plan in advance to have a successful speech contest.
- Have all paperwork in order, prior to the day of the speech contest, because an unorganized contest can cause a lot of tension in the atmosphere with your functionaries and contestants. Plan! - Plan! - Plan! (see Contest Rulebook)
- On the day of the speech contest, arrive on time, especially when contests are virtual to make sure your breakout rooms are set, briefings start on time, paperwork is organized, and welcome guests and club members as they come in.