What to do- Think Distinguished

What To Do When A Member Says NO to Club Office

Find Out Why a Member Doesn't Want to Be a Club Officer and then Motivate Them

I Don't Have Time
Motivating Counter Argument:
If you have all the time in the world to be an Officer, it's possible you'll keep doing it all yourself. If you need something done, ask a busy person! When you are busy, you learn how to delegate. You'll learn to prioritize. You'll learn to ask, "what must I do? What can I delegate? The more you delegate, the stronger our Club members will become. Is there "dead time" in your schedule that could be used more effectively?

It's Too Much Work
Motivating Counter Argument:
Leadership means responsibility, delegating, following up, and FUN. You are NOT alone, utilize Co-Officers and committees. Judith Pearson, DTM of D27 says, "When more people share the work, more people share the satisfaction of a job well done."

I Don't Know What to Do or How to Do It
Motivating Counter Argument:
Excellent Club Officer training is available. Plus, you'll get Officer Manuals. We'll hold a transition meeting for the old and new teams and make sure the outgoing Officer answers your questions and lends a hand at the start.

I'm Too Scared to Try
Motivating Counter Argument:
How do you learn to swim if you don't get in the water? Taking an officer role is like jumping into the water. In Judith Pearson's, The Toastmaster magazine article, "Dare to Delegate", she advises us to appeal to needs and values. "To appeal to the need of belonging, say, "We want you on our team." To appeal to self-esteem say, "Your unique skills and talents will make this a success." To appeal to achievement say, "I'm going to help you step out of your comfort zone, stretch your abilities, and succeed at something you never thought you could do.""Do you realize what you have to give?"
-Dan Jones, DTM, Past District 31 Governor

How TO Get Members to Run Enthusiastically for Club Office

Talk enthusiastically about Club office every chance you get.
Approach members with enthusiasm and tell them "What's In It for Them"
Be a talent scout: match the person to the position.
Attend Officer Training. Bring back innovations other Clubs are using to your Club.
Make a big deal about Officer Installation. Take photos and get it into the papers.
Conduct "Club Officer Table Topics" a month or two before elections.
In 1-2 minutes, ask outgoing Officers to tell the Club, "Why every member should be
an Officer and what they've gained from the experience."
Try "Unique Idea Table Topics" where Officers are challenged to come up with an idea for their office that will benefit all members.
Mentor your members. If you do, chances are good that they will one day serve.
Praise Toastmasters Officers to the hilt. (Complain up, Praise Down)
Inform everyone of the election process, run a fair election, and ask for help if needed.
Combine the Election with a Pot luck and an Awards and Recognition ceremony.
Encourage newer members to become Officers. The experience can change their life!
Send minutes to members to let the Club know what a great job the Officers are doing!
Invite all the members to your Club Officer meetings.
Give the team the tools they need. Spell out what's expected.
Encourage all members to achieve Competent Leader.

Most of all, have fun!

"Since Toastmasters leaders cannot hire or fire, they must instead, guide and inspire."
- Judith Pearson, Ph.D.,DTM

How NOT to Get Members to Run Enthusiastically for Club Office

Complain all year about how much work it is.
Don't go to Club Officer Training.
Don't do your best, that way you won't be a role model.
Don't be enthusiastic when you talk about the Officer positions.
Don't run the election by the rules in the President's manual.
Don't let newer members jump in. Let senior members serve.
Don't have regular Officer meetings and don't bother going.
Don't share Officer meeting minutes with the Club members.
Don't invite Club members to your Officer meetings.
Don't give the Officers the Club Officer manuals from TI.
If you get an Officer manual, don't read it.
Don't publicly recognize and thank the team throughout the year.
Be resistant to any new ideas the current team wants to try.
Remind the Officers and the Club of how YOU used to do things

"Each officer is integrally linked to the next and...the Club's quality depends on the focus of its officers."
- Tamra B. Orr

Compliments of Pam Keyzer, DTM, International Director Candidate, Region VII
President's Distinguished District 1998-99

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		Toastmasters International

	What To Do When A Member Says NO to Club Office Find Out Why a Member Doesn't Want to Be a Club Officer and then Motivate Them I Don't Have Time Motivating Counter Argument: If you have all the time in the world to be an Officer, it's possible you'll keep doing it all yourself. If you need something done, ask a busy person! When you are busy, you learn how to delegate. You'll learn to prioritize. You'll learn to ask, "what must I do? What can I delegate? The more you delegate, the stronger our Club members will become. Is there "dead time" in your schedule that could be used more effectively? It's Too Much Work Motivating Counter Argument: Leadership means responsibility, delegating, following up, and FUN. You are NOT alone, utilize Co-Officers and committees. Judith Pearson, DTM of D27 says, "When more people share the work, more people share the satisfaction of a job well done." I Don't Know What to Do or How to Do It Motivating Counter Argument: Excellent Club Officer training is available. Plus, you'll get Officer Manuals. We'll hold a transition meeting for the old and new teams and make sure the outgoing Officer answers your questions and lends a hand at the start. I'm Too Scared to Try Motivating Counter Argument: How do you learn to swim if you don't get in the water? Taking an officer role is like jumping into the water. In Judith Pearson's, The Toastmaster magazine article, "Dare to Delegate", she advises us to appeal to needs and values. "To appeal to the need of belonging, say, "We want you on our team." To appeal to self-esteem say, "Your unique skills and talents will make this a success." To appeal to achievement say, "I'm going to help you step out of your comfort zone, stretch your abilities, and succeed at something you never thought you could do.""Do you realize what you have to give?" -Dan Jones, DTM, Past District 31 Governor How TO Get Members to Run Enthusiastically for Club Office Talk enthusiastically about Club office every chance you get. Approach members with enthusiasm and tell them "What's In It for Them" Be a talent scout: match the person to the position. Attend Officer Training. Bring back innovations other Clubs are using to your Club. Make a big deal about Officer Installation. Take photos and get it into the papers. Conduct "Club Officer Table Topics" a month or two before elections. In 1-2 minutes, ask outgoing Officers to tell the Club, "Why every member should be an Officer and what they've gained from the experience." Try "Unique Idea Table Topics" where Officers are challenged to come up with an idea for their office that will benefit all members. Mentor your members. If you do, chances are good that they will one day serve. Praise Toastmasters Officers to the hilt. (Complain up, Praise Down) Inform everyone of the election process, run a fair election, and ask for help if needed. Combine the Election with a Pot luck and an Awards and Recognition ceremony. Encourage newer members to become Officers. The experience can change their life! Send minutes to members to let the Club know what a great job the Officers are doing! Invite all the members to your Club Officer meetings. Give the team the tools they need. Spell out what's expected. Encourage all members to achieve Competent Leader. Most of all, have fun! "Since Toastmasters leaders cannot hire or fire, they must instead, guide and inspire." - Judith Pearson, Ph.D.,DTM How NOT to Get Members to Run Enthusiastically for Club Office Complain all year about how much work it is. Don't go to Club Officer Training. Don't do your best, that way you won't be a role model. Don't be enthusiastic when you talk about the Officer positions. Don't run the election by the rules in the President's manual. Don't let newer members jump in. Let senior members serve. Don't have regular Officer meetings and don't bother going. Don't share Officer meeting minutes with the Club members. Don't invite Club members to your Officer meetings. Don't give the Officers the Club Officer manuals from TI. If you get an Officer manual, don't read it. Don't publicly recognize and thank the team throughout the year. Be resistant to any new ideas the current team wants to try. Remind the Officers and the Club of how YOU used to do things "Each officer is integrally linked to the next and...the Club's quality depends on the focus of its officers." - Tamra B. Orr Compliments of Pam Keyzer, DTM, International Director Candidate, Region VII President's Distinguished District 1998-99 back to 'What's New' home page