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Critical Success Factors
Wanted: Sponsors and Mentors

Remember how you felt when you brought a visitor to your Club and he/she joined?  You made a difference, changed a life.  How would you like to start a new Club?!

Sponsors and Mentors

Toastmasters International allows for up to two sponsors and two mentors to be assigned to a new Club.  What is the difference?

Sponsor

A sponsor markets the benefits of Toastmasters to prospective members, discusses ways in which Toastmasters can assist in members' (or company's) personal and business goals.  A sponsor goes through the planning process, including meeting location, bylaws, finding officers, and all the paperwork.  A sponsor coordinates the demo meeting, signs up members, and holds a chartering presentation.

Sponsors need good marketing skills, attention to detail, and great organizational skills.  They need to be aware Club requirements, and the different types of Clubs (Company, Community, Specialty).

Mentor

Most Toastmasters know the value a mentor plays when a new member joins the Club.  Mentors maintain members, show them "the ropes," and give them the confidence they need to become a vibrant Club member.

When we start a new Club, at least seventeen (17) members are new to Toastmasters.  Most joined for the same reason you joined.  In order for a new Club to survive, it is crucial we have mentors at the Club to help it get its "sea legs," so to speak.  

What do you need to be a mentor?  You need to be a seasoned Toastmaster, and know the officer roles of a Club.  You should be able to coach individual members, and get the executive committee off to the right start.  You need to be a model for members to follow.  But most of all, you need to be available and caring.

Leads

Leads may come directly from Toastmasters International, but may come from literally anywhere. 

Assignment

Sponsors should be assigned as those who do the work.  In some cases, a Club or two Clubs may be the sponsor.  This generally makes for stronger new Clubs, as there is more camaraderie.  When a Club is chartered, it should go to the Area where the sponsor(s) reside.

Q&A

Q: Why should we start new Clubs?

A: Read the Mission of the District:

The mission of the district is to enhance the performance and extend the network of clubs, thereby offering greater numbers of people the opportunity to benefit from the Toastmasters educational program by:

Coaching and mentoring applies to enhancing performance, and member building, but "extending the network of Clubs" relates to starting new Clubs.

Q: How do you go about the work?

A: New Clubs are started locally, and must be supported locally.  Toastmasters encourages us to start new Clubs in two ways.  Division and Area Governors are encouraged to oversee the process.  Some Division Governors assign an "Extension Officer."

Q: Why should I volunteer to be a sponsor or mentor?

A: Several Reasons:

  1. You develop leadership skills directly transferable to the business world.

  2. You help your Area, Division, and District, fulfill its mission.

  3. In order to get credit for your Advanced Leader Silver (previous AL), you must be a sponsor, mentor, or successful Club Coach, bringing a Club to Distinguished status.  As a mentor, you must be assigned to the Club, join the Club, and remain a member for at least six months.  It is highly recommended to be a mentor for one year.  As a sponsor, you must bring the Club through its chartering process and be approved by the President.

  4. Consider the project to be your High Performance Leadership project (HPL) as well.

Q: What Decisions need to be made in building a Club?

A: Several Decisions are critical. 

  1. You need to find at least one sponsor, preferably two.
  2. You must find at least 17 people willing to join.  (Try to find at least 30.  Some will change their mind.)
  3. The marketing team needs to match Toastmasters to the needs and wants of the proposed group.  Club culture must be understood to ensure success.
  4. The decision of type of Club must be made.  There are three types, Community, Company, and Specialty Club.
  5. Mentor(s) must be found, and they must be able to match the culture of the Club itself.
  6. Meeting time, location and frequency should be discussed early on. 
  7. Funding for the charter ($125, in California add 7.75% for sales tax), membership fees, and start-up supplies.

Q: What advice can you give to improve chances for success?

A: Here Goes:

  1. Every Area and Governor should have at least two New Club kits (123B and 123C).  Kits are free.
  2. Area and Division Governors need to find sponsors and mentors early.  Division Governors may choose to find a Club Extension Chair or Chairs.
  3. Area and Division Governors should develop demonstration team(s).
  4. Recognize new Club activity at Club, Area, Division, and District events.
  5. Train sponsors and mentors at TLI's, DEC's.
  6. Respond quickly to leads.  The LGM will forward leads to Division Governors and/or Extension Chairs.  As in new member requests, response time makes a difference.
  7. Send out Club Kits and other marketing material to Club leads.  In person contact is usually best.
  8. Ask District or Regional leadership to assist you, and attend meetings when possible.
  9. Hold contests for Club building.
  10. Urge Clubs, particularly distinguished Clubs, to sponsor new Clubs.  (The Club will get a ribbon when successful.)
  11. Expect the unexpected.
  12. Be flexible but diligent.
  13. Follow up, follow-up, follow-up!
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