Membership Building

District 96 has a number of online resources for promoting the value of becoming a Toastmaster and helping clubs gain new members.

Facebook

BC Toastmasters Facebook Page:

URL: www.facebook.com/BCToast/

The intended use of this page is to create awareness and promote the value - to the general public - of becoming a Toastmaster. The province of British Columbia is served by two Districts - District 96 and District 21 - so this Facebook Page is a shared resource.

District 96 Facebook Group:

URL: www.facebook.com/groups/District96/

The intended use of this group is to promote the value of staying in Toastmasters and REALLY working the program!  This is done by Post's that:

• Celebrate club and member successes

• Share relevant and informative posts from the non-Toastmasters world

• Promote education and training events that are for the benefit of our Toastmaster members

Meetup

MeetUp for Clubs:

Any Toastmasters club can start their own MeetUp page. Pricing and 'Usage and Content Policies' can be found hereThere is a way that up to 3 clubs can share a single account (and share the cost as well).  More on this to come.

Non-Club MeetUp's:

MeetUp Groups with OPEN allow clubs to freely post Toastmasters events.

These meetup groups are like mailing lists that we have permission to regularly send invitations or educational materials that build awareness and trust. The key word is trust. If we send too much invitations, they may ignore them or unsubscribe.

Geographic Groups:
(OPEN) http://www.meetup.com/Vancouver-Networkers/
(OPEN) http://www.meetup.com/Tri-Cities-personalgrowth/
http://www.meetup.com/learningpublicspeaking/

Special interest MeetUp groups (we have permission to post and send emails in these groups)
(OPEN) http://www.meetup.com/socialmastery/ (Learn social skills)
http://www.meetup.com/learningpublicspeaking/
http://www.meetup.com/YVR-Foodies/ (Great for food themed meetings)
http://www.meetup.com/Geeks-and-Gamers/ (Great way to tap into a huge community of shy people who need communication skills) 
http://www.meetup.com/CareerSuccessCafeMeetup/ (For career builders)

Your existing members already know how amazing Toastmasters can be - leverage their experience by encouraging them to bring guests to meetings! Pair with the membership building contests.

Bringing Guests

Try hosting an educational that demonstrates different ways you can introduce Toastmasters to their peers at work or in their personal lives. You can remind everyone of the elevator pitch, and also reference paper or digital channels to invite guests to attend (eg. email).

Handling Guests

You've got some executives that are responsible to greet and make sure your guests are comfortable and invited to join. What if they don't come to a meeting, or are busy with other guests or tasks? It'd be nice if your members would naturally welcome newcomers and make sure they've been taken care of.

Try hosting an educational that explains how to greet guests and what they should be told. Eg:

1. That they are in the right place.
2. That they may be asked to introduce themselves, participate in Tabletopics, or provide feedback at the end of the meeting.

These contests are meant to encourage membership-driving by your members! See the Toastmasters Summary here.

Talk Up Toastmasters
Program Dates: February 1 – March 31

The Talk Up Toastmasters membership program is the chance to encourage your members to invite guests to a special meeting where prospective members can learn about Toastmasters’ many benefits.

Then add five new, dual or reinstated members during this time period and your club will receive a special Talk Up Toastmasters ribbon to display on your club’s banner.

Qualifying clubs can also earn a special discount code for 10-percent off their next club order. (The discount code expires six months from the date of issue and is not valid with any other offer.)

New members must join date between February 1 and March 31 and new member registration and payment must be received at World Headquarters or online no later than March 31.

Beat The Clock
Program Dates: May 1 to June 30

Toastmasters are taught to run meetings on time, finish speeches on time and reach membership goals on time. In that spirit, “Beat the Clock” is a great motivator for finishing the year on schedule—on time and with record numbers!

Make it your club’s goal to earn the “Beat the Clock” award and encourage every member to take part. Clubs adding five new, dual or reinstated members with a join date between May 1 and June 30 receive a “Beat the Clock” ribbon to display on the club’s banner. Qualifying clubs also earn a special discount code for 10-percent off their next club order. (The discount code expires six months from the date of issue and is not valid with any other offer.)

Applications and payments for members who join between May 1 and June 30 must be received at World Headquarters or online no later than June 30. The addition of transfer and charter members does not count toward “Beat the Clock” credit.

Smedley Award
Program Dates: August 1 – September 30

The Smedley Award membership program is the chance to encourage your members to invite guests to a special meeting where prospective members can learn about Toastmasters’ many benefits.

Then add five new, dual or reinstated members during this time period and your club will receive a special Smedley Award ribbon to display on your club’s banner.

Qualifying clubs can also earn a special discount code for 10-percent off their next club order. (The discount code expires six months from the date of issue and is not valid with any other offer.)

New members must join date between August 1 and September 31 and new member registration and payment must be received at World Headquarters or online no later than September 30.