Think this through from the perspective of a visitor or new member. Every organization has a language of its own. Ours is no exception. There are so many phrases and words that we take for granted. "DTM" "CC" "Competent Communicator" "Division" "District" "Area" and on and on it goes. These are all part of the nomenclature of Toastmasters.
Toastmasters encourages clubs to establish mentoring programs because they address these problems head on. What could be better than having someone invested in your success explaining and showing you the "Who, What, Why, Where and When" of Toastmasters.
"Most new members are not familiar with your club. They don’t know what a timer is or what an Ah-Counter does. Yet new members are expected to participate and give speeches – something many are terrified to do. Many clubs expect them to do all of this with a minimum of instruction and guidance. " TMI - Mentor a Member
"Every new member is going to have a mentor assigned to them the moment they join." Debbie Gregori announced. With that announcement Katy Toastmasters implemented its mentoring program. She voiced the consensus that had been reached at the first meeting of the executive committee in June. They knew all the details were not complete. They also knew this could be paralyzed by planning. The enemy of good is perfect.
It is also noteworthy to observe the fact that simply because something is started is no reason to celebrate its accomplishment.
What are the qualifications of a mentor ?
One might ask "Do I have to be some kind of Super Toastmaster before I can contribute in this way?" The answer is an emphatic no. If you have given five or six speeches that means you have attended a number of meetings and more than likely you already know what is needed to orientate a new member. Furthermore you probably now understand how to find out about the things you do not know. The most important asset is that you care and are committed to helping other people grow.
The following list is quoted from an article by on the District 25 website. It is written by Earl Hill, DTM, PDG entitled "The Magic of Mentoring". You can access the entire article here.
"The mentor’s duties begin at the first meeting and are as follows:
1. Sit with the new member and explain the various parts of the meeting as they happen, such as the business session, Table Topics, prepared speeches, and evaluations. Answer any questions.
2. Orient the new member to Club customs and procedures.
3. Explain how to sign up. Ask the VP Education to schedule the new member’s Ice Breaker speech as soon as possible and encourage the new member to serve on a Club Committee. Also advise the new member what to do and whom to contact if he or she is unable to fulfill a scheduled meeting role.
4. Help with the Ice Breaker. Discuss speech ideas with the new member and offer suggestions if necessary. Listen to the new member practice the speech and offer feedback.
By the second meeting, a mentor should:
1.Make the member aware of resources. Point out material in The Toastmaster magazine. Also discuss Contests and District Conferences. Explain the roles of the Club officers and the information they can provide.
2. Provide positive feedback. The first few weeks of membership are critical. New members must feel they are already benefiting from the Toastmasters experience. Compliment them on their progress.
3. Explain responsibilities. Membership requires more than just giving speeches and receiving evaluations. It also means a commitment to helping the Club and its members be successful. Review “A Toastmaster’s Promise” with the new member.
4. Help with speeches and other assignments. As you work with the new member on speeches, be sure evaluation feedback is used to improve the next speech, then offer your own feedback. When the new member is assigned other meeting roles, explain the roles and offer tips for fulfilling them.
Eventually, mentors should:
1. Tell how you have benefited from the Toastmasters program. You are proof that they can achieve their own goals.
2. Invite the new member to other events. Toastmasters’ speech contests, conferences, and other Clubs’ meetings all offer new members the opportunity to extend their learning and participation.
3. Acknowledge progress. Ask for time during a Club meeting to mention the new member’s progress in the program. Such recognition shows that the Club cares about the new member’s progress, and motivates the new member to continue.
4. Explain officer’s duties. Describe how the new member can develop leadership skills by serving as a Club officer. Help the new member select a Club office in which to serve and discuss when to serve. Be sure these goals are reasonable.
5. Explain speech contests. Discuss the purpose of speech contests, the types of contests conducted by the Club, and how some contests progress to Area, Division, District, and sometimes Regional and International levels. Help the new member assess readiness to participate in contests.
6. Describe the TI organization. Acquaint the new member with Toastmasters International’s structure, including the Area, Division, District, Region, and International levels, and the purpose of each. Help the new member understand how the organization works, the new member’s role in the organization, and the leadership opportunities available beyond the Club."
At first glance this may seem like a long list and a daunting task. If you carefully examine this list again think about how many of these objectives could be achieved in one ten minute session before a meeting ?
For example the very first item on the list. "1. Sit with the new member and explain the various parts of the meeting as they happen, such as the business session, Table Topics, prepared speeches, and evaluations. Answer any questions." This could be accomplished by simply reviewing our weekly agenda with the new member.
In conclusion this mentoring program is another valuable tool that we can use to grow individually as well as collectively. When we reach out to new members they will feel so much more a part of their club. People that feel they have been embraced and accepted will flourish and grow and our club will reap the rewards of retaining our members.
It is well said that a teacher will learn more than the student. In preparing and researching this article the author educated himself. When we reach out to other people we will grow with them.
