If you are like most Toastmasters, you get a copy of the agenda for the next meeting and take whatever open role that you are comfortable. For many Toastmasters, that means you will be the timer, grammarian, or ah counter. Those roles are important on the agenda, but they don’t require you to speak much, provide in depth analysis of speakers, or take an active role in leading the meeting. Just taking the open role that you are good at also hinders your growth and doesn’t enhance the learning environment in your club.
In order to develop as an individual and as a club, you need to change the way you assign club roles in order to maximize results from the Toastmasters program. Too often we are filling gaps instead of assigning roles to members that need development in the area the role explores. Also there are many Toastmasters that do not use the CL manual. The CL manual requires members to be evaluated in all roles of their club. When you are always the Timer, you will never be able to complete this important part of the educational program.
This effort in your club should be lead by your Vice President of Education and the Education committee. Working closely with the membership, each agenda should be crafted in a way that benefits each member in that role. If a member needs to improve their evaluations, then they should be evaluator and general evaluator more often. If someone is 4 speeches from a speaking award, then they should be given the speaking assignments they need to complete their award. The agenda should be crafted to move the club forward and not just filling gaps.
Being successful in Toastmasters is not just about showing up. You have to continually push yourself and other members forward. It is not easy to get some people into some roles, but if you want to advance above “most people”, then it is something you are going to have to learn. So what will it be? Are you going to stay comfortable with being the timer, or are you going to push yourself to develop a high performance club environment?
About the Author: My Toastmasters Blog is written and edited by Chris Elliott, the founder of the young professional coaching site Young Profit Pros. Chris enjoys using his knowledge and experiences during his speaking engagements, workshops, consulting projects, and one-on-one coaching sessions. The result—connecting people and empowering change. If you would like information on how you can bring Chris to speak to your next meeting, please download Chris' one sheet or contact him by clicking here.
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