Every
member should learn about the roles of the different club officers - to
understand their responsibilities, to use their help appropriately, to assist
them and eventually to be able to take over such a role.
The descriptions below explain many ways in which
leadership positions in Toastmasters can benefit you personally or your
career. Consider taking on a task: help yourself while serving
others!
Remember, in Toastmasters everybody
helps each other, so no-one need be at a loss when taking on a new task.
Support is at hand!
The President
is the club's chief executive officer. He or she is responsible
for general operation and directs the club and the committee in a way to meet
the educational growth and leadership needs of members, both short- and
long-term.
Many major
companies consider experience as a Toastmasters President very significant for
promotion into management positions!
The Immediate Past President provides guidance and serves
as a resource for other officers and members. He/she takes responsibility for
building the next committee and promotes activities to meet growth and quality
targets.
This position enables
an "old hand" to provide experience to other officers - an essential skill for a
consultant!
The Vice President Education is responsible for planning
meetings so that each member has the opportunity to achieve his or her
educational goals. He or she directs planning and implementation of the
manual-based programs and educational seminars, scheduling members for speeches,
and encouraging members to achieve their goals. The VP Education presides at
meetings if the President is absent.
The energetic person who takes this job can quickly build a lot of
valuable experience as organizer, trainer and mentor. Suitable for anyone
wishing to progress in teaching or management.
The Vice President Membership plans and implements a
marketing effort to maintain and increase the membership level, working with
groups both inside and outside of Toastmasters.
Even a shy type of person will build confidence and
an outgoing positive attitude, with club support - great for anyone working with
people such as in the fields of personnel management and
tourism.
The Vice President Public Relations runs a program to
maintain a positive image of Toastmasters for all members, guests and the
general public. He or she is responsible for public relations, such as
distributing news releases regarding activities. The Vice President Public
Relations works with (or is) the Newsletter
Editor.
If
advertising, sales, or just public presentation is important to you, this job
will give you valuable experience.
The Secretary
is responsible for records and correspondence. He or she managers the
official Club documents, membership and officers records, orders for
Toastmasters supplies, minutes of meetings etc.
A person who has acted as secretary of an
organization will always be appreciated for management
abilities.
The Treasurer
is responsible for the financial policies, procedures, audits and
controls. The Treasurer receives and disburses dues and funds in payment of
obligations, and plans a budget for the committee. Along with the Vice President
Membership and the Secretary, the Treasurer prepares membership reports and
information for World Headquarters.
Do you have trouble keeping the books at home? Join Toastmasters
and learn to do it for an organization!
The Sergeant at Arms serves as main host, welcoming members
and guests to meetings (together with the VP Public Relations and VP
Membership). He or she makes the arrangements for meetings, including
refreshments, seating, materials and equipment. He organizes the
collection and counting of ballots, and controls the club property between
meetings.
Suitable for a "man
for all seasons," the Sergeant can become the most useful and popular club
member. This position can get you known as a "person who gets things
done."
The Newsletter Editor takes notes at meetings and produces
the club bulletin.
If
advertising, journalism and writing are skills you want to build, this job will
make you effective and efficient.
Toastmasters does more than help its members improve their
public speaking. The learning and practice of management skills is also
important, and is recognized in the "Leadership" program.
With clubs in most major cities in the world, and
world-renowned speakers who announce their pride in having been Toastmasters,
your membership achievements and leadership activities will make a difference to
your career. Or in your confidence and ability just to organize yourself
and work with others in your daily life.