Pathfinder Toastmasters Club Casper, Wyoming

6/9/20

 

It’s easy to get thrown for a loop and at Toastmasters that happens quite frequently.  People don’t show up for meetings and roles have to be filled at the last minute.   But at Toastmasters we learn how to be flexible and adaptable.  This meeting turned out to be quite the lesson in adaptability.  They only have 9 members and 6 were in attendance. Steve and I make 8 total.  The host opened the meeting but had a crisis at work and had to leave so Steve stepped in as General Evaluator. Kris couldn’t get logged on so I was asked to fill in as timer.  The Toastmaster was flummoxed at the beginning and Word of the Day was not given until after the speaker and the pledge and quote was done at the end of the meeting. They forgot to tell me as the timer to have people vote and to have voting results sent to me to count.  But we pushed on because that’s what you do.  As a whole the meeting was run very well aside from the few hiccups.

 

They begin at 8:15 and have the time 8-8:15 set aside to chat with each other.  I really like that.  Their meeting is very similar to mine.  The members were very welcoming to me and Steve.  I really liked the meeting and think with some effort this club could really grow.

 

Thoughts

1. They have a basic website, not able to contact or meet members on their website.  I think they really need to dress up their website. They have a lot to offer and need an attractive pull.  Their PR in general could probably be ramped up.   They have a good product, people in the area need to know about it.  Maybe get on other social platforms, i.e Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, community event booth, etc( if they aren't already).
2. Table topics-I prefer that the question be asked first, then the person so everyone is on the hot seat for a minute or two (but I’m like that)
3. Consider putting the agenda in chat and Word of the Day so even visitors would see it
4. I notice they only have met 3 educational goals.  The speaker did give her 3^rd speech in the Pathways program.  Why aren’t others stepping up and getting speeches done?  In a year,  I would think more education awards could be earned by members. Especially the officers-they need to lead by example.
5. Lastly, although we were greeted at the beginning and even asked to help, it would be beneficial to ask visitors at the end to give their thoughts on the meeting.  This also will help in improving the club and to see the meeting through the eyes of a visitor.

Thank you Pathfinder for allowing us to be a part of the meeting.  You have a good meeting, keep up the quality meetings, and get the word out and they will come.  Good luck to you.