MoT #6: Achievement Recognition

1. What is Achievement Recognition?

This final MoT might seem a little obvious, but it's essential to motivate your members. Most clubs will recognize educational awards in some fashion, but may not recognize other achievements. 

Achievement recognition is simply recognizing the work people put into the Toastmasters program, which pays dividends for their personal and professional lives. This doesn't have to come when a member earns an award. This lesson will show you plenty of opportunities to recognize your members, as well as several ways to recognize members for their success, both inside and outside the club.

2. Why Does Recognition Matter?

Very few (if any) of your club members are completely selfless and perfectly self-motivated; recognition can create motivation to keep going in the program and remain with your club. Seeing other club members honored can motivate others toward their next goals as well. Consistently recognizing and honoring achievement will create a positive cycle in your club that drives progress toward educational and other goals.

In contrast, clubs that fail to acknowledge achievement can create disappointment in their members, and then end up creating a negative cycle that causes progress toward educational goals to slow to a crawl, if not stop. 

3. What Factors Should You Watch For?

Toastmasters International has the following six standards when it comes to this MoT:

Send award applications to World Headquarters or apply for awards online immediately when members complete educational requirements. 

• Maintain and post member progress charts at every meeting.
  
• If your club uses Easy Speak, there is a feature that lets you show project completion for your members. If your meeting space has a projector or TV you can connect a laptop or tablet to, it's a good idea to do this at least once a month.
• Formally recognize member achievements.
  
• This can be done at the club by awarding pins, ribbons, or other items.
• Recognize club, district, and international leaders.
  
• If you have visiting district leaders (area director, etc.), make sure to acknowledge them.
• Publicize member and club achievements.
  
• You can use your member site to do this, as well as e-mail and other channels.
• Use the Distinguished Club Program (DCP) for planning and recognition.
  
• This lets you have a consistent benchmark for recognition. 

Sample Achievements to Recognize

• Achieving an educational award (either legacy or Pathways)
• Any progress toward the DCP: Your presiding officer should recognize any progress toward DCP points (projects completed, administration items completed, etc.) at club business 
• Completing a first: First speech, first Table Topic, first instance of a role, and so on
• Chairing a committee - especially contests
• Successful mentoring (first three projects)
• Participation by members in district-level or higher roles
• Winning Best Speaker, Table Topics, Evaluation, or MVP

In short, look for opportunities to award achievement, large and small. The small ones, especially for newer members, can be essential to motivate them to succeed early on. This will help generate momentum to keep going in the program.

Sample Methods to Acknowledge Achievement

• Verbal recognition by an officer at the meeting
• Cupcakes or other small food items
• Pins, medals, trophies, ribbons, plaques
• Award ceremony (once or twice a year) - see RDG Meetings for more
• Noting achievement in the club newsletter or website (include pictures)
• Standing ovations
• Small gift items (pens, keychains, mugs, etc.)
• Small gift bags (candy, tea, coffee, soaps, candles, etc.)
• Dollar store item bags

There are all sorts of methods that are no-cost and low-cost. These are just a few suggestions.