Completion requirements
Many people are told to join Toastmasters for the skills they can gain, but aren't told about the work they need to put in. This lesson will go over expectations so you know what you're getting into.
2. Reviewing the Toastmasters Promise
One of the most skipped, but also important, portions of the new member application is the Toastmasters Promise. It's a series of pledges that every Toastmaster is supposed to live up to. In this section, I'll be offering my commentary on them. You can find the most current Toastmasters Promise here.
- To attend club meetings regularly
Simple enough - if you're not going to attend meetings, you're not going to benefit. It's understood that you won't attend every meeting, but you should be able to attend two-thirds of them.
- To prepare all of my projects to the best of my ability, basing them on the Toastmasters education program
This means that you don't come into a meeting and just wing a speech when you know you've been scheduled (signing up last minute may be a different story). Doing so cheats your development.
- To prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments
Like preparing for speeches, you should be preparing for your meeting roles as necessary. The "Getting Roles Right" segments from the RDG TM Meetings course will help you do this.
- To provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations
This means using skill and tact when delivering evaluations of any kind, not just speech evaluations. Evaluations shouldn't be abrasive, but they also shouldn't sugar-coat either.
- To help the club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all members to learn and grow
About what it says on the tin. If you have abusive club members, the club climate can quickly go south.
- To serve my club as an officer when called upon to do so
Every Toastmaster should be giving back. Being an officer is a great way to do this, but is not the only way to do so.
- To treat my fellow club members and our guests with respect and courtesy
Ties into the positive, friendly environment line item above.
- To bring guests to club meetings so they can see the benefits Toastmasters membership offers
Without new members, clubs die, no matter how good they are. People move, change jobs, or otherwise can't attend even when they would otherwise want to.
- To adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters education and recognition programs
Follow the rules and requirements for completing your educational ranks. Make sure your progress is documented.
- To act within Toastmasters’ core values of integrity, respect, service and excellence during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities