When the snow starts to melt and the puddles grow,

When the sky seems ever blue and the gutters do flow,

When Toastmasters everywhere reap what they sow,

When the TI emails say it’s pay time, you know.

Let’s make all our payments early this year!

Maybe earn four CC’s so those points are clear!

To charter strength numbers you can persevere,

Because new people help out club atmosphere!

(Sheryl Berglund, DTM)

Membership renewals and rowing to distinguished are sure signs of spring. Toastmasters International is not springing this on you!  Your club officers received an email reminder and instructions  when the bitter winter winds still howled and the days were very short.

But…Why pay your renewals on time?  Why,  so your world doesn’t come to a crashing end, of course!

You want your club to be a club in good standing.

You want your members to be able to compete in Club contests and they should be paid up with TI  to be members in good standing.

You want to get used to the loss of the grace period.

You want the point for the Distinguished Club Plan Goals.

Most  importantly, paying bills on time is the right thing to do!

And District leaders need the facts.

In order celebrate healthy clubs and help those with low or declining members, we need those facts.

The facts come from the reports on the Toastmasters International District Performance Reports. The information comes from the clubs who submit their payments on time.  Early is even better.  Did you know that the process is amazingly quick if done early as opposed to waiting for the deadline, or trying to put them in after April 1? I know you may be waiting for a better exchange rate.  I understand but don’t wait too long!

Do some spring cleaning, too.

Try for that new club smell! Freshen your meetings. Use up or toss older materials. Try something new to attract new members, attract guests and encourage them to join by looking the part. Have a fundraiser to purchase a new banner (one club is collecting fees for grammatical errors). Use properly branded and professional looking agendas, guest materials and new member kits. Encourage your members to dress a little more “formally” for a while if it’s not their habit, or if they typically do dress at least business casual, have them try “relaxed” to see the difference.

Try to experience new club joy.  I saw this at the charter parties for Quill Masters and Prairie Mountain Excellence  – be excited about the program, wear sincerely happy faces, brand your materials and keep them professional looking, take care to do things the Toastmasters International recommended way. After all, there are 91 years of experience in this organization.

Successful clubs have many practices that keep them vibrant and successful. New life is brought with new members. Useful but not overwhelming guest kits are one such practice.  New member kits (as a benefit to being a paid member), inductions and mentor programs make stronger members and stronger clubs. Bringing guests and asking them to join and to explore their potential is the best way to get new members.

When your Directors see clubs complete educationals, we rejoice for you.  When we see administrative goals being met, we know your club officers are doing their jobs, and we rejoice! When we see your club officers attend training, we know your clubs have a better chance of being quality clubs and we rejoice, but when we see new members being added, we break into song,

Because you know we’re all about that growth,’bout that growth, no shrinking!