Club Ambassador Program
Normally I don’t have good things to say about the current District 30 leadership, due to the current District Governor and to the lesser extent, the Lt. Governor of Education and Training. But there is a recent initiative brought up by Joan Moore, the Lt. Governor of Marketing, that I think is an excellent idea which should have been thought of years ago. It is the Club Ambassador Program, which is designed to encourage District 30 Toastmaster members to not only visit other clubs but to both contribute to the visiting club and to learn something from them.
The member visiting another club brings a form, which can be obtained through here, enter whatever roles the member took at the meeting, get it signed by the visiting club officer, and list at least three things either unique about the club or what the member learned from them. Each visit counts towards “Ambassador Points”, with bonuses for taking meeting roles, giving a speech and visiting a club that has yet to charter.
If a member submitted at least three visit forms, that person will be recognized as a Club Ambassador at an upcoming District 30 Conference. The person with the most Ambassador Points by April 30th could be named Ambassador of the Year.
I would say that this is highly recommended for members who have given a few speeches in their home club and want to stretch out of the “four walls” of the club without competing in a contest. Or for members who are curious about how other Toastmaster clubs work, either after completing all the meeting roles at their home club or serving as a current club officer.
The only thing I don’t like about this program is that Area and Division Governors are allowed to participate. There are a handful of current Area Governors and at least one Division Governor that have visited multiple clubs outside of their responsibility even before they started their current terms, and have continue to do so this Toastmasters year. That doesn’t encourage the rest of AGs and DivGs to compete and may even affect Area Governor or Division Governor of the Year awards, where visibility could triumph over meeting and exceeding their actual roles and responsibilities.
Anyway, I do commend Joan Moore for introducing this initiative to District 30 and would encourage Toastmaster members who have the time and curiosity to try this program out.
November 14th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
This is a topic near and dear to my heart. Healthy clubs are not made by signing up member after member. Healthy clubs are largely a result of involved and excited members. Promoting club networking goes a long way toward accomplishing this.
I don’t give a hoot about awards. I prefer to fly under the radar and work on the grass roots level because I care passionately about my clubs and want to see them excel. That being said, I see nothing wrong with AGs such as myself competing in this program. We receive no credit for clubs visited outside of our areas prior to the start date of the program. In other words, ALL AGs & DGs started on an even playing field the day the program was implemented. They all have the same anbassador opportunities that I do.
Here’s why it’s important. When my club members see me collecting ambassador points, they want to do it as well. The program has been favorably received. My goal is to encourage them to stretch their wings and get involved.
I agree that this is an excellent initiative, my favorite to date.
January 9th, 2011 at 8:42 am
I agree with Linda E.
Healthy clubs are largely a result of involved,excited plus dedicated and committed members. Members who want their respective clubs to succeed and soar. The Ambassador program gets every member stepping and thinking outside of the proverbial box. This program fosters new ideas. It engages critical thinking networking. AG’s and DG’s are on the same playing field in this program and when I see them visiting, it gives me the courage to venture out as well.
I have become an Ambassador and find it interesting,enjoyable and fun visiting other clubs. Also, learning is very educational and learning from others and not just in books gives me the benefit of their expertise. I love this program.