Profocol And The V.I.P.

Reprinted from "Tips"

Your Visitor Checklist

The following checklist will help you get the most out of your next visit by a district or area official:

• Announce the forthcoming visit several meetings in advance and in your club bulletin.

• Contact, personally, those who are expected to attend your meeting Make every effort to insure full attendance, especially by all club officers and committee chairmen.

Profile Of Ann Tillman

As most of you undoubtedly know, the primary function of our districts and areas is to assist the clubs in every way possible to insure that the ultimate goal of the Toastmasters program is met that of providing the individual Toastmaster with the best possible program of self-improvement and communication

Consequently, World Headquarters has always requested that area governors make a minimum of two visits during the year to the clubs in their areas Additionally, in many districts, one or more of the district officers often visit the clubs at regular intervals throughout the year In most instances, the area or district officers will contact one of the club officers in advance to schedule these visits at regular club meetings

A Learning Experience

All clubs are urged to take full advantage of these visits Both the members and officers alike will find that they can learn from the experience and "know-how" of the visiting officers, as well as gain valuable insight into how other clubs are meeting their objectives.

But you — the club officer — also have a major responsibility when a district or area officer visits your club You have the responsibility of protocol, to provide the visitor every opportunity to complete his or her mission

• Discuss, in advance, questions or problems that you would like to review with the visiting officer.

• Schedule time for a meeting between your club's executive committee and the visitor

• Provide time for the visitor to address the entire club during a regular club meeting If a business session is normally held, try to take care of that at an earlier meeting

• If the meeting is a meal event, plan to pick up the tab of the visitor Also, give the visitor "VIP" treatment whenever appropriate Seat them at your head table, if there is one

• Assign one individual to be on hand to personally greet the visitor and introduce him or her to all your members.

Remember that the district or area officer, like yourself, is a volunteer; his or her time is limited — and valuable Schedule accordingly and make the visit beneficial to both of you!

Thought For The Month

Better never trouble trouble

Until trouble troubles you, For you only make your trouble

Double trouble when you do; And your trouble like a bubble

That you're troubling about May be nothing but a cipher With the rim rubbed out

Toastmaster Ann Tillman has been a member of the Bold City Challengers TM Club No 2092 for three years She has served as Sergeant-at-Arms, Secretary, EVP, and President in that short period of time

When not busy with Toastmasters, her family of four children (five if you count her husband Frank, who is the Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Division), or various church activities, designs and coordinates in-service training programs for the teachers and administrators of the Duval County School System.

The story of Ann's continuing education is testement of her belief in the value of education. After marrying Frank, Ann received her Bachelor degree and entered the teaching profession While teaching, starting their family of four, and moving from place to place — due to Frank's military transfers — Ann received her Masters degree Still working both in and out of the home, Ann continued her studies to receive her Doctoral degree in education in 1975 Her fellow club members now refer to her as Dr. Mrs. T M Ann Tillman.

There were three reasons responsible for Ann's becoming a Toastmaster First, she felt that Toastmasters would be an opportunity to share with her husband an activity in which he is interested Second, she felt that Toastmasters would be an opportunity for her to share with others the communication skills developed through her work. Ann freely admits that she felt very confident in her abilities as an accomplished speaker, but Toastmasters helped Ann identify a need to develop additional skills required to address an non-captive audience, with which she was now confronted She found that Toastmasters had something to offer her The third reason was a member of the club that Ann had visited This member took the time to meet Ann and talk with her, developing within Ann a sense of belonging to the group, a sense of personal relationship with the club That member said, "We'd like to get to know you." And Ann responded to the invitation by joining the club

Toastmastering has become a way of life for the Tillmans, and they haven't missed a District Convention since joining Ann is surrently coordinating a Youth Leadership program and serving as the club's DCP Chairman. Ann is still sharing the Toastmaster program with her husband and still developing and sharing communication skills (she was a contestant in the Northern Division Advanced Speech Contest) Ann enjoys meeting new club members while continuing to share in the many friendships developed with her club members over the years The BoM City Challengers feel very fortunate to have Ann Tillman as a member and friend

A Rhyme With Reason

Listen Toastmasters and you shall hear

How to finish a manual in less than a year

Takes only the planning, of which we all boast,

To make the wheels turn as you gain the most

When you come to a meeting have a speech in your pocket;

If a speaker is absent, volunteer for the docket.

Approach the Toastmaster with a gleam in your eye;

As he's swearing 'bout the program say, 'Look, here am I! "

"I'm ready and willing to be the third speech

So that my goals that much sooner I'll reach."

Then give it your best and just look what you've gained;

You're a planner, a speaker, and your goal is attained!

Sonny

Jose