During the Vice President for Public Relations Breakup Session at the Division D Club Officers’ Training on 12th July 2008, the trainers, Albert Lim DTM and Chin Mei Har DTM, conducted the session by means of Break-up session. Lubna Kazak (VPPR of Changi Simei Club) volunteered to minute the discussion. The followings are the notes taken during the discussion.
Thank to the Trainers and Lubna Kazak for sharing this with everyone.
Roles of Vice-President Public Relations
- create awareness/ promotion of Toastmasters program
- same function be it In-house / Public
o Whether club is in the University or Corporate or Community setting, still need to publicise events to the student body, inhouse newsletter or public fliers
o Get permission for appropriate content
Why do it?
‘Sell’ Toastmasters – emphasise on the benefits of participation – self development/ confidence- building, improving communication. Toastmasters do not stop at just learning public speaking. Don’t just sell the steak, sell the sizzle.
How?
- Banners at Community Centres, public places, after obtaining permission
- Website
- Keep it fresh, no point having one but it’s as dull as a doornail.
- Contents to include events in club, area, division and district or relevant public speaking events
- Publicise testimonials from members – how Toastmasters improve personal or professional capacity
- During meetings, ask for feedback from visitors, ask them for permission to quote and record
- Publicise gatherings of Toastmasters members and their family members in Club Newsletters – share experience, of fun & fellowship with good company and good food
- Joint meetings – may be difficult with clubs which practice ‘in breeding’; encourage new ideas – like the Dead Sea – salt stays in sea and becomes stale. May provide fresh insight to inject into own club meetings. Style varies from club to club.
- Exchange name cards with other TMs and invite them to do PE for your members.
- Theme Meetings – Christmas, Achiever’s Day, French, Hawaii. Serve to get creative juices going
- Speechcraft to be conducted by veteran members – serve as mentors to new members
- Members bring members – be open to recommend other clubs if timing and location not conducive to regular attendance. Collaboration between clubs foster strong ties between clubs. How about asking the Division to officially recognize clubs who regularly cross reference?
- Allow trial presentations in program planning – showcase to potential members how Toastmasters can be a platform for important corporate presentations – able to obtain feedback as to what works and what does not. Try some jokes – mistakes made safely learnt in club setting.
- Do more – champion social services need e.g. fund raising for children with cancer. Who knows – Straits Times may even pick up on such a heartwarming story and publish it.
Key message: Avoid topics of sex/race/religion, work with VPE/President to make meetings interesting – as long as members/visitors come back, word of mouth will ensure more maintain their membership and recruitment of new members effortless.
Recorded by Lubna Abdul Razak, VPPR Changi Simei
Vetted & Approved by Albert Lim, Asst Div D Governor (Marketing)
