Guests

Hello, it's Tifany, your friendly neighborhood VP of Membership. As you may know, Dallas Singles Toastmasters is having a membership drive currently having a membership drive. That means we have a goal to add 5 members to our club. The best way to get new members is to have guests check out our club. I have put together some tips we can all use to bring in guests to Dallas Singles Toastmasters.

Most of these tips are from the District 23 Toastmasters website:

* Bring your boss
* When someone notices your progress, tell them why and invite them
* Hand out fliers and brochures
* Have a host for each guest
* Hand out invitation/business cards
* Members constantly promoting and raving about Toastmasters
* Make prospective members feel important
* Network with coworkers, friends, and family
* Members give talks at other organizations
* If you’re the boss, encourage your employees join
* Share your Toastmasters experience with others
* ASK your guests to join
* Hold joint meetings with non-Toastmasters groups
* Smile
* Hold smooth meetings
* Practice selling Toastmasters at Club meetings
* Ask someone (everyone)
* Pamphlets in doctors’ offices, hospitals, cafeterias, libraries, etc.
* Warm greeting
* Distribute extra magazines in waiting rooms, etc
* Participate in community events
* Write letters to community groups
* Have a Club newsletter
* Never cancel a meeting
* Members should be prepared
* Mention Toastmasters at meetings of other organizations during announcements
* Talk up Toastmasters to those who express problems with public speaking
* Make it FUN


When we have guests visit our meetings, it's up to all of us to make them feel welcome. It is primarily the VP of membership's duty to welcome visitors, but everyone is encouraged to introduce themselves and answer any questions guests may have. Our guests should never feel like they are being ignored!

Our club has "guest packets" that are presented to all guests. While this is a great tool for explaining DSTM and Toastmasters International, our current members are the best resource for describing the Toastmasters Experience. District 23 gives a couple more tips for talking to guests:

*Explain all the Confusing "Stuff!"
Seat your guests next to a 'friendly face' who can answer questions and clarify what's happening during each part of the meeting. Spend a few minutes during the break or after your meeting, covering the following: • why they decided to visit a TM club • how the program can benefit them • how it has benefited you personally • what would happen after they join (new member kit, speech scheduling, mentor assignment, etc.). Let them ask lots of questions.

*ASK them to join!
"If you don't ask, you won't get!" Let your guests know that you'd love to have them as a member, because (...and give them a few reasons: you like their enthusiasm, it would be interesting to hear about their own life experiences, you could learn from them, etc.) Don't beg. Don't tell them about all your membership "heartaches." Don't treat them like a "point" in the DCP. Keep it positive and upbeat!


DSTM is a great club with a lot to offer. Use some of these tips to increase our membership. With more members, we have more to offer and more to learn!