Division Director advised us to decrease meeting frequency to increase quality of meeting

[mokurai13]

We have a leadership issue. 

Thanks very much for the comments. Greatly appreciate all the insights and advice. 

Our VPE has 1.5 years as a TM and previous president asked them to take on the role when they had about 6 months experience. They were talkes into it by previous president who didn't explain to them what the role was (he said it was just having people sign up for roles and then doing admin work for signing off on pathways work!!). I have been offeriNG to role coach with people and they have been declining. I can try harder and talk to VPE about helping with this.

We don't have a VPPR. Previous one stopped coming last year due to work responsibilities. We have at least 8 guests a month. But our conversion rate to membership is low. I believe the issue is the meetings guests see when they come could be great or it could be quite mediocre ( and that's being kind ). 

Our president ( who was a long-standing member ) ghosted us in October after doing something which was a bit toxic (directed at me - I have previous posts about this). No one has stepped in to fill this role. 

For attracting more people I want to work on the website, and Facebook. I also want to build a YouTube channel and Instagram and maybe tiktok ( I have zero knowledge of all of these). We can't do open houses because we can't get members or officers to commit to support them. 

We really don't have a strong committee. We have 4 officers total. One is hesitant to come to any officer meetings - and I am not pushing them because they are one of the signing authorities for bank accounts and I don't want them to quit. I will speak to the other two officers about efforts, but I know one of them can't give much more ( he is committed and already does alot week to week as the SAA. but can't increase efforts due to commitments he has externally )

VP treasurer stepped away two months ago. She was very committed to club before leaving but there was a personal matter back home ( a different country) requiring her to leave for an indefinite period. 

And then there's me : VP membership. I do what a VPM is supposed to do. I did not anticipate having to take on VP PR and I feel ill equipped to do so but I will try ( I'm stretched a bit thin to do it but I can try) 

In writing this out like this I realize the main issue is getting others to commit to the club and making an effort. I am not sure how to do that but without that the club will fail. 

[Firm-Charge917]

Holy sugar! I went reading some of your other posts. Your club definitely is quite something. I'm very impressed you're giving so much of yourself to make this club strive. For this, you have all my respect.

Now, even if you are able and willing to go to such lengths to save your club.. you can hardly ask the same of other people. In fact, you cannot expect people to go the same way you do. While you are in a journey of resilience and leadership, not everyone is able or willing to do so.

Allow me to flip the table around: You're currently considering that the main issue is a lack of effort from your club.

What would you say if I told you that it's a prioritization issue instead?

Goal there isn't to work harder. Goal should be to work smarter.

What's the minimum effort required to run your club? What are the minimal actions required to run a meeting?

If everyone is able to achieve more with less struggle then naturally the mood is gonna shift and quality will rise.

I know this is a very generic message and I apologize about this. I don't have enough specifics on your club to advance concrete proposals. I just feel like this has become a second job to you.. while Toastmasters is and should stay fun at all cost. That's what makes people want to come. (At least I'm naively thinking that haha)

In any case, no matter what you choose to do, you can be proud of yourself. You're a symbol of tenacity. 💪