The Club Mentor is an experienced Toastmaster who possesses leadership skills, a passion for Toastmasters, and a strong sense of dedication to helping a new club develop the tools to become a strong club that will ensure their success for years to come. Every newly chartered club may have up to two mentors who are appointed by the Club Growth Director in consultation with the District Director.
A club mentor advises, teaches, and guides a newly chartered club in implementing the best practices of the Toastmasters program at the club for at least six months after the charter date.
The mentor receives a certificate and credit toward their Pathways DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster).
Club Mentor Duties and Responsibilities:
- Build a personal rapport with the club.
- Provide the new club with an overview history of Toastmasters International, the organization structure, and the relationship between the organization and the club member.
- Explain the educational system Pathways.
- Acquaint the members with all the educational programs and activities Toastmasters has to offer (i.e. Speech craft, Youth Leadership, the Success/Communication and Success/Leadership programs, speech contests, Toastmasters Leadership Institute, etc.).
- Work with club officers explaining their duties and responsibilities.
- Plan joint meetings with other clubs so the members will have an opportunity to see how other clubs operate.
- Review TI’s online store with the club and explain how they can benefit from the materials offered.
- Explain Club Central and the resources available online at Toastmasters International and the District 60 websites.
- Encourage Club members to attend Area, Division, District, and International meetings.
- Keep your Club Growth Director and Sponsor / Mentor Chair informed of your progress.
Your responsibility is not to run the club, but to allow the club to learn and grow as you gently offer suggestions guiding them toward excellence.
Help club members build positive habits (these are the kinds of behavior you want displayed long after you have left the group). Emphasize these positive habits:
- Regular attendance at meetings.
- Present Pathways speeches.
- Diligent preparation for speeches and meeting roles.
- Learn how to deliver excellent evaluations.
- Maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude. In TI’s most successful clubs, members gain strength from a shared commitment to a worthwhile goal including self-improvements for all members.
- Special attention to guests and new members.
Remember: No position description can fully outline the total duties and responsibilities of the Club Mentor. Feel free to enlarge this list and reach out to other club mentors to find out their best practices. Being a club mentor offers you an opportunity to further develop and practice your leadership skills.
If you are interested in becoming a Club Mentor, please contact the Club Growth Director’s Club Mentor Chair Wendy Williamson, DTM at “clubmentor@toastmasters60.com“.
Here is one of many resources available to help you lean more about being a club mentor, a document titled “New Club Mentoring Matters“.
A club mentor plays an integral part in the success of the club. By being a resource person, you can ease the growing pains of a new club and get it started on the right foot.
