Toastmasters has so much to offer. Why wouldn’t a member renew? Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, membership value is not determined by anyone but by the members.
Let’s see why would a member renew:
Global Community: Members enjoy and reap the benefits of being part of the Toastmasters community. There is a sense of inclusion that offers collaboration, support, and like-minded values and members feel a strong bond not only to other members of their club, but also to members all over the world.
Credibility and Affiliation: Members see Toastmasters as the sphere of influence and feel that by being affiliated with it, gives them a strategic advantage. They might want to leverage their membership to promote themselves, their brand, be included on invitations and opportunities, and to improve their image in the community.
Resources and Experts: Members count on Toastmasters International and our community for educational resources and opportunities, solutions to problems and access to best practices. Members appreciate that both TI HQ and communities worldwide (social and offline) who can offer wisdom, know-how, and help them overcome the constant hurdles members face. Toastmasters communities are like a huge Wikipedia of resources, help, expert advice and support to help members find what they need.
Global Visibility: Members know that in today’s world, it’s important to have consistent visibility. Visibility promotes their personal brands, skills, let’s people know they’re still around, and keeps them “top of mind” with those they want to influence positively. In a world where people are bombarded with marketing, opinions and junk mail, it’s easy to be forgotten or passed by. Members have hundreds of opportunities to be visible and be seen.
Common Vision, Purpose and Goals: Members love leaders who have a great vision, purpose and significant goals. Members believe in Toastmasters strategic direction and initiatives, and want to do whatever they can to ensure that they are successful. It’s not for altruistic reasons to be members since they believe that by ensuring Toastmasters success they ensure their own. Members want to be part of the “big picture” and invest in resources for long term sustainability.
Power to influence: Every year at the Toastmasters Annual Convention, each club has 2 votes which they cast to decide key aspects and elect Board members and directly influence the direction in which Toastmasters International is heading. Toastmasters International Board of Directors have the ability, vision, skills, and clout to represent members’ concerns that allows the members to focus on their strengths and achieve their goals. TI Headquarters provides the support so our members don’t need worry.
Connections and Social Capital: Members aren’t really seeking ‘networking’ as much as they want to gain access to those who can help them achieve their goals. They benefit from the “6 degrees of separation” (Six degrees of separation is the idea that all people are six, or fewer, social connections away from each other. As a result, a chain of “a friend of a friend” statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps.) and can be connected with mentors, vendors, prospective customers, and key stakeholders they might not otherwise meet or interact with in their own circles. Toastmasters are the “LinkedIn” both virtually and in-person and help members build their “social capital” in the area.
Top Tier Benefits: Toastmasters’ members are always trying to find ways to save time, gain communication skills, confidence and learn leadership skills. Members access these benefits through the Toastmasters membership. Toastmasters had already proved itself to be the first-choice provider of dynamic, high-value, experiential communication and leadership skills development when compared to any other offering. Where else can the members go to access so much in one place? Toastmasters are a one-stop shop for all of these benefits and members only need to pay one membership fee.
If communication and leadership are like cars, Toastmasters give members access to the busiest highways and parking lots in the area!
Are you renewing your membership this term?
Do it before September 30th, 2022 to retain your membership till March 31st, 2023.
Source: toastmasters.org
Created by Jayapriya Muthukumar DTM Club Growth Director 2022 – 2023