Leadership
Toastmasters Clubs offer numerous leadership opportunities.
At Rising Stars, new roles are available to members every 6 months either by self-nomination, or by Club vote.
These roles encompass a wide range of duties. The rotational nature of the roles ensures that everyone has the chance to step up and lead.
By taking on these responsibilities, members hone their leadership skills in a safe and supportive environment that defines Toastmasters.
President, David Zhao
The President serves as the Club’s chief executive officer, responsible for general supervision and operation of the club.
As the person who sets the tone for the club, I am expected to provide helpful, supportive leadership for all of the club’s activities. I motivate, make peace, and facilitate as required. Though I must occasionally step in and make a difficult decision, I rarely do so without consulting club members and other club officers. I strive to show respect for all members, even when I do not agree with them, and provide leadership for all. I stay current on all new developments via the Leader Letter and the announcements published on the Toastmasters website.
VP Education, Tom Williams
As vice president education, I schedule members’ speeches and projects and serve as a resource for questions about education awards, speech contests, and the mentor program. I am an important source of Toastmasters knowledge for club members, and it is my job to become familiar with all aspects of the Toastmasters education program.
VP Membership, Dan Ortman
The Vice President Membership is the primary club recruiter working to maintain a constant influx of new people into your club. The VP Membership manages the process of bringing in guests and helps transform them into members by initiating a welcome to guests and providing the information and encouragement they need to join.
The VP Membership responds to inbound phone and email inquiries managing the communication related to prospective members. Once a prospect is confident to proceed, VP Membership hands off the processing of applications to the Secretary/Treasurer. Working with the Executive Team, the VP Membership monitors the membership levels and strives to maintain targeted levels, overcoming membership challenges when they occur. The VP Membership attends and participates in Executive Committee meetings.
VP Public Relations, Elizabeth Truong
I promote the club to the local community and notify the media about the club’s existence and benefits it provides. I promote the club, update web content, and safeguard the Toastmasters brand identity. It’s my job to notify the media whenever our club does something newsworthy.
As Vice President Public Relations, I write news releases, create and distribute fliers, and maintain the club’s presence at various key places on the Web and in the community. I stay current on all new developments via The Leader Letter, Toastmaster magazine and the announcements published on the Toastmasters website and social media sites.
Secretary & Treasurer, Linda Manduley
As the secretary, I maintain all club records, manage club files, handle club correspondence, and take the minutes at each club and executive committee meeting. I am also in charge of updating and distributing a roster of the current paid membership, and keeping the club officer list current at World Headquarters. Though some clubs combine the secretary role with the treasurer, it’s best to have a dedicated secretary who can help reduce the workload of the treasurer and occasionally assist the vice president education as well.
I am also the club’s accountant. I manage the club’s bank account, writing checks as approved by the executive committee and depositing dues and other club revenues. I am also in charge of submitting membership-renewal dues to World Headquarters (accompanied by the names of renewing members), filing necessary tax documents, and keeping timely, accurate, up-to-date financial records for the club. Though the treasurer’s duties are usually not the most demanding of all the club leadership positions, the consequences for members can be serious when they’re not completed accurately and on time. I stay current on all new developments via The Leader Letter and the announcements published on the Toastmasters website.
Sergeant-At-Arms, Gerry Mann
I keep track of the club’s physical property, such as the banner, lectern, timing device, and other meeting materials. I arrive early to prepare the meeting place for members, and I stay late to stow all of the club’s equipment. I am also in charge of the meeting place itself, obtaining a new space when necessary, and maintaining contact with the people who allow us to use the space for our club meetings.
The sergeant at arms also has a role to play during business meetings, speech contests, and other special club events. For example, the sergeant at arms escorts potential new members outside of the club’s meeting place while the members vote on admitting them to the club. The sergeant at arms stands at the door while contestants compete in speech contests to ensure that the speaker is not interrupted by latecomers. I stay current on all new developments via The Leader Letter and the announcements published on the Toastmasters website.