How we doin’? (Part 1)

Tip of the Week:  Every good organization, large, tiny, or in between, has a system to determine if it is meeting its standards for success.  Toastmasters is no different.  Toastmasters International has developed the Distinguished Club Plan (DCP), a series of 10 goals that clubs may use to gauge their progress and whether they are meeting the goals of their members.  Six of the ten goals are tied to the Toastmasters Educational program, two are tied to club membership growth, one is related to officer training, and one is related to administrative goals.

Clubs are asked to meet at least five of the ten DCP goals to reach the respected “Distinguished Club Status” over the course of a Toastmasters year (July through June).  If a club meets 7 or 8 goals, they reach “Select Distinguished Club” status.  And reaching 9-10 goals gives a club the coveted “President’s Distinguished Club” status. Our club receives a ribbon for our banner – which we will reveal next week!!! – each year we earn Distinguished Club status.  Electric Toasters has met or exceeded Distinguished Club status the last two years.  A recent history of Electric Toasters Distinguished Club status is below.

In Electric Toasters, the club President and VP-Education are tasked with tracking our member’s progress toward their own goals and collectively as they relate to the DCP. As of now, Electric Toasters has met six of the ten DCP goals.  If we stopped now, we would be recognized as a Distinguished Club.  However, we have another three goals squarely in sight, so we have a good chance to become a President’s Distinguished Club for the first time since 2004! 

We have another method to determine our success as a club – I will write about that in next week’s “Tip of the Week.”  Below is a summary of Electric Toasters DCP goals and our status towards meeting them.

Electric Toasters 2010-2011 Distinguished Club Program Status

Goal #1 – Two CC’s.  Status – Close to meeting.  Sarah Mammen received her CC award; Laurel Vallarta is three speeches away from her CC.

Goal #2 – Two More CC’s.  Status – Likely will not meet.  Ania Osinska-Bulloff is the only other person within striking distance of receiving a CC award.

Goal #3 – One AC Advanced.  Status – Have met.  Carrie Henderson received her ACB.

Goal #4 – One More AC Advanced.  Status – Close to meeting.  Chris Trappe is two speeches away from her ACB.

Goal #5 – One AL Advanced.  Status – Have met.  Jason Kent received his ALB.

Goal #6 – One More AL Advanced.  Status – Close to meeting.  Craig Jones is one speech away from his ALB.

Goal #7 – Four New Members.  Status – Have met.  Mike Fajen, Steve Wilcox, Jake Haas, and Amy Van Camp are new members since July 1, 2010.

Goal #8 – Four More New Members.  Status – Have met.  Sean Byram, Jackie Scherer, Chris Trappe, and Stephen Connor are also new members.

Goal #9 – Minimum of Four Club Officers Trained During Each Of Two Training Periods.  Status – Have met. 

Goal #10 – One Membership Renewal Report Submitted On Time AND One Club Officer List Submitted On Time.  Status – Have met. 

Electric Toasters Distinguished Club History

President's Distinguished Club - the highest level of recognition available. The club met the membership prerequisite and achieved at least nine of the 10 goals. 2003-2004 Select Distinguished Club - the club met the membership prerequisite and achieved seven or eight of the 10 goals. 2004-2005 2005-2006 2009-2010 Distinguished Club - the club met the membership prerequisite and achieved at least five of the 10 goals. 2008-2009

By Jason Kent, VP Education