Greetings From Theo

Fellow Toastmasters and Friends,

Author Ben Sweetland said, "We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own." I believe we shine a light on the path of others when we help others improve. Our own lives are enriched through the experience.

This is an exciting and challenging time for our organization. As Toastmasters Leaders, we are called to continually expand our membership and network of clubs providing opportunities for more people to learn the arts of speaking, listening and thinking. As members improve their communication skills, they also develop and hone leadership skills.

The Toastmasters strategic plan focuses on:

• Growth and Retention
  • Increasing members and clubs by 5.5% annually
  • Creating measurement mechanisms to gauge retention and reasons for non-renewal
• Education Programs
  • Improving awareness that Toastmasters is the solution to developing leadership and communication skills
  • Growing education awards by 7% annually
  • Increasing the number of Distinguished Clubs and Districts by an average of 3% annually
• Revenue
  • Increasing existing non-traditional revenue streams by an average of 2% annually
  • Creating additional revenue sources
  • Increasing education material and product sales by 7% annually
• Global Impact
  • Providing a consistent experience for members and leaders regardless of locality
  • Improving efficiency in providing resources globally

I believe we will maximize our opportunities for success by establishing measures of success. As leaders, we need to explore the reasons for changing our organization, effectively communicate them throughout our organization, and then solicit critique from our membership to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our members. As a steward of our organization, I will work strenuously to fulfill our mission because I believe our organization changes lives positively.

As a leader, I have enjoyed success at many levels. Along the way I have learned that achieving superior performance requires inspirational leadership. We build for the future by inspiring new Toastmasters to get involved. Each of us can improve our chances of success by seeking out mentors who have an attitude of success and a positive outlook for the future.

I invite you to join the cause. By lighting the way for others, you will discover that we are a community of leaders creating a world of service.