This Term's Battlecry: Get the Most from Butter N Toast

Ralph Smedley said that Toastmasters is the only organization that takes care of the development of the self.

Taking my cue from Dr. Smedley, here’s what I want you to this term: BE SELFISH.

Yes, you read that right: Be selfish. Think of yourself and how you can:

Get your money back. – You have plunked in that 20 dollar initial fee and have since invested 5,000 pesos a year. By any standards, that’s a lot of money. And it’s just right and wise to get your return on investment. So make sure you get your money’s worth. 3 speeches a year is not going to cut it; that’s a pathetic ROI. So show up every meeting and get your rightful share of the pansit; hey, bring home some for the household as well. Take every advantage, every opportunity to get something from Toastmasters and get ahead of the game in life and in your career. Work hard and fast and earn that CC norm, so that you can soon get those FREE advance manuals, which are worth their weight in gold for all the learnings. Psssst, trainers, you invest so much in books; the monthly magazines and the free manuals can be converted to cash through programs you can develop out of the Toastmasters materials. And even if you’re not a trainer, read those magazines from cover to cover because, hey, you paid for them. Then, when you get your CC, wear that golden pin with pride, because by golly, you deserve them!

Get attention. – Be selfish and demand for your time on stage. Aim to be the center of attention by offering to play a role (or two) in every meeting. You and the improvement in your speaking skills get noticed, plus you get to complete your Leadership Manual in no time. Call Mar once a month to book your speaking schedule, and push away anyone who will stand in your way of being the best speaker Toastmasters has ever seen. Scream “My turn, my turn.” Don’t be shy – volunteer to join the contests and show them your stuff. Get every chance you can get to be the star of the show, because you are a great and confident speaker, and you’re getting better every time you speak. So you’ve just got to flaunt it. After all, you’re not paying 5,000 pesos a year to be permanently part of the clapping audience. Get in front and out there!

Get credit. – Don’t let anything go to waste. Get credit. Bring your Leadership Manual to every meeting so you can get evaluated every time you take a role. And of course, you want to feel good and feel proud to show off those fancy letters after your name like CC, ACS, and the ultimate prized letters – the DTM.Get loud. – Talk about yourself among your friends. Regale them with stories of how you blew the audience away with your amazing speech last Thursday. Tell them about how Toastmasters is making you a better leader and communicator, and thus deserving of a promotion. Get them curious and invite them to attend the meeting so that they too can benefit from Toastmasters.

Get connected. – In my first year as a member, a Toastmasters guest who worked in a multi-national company tapped me for a language coaching program; I quickly recovered my one-year membership fee. The network opportunities in the Toastmasters organization are tremendous. At Butter N Toast, go beyond the usual meetings. Join us at the after party at Starbucks where we can get free advice from the industry gurus and even get referrals for business contacts. Plunge into the bigger pond by attending district events like the officers’ trainings, the contests, fellowship parties, and conventions. Enjoying the diversity of people and being inspired by the testimonies of others are bonus rewards on top of building your network.

Toasties, ask the question, What’s in it for me?

I’m telling you what’s in it for you:

• Return on your Investment
• Rewards and Recognition
• Rapid Development

Be selfish. Don’t waste your money. Don’t waste your time. Don’t waste the opportunities. Don’t waste your talents.

Ralph Smedley said that, “Ours is the only organization I know dedicated to the individual. We work together to bring out the best in each of us and then we apply our skills to help others."

You have much to gain, and the world benefits from your gain too. Who knew how being selfish can be so good and so much fun?

So I encourage you, my dear Toasties, GET THE MOST FROM BUTTER N TOAST!

Gege C. Sugue
President, Butter N Toast TMC
2008-2009