Officer training is coming up. Those of you who are new or just didn't know, Toastmasters works hard to ensure that its officers receive some training on the company (such as it is) dime. It's every six months. All of our officers were trained in July and I hope that all of them will be coming to training in January.
It's kind of a big party. There's a light breakfast beforehand. The district president, Cathey Armillas, will do an introduction and then an experienced toastmaster usually gives some sort of warm up talk. After that, we go into our sessions. I usually pick one for the office that I have now and one for the next office that I want. Since I will take a year off next year and not be any kind of officer including area governor, I will either go into one for general skills training or an officership that I am not as well suited for as the two I have held.
I love being a club officer even though it is hard work. I have thoroughly enjoyed being last year's VP of Education even though it is basically two simultaneous full time jobs that you get to do for free. I did it just because I like these people I spend Thursday evenings with and I want to see them become even better toastmasters and people than they are today. When I ran for president last spring, I thought I was ready. Let me tell you, I never feel ready to be club president even though I have been for almost six months. That doesn't mean I don't absolutely enjoy it because I do. It just means that it is a bigger and different challenge than I understood it would be when I ran for the office. So, will I do an office again. Eventually. It's likely to area governor before another club office.
So why I am writing this now? It's because I want all of you to think about whether you want to be a club officer. If you are an officer now, what do you want to do for your next officership? If you are not an officer now or have never been one yet, do you want the opportunity to serve the club and grow exponentially as a leader? If you are just beginning to think about it, talk to me or one of the other officers. Ask to shadow one of us to see what we actually do and how we do it.
On the other hand, if being an officer is a new thought to you, I would be happy to talk to you about any part of the concept. Anything from what you might contribute, to what each officer does, to which position might suit you best, and even whether you are ready. For those of you who are new, we have current officers who were newer when they took office than you will be in July when the new officers assume their roles. We will not be electing officers until April, so you have some time to think about it.
If you are unsure, I say go for it. You will be surprised at how much you really have to offer.
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