Update 12/30/2018
Editor Note: This is the first update sent out by the new VP of Education, Steve Malecek. It is copied straight from his email.
Dear Fellow Big “D” Toastmasters,
I hope all of you had an enjoyable holiday season and are looking forward to an outstanding New Year.
As incoming VP of Education for Big “D” Toastmasters, I am honored to serve the club in this role and will strive to support our members in their Toastmasters educational goals.
A word of thanks goes to my predecessor, Don Teague, in serving as VP of Education over the past 18 months. Don has done an admirable of job of, among other things, transitioning the club to an online scheduling system, further developing the Big “D” website, and promoting TLI training events, speech contests, and the new Toastmasters Pathways program. These initiatives and practices provide a strong base going forward.
Our weekly Thursday Toastmaster’s meetings are, of course, the core of our Toastmasters learning experience. In order to ensure that all roles are filled for each meeting, and to make the job of the Toastmaster for the meeting less stressful, it bears repeating what Don has communicated previously about using the Big “D” online scheduling system. If anyone has difficulty accessing or using this system, please let either of us know.
Below are some reminder notes on using the online scheduler in order to help in the planning and running of our meetings.
Our upcoming meeting this Thursday, January 3rd will be under the capable leadership of Don Teague as an experienced Toastmaster. We look forward seeing everyone who can make for this first Big “D” Toastmaster meeting of 2019.
Best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Steve
Big “D” Scheduler Website:
https://app.tmclubschedule.com/loginAbsences: If you know you are going to be absent for dates beyond the currently posted schedule, go to the “My Absence” page, and click the “+” sign in the lower right-hand corner to enter and submit the start & end dates of your absence. This prevents you from being assigned a role during your absence.
Accepting or Declining a role: Once the schedule has been posted – usually 3 to 4 weeks out, go to the “Club Schedule” page and check for role assignments. If you are assigned a role for a particular meeting, click on your name to bring up the selection “ACCEPT” or “NO, I WILL NOT BE ABLE” and mark accordingly.
Finding replacements: If you decline an assignment, or later after accepting it, find you need to go back and reject it because you won’t be able to fulfill the role, it remains your responsibility to find a replacement.
Upon declining a role, the scheduler will mark your assignment with a red “X” and post “CLAIM NOW” for another eligible member (one without an existing assignment) to claim the role.
It is excellent if this happens and the role is filled; however, if not, and especially if it’s in the week just before the upcoming meeting, it is essential that you seek a replacement by checking with one the Hot Seat Holders, or switching with someone who has that role at a future meeting, or contacting another member to see if they can take the role. Please avoid sending out broadcast emails to all members. Once found, the replacement should claim the position on the online Scheduler so that they are not scheduled for that role again soon. Also, as a courtesy, please inform the Toastmaster of the meeting as well.
It is completely understandable if a last-minute personal emergency, work or travel commitment, or other urgent circumstance prevents you from finding a replacement. In such case, please let me and the Toastmaster for the meeting know as soon as possible.
Additional speaking opportunities: If you wish to have additional opportunities as Speaker or wish to be assigned as Speaker on a particular date, let me know and I will attempt to schedule you accordingly. Alternatively, you could contact the Toastmaster listed for future meetings when you don’t have a role, and indicate that you are available to give a speech in case there is a cancellation or open speaking slot for that meeting.