What Is One of the Best Ways for an Organization to Improve? Get Candid Member Evaluations, Of Course.

Organizations big and small spend millions of dollars trying to improve their structures and motivate their members. Self-help gurus and motivational writers contribute to a multi-billion dollar business. The cost for Amoskeag Better Communicators Toastmasters? $48 per year.

(PRWEB) August 29, 2004 -- At its August 25th, 2004 meeting, Amoskeag Better Communicators (ABC) did just that. The Amoskeag Better Communicators club members gave feedback to the officers during the annual "Moments of Truth" meeting. ABC meets at 33 S. Commercial St., Manchester, NH, and is a member of Toastmasters International, the world's largest and most effective public speaking and leadership program.

Evaluation is an integral part of the Toastmasters experience. An organization that never reflects on itself is not being honest. Toastmasters believes that an honest critique is the surest path to organizational improvement.

Six-year Toastmasters member Andy Czarnecki served as Toastmaster and mediated the evaluation discussion. He distributed ballots asking members specific questions, such as: "Does the club warmly greet guests?," "Do you ever feel excluded?," "Is our club learning from other clubs?," "How well is the club promoted in the community?" and "Do members feel valued?"

Mr. Czarnecki cast himself as judge and the members as jurors. He asked the jurors to decide if the club was guilty of any infractions. Each member filled out an anonymous ballot.

Toastmasters encourages these "Moments of Truth" meetings to allow the club to evaluate itself. The point is not to place blame, but to identify areas for improvement. The organization wants each club constantly to better itself and provides the "Moments of Truth" format as a means to do so.

Brian Power, a member who has done over 70 speeches, stated that he stayed in Toastmasters because the Vice President of Membership asked him write down his goal. Having written down his goal, said Mr. Power, he could then see the goal being actualized.

Pat Turner, the ABC club president, recalled that she could not even introduce herself before a small group before joining Toastmasters. She is now the highest club officer, holds meetings and mediates discussions.

Alla Dorogopulko, a first year member, stated that she would not have stayed if veteran member Caroline Bogart had not guided her to see and reach her goal.

Members also discussed why some members leave and strategies for retention. Like all good Toastmasters evaluations, this special Moments of Truth meeting ended not with criticism, but with suggestions on how the club could improve.

Normal Toastmasters meetings involve small and large speaking roles. The Toastmaster runs the meeting. A Joke Master warms up the room. The Table Topics Master asks a few members to give an impromptu speech on a surprise topic. The Timer times each speaker. Three members give prepared speeches, usually 5-7 minutes long. Each speaker is assigned an evaluator who gives the speaker feedback about what he did well and one or two pointers on how he can improve next time.

Each member starts with the basic Toastmasters manual, which provides instructions on how to craft each speech. Each speech has objectives and each one builds on the skills learned from previous speeches. Members completing the first book earn the title of Competent Toastmaster.

Toastmasters believes that communication skills and a candid attitude are valuable not just in the work place but in resolving the conflicts of every day life as well. No matter what the group, there are always conflicts to remedy. Understanding the art of communication and evaluation bridges ideas and brings people together.

About Toastmasters

It was established in 1924. It currently has 8000 clubs in 80 countries. Its mission is to provide actually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skill, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

There are three clubs that meets at different times and locations in the Manchester area. ABC Toastmasters meets in the conference room at Amoskeag Business Incubator every Wednesday from 6:30pm-8pm. It is in the same mill building as Starfish Grill on 33 S. Commercial St. For additional information, go to www.toastmastersnh.org or call (603) 668-3042. Everyone is welcome, attendance is FREE. Membership is $48 per year.