1. Efficient club programming
2. Continuous promotion in the community or organization
3. Use of proves 'sales' techniques to enroll guests
4. Retention of current members
5. Competition within the club, area, division and district
6. Recognize Toastmasters who sponsor new members and new clubs and make other contributions to the club

Do all new members generally stay in the club. If Not, evaluate the club using the Successful Club Series module "Moments of Truth". It looks into such things as:

• How guests are treated
• How new members are treated
• Whether the needs of club members are being met
• How efficient are club meetings
• How active are the members
• How string is club membership
• How often are members recognized for accomplishments

Definition of Marketing: consider the needs of prospects/clients then adjust the product/service to those needs.

The marketing mix of a club consists of efficient programming, the price, promotion and meeting location/time/frequency

It is the duty of all club members to invite guests. All members should have a copy of the booklet "From Prospect to Guest to Member" (catalog #108). It covers important selling techniques. It covers important selling techniques.

How do you tell likely prospects from unlikely ones?

• Get their attention to "buy" Toastmasters.
• Tell them of the benefits and what it does for you.
• Sell the sizzle instead of the steak.
• Show testimonial letters.
• Build/show value of Toastmasters to the prospect.
• Draw comparisons such as the cost of a one-day seminar or a social club.
• Paint a verbal picture of the prospect speaking, eloquently, to a large audience.
• Get them to do table topics or speechcraft.
• Give them an application.

Reconstruction of a club involves three components:

1. Analysis of issues impeding the club. The "Moments of Truth" module can help.
2. Establish goals and improvement strategies
3. Sheer effort

The usual biggest issue of a weak club is club programming. To help it:

1. Focus on the needs of individual members by presenting different learning opportunities
2. See information on the member wants, both short-term and long-term
3. Seek aid by working with district officers on a rescue plan

Here are some ideas on how to help a weak club:

• Change the meeting location, day and/or time
• Have joint meetings with nearby clubs
• Publish a club newsletter/bulletin to keep members informed, include former members on the mailing list
• Conduct a Speechcraft program
• Invite guest speakers from other clubs
• Get the club involved in district activities such as contest, council meetings, officer training and conferences
• Hold a Toastmasters "how to" talk at each meeting
• Have theme meetings
• Create program variety to spark more interest and enthusiasm
• Use the Distinguished Club Program as a yardstick to measure progress
• Start a continuous member/guest program with the goal on at least one guest per member each meeting
• Conduct an extensive publicity blitz using the local media
• Install signs around appropriate area telling of the club (see Catalog #363 and 363A)
• Ask for help from the Area or District, use local talent
• Contact World Headquarters to ask for advice

Tools to Use:

• Community Contact Team - A team from a club, area or district that visits groups of non-Toastmasters such as companies and other organizations to demonstrate the Toastmasters program. May also be utilized in rebuilding low member clubs.
• Speechcraft - an introductory or "trial offer" with potential new members as participants whom need to be felt welcomed
• Success/Leadership modules - unique opportunities to develop skills in leadership, public speaking, conducting meetings, Parliamentary procedure, active listening, effective evaluation, creative thinking, developing and presenting training programs, and, effective management skills
• Business awareness programs - for community clubs, this allows the club to make contacts with local businesses. Sell Toastmasters As a valuable employee training program. Develop a list of companies in the area, determine if any club members know employees in any of those companies, contact by letter the person in charge of personnel or human resources or training then follow up with a phone call for an appointment then send a follow up letter, all the while telling of the benefits Toastmasters can bring.
• Publicity and advertising - let the community know of the Toastmasters program and where to find your club. Get listed in the community events section of local newspapers. Look for other similar media to utilize. Check with the chamber of commerce or convention tourist bureau. Prepare news releases of special club events. Samples can be found in the brochure "Let the World Know" (catalog #1140) and "Public Relations and Advertising Kit" (catalog #1150). Check into public service announcements on radio and television (see catalog #1144 for examples). To proclaim accomplishments of club members, write articles for the magazine/newsletter of the company of the club member.
• Proclamation Program - Obtain a proclamation from any significant level of government. A governor or mayor or county supervisor issuing a proclamation declaring Toastmasters Day or Week or Month for the same time the club is having a special event. Arrange for club members to make radio or television appearances to mention the proclamation.
• Displays and booths - this is an excellent way to talk to a lot of people about Toastmasters in a short amount of time. Have window displays in banks, stores, airports and libraries. Consider using the following: a gavel, the club banner, new member kit, educational materials, poster with contact information, brochures such as "Better Communication is One Word Away (catalog #99), "To Be Successful It Only Takes One Word (catalog #101), "Ten Tips for Successful Public Speaking" (catalog #105) and "All About Toastmasters" (catalog #124). Find the celebrations, conferences and conventions going on locally and see if they will let you have a small exhibit space. For a booth at a fair or exhibit, a club member needs to always be there to answer questions and provide literature. Be sure the members at the booth know what to say and do. Have a registration card for the booth visitors to fill out. Bulletin boards in companies and community places are excellent for placing promotional literature. Finally, display the "Meeting Plaque" (catalog #384 and #1979) with your club information included.
• Club Business Cards - Make personalized club business cards to give to all club members. The Toastmasters emblem is available to put on the business cards (get a template here).
• Telephone listings - a listing in the local telephone book under the title "Toastmasters International" can bring inquiries. for the club or district. Alphabetically listed in the white pages for businesses. In the yellow pages under the "Club and Association" section and under the "Public Speaking" section. All inquiries must be promptly followed up.
• Toastmasters International's Annual Membership Contest - special incentives annually offered to members through this membership promotion contest
• Club membership contest - competition may be the greatest incentive to motivate members into building membership, it is only one of many parts of a continuous membership growth program. A contest chairperson should be seelcted. That person heads up a committee that develops the contest rules. Three or more teams are formed using the entire club. Each team selects a captain. Have a kickoff event to get started. Determine the prizes for the winners such as the winners are treated to dinner by the rest. Keep score by continuously tracking and reporting progress. Prospect lists should be formed by each team. The list includes friends, acquaintances, neighbors, nearby businesses, etc. Finally, club programming needs to be quality to convert the guests to members.
• Communication Achievement Award - award a Communication Achievement Award to prominent individuals in the company or community who have made substantial contributions to the cause of better communication. That can generate publicity and public attention for the club. The Club Communication Achievement Award kit (catalog #1972) is available for how to do this.
• Effective use of Toastmasters International brochures - Always keep an ample supply on hand of eye-catching and informational brochures from World Headquarters. These need to be constantly given to prospects. The club contact information can be put on these brochures, perhaps using a rubber stamp. The "Silent Salesman" (catalog #366) is an attractive brochure suitable for banks, libraries, community centers and other places frequented by people. An ideal place for the brochure is the company personnel office/
• Previous Toastmasters - maintain a list of former members who left because of scheduling conflicts or similar reasons. When they life commitments changes again, they may be willing and able to return to your club. Encourage them to join again. These former members can also be a great help in promoting the club within the community. Ask them to talk about the value of the Toastmasters program with their friends and associates.
• Youth Leadership Program - conduct this program and sell the Toastmasters program at the same time. Have the programs in cooperation with government, civic, fraternal, industrial, church school and other organizations. Sponsoring the Youth Leadership Program will enhance the image of the club. Newspaper, radio and television stations are usually eager to receive information concerning youth programs. Arrange for several of the youth program attendees to appear on radio or television. Provide the media with frequent news releases on the progress of the program and its participants. Before the final program session, plan a large graduation night and invite the family members of the students. All members of the club should attend this event so they can meet with the graduation ceremony attendees to tell them of the Toastmasters program. . Follow up with them later to encourage them to visit your club.
• Library Donation Program - donate Toastmasters magazines and include the club contact information. Consider donating books on communications, especially those by Dr. Ralph Smedley available via the Toastmasters International the supply catalog.

A club may currently enjoy a healthy membership roster. However, that can change in a matter of months. When membership dramatically decreases, the club's programming, fellowship and variety suffer. Then the club may fall into a state of decline. Rebuilding the club membership is the cure.

Several clubs have successfully used the following program to increase membership and encourage member participation. It is based on a contest in which points are given for certain activities. Example:

Option #1: Recognizing Individuals - Recognize members who score well by using the above guidelines over a six to eight week period. Award small prizes for the one or two highest earner of points.

Option #2: Recognizing Teams - Divide the club into two teams. Points awards using the above guidelines over a six to eight week period. Award small prizes for the team with the highest points.

Recognition by Toastmasters International - By individually sponsoring 5, 10 or 15 new members, Toastmasters International will award a pin. For five members it is a lapel pen (redesigned each year). For ten it is an exclusive gold star pin. For fifteen or more it is a Toastmasters tie or ascot scarf.

For more information see the Toastmasters manual titled "Membership Growth" (catalog #1159)