u/tmi-pres-elect4club

Our club currently uses very little FTH functionality.

I am looking forward to FTH4 options. Saying that, I do not see a great deal of information about the admin and member functionalities included in the updated version. I reviewed the beta forum, but did not see much on how this "works now." etc. the sample site is in serious demo mode.

Is anyone here participating in the beta?

if so, does that run parallel to your active site or did you agree to jump in and go?

there are some features I see as beneficial. Our club has lately struggled with members staying on top of things so bringing in new tasks may be less well received.

looking forward to any thoughts, tips concerns, etc.

You all have been quite helpful.

I found this list of 15 Smedley quotes and am not being successful in verifying some of those I think are useful.

I would appreciate any sources or other info

1.   "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 these skills to help others."

2.   "We realize that the two most important factors in Toastmasters is Mentoring and Evaluations, there is no doubt that if these two are done well and there is a good Mentoring program, your club will be filled with spark plugs ready to fire upon request. Mentoring and evaluations create enthusiasm, and once you light that fire the only thing it needs is some kindling."

3.   "While most of us may have entered Toastmasters to learn to make speeches, that benefit is but the beginning of the good which may come to us and the good which we may do for mankind."

4.   "We learn best in moments of enjoyment"

5.   "You can profit by the wisdom of others, and you can give them full credit."

6.   "All speech is for communication, and there is no possibility of communication unless people understand. Your Club can help you to find out whether you are making yourself understood."

7.   "There are no absolutes in public speaking."

8.   "We need fewer rules on detail and better understanding of general purposes."

9.   "When you talk, you give yourself away. You reveal your true character in a picture which is more true and realistic than anything an artist can do for you."

10. "To the other values of Toastmasters training let us add this one, with emphasis - that it is the busy man's best chance to take a post graduate course in general information without inconvenience or loss of time."

11. "The Toastmasters Club which has the right sort of program does not lose its members."

12. "The club whose membership is shrinking has something the matter with it."

13. "People are more willingly to follow a leader who knows where he is going."

14. "The destination determines the direction."

15. "The unprepared speaker has a right to be afraid."

I am prepping for the first meeting and I *know* I have way too many thoughts and suggestions, but thus far have had conversations with almost all of my members and they have had some great suggestions for improvements.

once I have the meeting, if anyone is interested I will advise of anything positive or of note.

one of my goals (and from discussions something other EC members have in mind as well) is guest speakers. I would love to hear from anyone the name of a guest speaker or other guest type (did anyone say improv?) you found beneficial and engaging.

So many of you have been amazingly gracious with your thoughts and suggestions!

I have some ideas for our site and want to test out my thinking with suggestions, etc.

Does your club maybe maintain multiples? I have heard of clubs that do use FTH as well as ES and the toastmost Wordpress as well.

I am days out from officially being president.

For the last several years, I have watched, listened and documented

I have a list of hoped for goals and some options to see if we can achieve those

I have reached out personally to several of my new EC members (and I do already know them all) about some hoped for items and what helps them

I recognize while I am hoping for collegiality and teaming and collaboration, I am personally not the bestest at achieving that. In my work world I avoided the manager role like the pox as it is herding cats on catnip and wanted no part of that. so here I am with my term about to start.

• please share anything you found worked
• anything you found DID not work
• initiatives you enjoyed
• how you kept things on track
• I mean anything.

my personal thought is we all work better when we all work together (okay yah cliche I know)