If we accept what the data tells us, that half of members drop out
within 12-18 months of joining Toastmasters, as mentioned in multiple
previous threads, it seems to have a significant impact.

I'm a person that naturally believes in following the data. If we have
a near-50% attrition rate annually, somewhere we are missing the mark -
either in our own goals or in execution.

- Is the average Toastmasters club over-promising and under-delivering?
If so, how can we do better?

- What can we offer members in a 12-18 month period?

- Are our "customers" leaving satisfied with their experience after
that 12-18 months, or do they feel like they wasted their time/money?

- Are time constraints that people have in their lives making it so
that cost is a less-relevant factor?

- Is the 12-18 month drop a sign of seeing no value in the advanced
program beyond the CTM/CC level?

Just gotta ask the "tough" questions....

- DW in Austin

Great questions and these are questions that will continue to be raised at every Toastmasters club whenever there is a change in club leadership.

We can provide insight for club leaders so that they are clearer in addressing these questions.  We can also consider an approach obtained from a business model that may be directly applied to the participation of members in their Toastmasters clubs.

1. Have a Winnable game – The client member has an objective by joining.  It may be specific or general.  Most members will be vague about what they want to receive from participation in the club.  The timeframe to accomplish this becomes a factor in their continuing.  TMI has set the guideline of the basic manual for 10 speeches, and most members will use this as a default for their game plan.  Those that drop off before completing the manual may have their own winnable game.

2. Develop Speaking skills - Some members have skills developed from other endeavors, most do not.  That is a strong reason for joining the club.   Members receive encouragement, a willing audience and immediate feedback when participating as speakers.  Those that drop off from attending are not developing their skills quickly enough to participate satisfactorily. 

3. Acknowledge the Expectations – Those members that are able to meet their expectations continue to participate.  There are many & different emotional roadblocks that a member brings to a club for speaking publicly.  Recognizing their expectations and overcoming these roadblocks leads to a successful participation in the club by the member.  Those that drop off are not meeting their own expectations and the expectations of others.

4. Control the Environment - Proximity and easy access to the club is important.  Those members that have a strong speaking game plan will overcome any location obstacle to participate in the club.  Most members want an easy, close and welcomed environment.  Those members that continue with participation have the environment favorable for them.  Those that drop off do not have an environment that is conducive enough to continue or search for another club.

5. Track the results - The success of the club for the member is essential when speech results are tracked either at the club level and TMI.  For those that complete the manuals, this scorecard or measurement of progress is sufficient.  Those that drop off from attending find that their individual results are not tracked timely enough, frequent enough or do not sense that progress is measured satisfactorily.

Successfully achieving the above benchmarks of this process may allow a member to continue with enthusiastic participation as a speaker or leader in their club.   Failure to complete or acknowledge any of the above points by the member results in an early exit from playing the speaking game.

For more on this, view the Power Gym at Power Voices, powervoices.com

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Rocky Romero

Co-Founder, ExtremeToastmasters.com

PowerVoices.com