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Making History

There are several ways to help discover our collective history - and then use it for advancement on the Toastmasters Communication or Leadership Tracks. This current list was created by the historian - any other ideas would be welcome.

If you wish to help create the District history, you may:

1. Search your club's files for scrapbooks, old publications, newsletters etc.
2. Interview former or current members of the club.  I will accept both written and recorded (ideally digitally recorded) interviews. [suggested questions for …]
3. Canvas former and current members to check their garages, basements and files for dusty TM material that they really don't need anymore.
4. Read through your club's minutes and make notes – especially under officer reports or announcements.
5. Check you main libraries special collection for “Toastmasters”.
6. Write your clubs history (even a partial history is better than none). [club history guidelines]
7. (for the really ambitious) Search microfilm of local paper around key dates (club charter, District or Regional conferences).  The newspaper may have an index – either published or at their office – it could be very handy if it exists.

Using this Material For Toastmaster Projects

After doing your research and passing your findings on to the District Archivist, what’s next? Well, why not use all that information in a speech?

1. Competent Communicator #7 Research Your Topic : If you've used several of the information sources, you fill the requirements perfectly.
    
2. Persuasive Speaking #3 The Winning Proposal : This speech would be given before you did your research, convincing the club to support your efforts. Public Relations #1Goodwill Speech : In this speech you'd have to recount the benefits that current and former members have received from being members of the club.
    
3. Public Relations #3 The Persuasive Approach: Like The Winning Proposal , this speech would be given to convince the club to support your researchSpecial Occasion Speeches #2: Speaking in Praise If you find enough information about a current or past member in terms of service to the club or community.
    
4. Special Occasion Speeches Giving an Award: Similar to Speaking in Praise but on the occasion of the member getting an award. A club or district award could be the occasion, or you could make up an award for the speech assignment.
    
5. Storytelling #5 Bringing History to Life: Tell about a key moment in the club's history (e.g. how it was chartered, when women were first let in the club).
    
6. Communicating on TV #2 or #3: The Talk Show or When You're the Host: You can either interview a club member or former Toastmaster, or with the facts at your disposal, you can play the roll of a long time member and answer questions about how the club was in 'the olden days.' Both
    
7. Interpretive Reading The Oratorical Speech: From your interviews, you might find a former member giving you copies of their speeches. You can give your club 'A Blast from the Past.'
    
8. Speeches from Management The Briefing : Devise an orientation briefing that could be used to inform new members of the history of the club.
    
9. Speeches from Management The Status Report : Talk of the overall purpose of the club and how, historically, how well it has filled that purpose. This might be a good one for a corporate club when the bosses come to visit.
    
10. Speaking to Inform #1, #2, and #4: The Speech to Inform, Resources for Informing and Fact-Finding Report : Given the nature of this manual, it is not surprising that there are lots of possible speeches here.
     

Leadership Projects

1. Competent Leader #6 – Organizing and Delegating – Depending on how you use the information, you can qualify for any of the sub-projects here except for helping with a speech contest.  If you provide information for an anniversary party, you have helped organize a special event.  If you create a fact sheet to be handed out to new members or prospects, you might qualify for a membership campaign or P.R. Campaign.  If you right up “Historical Corners” for the club newsletter or web-site, then you have helped with that too.  Talk to your Vice-President of Education to make sure that you qualify.
   
2. Competent Leader #10 – Team Building – After interviewing past members and reading old minutes, you might be enthused enough to arrange a Club History Night, or volunteer for the next Anniversary Party.  If you do, then you would qualify for the Club Special Event Chairman position.
   
3. High Performance Leadership – You may decide to create a detailed history of the club, or of Toastmasters in your town, city or area.  If there is enough work to require a team to help you in this endeavour, it is possible that you could qualify for the High Performance Leadership , a requirement for the Advanced Leader Silver.  Once again, check with your Vice President of Education to make sure you can qualify before beginning.