A Brief Look into Mentoring

We all have mentors in our lives and we don't even know it. They are the friends we go to when we need help with decisions or choices.

Toastmasters also has a mentorship program where mentors help and guide you.

 

Whether you are considering becoming a mentor or getting a mentor, here is some basic information to help you decide.

What qualities does a mentor have?

A mentor needs to be kind, willing to listen and help without being condescending or mean about the questions that they get asked. They need to be willing to help their mentee and be supportive.

All these qualities will help a mentee 'trust' their mentor. And trust is an important factor at the start.

What are the benefits of having a mentor?

You get the help that you need and having someone motivate and push you makes you progress much faster than if you were struggling by yourself.

What are the first steps in creating a successful mentoring relationship?

Both the mentor and the mentee's expectations should be established right at the start of the relationship. That way both parties know what needs to be done.

From there consistent communication is the key in getting the most out of this unique relationship.

A list of upcoming events

Hi all,

Lambs to Lions is excited to announce these upcoming events for the new Toastmasters year:

• August 2nd: An educational workshop on Distinguished Club Program workshop by our Area Governor - Kyla

• September 6th: Club humourous speech and table topics contest

• September 25th: Area humourous speech and table topics contest

• October 20th: Division D humourous speech and table topics contest

• October 25th: Halloween themed meeting Open House

• November 7th - 9th: District 86 Fall Conference in London, Ontario

Guests and members, please look forward to them and feel free to drop by and participate.

Meet The Execs: Secretary, Tiffany Chen

Handling internal and external club correspondence, maintaining accurate club files, documenting meeting minutes, updating the membership roster- these are just some of the duties entrusted to a Toastmaster's club Secretary to ensure that things run smoothly.

Sounds like a role that just deals with a lot of paper work, right? Why would anyone actually volunteer for such a role?

To get a better understanding about the benefits of this role, let's have a chat with Lambs to Lions Toastmaster's current club Secretary- Tiffany Chen.
  
1. How long have you been a part of Toastmasters?
TC: I have been a part of Toastmasters for almost a year.

2. Why did you join Lambs to Lions' executive team as the Secretary?
TC: As the election time was approaching, I actually had little intention of joining the executive team. I thought, maybe I'd join next year. However, Elizabeth encouraged me to run for secretary. After I gained more understanding about the role, I decided to run for the position. Then the election came, I was voted on and here I am!

3. What is the best part/aspect of your role?
TC: The best part of my role is to sort of act as someone who keeps an eye and has a general idea of what the club is doing, documents and keeps records of what’s happening at the executive meeting and club meeting, suggests and implements initiatives to promote the club.

Also, as a new member of Toastmasters, I’m glad that I’m given the chance to work and learn with experienced Toastmasters on the executive team. Their knowledge and passion for Toastmasters help me understand of how this organization is run, and what I need to do to be a good secretary, a successful Toastmaster, and how to take our club to the next level.

4. What is the most challenging part/aspect of your role?
TC: The most challenging part of my role is, to both actively participate in the meeting and to take detailed meeting minutes. Sometime I might be too involved in the meeting-whether it's listening to others, or I’m doing the speaking- and I might miss out on taking the information down.

5. Have you learnt any skills from being a club Secretary? Have these skills helped you outside of toastmasters?
TC: I learned organizational skills, when I’m required to take detailed but succinct meeting minutes to document who presented what ideas.

I learned time management skills, when I needed to send out communications well in advance about meeting times, meeting minutes and any Toastmasters related notices to executives and members. Actually, the experiences outside of Toastmasters helped me realized the importance of time management. You need to make sure that you leave enough time in case you need to fix and correct mistakes.

I learned communication skills, when I had to convey ideas about implementing initiatives for the club to executives and members, such as the club blog and themed meeting ideas. I realized the importance of using direct and straight-forward language to communicate ideas anywhere.

6. What would you say to motivate other club members to apply for club Secretary next year?
TC: I would say, go for it.

It’s an encouraging place to use and sharpen the skills you already have. You’ll learn and discover new skills that help building your character. Always think of ideas that will make a difference for the club. Make good use of your time as an executive, commit and enjoy every moment, and absorb as many experiences as you can.