TOPIC:

It would be nice if the VPE/Webmaster for clubs could create some rules in FreeToastHost to govern members signing up for roles online.

For example, maybe one such rule would be that a Member must complete at least ## non-speaking roles for every ## speaking roles completed to be eligible for future speaking roles. If it is determined that they have insufficient non-speaking roles for the rule, then they would not see the Sign-up buttons for speaking roles.

It is a shame to have to come to this, but the reality is that in my club we have members that only show up to do speeches. We had to go back to the printed paper sign-up sheet used as meetings to allow those at meetings first shot at signing up to encourage meeting participation. We still use the online sign-up system, but we back date new agendas (to lock them out from members) until after we have circulated the sign-up sheet at meetings.

If FTH2 had some type of rules feature, perhaps my club could rely more on the online sign-up system.

Steve,

I think that is more club culture that does not require technology to govern. Personally, if I was told as new member that I wasn't going to be allowed to speak until I fulfilled n number of other roles, I would have left. If a club wants to make that decision, then have the sign up button turned off and have the VPE assign all speakers.

Steve I know clubs that would love to have your problem, they can never get any speakers.

Not sure technology should be used as a crutch, this is a leadership opportunity for the VPED and President to get all members participating in all roles.

I agree that technology alone is not the answer although it can certainly help keep the VPE from being stretched too thin in a very active club.

In my club, we do have people that will only show up to do speeches and nothing else. Since I have been in that VPE role in the past, I can tell you from first hand experience that I have had those conversations with those people and it did not make a difference. Due to our surge in membership during my tenure as Pres/VPE, speaker slots became harder to get and members became more sensitive to the members that only "helicoptered in" for speaking roles alone. And yes, we started doing speech-a-thons ... we had to.

As far as losing people, yeah, I am sure we already have. My club attracts more people than it can accommodate (still does)--it is a great club that everyone seems to want to join. (President's Distiguished every year since 2008.) As Pres/VPE, I even had to tell an advanced speaker (ACS) that wanted to join our club that we were booked up for 8 weeks out when he asked me when he could get a speaker slot right away.

Also, in my club, we have gone to assigning the TM, TTM, and GE roles on a rotation, because it was falling to just a few long time members in the past that would do them. I know because I am the guy that created and implemented that rotation scheme. None of the current exec or I (IPP) are exactly thrilled with us having to do that, but we all agree that it seems to work better than when we did not do it. The current exec has even extended the rotation approach to assigning half the speaker roles on a rotation. However, again, this all creates more work for the VPE role which is already spread thin in my club. (Again, I know because I did it.)

So, again, technology alone is not the answer or a substitute for having the conversations, but I do believe it can help. We can talk about the ideal ways that clubs should work, but the reality is that they do not always work that way unfortunately.

Perhaps a combination of technology and in-person nagging is the right mix.

FTH Gamification
In my online club they are using EasySpeak. It has a role reminder which also kinda has a nag factor built in. Not sure if this is the intent. In the screenshot below notice the number of times and last time for each role (top window). Now we've only had two meetings using EasySpeak so as data is populated another picture may emerge.

If this was redone to show how long since each member has fulfilled each role it might have a psychological influence on which role they should sign up for next. Adding in some gamification progress bars may nudge users this way or that way. There could be a Well-Rounded Toastmaster rating or something.

LinkedIn has (had?) a profile completeness progress bar. People hated to see it incomplete and were compelled to 'fix' it by completing their profile. I know it worked on me.


One consideration is the shyness/fear/reluctance factor. In my main club I've only been timer or ballot counter one time each. These roles are ones newbies like to take as they work up the courage to take a more talkative role. I don't sign up out of consideration but then also some members need some gentle nudging. What is the right balance?


Reach Your Goals: Personal & Club
Can we help guide each member toward their goal? If ya want to get your CC by date X then FTH would determine a speech-to-meeting ratio based on their meeting frequency.

Give them updates if they are on or off track. This would help VPEs manage member goals.

If a new member did not do a speaking role for a given time frame, send a 'perhaps a mentor would help get you started' msg to this member/VPE. Shy people tend to not reach out for help in getting up on stage in front of people.

Help clubs meet the dues renewal by reminding them when there are only X number meeting before dues are due. Our club rarely remembers this 1-2 meeting before dues are due.

Help a club stay on track to meet DCP goals. Something with clear goals of what has to happen by what date to meet this objective. It seems many club prezzies start panicking 2-3 months before year end. They really should be panicking all year long

I'm thinking there are ~42 typical club scenarios where rules may help keep them on track. Clubs could turn each rule on/off with a checkbox list based on their needs/desires. Should probably have a new-year reset reminder notice.


Easy Speak behind the scenes
After our Sunday meeting they did a bit of behind-the-scenes look at this new-to-everyone platform. One thing was scheduled emails. They could be assigned to send to just those who've signed up, those who've not responded, etc. This helps avoid unnecessary messaging. I was thinking if FTH had something like this instead of assigning a send date using a days-before-meeting might be a simpler way to help clubs manage reminders.

Also, a first-time attendee was Larry Miller the founder/creator(?) of EasySpeak. He said 1,500 to maybe 2,000 clubs are on the platform. Every July there is a huge influx of additions. He was not sure of the actual club usage qty as I think he said he has moved on to other projects.

Thanks. I logged this Improvement Suggestion as I thought it would generate some useful discussion, and I wanted to see where it led.

I do think something of this nature could be helpful, but like every other suggestion that gets logged, it deserves some proper scrutiny and consideration of what the real value to clubs vs implementation time investment would be. Just because I think it would be a great feature does not necessarily mean it should get implemented.

Bump