It is important that you understand the roles and responsibilities of your fellow. Club officers Following are brief descriptions:

President. The President serves as the Club's Chief executive officer, responsible for general supervision and operation of the Club. The President presides at Club meetings and directs the Club in a way which meets the educational growth and leadership needs of members. In cooperation with the Executive team, the President establishes long-term and short-term plans for Club growth.

Immediate Past President. The Immediate Past President provides guidance and serves as a resource to Club officers and members The Immediate Past President chairs the Nominating Committee. assists in the preparation of the Club Success Plan and promotes the Club's efforts to become a Distinguished Club.

Vice President Education. The Vice President Education is responsible for planing successful Club meetings so that each member has the opportunity to achieve kits or her educational goals. The Vice President Education directs planning, organization and implementation of Communication and Leadership Program, Speechcraft and other educational programs The Vice President Education schedules speeches, signs Communication and Leadership Program manuals, updates Member Program Progress Charts, reports educational program completionŐs promptly to World Headquarters, and coordinates recognition of member achievement He or she is the second-highest ranking Club of officer. presiding at Club and Executive Committee meetings in the absence of the President. The Vice President Education ensures that each new member receives orientation to the Toastmasters educational program, including assignment of mentors.

Vice President Membership. The Vice President Membership plans, organizes and implements a continuous marketing efforts which ensures the Club maintains or exceeds a charter membership level of 20 The Vice President Membership works with groups inside and outside of Toastmasters to promote Club membership and membership retention. In coordination with the Club Treasurer and Secretary, he or she is responsible for prompt submission to World Headquarters of the Club's semiannual membership report including membership list and dues payment! The vice President Membership also provides for recognition of Toastmasters `` ho contribute to the increase of membership in Toastmasters International. and maintains an accurate membership roster and attendance records. He or she also serves as chairman of the Club Membership Committee and is the third-ranking officer m the Club.

Vice President Public Relations. The Vice President Public Relations develops, implements and administers a program that maintains a positive e image of Toastmasters for all members, guests and the general public He or she is responsible for internal and external public relations for the Club. including but not limited to: preparing and distributing news releases regarding Club actives: publicizing Club events working v. with Club officers to develop literature about the Club; representing the Club with the media The Vice President Public Relations works with the Club bulletin editor. serves as chairman of the Public Relations Committee. and ~s the fourth-ranking Club officer

As Vice President Public Relations, you have many responsibilities - too many to carry out alone You'll need others to help you, to work with you to ensure that your Club meetings are the best and most effective that they can be Your Public Relations Committee is your key to success

Thus, you are a leader. too One of your responsibilities is to influence and inspire committee members (and other members of your Club) and motivate them to achieve goals. Your position as Vice President Public Relations is a terrific opportunity for you to develop and enhance your leadership skills while serving your Club

Successful leaders:

Set goals. Leaders know what the group needs to do and they clearly identify these goals For example, as Vice President Public Relations, you want to get publicity for your Club. You should write down at least one specific goal you want achieved - to have the Club President appear on a local talk show, for example This is a realistic and attainable goal. Write down goals in order of priority.

Plan how to accomplish goals. Once goals are established, leaders draw up a plan of action to accomplish the goals. They break the big goal into smaller, more immediate goals to accomplish. Then they develop strategies and timetables from which to work

For example, if one of your goals is to have the Club President appear on a local television show, you would need to begin with a smaller goal - to meet with the television show's producer to discuss the idea.

Delegate. Leaders are not afraid to release control and give responsibility to others. But before they do, leaders make sure that those assuming responsibility clearly understand what needs to be done. Leaders also make sure that those assuming responsibility have the ability. motivation and willingness to do the task at hand.

For example, you need a member to assume responsibility for producing the Club bulletin. One member has said that he is interested in the job. However, you know that this person is frequently out of town on business for weeks at a time Would this person have the time and energy needed to handle this task?

Monitor progress. Leaders track progress toward goals and make alternations as necessary Leaders are flexible. too When circumstances change, leaders change plans accordingly.

Coach team members when necessary. Coaching is essential to reinforce goals Yet it often slips to a low priority because of other responsibilities leaders may have.

Also, many leaders are reluctant to coach because they view it as criticism, and they feel uneasy giving negative feedback to people

But coaching is important Coaching helps team members see their own strengths and weaknesses, and helps them build on the strengths and overcome the weaknesses Coaching is constant. Leaders must constantly observe and gave feedback.