When you think about the IDEAs team many will think about inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. This year the Program Quality Leadership Team’s vision was to have the District Members to become more aware of the types of disabilities that clubs may encounters. To show various ways ensuring the members feel included. This team had monthly workshops, highlighting different aspects of the IDEA. All members of this team have some type of disability but this is not stopping them from sharing with others at the same time growing in themselves.
So, how is this present in our clubs. As the VP of Education for Maple Leaf Toastmasters I can truly say even though our club is still growing in their learning we have had many successes. Where did this all start? Maple Leaf Toastmasters was struggling with membership back in 2020, Melanie Taddeo was looking for a club that needed a coach. She came to a couple of meeting so we could check each other and determine whether we could work together. We both had our own mission it wasn’t long that an instant connection was made.
We held a Speechcraft using the resources of Maple Leaf and the students from Connect 4 Life. From there our club was starting to grow. The toastmasters program changed slightly but not taking away the self-confidence, self-motivation to complete goals.
What did change would be things like:
- Ensuring the blind could use their readers to reader the agenda.
- Verbal cues used instead of the timing cards.
- One on one with each new member to determine what they needed in order to utilize the Pathways program.
- Using accessible paths.
- Coming up with ways so that the member felt they were growing in the program as well. Including all members in event planning, project work and brain storming.
- Including all members to try various roles to the best of their abilities:
- Members who are blind would not be able to the timing role, standing could be a task (some extra precaution would need to be considered)
- Members who have physical disabilities may not be able to use gestures, standing may not be possible, where one thing may be an issue – their strengths will be in other things.
- Some members became better speakers and even competed in Contests. Wayne Tuttle who is blind was able to win at club, area, division and then placed second in the District International Speech Contest.
When I look at this club today, I am impressed with the growth with each member. The confidence level is to the point that all members are willing to try club officer roles. I would like for each of you to take a look and see if there is something else is needed for your members to succeed. If so, think outside of the box and most important thing just to ask if they are in need of help.
Maple Leaf Toastmasters became Presidents Distinguished in 2020-2021 and we haven’t looked back.
Created by Anne Dockeray DTM, District Director Manager, District 86 2024-2025, Maple Leaf Toastmasters