Sarfaraz Nazir

Ask club members why they joined and most of them will tell you they joined to become better speakers and leaders. Your Toastmasters club’s purpose is to provide the environment in which they learn these skills. The Distinguished Club Program helps your club accomplish its purpose. The program is much more than just the club earning an award each year.

What is the DCP?

The Distinguished Club Program is an annual program, running from July 1 through June 30. The program consists of 10 goals your club should strive to achieve during this time period. These goals are:

1. Two CCs
2. Two more CCs
3. One ACB, ACS or ACG
4. One more ACB, ACS or ACG
5. One CL, ALB, ALS or DTM
6. One more CL, ALB, ALS or DTM
7. Four new members
8. Four more new members
9. Minimum of four club officers trained during each of two training periods
10. One membership dues renewal report and one club officer list submitted on time

In addition, your club must have at least 20 members OR a net growth of at least five new members at year-end (June 30).

Why the DCP?

The DCP promotes club quality. A club that performs well in the DCP provides a higher-quality club experience for all of its members. DCP is designed to enhance the enjoyment and reinforce the supportive atmosphere for each member, every time the club meets.

The DCP ensures productive meetings. Focusing on the educational goals of the DCP will keep members moving through the education program. DCP helps keep meetings productive, too. Keeping club membership at or above 20, will fill club meeting roles and maintain the energy level needed for a successful meeting.

The DCP provides structure and guidance. Clubs that perform well in the DCP always know who should be doing what and when they should be doing it. For example, the educational goals of the DCP provide direction and incentive for all members to achieve individually as well as collectively.

The DCP increases the enthusiasm of the club. The goal is not for clubs to compete against one another; it’s for all clubs to strive to achieve the same standards of excellence. Nonetheless, striving for achievement in the DCP program is a way to engage the spirit of friendly competition that can help motivate club members to perform their duties with gusto.

How to Establish the DCP

The clubs should develop a DCP success plan. Assign responsibility for all the 10 goals. The Club President and the Club VP Education are responsible for the first six goals. The Club President and the Club VP Membership are responsible for goals 7 and 8. All Club Officers are responsible for the ninth goal. The Club President, The Club Treasurer and the Club Secretary are responsible for the tenth goal.

For the first six goals, assign the names of the club members who have committed to achieving those goals. For example, for the first goal of two CC’s, assign John Smith and Jane Williams. During the year, those responsible for this goal should stay in touch with John and Jane to ensure that they are on target  to achieving this goal

Remember, Toastmasters, when you work hard to help your club achieve in the DCP, you’re not only helping your club – you’re helping yourself as well. 

Sarfaraz Nazir 
DCP Chair

 

 

by Jodie Sanders