Through June 10th, District 23 is hosting an Open House Challenge

What’s the Challenge?

Have an Open House between May 15 and June 15.  Take a picture and submit the guest list to LGM@District23.org.

Why?

An Open House or demonstration meeting can be one of the easiest ways to build membership. Organizing such an event satisfies the requirements in the Competent Leadership (CL) manual: Organize & Delegate for organizing a special event or Motivating People for running a membership campaign.

Who can enter?

Any club in the District (if you’re already distinguished, you could offer to help another club with their open house. They may take you up on it)

How do you host an Open House?

Some clubs hold Open Houses on a regular basis (e.g., Quarterly) and they frequently have 20 or more members. Need a few more people to fill seats? Ask your Area Governor, Division Governor, or another club. Put out flyers and spread the word. Invite a special guest. Sometimes you may get one guest, sometimes more. Just keep doing it!

Read TI’s info on holding on open house here and check the info below – one way to hold an open house:

  1. Choose a date in advance. Publicize that your meeting is welcoming guests. Use the Open House flyer or one of the other marketing flyers on the District 23 website – Click here.
  2. Plan the meeting. If you have a one hour meeting, consider one speech & evaluation or reduce some of the roles (jokes, thought of the day, etc.) to keep the meeting simple and allow time for people to ask questions or talk at the end of the meeting. Maybe invite a special speaker. Have some munchies. Ask your AG, Div Gov or another club to fill meeting roles.
  3. Be sharp! Be positive! At the open house, show guests how a meeting works, explain the roles succinctly, and provide a handout or guest packet (flyers, benefits of Toastmasters, who to contact for more information, a TM magazine). Take a picture, ask guests to sign a guest book. Ask guests to join!
  4. Send the picture and the guest sin in sheet to LGM@District23.org.

Every club that hosts an open house with at least 2 visitors receives a $25 gift certificate to Toastmasters International.