Success for Western Division Governor Mark Richards
With the help of Robyn Richards as co-founder and a team of supporters Mark has steered Canning Vale to charter.
The background
Mark and Robyn live in Canning Vale. Robyn has a business there. Mark is a postman at the Canning Vale Centre. They had a general intention to start a club close to home. Then Mark joined the New Clubs Planning Committee organised by WA New Clubs Coordinator David Nicholas and became a founding member of WA Governors. From his experience with Governors and detailed discussions with David Nicholas he realised that money is a key issue with starting community clubs. They have to be advertised – which costs. A venue has to be booked – which costs. Who would help?
The business plan
Mark is a postman. What if he was to get printed a set of flyers and in his own time letterbox them in Canning Vale? A great idea. The cost of the flyers – a bit less than $400. Enter District 73 – there is money available in the Marketing budget for publicity. So Robyn booked a great venue – the Canning Vale College. Who would help with the cost? WA Governors contributed $250 and Mark’s home club, Victoria Quay, $300. That covered the expenses of the venue, supper and some printing.
Mark got on his bike and the flyers lodged in the letterboxes.
The Demonstration Meeting
What a success! March 11, 6.30 pm at the Canning Vale College in Dumbarton St. 62 people, including 11 Toastmasters. Have a look at the Agenda, if you want to see how it was done.
The meeting was vibrant and successful. The Question and Answer session at the end had Mark and David busy answering queries from people who obviously intended to join. Robyn was ready with Charter Member Application Forms (they are different from the standard 404 New Member Applications). Alan Smith, Treasurer for both Victoria Quay and WA Governors, was there with a receipt book and took joining fees from several people who paid on the spot.
The Charter Meeting
Of course Canning Vale meets weekly – the top 4 Clubs in District 73 at this point all meet weekly. So next week on March 18th, with application forms and fees pouring in before and after the meeting, Canning Vale held its formal business meeting, adopting the name, the Constitution and the Bylaws and elected the Officers. Here they are. (Click on any one to see a slideshow of all.)
The Club Executive
Send the documents and payment to World Headquarters
A club isn’t chartered until not only the documents have been sent, but the payment had been made to World Headquarters. Mark didn’t muck around. Off it went and the Charter was registered on March 19 – Club 1133609, Canning Vale Toastmasters.
Congratulations to Mark and Robyn, the Founders.
Congratulations to Steve Barry and Ross Wilkinson, both from Gateway, who are Club Mentors for the first 6 months. Congratulations to all the Toastmasters who helped with the brilliant Demonstration Meeting. Amazed admiration to District 73, to WA Governors and Victoria Quay who came up with money. And our best wishes to all the Founding Members and those who have joined since. You have a vibrant, energetic club with committed officers. And you meet weekly. Next year I’m sure you will be up there with the top clubs in the District.
Canning Vale on April 8th, 2008
At the meeting on Tuesday evening, April 8, 2008
This is a confusing issue for many new clubs.
Canning Vale was chartered in March, and therefore the 6 months membership fees took them up to the end of August. But Renewals were due by the end of March. Mark was equal to the occasion. He sent off the US$4.50 per member for the extra month. Canning Vale has renewed. (That’s an example for our other new clubs, chartered since October, 2007.)
David Nicholas DTM
WA New Club Coordinator
Well done to all. However a special well done to Robyn and Mark!!!
Cheers
Curtin GSB TM PP
Congratulations upon your successful achievement Mark and Robyn!!
One of the best definitions of success I have ever heard comes from the great Earl Nightingale: ” Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal” I believe you have met that definition succinctly by having Canning Vale chartered. Well done! Now, let’s make it grow beyond just being chartered but, into The Club to be seen and Heard in.
The Club that shows the way and sets the standard for all to aspire to.
To continued success,
Billy G
VP-Mem.
Well done to all concerned, especially Mark and Robyn. I applaude you for embracing your new club and getting involved. Best wishes for the future. Craig.
Congratulaions again Mark on your recent achievement of obtaining DTM status. It is great to read of the recognition given to the unconditional support from Robyn your enthusiatic and energetic partner in life! To both of you, every continued success as a team in lifes journey, as individuals, may you both share in each others success. Robyn will provide you with some serious competition in her own right, this is just an observation from a newbie.
Well done!
Billy G
What an intelligent bunch we all look. I’m so proud to be associated with the people in this group. Most of us are new to the public speaking arena and it is terrific to have such a supportive environment.
Particular thanks to Mark and Robyn – we wouldn’t be a part of it all if it weren’t for both of you.
Extremely well written!