by Mike Tuttle, ATMB, CL, District Governor
Hopefully, you're reading this as a direct result of being tantalized by my article in the Gavel.
Here are the full details of how Host a Toast works and what your club needs to qualify.
For the first club in an Area to gain 5 new members during the Smedley Award time frame, their Area Governor will visit the club and give it a toast. That means from August 1st thru September 30th, the first club in an Area to gain 5 NEW members (no renewals count) and thus win the Smedley award will receive a visit from their Area Governor who will toast that club in a speech from the special occasions advance manual.
For the first club in a division to get the 2 DCP (Distinguished Club Plan) points for membership, their Division Governor will visit and toast the club. That means the first club in a Division to get 4 NEW (again renewals do not count) members AND 4 MORE NEW members their Division Governor will visit and give the advanced manual toast speech about that club.
For the first club in the District to get 5 DCP points AND have either a net growth of 5 members or be at charter strength of 20 members by April dues time thus achieving Distinguished status will get a visit from Annette Rude the LT. Governor of Marketing who will deliver the toast speech about that club.
The first club in the District to get 7 DCP points AND have either a net growth of 5 members or be at charter strength of 20 members by April dues time thus being Select Distinguished, will be visited by Cyndra Melville the LT. Governor Education and Training.
The first club to get 9 DCP points AND have either a net growth of 5 members or be at charter strength of 20 members by April dues time thus achieving the highest award of Presidents Distinguished, will get a visit from Mike Tuttle the District Governor himself. For those clubs that know Mike and might regret reaching this level because of his visit, Lois Harger has graciously agreed to fill in. (Feel free to laugh at this point-- please laugh at this point).
For the first club to achieve a PERFECT 10 on the DCP AND have a net growth of 5 members or be at charter strength of 20 members by April dues time, the entire District Trio will visit the club and toast it.
Answers to some questions, YES NO MAYBE.
Seriously, if a club wins the Smedley do they automatically get the DCP point for 4 new members? YES
Can a club get a toast from both the Area and Division Governor? YES, by being the first club in the Area to win the Smedley award AND being the first club in the Division to get 4 NEW members and 4 MORE NEW members.
Is it possible to get a visit from the Area Governor, Division Governor and the LGM YES, be the first club in each of the above categories AND be the first club in the District to get 5 DCP points and have a net growth of 5 members or be at charter strength of 20 members by April dues time.
Can the same club also add the LGM to the list? YES do the above AND be the first club in the district to have 7 DCP points and a net growth of 5 new members or be at charter strength of 20 members by April dues time.
How about adding the District Governor to the list? YES same process AND be the first club in the District to have 9 DCP points and a net growth of 5 new members or be at charter strength of 20 members by April dues time.
Is it possible to have a perfect score and get the Area Governor, Division Governor, LGM, LGET, District Governor and also have the entire District Trio back again? YES OH MY YES, be the first club in each category AND have the all important net growth of 5 new members or be at charter strength of 20 members by April dues time. In ADDITION the club that accomplish a perfect score will also receive the honor of having a special Gavel published that is dedicated entirely to that club--its' history, members, accomplishments etc.
I've just been inspired! (I've got goose bumps in fact). The club that makes a perfect score will receive a presentation of a special plaque paid for out of the pocket of the District Governor and presented at a club meeting by the Area Governor, Division Governor, LGM, LGET and District Governor as well as press release given to the media.