Induction Script

Courtesy of DTM Laura Rotinsulu - Metropolitan Toastmasters Club http://metropolitantmc.freetoasthost.biz/

Here is an example of Speech of the Club President in the Induction of new Club members.

(I forgot where I got this one from. I wrote some of it, some others I got from some manual some where. All Excos should have a laminated version in their SAA bags. Something as important for a new member as an induction should be done with quality professionalism. Don’t take it lightly.)

It is customary for the club president to induct new members. However, this important duty may be performed by any senior Toastmaster who can handle it with style. Other participants include the vice president education and the toastmaster(s) assigned to serve as coach/mentor(s) for the new member(s) being inducted.

Before the date of the induction,

Ensure that the VPE has oriented the new members to the club

And have them provide the following to be read out before the induction:

- Name

- Occupation and Employer

- Accomplishments and Interests

- Personal and Career Goals

- Name of Sponsor (the person who inspires him/her to join)

- Name of Mentor

Secure confirmation from VPE and mentors to come on the day of induction.

Prepare a copy of the first project, “certificates” of induction, etc, to be given at the induction ceremony.

The Inducting Officer must familiarize himself with the text. The “dashes and slashes” (“-/-”) below indicate pauses.

Before the meeting starts,

Ensure that applicants are voted into membership before the induction is performed.

The Inducting Officer must inform the new members and the Sergeant-at-Arms, that the SAA will take them outside the room before the induction begins. They will wait outside until the members have voted them in. At the Inducting Officer’s signal, the SAA will bring the new members in. The Inducting Officer will lead the members and guests to applaud as they come in.

The Inducting Officer must inform the new members, VPE, mentors that there will be a group picture. Tell them to pose with the first project which will be given.

Before the meeting starts, the Inducting Officer must look at the stage to make sure that the photographic documentation of the inductees will be as memorable as possible. Choose the best spot, make sure they can stand comfortably, include the banner.

INDUCTING OFFICER

Fellow Toastmasters, [state names of new members and brief information about them] have applied to become new members of our Club. If you do not have any objections, then we will induct them in a few minutes.

[Wait for members’ response.]

Thank you. Fellow Toastmasters and guests,

It is now our duty and privilege to induct this/these new member(s) into the Metropolitan Toastmasters Club. This is an important occasion, both for this/these new member(s) and for our Club. This/these individual(s) have come to Toastmasters seeking to improve their communication skills, and we now have an opportunity to help him/her/them learn, grow and achieve.

I will now call our new member(s) forward and ask him/her/them to join me at the lectern. Please join me in roundly applauding them as they make their journey to the lectern.

[Inducting Officer calls each new member forward by name.]

[Once the new members are at the lectern]

Please withhold your applause until the ceremony is completed.

[Inducting Officer states the New Member Names]

…, You are joining a worldwide organization that has helped nearly three million people learn to communicate more effectively. As member(s) of the Metropolitan Toastmasters Club, you will benefit from a proven program of self-development. You will become part of an outstanding group of people who are dedicated to helping one another in a spirit of sharing and enjoyment.

Madam / Mr (Acting) Vice President Education, have this/these new member(s) been given an opportunity to discuss their needs and goals with the clubs? Have they been told how the Toastmasters program works, and informed of the many benefits they will receive, as well as the obligations of membership??

[VPE should have done all of the above so that s/he can affirm truthfully.]

Yes, Madam / Mr President.

Who have been assigned as mentor(s) for this/these new member(s)?

[VPE gives names of mentors.]

Would this/these Toastmaster(s) please stand?

[Mentors stand where they are.]

As an experienced Toastmaster (or as experienced Toastmasters), you have been asked to help these new member(s) get off to a good start. Do you accept this responsibility and pledge to share your knowledge and experience with our new member(s) so that he/she/they can immediately begin to benefit from his/her/their Toastmasters membership?

[Mentors affirm.]

INDUCTING OFFICER (to new member(s))

Membership in this Club and in Toastmasters International is a privilege that carries with it many rewards. Yet it also places certain obligations upon you. We are a group of people brought together to do things we could not accomplish alone. Our collective obligation is to grow and improve ourselves and to share our knowledge and experience with fellow members in a spirit of enjoyment. This means you must work diligently toward your own self-development, evaluate others, speeches in a spirit of support and sharing, assist the club in reaching its goals remain positive, and keep a smile on your face!

We ask you, our new member(s), to dedicate yourself/yourselves to personal growth, to share this great gift with your fellow members, and to help keep this Toastmasters Club strong and dynamic.

Please face your fellow members and affirm your membership by reading the new member’s pledge with me. State your own name:

I, [new members state their own names], in the presence of my fellow members of the Metropolitan Toastmasters Club, -/- make this firm obligation -/- to attend meetings regularly -/- and prepare fully for each assignment -/- to apply myself to the program outlined in the Toastmasters manuals -/- to participate actively in club activities -/- to evaluate others in a positive, constructive manner -/- to build open, friendly relationships with my fellow members -/- and to bring other new members into the club -/- so that they can also gain the benefits of Toastmasters.

Will all Metropolitan Toastmasters Club members please stand and repeat our Club’s pledge to its new members?

[Members make the pledge, repeating after you]

We, the members of the Metropolitan Toastmasters Club, -/- pledge to support you -/- in your quest for self-development -/- to provide you with positive, helpful evaluations -/- to maintain a friendly, supportive atmosphere -/- to give you opportunities to help others -/- and to make your toastmasters membership -/- a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

Welcome each new member to the club, give Project #1 of the manual, induction certificate (if any), etc.

Announce Group Picture of Inducting Officer and Inductees – by the banner.

Announce Group Picture of Inducting Officer and Inductees, VPE, mentors – by the banner.

Pose with the first project.

Inducting Officer leads applause, then asks new members to return to their seats.

Inducting Officer returns control to the presiding officer.

The New Member's Pledge

I, ____________________, in the presence of my fellow members of the Metropolitan Toastmasters Club, make this firm obligation to attend meetings regularly and prepare fully for each assignment to apply myself to the program outlined in the Toastmasters manuals to participate actively in club activities to evaluate others in a positive, constructive manner to build open, friendly relationships with my fellow members and to bring other new members into the club so that they can also gain the benefits of Toastmasters.

The Club’s Promise to New Members

We, the members of the Metropolitan Toastmasters Club, pledge to support you in your quest for self-development to provide you with positive, helpful evaluations to maintain a friendly, supportive atmosphere to give you opportunities to help others and to make your toastmasters membership a rewarding and fulfilling experience.