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betsy_in_va
Guest
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 Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:24 am Post subject: Re: Improving the TLI Program |
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| Quote: |
Sadly, it is sometimes the TLI 'trainers' that spread disinformation
such as non-existent 'rules' or telling things the way they believe
things should be, rather than presenting accurate and up-to-date
information.
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Once again, I am struck by how useful this site is as an educational
tool. If someone mistakenly gives me wrong information, everyone else
can see it and can quickly set it straight. Plus, since we are all in
different districts, I feel more comfortable asking questions about
possible dubious practices. If I were to ask these questions in TLI I
would be using up all the time and I would feel like I was ratting on
my fellow club members.
As I think about it I realize it's unfair to expect TLI classes to
guess what strange practices are going on out there, and unrealistic to
expect people to ask questions.
There must be a way to merge the two, to create a site that would have
all the benefits of this site and could also serve as training. Maybe
there could be a giant message board manned by TLI trainers from around
the world. Everyone who is an officer worldwide would have to log in
and would be required to post a certain number of questions or open a
certain number of threads, something like that. |
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Librarygurl
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:29 am Post subject: Re: Improving the TLI Program |
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I read through most of the posts, but I think that the shift should be
more "expanding the knowledge of the membership" than "training the
leadership". I feel TLI should be a mini conference. District 31 did
some TLI sessions this summer that focused on using the Successful Club
Series (I did this presentation for 2 of the 3 TLIs). Maybe using this
to introduce new elements of Toastmasters to the general membership and
for officers, hearing success stories and unique ideas from their
fellow officers rather than one district leader training them. Also,
if you are presenting, don't treat it like a speech. Include
role-playing, group activities, creative outlets and such.
Sara Marks
toastmasters@librarygirl.org
betsy_in_va wrote:
| Quote: | Seems likes there's a lot of sentiment about wanting to change the TLI
Program, so I thought I'd start a new thread. If you could improve TLI
training, what changes would you make? |
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p c
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:58 am Post subject: Re: Improving the TLI Program |
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betsy_in_va wrote:
| Quote: | 1) I would like to stop having "get new members" shoved down my throat.
Amen! I guess it must work for some of the AGs, but shoving the same
message down my throat a thousand times backfires with me. I feel the
same way about the current campaign to get those last few club officers
to TLI training. I get 1-4 e-mails about it every single day. Every
day! The first time I got one, I dutifully put on my AG hat and sent a
reminder to my club presidents. But now that I feel badgered about it I
couldn't give a damn if they go or they don't.
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The district types are obsessed with the DCP program. I do not forward
these type of mesages to my clubs.
In monthly email message to my Area council, I let them know what's
going on. It is up to the club officers to to decide what they want to do.
--
pc |
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Rick
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:16 am Post subject: Re: Improving the TLI Program |
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Nigel Reed wrote:
| Quote: | 3) A 20 year Toastmaster probably has training coming out the wazoo. I
will probably not have a 2nd go around at any club office because I'm
not wasting a Saturday doing the training. (Yes, I am very hypocritical
because I'm trying to get my clubs to get their officers trained).
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Since this spring marked my 20th year in Toastmaster, I guess I should
reply. I have been an officer for 19 of those 20 years. I missed a six
month term the two times I changed clubs. I have attended training most
of those years.
I usually find something useful at training. Sometimes it was only the
chance to coach a new Area Governor at a session that s/he as put on.
Since the switch to TLI, I've found that extra sessions are as good or
better than the educational sessions at the District conference. TLI is
free for us, so it's a much better deal.
At one session that I did for a Division training session, the most
attentive Toastmaster in the room had been in Toastmasters longer that I
have. He's also a DTM and PID.
The top two signs that you are in for a poor training session:
2. The Area/Division Governor is covering all of the subjects by them self.
1. The Area/Division Governor is reading the material that was supplied
by the District.
--
Rick Clements, ATM-G, CL
Daylighters VP-Ed
District 7 Webmaster
Rick.Clements2@verizon.net
http://www.geocities.com/Rick_Clements/ |
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Rick
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:12 am Post subject: Re: Improving the TLI Program |
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betsy_in_va wrote:
| Quote: | OK, here's a really wild and crazy thought...
What if WHQ tried an experimental "Year Without TLI." Officers would be
told all the info they need is in their manuals. By the end of the year
members would be clamoring to have it reinstated. Maybe absence makes
the heart grow fonder?
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The problem with that is that inexperienced officers benefit from
training. Experienced officers could miss several training periods
without much loss.
--
Rick Clements, ATM-G, CL
Daylighters VP-Ed
District 7 Webmaster
Rick.Clements2@verizon.net
http://www.geocities.com/Rick_Clements/ |
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Larry in Honolulu
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:00 am Post subject: Re: Improving the TLI Program |
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In article <lNoIg.918$4O4.916@trnddc02>, Rick <rick.clements2@verizon.net> wrote:
| Quote: | betsy_in_va wrote:
OK, here's a really wild and crazy thought...
What if WHQ tried an experimental "Year Without TLI." Officers would be
told all the info they need is in their manuals. By the end of the year
members would be clamoring to have it reinstated. Maybe absence makes
the heart grow fonder?
The problem with that is that inexperienced officers benefit from
training. Experienced officers could miss several training periods
without much loss.
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Rick,
What you say is of course, the commonly held belief. However there's a missing
part.
All the trainings I have done (many), and helped or encouraged others to do in
our district have been very interactive. My version is "If you know it all,
great, come share it with the others". When I train officers we do it
round-table style and while I cover the needed items, in response to questions
I always ask everyone "So what do you think about that?" or "So what do you do
in your club?" The old timers get to participate as much as possible and the
newbies get a much better perspective from the others' experience.
The truth is, the re-treads *always* learn some new things too, and it makes
the whole process much more fun than a talking head with a monologue.
Larry Lands DTM PDG
Finalist 2001 World Championship
webmaster www.district49.org |
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Rick
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:45 pm Post subject: Re: Improving the TLI Program |
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Larry in Honolulu wrote:
| Quote: | All the trainings I have done (many), and helped or encouraged others to do in
our district have been very interactive. My version is "If you know it all,
great, come share it with the others". When I train officers we do it
round-table style and while I cover the needed items, in response to questions
I always ask everyone "So what do you think about that?" or "So what do you do
in your club?" The old timers get to participate as much as possible and the
newbies get a much better perspective from the others' experience.
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I'd enjoy your sessions. They include many of the approaches I find
useful.
| Quote: | The truth is, the re-treads *always* learn some new things too, and it makes
the whole process much more fun than a talking head with a monologue.
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I have attended quite a few trainings, so I have been retread quite a
few times. Unfortunately, one year, the only thing that I learned is if
you read though pages of material supplied by the District you can make
the presentation really painful. But, I can almost always find
something useful to my office.
As a trainer, I was most nervous when I saw a Toastmaster in the
audience who was a DTM, PDG and PID. (I was more nervous than when I
had to compete against him in the Humorous Speech Contest.) I tried to
remember what he had presented for the same office the last time that I
had held it. He was the most attentive person in the session. So, very
experienced Toastmasters to understand the benefit of continuing to
attend training.
BTW, I attended TLI in June. I will attend again this Tuesday. Though
it's mostly to support our Division Governor. She is a past member of
our club & she's worried that late in the training period the room could
be fairly empty.
--
Rick Clements, ATM-G, CL
Daylighters VP-Ed
District 7 Webmaster
Rick.Clements2@verizon.net
http://www.geocities.com/Rick_Clements/ |
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Larry in Honolulu
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:58 am Post subject: Re: Improving the TLI Program |
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In article <CpvIg.1399$4O4.1059@trnddc02>, Rick <rick.clements2@verizon.net> wrote:
| Quote: |
I'd enjoy your sessions. They include many of the approaches I find
useful.
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Thanks Rick, actually I think you would!
| Quote: | The truth is, the re-treads *always* learn some new things too, and it makes
the whole process much more fun than a talking head with a monologue.
I have attended quite a few trainings, so I have been retread quite a
few times. Unfortunately, one year, the only thing that I learned is if
you read though pages of material supplied by the District you can make
the presentation really painful. But, I can almost always find
something useful to my office.
As a trainer, I was most nervous when I saw a Toastmaster in the
audience who was a DTM, PDG and PID. (I was more nervous than when I
had to compete against him in the Humorous Speech Contest.) I tried to
remember what he had presented for the same office the last time that I
had held it. He was the most attentive person in the session. So, very
experienced Toastmasters to understand the benefit of continuing to
attend training.
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Here's my take on that. Make the PID or PDG your best ally with a simple
trick. When the 1st question comes up, you say (pointing to the PID) "I'm sure
Bob would agree that the best solution is to . . ., Is that right Bob?"
(Nodding all the while). Bob is thrilled to be recognized as the expert, and
in fact, if he contributes further it is likely to be valuable. If he says
anything contrary you say "Great point, Bob, thanks. Now lets move on . . "
Works like a charm.
Larry L |
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Rick
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:26 pm Post subject: Re: Improving the TLI Program |
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Larry in Honolulu wrote:
| Quote: | Here's my take on that. Make the PID or PDG your best ally with a simple
trick. When the 1st question comes up, you say (pointing to the PID) "I'm sure
Bob would agree that the best solution is to . . ., Is that right Bob?"
(Nodding all the while). Bob is thrilled to be recognized as the expert, and
in fact, if he contributes further it is likely to be valuable. If he says
anything contrary you say "Great point, Bob, thanks. Now lets move on . . "
Works like a charm.
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Actually, he's not thrilled to be recognized as an expert. He prefers
the current officers are leading. He works hard at staying out of their
way. Since the training session I referred to, his wife and another
Toastmaster from of District have served on the board.
The first time I was AG, my home club as in my Area. Lacking an outside
opinion from the Area Governor's visit on our club, I invited him as
guest General Evaluator.
--
Rick Clements, ATM-G, CL
Daylighters VP-Ed
District 7 Webmaster
Rick.Clements2@verizon.net
http://www.geocities.com/Rick_Clements/ |
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betsy_in_va
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: Improving the TLI Program |
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| Quote: | Actually, he's not thrilled to be recognized as an expert. He prefers
the current officers are leading. He works hard at staying out of their
way.
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Now THAT'S a leadership skill I wish we would emphasize over all
others. I wish they would hurry up and perfect cloning so we could make
a dozen of him. |
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Susan Niven CSP DTM PID
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 6:58 am Post subject: Re: Improving the TLI Program |
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Larry said ...
| Quote: | Here's my take on that. Make the PID or PDG your best ally with a simple
trick. When the 1st question comes up, you say (pointing to the PID) "I'm
sure
Bob would agree that the best solution is to . . ., Is that right Bob?"
(Nodding all the while). Bob is thrilled to be recognized as the expert,
and
in fact, if he contributes further it is likely to be valuable.
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Hmmmm. As a PID who (when still a Toastmaster) attended several additional
TLI sessions b/c of holding a club office at the time, I would have been
quite unimpressed at this type of blatantly condescending / manipulative
technique. I certainly would not have put this trainer down in the session,
but would most definitely provide him or her with some feedback afterward,
about the potential for negative repurcussions depending upon the tolerance
level of the target.
PDGs, PIDs and PIPs "should" all behave themselves in training sessions ...
and those who are in your District are probably known to you ... so you will
know in advance which ones can be counted on to behave, and which ones will
likely try to impose their vast knowledge. The first lot are no problem. The
second lot are definitely more of a nuisance, but ....
a) sometimes their knowledge IS greater than that of the Trainer, and
sometimes they CAN offer a more correct or more understandable response to a
question;
b) other PDG's / PIDs / PIPs in the session can sometimes be counted upon to
rein in their colleagues; and
c) sometimes you can "massage their egos" but simply asking them for an
opinion ... but not by saying "I'm sure Bob agrees that ....". Not a good
plan, IMRHO :)
Larry also said:
If he says
| Quote: | anything contrary you say "Great point, Bob, thanks. Now lets move on . .
Works like a charm."
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Again, hmmmmm. I'm not sure what this would accomplish, other than having a
roomful of trainees who are now confused about what is "the right answer",
or "the more effective way" ... and who now "know" that if they have an
opinion different than yours, they better keep it to themselves because
obviously you are not interested in hearing it, but simply "move on".
Not being able to handle - in essence - "hecklers", does not generally give
folks a lot of confidence in the presenter.
Susan.
Susan Black (formerly Niven) DTM, PID
Toastmasters International Director 1998-2000
Former Toastmaster & Lifelong Advocate
Langley, BC, Canada |
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