Tonight's episode features Roy who is the Sponsor Vendor Chair for District 50 who joined Toastmasters in November 2022 and has blazed a fast track serving as an area director and a district chair in 2023-2024.
What do we mean when we talk about sponsorships?
07:40 Sponsors lend their name and financial support in exchange for the recognition of their support to Toastmasters—an educational non-profit organization that helps people learn leadership and communication skills. With over 2000 members in the District, it is a win-win for the business sponsor and for D50 Toastmasters.
04:01 District 50 has benefited in the past from vendors who donate to events, but this year D50 leaders set a goal to increase corporate and small business sponsors. The motivation for this increased effort was an event last spring. Following the district’s Spring Conference 2023, four District Toastmaster leaders were invited to a conference by SER Mujer, a national women’s organization. What they experienced there was a top-tier event supported by corporate and business sponsors. It awakened a desire to accomplish a similar result for District 50 conferences and events.
How will the sponsor donations contribute to District 50 events and to business and corporate recognition in the northeastern Texas community? What's in it for these businesses to sponsor District 50?
09:36, 17:00 The funds received from sponsors will go toward enhancing educational presentations, supplying the equipment used at events, and attracting speakers to district events. In turn, this will attract more attendees, lead to broader publicity for the sponsors, and cement the beneficial relationship of the business and District 50.
Recognition of their sponsorship would reach a great target audience of people who are leaders in their community and who would influence those around them. Geographically, District 50 starts off from Shreveport and goes all the way west to the Dallas metropolitan area, all the way south to Lufkin and Nacogdoches, and all the way north to the Oklahoma border. It's a huge area where a small business or a regional business can donate their marketing dollars for greater exposure and, more importantly, to help build trust in the community, especially if they are a newer business.
07:40, 08:38 What kind of sponsors is District 50 looking for?
How can a Toastmaster approach a corporation or business and ask for a sponsorship?
11:43 For example, a Toastmaster who is a member of a corporate club already has a connection to the leadership. The Toastmaster can approach the appropriate manager and ask about a sponsorship. District 50 has a complete presentation kit already built.
10:33, 16:08 Less-recognized businesses can be encouraged to raise their recognition in the community and, at the same time, contribute to a non-profit to save tax dollars.
14:58 Toastmasters can keep in mind that this would be a good Pathway project to check off. 13:43 Or the Toastmaster can ask the Program Quality team to present the information and request the sponsorship.
12:56 Roy said that at first it seemed complicated. But with the presentation kit, it comes down to: Who is the person I need to talk to, when will we have the conversation, then have the conversation, and, with some confidence and luck, get some sponsor dollars.
Where can Toastmasters get the resources to use to make a pitch for a sponsorship?
14:17 Some resources are on the website d50tm.org/fallderall/sponsors., and they can also get information and kits directly by emailing sponsorvendor@d50tm.org.
