The Club Up Project Mission Statements
1. To provide unique and pragmatic strategies for club growth and leadership
2. To develop a wider pool of leaders and trainers
3. To foster a community of passionate club leaders
The Club Up Project Team
Kate Norris, DTM
Kate Norris joined Toastmasters in 2009, agreeing to commit just 2 hours per fortnight. That plan went awry pretty quickly when she was made Secretary of her club almost immediately (they only had 7 members - they all had to pitch in.)
She's since started 2 more clubs (1 corporate, 1 advanced), been an Area and Division Director, yet somehow has never filled the SAA role.
In her business life she teaches data storytelling to technical professionals such as analysts and engineers, to communicate with influence.
Kate lives on the bayside of Brisbane with her kids (2) and husband (1), and spends an irritating amount of time pushing her cats off her keyboard.
Thomas Krafft, DTM
Thomas Krafft was made Sergeant at Arms on the day he joined Toastmasters; his 18th birthday. He had turned up to every meeting for over a year with his dad, and could finally join as a member.
He earned his DTM at age 25, and over a decade after joining, he's now been a President of 5 clubs, Area Director three times, and Eastern Division Director.
He runs a business teaching presentation skills to professionals, helping them communicate their knowledge simply and effectively.
Thomas also volunteers as a Geocaching Community Reviewer, and for Ocean Crusaders; removing rubbish from local waterways.
The Club Up Project Story
Kate and Thomas first visited Toastmasters within months of each other. However, they joined separate clubs - only a few kilometres apart - that met on the same night of the week.
Both became President the same year and know they attended a few of the same conferences but somehow never met. It wasn't until 7 years later, when Thomas changed club and walked into Kate's club that they finally met and started talking.
They learned that they had a similar desire to surround themselves with innovative members, and be [even more] tragically involved with the organisation.
Together, they started a successful advanced club that has a core purpose of giving back to the organisation, and gives members a next step in advancing their speaking and leadership skill. They consistently deliver training across the District, coach clubs directly and indirectly, and have each competed (and won) at District level.
They found confidence in growing and maintaining club membership, developing a sense of pride along the way. This confidence and pride are feelings they wish for other club leaders to experience.
The Club Up Project has become a resource for clubs they are coaching, and personalised, unique content to be shared.
Thomas, winner of Table Topics Contest and Kate, winner of Evaluation Contest at the District 69 Conference 2023.