by Manisha Abhyanker DTM
I joined Toastmasters in 2002 through a corporate club that met during lunch breaks. The members were enthusiastic, supportive, and actively involved beyond the weekly meeting. Within six months, I stepped into my first leadership role as club secretary which was a decision that began a long path of service and growth within Toastmasters.
Over the years, I have served in many capacities, including twice as Area Governor in District 44, and I was honored as Toastmaster of the Year in 2006–2007. Yet the role that has had the most lasting impact on me, and on the clubs, I’ve served, has been that of Club Coach.
That became clear in 2006, when I visited Amarillo Toastmasters, my current home club and the oldest active club in Texas (Club #211). At the time, only two members were attending meetings. The club had not requested assistance from the district or from Toastmasters International. On paper, it looked like a club in serious trouble.
As a Club Coach, however, I saw opportunity.
I requested to be assigned as the club coach and reached out to nearby clubs for support. With their help, I organized a Speechcraft program to rebuild energy, skills, and confidence within the club. The Club Coach role provided the structure and focus needed to step in, not to take over, but to guide, encourage, and help members rediscover what Toastmasters could be.
The results were immediate and lasting. The club regained momentum, membership grew, and a strong foundation for long-term success was restored. In 2008, I earned my first Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), an achievement closely connected to that coaching experience.
Since then, I’ve served as a Club Coach, a sponsor, and a mentor to several clubs. While progress toward my second DTM depends on clubs achieving Distinguished status, the true reward has always been the coaching itself. Every club is different. Each has its own culture, challenges, and strengths. As a Club Coach, you don’t just help a club survive, you help it rediscover its identity.
Currently, I am coaching a hybrid club that meets both in person and via Zoom. My focus is on attracting both local and remote members to support sustainable growth. Toastmasters allow two Club Coaches per club, a model that increases collaboration, fresh ideas, and the likelihood of achieving Distinguished status.
We are planning another Speechcraft program and hope to involve more members across the district. Experiences like these reinforce why the Club Coach role is so vital.
If you are an experienced Toastmaster looking for a meaningful way to serve, consider becoming a Club Coach. The role offers an opportunity to strengthen clubs, develop leadership skills, and make a lasting difference both for the members you coach and for yourself. Talk with your District leadership to learn how you can help a club rediscover its path to success
