Standards for a Successful Club

The purpose of a Toastmasters club is to provide a positive environment in which members can participate in the Toastmasters educational program. Active participation is a necessity for members to learn and for clubs to fulfill their purpose. All clubs must meet the following minimum requirements for a Toastmasters club: meet at least twelve (12) times per year; regular meetings shall be conducted in person/face-to-face; have members give oral speeches and give and receive oral evaluations; and give members the opportunity to develop and practice leadership skills.

Your new club will be successful if it does what other successful clubs have done:

General Guidelines:
1. Meet every week.
2. Meet continuously throughout the year.
3. Participate in Area, Division, and District functions.

First Impressions:
1. The Sergeant at Arms sets up the room in advance in a professional manner.
2. The meeting location is pleasant, comfortable and organized to meet member speaker needs.
3. Each guest is met at the door and introduced to the club officers and other members.
4. Each guest is given a name tag and asked to fill out a guest information form.
5. Each guest is introduced to the club as a whole and welcomed to the meeting.
6. Guests are encouraged to participate in the meeting by introducing themselves and by commenting at the end of the meeting.
7. Members enthusiastically participate and fill in for members who are unable to attend.

Program Planning and Meeting Organization:
1. Each member should be prepared to carry out all assignments to the best of their ability.
2. Well developed speeches from the basic and advanced manuals are required.
3. Each member receives an agenda outlining the program of the day.
4. Members with duties explain their meeting responsibilities to the assembly.
5. The program is pre-planned and participants are informed at least a week in advance of their responsibilities.
6. The meeting plan includes exciting theme programs, thought provoking table topics sessions, and is organized in such a way that the meeting starts and ends on time.
7. Assuming that the first impression is usually the lasting impression, new members are invited to apply for membership the day they visit.
8. The club operates from a six-month educational plan based on the educational and social needs of the membership.
9. Evaluations are based on project objectives and the individual learning needs of the member.

Fellowship and Variety:
1. The Sergeant at Arms greets members and guests to make them feel welcome.
2. The Vice President Education plans enjoyable, dynamic meetings by developing interesting themes.
3. Social events are organized for the membership.
4. Collective participation in Area, District, and International events is encouraged.
5. The Vice President Education schedules special and inter-club meetings.

New Member Orientation:
1. Each new member is formally inducted and receives a pin, a Communication and Leadership Program manual, and an explanation of his or her responsibilities as a member of the club.
2. New members are assigned a mentor to orient them on the Toastmasters program.
3. New members are surveyed to determine learning needs and are immediately assigned a speaking role in a meeting.
4. New members are made to feel welcome and are encouraged to become involved in club activities on a continuing basis.

Recognition:
1. The club celebrates accomplishments of its members upon completion of requirements
and immediately sends educational award applications to Toastmasters International.
2. An updated progress chart is posted at every meeting.
3. Formal recognition for CTM/ATM/CL/AL/DTM awards is given at scheduled meetings.
4. Outside accomplishments, attributed to involvement in Toastmasters, or other activities
are recognized.
5. Club and District officers are formally recognized.
6. The club publicizes member and club achievements to the public and District.