A new Toastmasters year brings fresh energy, ambitious goals, and an incredible opportunity to lead your club toward Distinguished status. But as every experienced leader knows, a successful year isn’t built on enthusiasm alone—it relies on solid foundational planning during the months of July and August.
To help your Executive Committee hit the ground running, here is your essential roadmap of key officer tasks and responsibilities for this kickoff season.
URGENT MEMBER ACTION ITEM: Beat the Dues Increase!
International semi-annual dues are increasing from $60 to $72.
What you need to do: Remind all club members to renew their membership by August 3 to lock in the current $60 rate. Members are allowed to pay in advance for up to 2 terms (1 full year) at the existing rate before the price increase takes effect.
-
Responsible: Treasurer, VP Membership, & All Officers
-
Incentives: Up to $100 District Credit
- Universal Officer Priority: Growth & Alignment
“A team aligned in vision and trained in execution is unstoppable.”
Attend First-Round Club Officer Training (COT)
- Responsible: All Officers
- Deadline: August 31
- Action Item: Officer training isn’t just a requirement for the Distinguished Club Program (DCP)—it’s your playground for gaining fresh ideas, learning best practices, and connecting with fellow leaders across the district. Make sure every member of your executive team registers for a session.
- Resources: View the full schedule and sign up at the District 101 Training Page.
- Incentives: You can receive upto $50 as district credits if all club officers attend the Club Officer Training.
- Education & Member Engagement
The heart of every Toastmasters club is its members. Getting clarity on their ambitions early ensures your meeting agendas stay full and engaging.
Determine Member Educational Goals
- Responsible: VP Education
- Action Item: Reach out to each member to discuss their Pathways track, public speaking aspirations, and leadership goals for the year. Knowing who is aiming for a Level completion or a speech milestone helps you build a proactive educational schedule.
Conduct the Member Interest Survey
- Responsible: VP Education
- Action Item: Send out a Member Interest Survey to gather feedback on what members want out of their club experience this term—whether that’s speech contests, specialized workshops, or specific meeting themes.
- Brand Building & Public Relations
Create a Media List and Publicity Kit
- Responsible: VP Public Relations
- Action Item: Prepare your club for a steady stream of prospective members. Compile a media contact list (local community boards, company intranet managers, or local press) and assemble a digital publicity kit complete with branded templates, guest invitations, and social media banners.
- Finance & Club Operations
Smooth administrative processes keep the club running seamlessly behind the scenes.
Finalize the Club Budget
- Responsible: Treasurer
- Action Item: Draft the annual operating budget covering expected expenses (zoom accounts, club awards, meeting space fees, social events) and incoming dues. Present this to the Club Executive Committee for official approval.
Update “Club Meeting and Contact Information”
- Responsible: President & Secretary
- Action Item: Log into Club Central on Toastmasters International and review your meeting times, location details, hybrid links, and primary contact details. Outdated information is the #1 reason prospective guests fail to reach a club!
- Governance & Strategic Planning
Designate the Club’s Proxyholder
- Responsible: President & Secretary
- Deadline: August 12, 2026
- Action Item: Your club has a voice in shaping the future of Toastmasters International. Designate your club’s proxyholder in Club Central for the upcoming Annual Business Meeting prior to the firm deadline on August 12, 2026.
Draft & Submit the Club Success Plan
- Responsible: Executive Committee / All Officers
- Final Deadline: September 30, 2026
- Action Item: While the official deadline isn’t until the end of September, August is the ideal time for your officer team to sit down together and map out your strategies. Defining your Distinguished Club Program (DCP) targets early guarantees everyone is rowing in the same direction.
- District Incentives: $30 District Credit if your club submits the Club Success Plan by September 15, 2026.
Quick Reference Summary
| Task | Responsible Role | Deadline |
| Renew Dues Before Price Hike ($60 vs $72) | Treasurer & VP Membership | August 3, 2026 |
| Designate Proxyholder | President & Secretary | August 12, 2026 |
| Attend Officer Training | All Officers | August 31, 2026 |
| Submit Club Success Plan | Executive Committee | September 30, 2026 |
| Determine Member Goals | VP Education | Early August |
| Distribute Member Interest Survey | VP Education | Early August |
| Media List & Publicity Kit | VP Public Relations | August |
| Finalize Club Budget | Treasurer | August |
| Update Club Meeting and Contact Information | President & Secretary | Immediate |
By tackling these administrative and strategic milestones early in the term, you free up your team to focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality, inspiring meetings that empower every member to achieve their personal best.
Bonus Tip: Encourage a member of your club to conduct Moments of Truth which is part of Successful Club Series. The member can then mark it complete in Level 3, Level 4 or Level 5.