2025 Proposals FAQ
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1. Why is the Board of Directors proposing these changes?Back to Top
Per Policy 1.0: Governing Documents, every three (3) years, a Board committee is appointed to conduct a complete audit of the governing documents.
All amendments to the Bylaws of Toastmasters International and the Club Constitution recommended by the committee and approved by the Board are presented to the voting membership as proposals at the 2025 Annual Business Meeting.
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2. Where can I find more detailed information on the 2025 Proposals?Back to Top
More information on the proposals can be found on the official 2025 Proposals webpage.
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3. Who can I contact if I have other questions regarding the proposals?Back to Top
If you have additional questions, please email boardcontact@toastmasters.org.
Proposal A: Updated Language: Bylaws of Toastmasters International
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4. What is the purpose of Proposal A?Back to Top
The purpose of Proposal A is to update the Bylaws with minor wording and structure changes to make the document more consistent, clear, and in line with modern practices.
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5. In the Bylaws, Article I, Section 2, what is the intent of removing the references to leadership training and Speechcraft?Back to Top
Leadership training is just one piece of the educational programs and materials for developing leadership skills. The proposed amendments seek to capture the broad range of programs and materials created and distributed by the organization. Further, Speechcraft is just one of the programs currently made available to clubs to conduct. The objective of removing reference to Speechcraft specifically is to leave room in the Bylaws for the continued development and evolution of such programs.
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6. In the Bylaws, Article I, Section 2, why are “certificates” being removed?Back to Top
There are many ways in which individual member achievements in the education programs are recognized. The intent of removing the reference to “certificates” is to acknowledge the other forms of recognition currently in use, and to allow for future types of recognition as well.
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7. If Proposal A is adopted, when will it take effect?Back to Top
If Proposal A is adopted, the changes will take effect immediately.
Proposal B: Remove Unnecessary Cross-References: Bylaws of Toastmasters International
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8. What is the intention of Proposal B?Back to Top
The intention of Proposal B is to simplify the Bylaws by using a single cross-reference regarding what constitutes a “written” message (or a message “in writing”) and eliminating subsequent cross-references.
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9. If Proposal B is adopted, when will it take effect?Back to Top
If Proposal B is adopted, the changes will take effect immediately.
Proposal C: Disciplinary Process
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10. What is the purpose of Proposal C?Back to Top
The purpose of Proposal C is to change how members being considered for disciplinary action are identified, clarifying that the internal disciplinary process is not legal in nature.
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11. If Proposal C is adopted, when will it take effect?Back to Top
If Proposal C is adopted, the changes will take effect immediately.
Proposal D: Composition, Notification, Duties: Board of Directors
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12. What is the purpose of Proposal D?Back to Top
The purpose of Proposal D is to clarify how the Board is constituted, the preferred method for providing notification, and the duties of the Board.
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13. Do the proposed amendments to the Bylaws, Article V, Section 1, change the rights and powers of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)?Back to Top
No, this does not change the CEO’s rights and powers. This amendment is to align the organization’s current practice, the CEO as a non-voting member of the Board, with California’s legal definition of a director of an organization.
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14. If Proposal D is adopted, when will it take effect?Back to Top
If Proposal D is adopted, the changes will take effect immediately.
Proposal E: Update Language to Reflect Current Practice: Annual Business Meeting
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15. What is the purpose of Proposal E?Back to Top
The purpose of Proposal E is to update the Bylaws to reflect the operational changes of the Annual Business Meeting, which now make greater use of available technology.
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16. Does the proposed amendment to the Bylaws, Article IX, Section 3, alter the process for candidates being nominated from the floor?Back to Top
No, the amendment does not fundamentally change the process for candidates being nominated from the floor and included in the voting. This section of the Bylaws was originally written when the organization used paper ballots, which were printed and distributed before the start of the meeting. With the use of an electronic voting system, the addition of floor candidates is nearly instantaneous.
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17. If Proposal E is adopted, when will it take effect?Back to Top
If Proposal E is adopted, the changes will take effect immediately.
Proposal F: Updated Language: Club Constitution
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18. What is the purpose of Proposal F?Back to Top
The purpose of Proposal F is to modernize the language in the Club Constitution and ensure alignment with current practice.
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19. What is the intent of changing “speaker’s program” to “club meeting program” in Article II, Sections 3, 4, and 5?Back to Top
The intent of this amendment is to recognize that there are more elements and roles to a club meeting than just project speeches.
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20. If Proposal F is adopted, when will it take effect?Back to Top
If Proposal F is adopted, the changes will take effect immediately.
Proposal G: Readability and Clarity: Club Constitution
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21. What is the purpose of Proposal G?Back to Top
The purpose of Proposal G is to make Article II, Sections 4.b and 5, of the Club Constitution easier to read and understand.
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22. If Proposal G is adopted, when will it take effect?Back to Top
If Proposal G is adopted, the changes will take effect immediately.
Proposal H: Club Standing Committees
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23. What is the purpose of Proposal H?Back to Top
The purpose of Proposal H is to provide flexibility to each club in determining which committees are most helpful to its members.
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24. Does this proposal mean that clubs will no longer be allowed to have committees other than the Club Executive Committee?Back to Top
No. The amendment to Article VIII of the Club Constitution is to provide flexibility for the clubs to decide which other committees, if any, to form to provide support to the club members and officers.
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25. If Proposal H is adopted, when will it take effect?Back to Top
If Proposal H is adopted, the changes will take effect immediately.