May 2025 Leader Letter

Submit Outstanding Membership Dues — It's not too late to submit dues payments to keep your club in good standing. If you have questions, refer to the Renewal Dues FAQ, or contact the Club Quality and Member Support Team at clubquality@toastmasters.org or +1 720-439-5050. Payments for the next renewal period are also being accepted through Club Central and member Self-Pay.

Time for Club Officer Elections! — If your club's officers take over on July 1, find information about the election process and Club Leadership Committee procedure in the Club Leadership Handbook and the Club Election Videos. After the election, your Club Secretary should submit the revised officer list in Club Central by June 30 to receive Distinguished Club Program credit. If you struggle to find volunteers, share the Role Summary for each position with potential leaders.

New Toastmasters Journey Workshops — Get inspired at this year's convention Toastmasters Journey Workshops. Sharpen your skills as a Toastmasters club member and enhance the club experience! Each workshop features three dynamic speakers delivering growth-minded insights and strategies — register today to secure your spot!

California Clubs Tax Reminder — It's time to file your 199N California e-Postcard with the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) for the 2024 tax year (January 1 to December 31). As California non-profit entities, clubs (including corporate clubs) are required to file a 199N electronically by May 15, 2025.

Increase Membership for the Distinguished Club Program — The last day to add members for the 2024–2025 program year is June 30. To be eligible for recognition in the Distinguished Club Program, your club must achieve at least five goals throughout the program year and have either 20 members or a net growth of at least five new, dual, or reinstating members. If your club wants to add those extra members, try hosting an open house or demo meeting or conducting a Speechcraft event.

Grow Your Club; Get a Discount — Participate in the Beat the Clock membership-building program for the opportunity to earn a special ribbon and qualify for 10% off your next club order! To qualify, your club must add five new, dual, or reinstated members for May or June and pay their membership dues by June 30.

Use Updated Resources — Download the most up-to-date resources you need from the Resource Library. Using the latest version of items will help your club add new members without issue. For a smoother experience, encourage potential new members to fill out the online Membership Application. You can initiate this process through the Prospective Member Management page.

Is Your Club in Good Standing? — Find out on the Daily Reports—April Dues Renewal Status page by selecting your club's District. Then, ensure your club is listed as Verified Complete. Refer to the Club Status Guide to see how your club's status affects its eligibility in Toastmasters. If there is a discrepancy, contact the Club Quality and Member Support Team at +1 720-439-5050 or membership@toastmasters.org.

Want to Be the Best of the Best? — Discover how top Toastmasters clubs operate! The new Club Quality Resources page offers the most popular resources, best practices, and guides for all leadership levels.

Meet the 2025 Golden Gavel Honoree — Learn more about Matt Abrahams—author, podcaster, and Stanford lecturer—and how he exemplifies communication and leadership skills in today's world.

Can I Ask That? — Find out what is and isn't appropriate to ask someone from another culture, and how to balance curiosity with a desire for connection.

Learning to Love Decisions — Overcome doubt and indecision with useful tips on making informed choices.

Keep Your Communication Style Authentic — Your style might change depending on your situation, but don't discard your character and values.

Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM) Submissions — Applications for the DTM award must be submitted via email to educationprogram@toastmasters.org for processing; they cannot be processed in Club Central. Submissions for the 2025-2026 program year will be processed after the current program year has been finalized.

Corporate Club Logistics Solution — Need help managing payment processes for your company-subsidized club? The Club Liaison position allows a company representative to access Club Central, make payments, and download receipts for your club. Contact membership@toastmasters.org to check eligibility. Current liaisons: email your 2025-2026 appointment by June 30 to maintain access. Note: This position is primarily for corporate clubs, not community clubs.

Revitalize With the Club Coach Program — If your club has 12 or fewer members, you are eligible for an experienced Toastmaster or two to help with meeting and membership strategies! Reach out to your District leaders about the Club Coach Program. For questions about the program, or if your club is not in a District, email clubcoach@toastmasters.org.

Prepare to Vote on the 2025 Proposals — The Board of Directors is putting forth eight proposals this year for consideration by the voting membership at the 2025 Annual Business Meeting on August 22. Visit the 2025 Proposals page and read through the Frequently Asked Questions for more information on the proposed amendments to the Bylaws of Toastmasters International and the Club Constitution.

Trademark Violation Scam Alert — Be aware of a current phishing scam targeting social media accounts, including several Toastmasters District accounts. Scammers are sending messages that appear to be official notices about trademark violations with malicious links. DO NOT click these links as they can capture your login credentials, resulting in hijacked or deleted accounts. Always verify suspicious messages through official platform channels and report phishing attempts to Meta. Stay vigilant!

Emailing World Headquarters — When you contact us at World Headquarters, we respond to emails as quickly as possible in the order they are received; you will initially receive an automatic reply. Avoid including multiple World Headquarters email addresses in the same communication, as it may be categorized as spam or result in a reply not reaching you.

Zoom Discount Code — If your club is using Zoom to conduct online meetings, you may want to request a discount code for 50% off your plan. If your Club President hasn't already received a code, send an email to clubquality@toastmasters.org. If you already have your code or have questions about this program, please visit the Zoom Discount FAQ.