Toastmasters is about members working together to bring out the best in each other, their communities, and their corporations. This can only happen when clubs are healthy with a robust and growing membership.

Charter strength (20 members) is of critical importance! Members provide the leadership, and undertake the work of conducting meetings and delivering programs, conferences and training. Members ensure the financial stability of the organization and also Toastmasters standing as a leading benefactor of society.

Your continuing challenge is maintaining steady, healthy membership growth in your club. When is the best time for clubs to get new members? ALWAYS! Why do clubs need to get to charter strength?

• That’s the minimum number to ensure members don’t get “burned out” and that all members get the variety of feedback and experience they need to reach their Toastmasters goals.
• It may also be that your club has more than 20 members, but only a few of those members actually attend meetings on a regular basis.

Charter strength is so important that this year, District 86 is providing an incentive program called “The 20/20 Campaign” to promote clubs getting to 20 members by December 20, 2014.

Clubs that started the year (July 1) with fewer than 20 members and achieve charter strength (20 members) as of December 20, 2014 will receive Newsletter and web recognition; also a RECOGNITION PRIZE! The 20/20 Campaign winning clubs will be revealed online with a few weeks of the contest ending.

So remember to always bring in new guests, keep your current members engaged, and reach out to members – and former members – whose interest may be lagging. And check out the D86 Marketing Page for tools and information!