Online Clubs FAQ

Yes. However, judges must be physically present at the competiton.

Online clubs are considered undistricted and placed in District U, Division O, Area 1.

Dues are paid the same way as any other club: either online through Club Central or by submitting payment information, the list of renewing members, and membership applications to World Headquarters.

As with undistricted clubs, online clubs are allowed to participate only in the Video Speech Contest. As stated in the Speech Contest Rulebook, Video Speech Contest section, 1: “Members of undistricted clubs are invited to participate in the Video Speech Contest. Videos must be in English.” The Toastmasters International Speech Contest rules are to be followed as far as they are applicable. More information about the Video Speech Contest, including how to submit applications, is available in the Speech Contest Rulebook.

Each club is responsible for its own website content, and each club must adhere to the Toastmasters' brand standards and policies related to trademarks and copyrights.

Yes. As is the case now for undistricted clubs, recognition may be earned by achieving one less goal: Four goals for Distinguished, six goals for Select Distinguished, and eight goals for President's Distinguished.

Since it is difficult for undistricted clubs to attend "club officer training done by an authorized district representative," undistricted clubs need one less point for each level of the DCP. That said, officers can still travel to nearby districts for training, and Goal 9 can still be obtained if the regular requirements are met.

The requirements to earn an ALS are: achieve the Advanced Leader Bronze award; complete the High Performance Leadership program; serve successfully as a club sponsor, mentor or coach; and successfully complete a full term as a district leader. If you live in a locality that is within a district, you are still obligated to complete the requirement of serving a complete term as a district officer, no matter the type of club that you belong to. If you live in a locality where there is no district, an exception may be granted but this must be submitted to World Headquarters to be reviewed prior to being processed.

When a member is a dual member of a traditional club and an online club, the member has an opportunity to serve as a District leader and will still need to meet this requirement to achieve their Advanced Leadership Silver (ALS).

Dues for online clubs are the same as other undistricted clubs: ＄45 USD semiannually. Please refer to Policy 8.0 of Policy and Protocol for the prorated amounts based on the joining month.

Conflict at the club level should be resolved by the club (see Policy 3.0 and Protocol 3.0: Ethics and Conduct). If a club or member needs additional assistance, they can contact World Headquarters directly for support.

At this point we cannot say what will happen in the future regarding alignment. For now, online clubs will be undistricted.

As is the case now, World Headquarters does not get involved in club finances or inventory club assets. Any costs associated with needed equipment or technology will be the responsibility of the club and the members of the club. (See revised Policy and Protocol 2.0.)

Online clubs are not searchable in the Find a Club feature at this time. However, there is a page listing online clubs and their meeting and contact information.

Online clubs are not required to have an EIN at this time. World Headquarters will provide communication and assistance if this changes in the future.

Proxies at the club level, district level and the Annual Business Meeting at International Convention are no different for online clubs from traditional clubs.

Some of the charter forms and back-office processes have changed slightly to account for chartering online clubs. For more information, please contact the New Clubs team at newclubs@toastmasters.org.

No. The education program has not changed for online clubs.

No. Each club must determine the online platform and equipment to be used at their own discretion and expense. Each member must also provide their own technology and equipment at their own expense.