March Madness equals Club Dues in Toastmasters

“March Madness” isn’t just for college basketball. March equals club dues and a wonderful opportunity for your club to grow and thrive.

It’s an exciting time in Toastmasters, with numerous activities underway. A primary focus is ensuring clubs pay their dues. Club good standing is crucial; a member cannot compete if their club is not in good standing.

I vividly recall a young man who won the district tall tales contest in his first year. Three years later, eager to compete again, he won his club, area, and division contests. He was incredibly excited for the district contest. However, three days before the event, the program quality director informed him that his dues had not been paid on time, disqualifying him from competing.

I remember the look of profound disappointment on his face as he shared this news. The treasurer had neglected to pay the dues, and worse, she refused to take responsibility for her actions. Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a speech, only to be denied the opportunity to compete due to someone else’s negligence.

Shortly afterward, he left the club and Toastmasters altogether. I often wonder what might have happened if he had stayed. He could have become an area director, perhaps even earned a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award.

This incident underscores the importance of timely dues payments, enabling members to compete. I’ve competed in numerous contests and always ensured treasurers stayed on top of dues.

Fortunately, members can now pay their dues directly on the Toastmasters International website, eliminating reliance on the treasurer. This system, requested by many for years, simplifies dues payments. However, a club must still renew at least eight members for any member to be eligible to compete. Both individual and club good standing are essential.

Distinguished Status:

Beyond contest eligibility, timely dues collection is also vital for clubs seeking Distinguished status by April 1st. To achieve this, clubs must attain a net gain of three or 20 members and fulfill at least five Distinguished Club Program (DCP) goals. A club not in good standing cannot achieve Distinguished status. I believe every member contributes to a club’s success by paying their dues.

March is a critical month for club and district officers to actively encourage members to pay their dues. Healthy clubs prioritize these essential tasks, ensuring member and club success.

“March Madness” isn’t just for college basketball; it’s also a busy time in Toastmasters. We have division contests and dues collection to manage. March is the “fourth quarter,” a chance for clubs to secure Distinguished status early and focus on fostering a positive learning environment.

Excellent clubs collaborate to emphasize the importance of timely dues payments. View March as an opportunity for your club to grow and thrive. When members work together, they empower each other to become the speakers and leaders they aspire to be.