Club Sponsors, Mentors and Coaches

In order to earn your Distinguished Toastmaster, you must successfully serve as a club sponsor, mentor or coach. The Club Growth Committee has put together the following information to help members better understand these unique roles.

Help for Struggling Clubs: The Club Coach

Every club goes through an up and down cycle with respect to membership. Whatever the reason, on the downswing of that cycle it does not feel good to have to do multiple roles in every meeting and also fulfill your officer roles, all while hoping your membership rises back to where it was before. A club coach can be appointed by the Club Growth Director to assist a club that is experiencing difficulties building and maintaining membership. Up to two coaches may be appointed to each club. The goal of a coach, and to earn credit, is to successfully help the club achieve recognition in the Distinguished Club Program.

Club Coach Forms:

More Information

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Application Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Clubs can be corporate sponsored or non-sponsored community clubs. Sponsors identify club leads, partner with the Club Extension chair to conduct demonstration meetings, support the club through their start activities, and assist with completion of their charter application.

A club mentor is an experienced member of Toastmasters who helps a newly chartered clubs establish their meeting routines and leadership teams. Mentors commit to attending all club meetings for the first six months as a new club. Mentors ensure club members understand Toastmasters International and District 3 operational expectations as outlined in the Club Constitution and assist club leaders in learning how to lead as the club executive team. At the conclusion of their six month commitment, the mentor has the option to join the club, continue as a resource or contact for the club, or move on to other leadership roles.

A club coach is an experienced member of Toastmasters who helps low-roster clubs rebuild membership and re-establish their ability to meet the annual club performance goals of the Distinguished Club Program. Coaches attend meetings, strategize with the club executive team on rebuilding efforts, and rebuild quality meeting standards. Coaching terms last through the Toastmasters term (July 1 to June 30 annually), but may continue through a second Toastmasters term if needed. The coach assignment is successfully completed when the club achieves Distinguished or higher status for the Toastmasters term.

If you’re interested in serving as a club sponsor, mentor or coach, please contact the team listed above. Training dates and details will be posted in the District event calendar.

  • Build rapport with club leaders and members
  • Instill enthusiasm, camaraderie and structure within the club
  • Assess the club environment and recommend best practices for success
  • Work with club leaders to develop a Club Success Plan
  • Encourage the club to strive for Distinguished Club Program recognition

The coaching appointment lasts until the end of the Toastmasters year: June 30. If the coach does not successfully help the club to become distinguished, the appointment is extended one more year. The coach has until June 30 of the following year to achieve this before a new coach appointment will need to be processed through Toastmasters International.

A club will likely be struggling and could benefit from a coach if:

  • The club has 12 members or less
  • Members are not regularly attending meetings
  • There are no guests coming to meetings or joining the club
  • Members are not giving project speeches for credit
  • Members are not earning educational and leadership awards
  • The club is having problems meeting Distinguished Club Program goals

  • The club must have at least one but no more than 12 paid members at the time of appointment
  • The club must not be suspended or closed

An eligible club can have up to two coaches appointed at one time, so long as they are appointed when the club meets all eligibility requirements.

Any member in good standing can be appointed to coach an eligible club; however, Toastmasters experience may be taken into consideration before a coach is assigned.

Coaching a club, and seeing it through to success as Distinguished, is an extremely rewarding Toastmasters experience. Coaching a struggling club is your opportunity to:

  • Develop team-building skills
  • Further develop servant leadership skills
  • Increase proficiency as a facilitator and negotiator
  • Develop diplomacy skills
  • Share expertise
  • Invest in the future of Toastmasters
  • Earn credit toward becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)
  • Earn credit for one year of service as a District Officer when the coach successfully assists in helping the club reach Distinguished or better status by June 30 end of term. For details, see Education Program FAQ.

To receive a club coach appointment, the member must:

  • Be a paid member in good standing with Toastmasters International
  • Not be an existing member of the club at the time of appointment

Do not wait until your club is falling apart or suspended to request a coach (or two)! The club president should contact the Club Assist Chair or Club Growth Director as soon as your membership numbers drop below 12.

Fill out the club coach form at the top of this page.

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For more program details from Toastmasters International, please visit the Club Coach FAQ page.