New Clubs FAQ
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How do I start a new club? What are the requirements?Back to Top
To start a new club, submit the required charter forms and applicable fees. A minimum of 20 members is required to issue a charter, and a minimum of 17 of those members must not already belong to another club. For step-by-step guidance and required forms, visit the Start a Club page.
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What fees or dues are required to start a new club?Back to Top
There is a one-time $125 charter fee that gives access to digital resources for a new club. This fee does not cover membership dues. Additionally, each new member must pay a one-time $25 USD new member fee. Applicable taxes may apply based on location.*
At the time of charter, all charter members (except transfer members) must pay six (6) months of dues upfront. At the next scheduled renewal date (April 1 or October 1), dues will be prorated based on the club鈥檚 charter date to align with the standard renewal cycle. For more information about membership dues, see the Membership Dues and Payments FAQ.
Please check the Tax and Legal Resources page or review it with your local tax experts to ensure you include the appropriate fees if required.
*Taxes are calculated based on the local tax rate of the member's mailing address.
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How can I submit payment?Back to Top
We accept multiple payment methods:
- Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
- Checks
- Cashier鈥檚 checks or money orders
- Wire transfers
For information on how to submit dues payments, see the Membership Dues and Payments FAQ.
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What charter documents do I need to submit?Back to Top
Submit the following three (3) documents. We recommend bookmarking the links rather than downloading to ensure you鈥檙e using the latest versions.
- 1101 Application to Organize (We recommend submitting this online using step two on the Start a Club page)
- 1102 Club Charter Requirements Form
- 433 Charter Membership and Club Officer Information Spreadsheet
Submit your documents by email to the Club Quality and Member Support Team at newclubs@toastmasters.org or by fax to +1 303-799-7753. Keep a copy of all submitted documents (either the original or a duplicate) for your club鈥檚 records.
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Do charter members need to submit an application?Back to Top
Yes. Charter members should complete form 1103 Charter Membership Application and submit it to a charter club officer. The charter club officer should keep a copy of all applications (either the originals or duplicates) for the club鈥檚 records. Charter Member Applications do not need to be submitted to World Headquarters for a charter.
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What is the processing time for a club to charter? Can I track a club鈥檚 status?Back to Top
All submissions are processed in the order they are received, and timing may vary based on volume. Once all required forms are received by World Headquarters, processing is completed in stages:
- The Application to Organize is reviewed within two (2) business days
- Completed charter documents are reviewed within an additional two (2) business days
- Final processing is completed within an additional five business days
Once submitted, you can track the status of your club鈥檚 charter using the Prospective Clubs Update Report found in the Distinguished Performance Reports Dashboard:
- Use the drop-down menu at the top of the page to select your District.
- Click on 鈥Daily Reports鈥 on the left side of the page.
- Click on 鈥淧rospective Clubs.鈥
- Locate your club by the club鈥檚 name and/or location, or by the club contact (President or club coordinator).
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How do I request an invoice or a receipt?Back to Top
A club or District may create its own invoice using the Custom Invoice Template. Please keep in mind that some regions may require tax to be included, based on the member's local tax rates.
After charter, if you need proof of payment for reimbursement, any club officer can access receipts and statements using the below steps:
- In , select 鈥淐lub Financials.鈥
- A list of payments for membership fees is available in date order with the name of the submitter, receipt number, truncated card number, and amount.
- To view the complete receipt with an option to print, click on the hyperlink for the receipt number. This will display the members paid and offer the option to print the receipt or export the data.
- To see the members paid without the additional information, select 鈥淨uick View.鈥
- To download an Excel/CSV report of the payments made, select the year to download in the drop-down menu and select 鈥渆xport Excel/CSV.鈥
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How can I market my club to prospective members?Back to Top
Download and print the information you need to market your club from the marketing materials in the Resource Library.
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What is a club sponsor or mentor?Back to Top
Club sponsors and mentors play complementary roles in establishing and strengthening a new club.
A club sponsor supports the formation of a prospective club before a charter is granted by:
- Marketing the prospective club to prospective members.
- Assisting with meetings.
- Helping complete required forms.
- Planning the charter presentation.
A club mentor is an experienced Toastmaster who guides a new club for at least six (6) months after its charter date by helping the club build strong meeting practices and member engagement.
Each new club may have up to two (2) sponsors and two (2) mentors, appointed by the District Director or the Club Growth Director.
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How do we appoint a club mentor after chartering?Back to Top
To appoint a club mentor, request the District Director or Club Growth Director submit additions, removals, or substitutions to the Club Quality and Member Support Team at newclubs@toastmasters.org within 60 days after the club has chartered.
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Can someone be appointed as club mentor after the 60-day grace period?Back to Top
No. District Directors or Club Growth Directors must submit the names of mentors no later than 60 days after the charter date.
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Does a mentor or sponsor have to join the newly chartered club?Back to Top
No. Mentors and sponsors of a newly chartered club are not required to join the club, although they often do.
To be recognized and receive credit for their service, sponsors and mentors must be 91传媒 members in good standing in at least one (1) club.
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What type of credit do sponsors and mentors receive, and how is credit obtained?Back to Top
Sponsoring a new club fulfills the 鈥淐lub Sponsor, Speechcraft, or Youth Leadership鈥 requirement for the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award.
Mentoring a new club fulfills the 鈥淐lub Mentor or Club Coach Role Completion鈥 requirement for the DTM award.
To receive sponsor or mentor credit, any charter club officer can confirm the role of sponsor or mentor has been fulfilled by emailing the Club Quality and Member Support Team at newclubs@toastmasters.org. Sponsors and mentors will receive a certificate via email once a charter club officer verifies the role as complete.
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Why does my sponsor or mentor code show as pending on the District Performance Report?Back to Top
The status of 鈥減ending鈥 indicates the role is pending confirmation of completion. To receive sponsor or mentor credit, request a charter club officer to email the Club Quality and Member Support Team at newclubs@toastmasters.org to confirm that the role of a sponsor or mentor has been fulfilled.
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I was a sponsor or mentor of a club chartered 20 years ago. Why don鈥檛 I see this on my Achievement Board in My Home?Back to Top
If you served as a sponsor or mentor of a club chartered prior to August 2003, you will not see your sponsorship on the Club Support History page.
If your sponsor or mentor term is not listed on the My Sponsorship History page, please contact the Club Quality and Member Support Team at newclubs@toastmasters.org with information about the club you served, and we may be able to add it to your profile. Please include a copy of your certificate if it is available.
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Does a club in the United States need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to open a bank account?Back to Top
Yes. 91传媒 will file a request for an EIN for all clubs in the United States that meet in person or in a hybrid setting with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) upon chartering a new club. It typically takes six (6) weeks after the charter is completed for the IRS to issue the EIN. If you are an online-only club that requires an EIN, please send the request with a point of contact who resides in the United States to the Finance Team at taxquestions@toastmasters.org.
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What is the process for changing a club鈥檚 name?Back to Top
After a club vote, any club officer can change the club鈥檚 name on the page of Club Central. An officer of an existing club can also email the information to the Club Quality and Member Support Team at clubquality@toastmasters.org or fax it to +1 303-799-7753. A prospective club can email newclubs@toastmasters.org.
Please note: A club name change is an addendum change that requires an affirmative vote of at least a simple majority of the members present and voting at a club business meeting where a quorum is present. For additional information on the requirements and methods to make this change, please refer to the Club Constitution for Clubs of 91传媒, Article X, Section 7, Addendum of Standard Club Options.
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Can I order a new charter certificate?Back to Top
A bearing the club鈥檚 current name can be purchased on the 91传媒 Online Store. For additional information on ordering, contact the Club Quality and Member Support Team at supplyorders@toastmasters.org.
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I need to correct the spelling of a charter member鈥檚 name. How can I do this?Back to Top
Charter member certificates can be corrected and resent via email. Please email the request with the corrected information to the Club Quality and Member Support Team at newclubs@toastmasters.org.
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Can a new group take over an existing chartered club?Back to Top
No. Clubs must maintain at least three (3) renewing members each term to remain in good standing and avoid suspension and closure. Please see the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of 91传媒, Section 4 for more information.
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We are not going to charter our prospective club. What should we do next?Back to Top
If your prospective club will no longer be chartered, please take the following steps:
- Settle any outstanding debts or obligations using the club鈥檚 available funds.
- Distribute any remaining funds or assets in one of the following ways:
- Donate to the Smedley Memorial Fund maintained by 91传媒.
- Contribute to another 91传媒 club or 91传媒 District.
- Email the Club Quality and Member Support Team at newclubs@toastmasters.org that the prospective club is no longer active.
The decision on how to distribute remaining funds should be made at the club鈥檚 discretion, in accordance with Article XI of the Club Constitution for Clubs of 91传媒. -
How does a Gavel Club differ from a 91传媒 Club?Back to Top
A Gavel Club is a 91传媒-affiliated group of individuals who are not eligible for regular 91传媒 membership due to age restrictions (under 18) or other circumstances, such as incarceration. These clubs offer a supportive environment for developing public speaking and leadership skills, but do not have access to all 91传媒 benefits, such as participation in Area or District speech contests and certain educational awards. Gavel Clubs pay a minimal annual fee and are required to meet in person at a physical location. For more information, please review the Gavel Clubs FAQ page.
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What is an advanced club, and what are the requirements for an advanced charter?Back to Top
Advanced 91传媒 clubs are designed for experienced members who have achieved higher levels in the 91传媒 program, such as completing educational milestones or serving in leadership roles. These clubs focus on refining communication and leadership skills through experienced-level presentations and in-depth evaluations.
To charter, an advanced club must have at least 20 members who are either dual members with other clubs or 20 members who have achieved a measurable educational milestone within the program.
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What does it mean if I live in a non-comprehensive sanctioned country?Back to Top
Non-comprehensive U.S. sanctions forbid 91传媒 from engaging in any business or activity with Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) or Blocked Persons. Clubs are responsible for checking the SDN and Blocked Persons lists to ensure that no one on these lists is accepted as a member. More information and the list of SDNs and Blocked Persons is available at under the Resources section.