Club Officer Roles
Read about each club officer role below. You can also view tutorials which provide the specific responsibilities of and expectations for each club officer. You will be required to log into the Toastmasters.org website to view these resources.
* These tutorials are only compatible with PC and MAC desktops.
As the person who sets the tone for the club, you are expected to provide helpful, supportive leadership for all of the club’s activities. You motivate, make peace, and facilitate as required. Though you must occasionally step in and make a difficult decision, rarely do so without consulting club members and other club officers. Strive to show respect for all members, even when you do not agree with them, and provide leadership for all. Stay current on all new developments via The Leader Letter and the announcements published on the Toastmasters website.
As vice president education, you schedule members’ speeches and projects and serve as a resource for questions about education awards, speech contests, and the mentor program. You are an important source of Toastmasters knowledge for club members, and it is your job to become familiar with all aspects of the Toastmasters education program.
You promote the club and manage the process of bringing in guests and transforming them into members. By initiating contact with guests, making them feel welcome, and providing them with the information they need to join, you help maintain a constant influx of new people into your club. You also attentively monitor membership levels and strategize with the rest of the executive committee about how to overcome membership challenges when they occur.
You promote the club to the local community and notify the media about the club’s existence and benefits it provides. You promote the club, update web content, and safeguard the Toastmasters brand identity. It’s your job to notify the media whenever your club does something newsworthy. As vice president public relations, you’ll find yourself writing news releases, creating and distributing fliers, and maintaining the club’s presence at various key places on the Web and in the community. Stay current on all new developments via The Leader Letter, Toastmaster magazine and the announcements published on the Toastmasters website and social media sites.
As the secretary, you maintain all club records, manage club files, handle club correspondence, and take the minutes at each club and executive committee meeting. You are also in charge of updating and distributing a roster of the current paid membership, and keeping the club officer list current at World Headquarters. Though some clubs combine the secretary role with the treasurer, it’s best to have a dedicated secretary who can help reduce the workload of the treasurer and occasionally assist the vice president education as well.
You are the club’s accountant. You manage the club’s bank account, writing checks as approved by the executive committee and depositing dues and other club revenues. You are also in charge of submitting membership-renewal dues to World Headquarters (accompanied by the names of renewing members), filing necessary tax documents, and keeping timely, accurate, up-to-date financial records for the club. Though the treasurer’s duties are usually not the most demanding of all the club leadership positions, the consequences for members can be serious when they’re not completed accurately and on time. Stay current on all new developments via The Leader Letter and the announcements published on the Toastmasters website.
You keep track of the club’s physical property, such as the banner, lectern, timing device, and other meeting materials. You arrive early to prepare the meeting place for members, and you stay late to stow all of the club’s equipment. You are also in charge of the meeting place itself, obtaining a new space when necessary, and maintaining contact with the people who allow you to use the space for your club meetings. The sergeant at arms also has a role to play during business meetings, speech contests, and other special club events. For example, the sergeant at arms escorts potential new members outside of the club’s meeting place while the members vote on admitting them to the club. The sergeant at arms stands at the door while contestants compete in speech contests to ensure that the speaker is not interrupted by latecomers. Stay current on all new developments via The Leader Letter and the announcements published on the Toastmasters website.
As the Immediate Past President (IPP), you will provide advice and counsel as requested by the Club President. You are expected to provide helpful, supportive leadership for all the club’s activities, and you will provide counsel to the other club officers in a manner that is conducive to club success when called upon. You are a member of the Club Executive Committee and can vote on any matter discussed. You show respect for all members, even when you do not agree with them, and provide leadership for all.
For more information about any of the roles above, please refer to the Club Leadership Handbook.
Training is Provided
All club officers should attend the two Club Leadership Training sessions during their term of office. These sessions are organised by the District Leadership team. This training is 3 hours and can be held on a weekday evening or at weekends. New members of a club executive find the training invaluable for finding out what their role is, and meeting Toastmasters performing the same role in other clubs.
Training is open to all members, not just the Executive. Members attending training who see the Toastmasters “world beyond the club” tend to be longer-term than those who do not.
If you wish to have a strong club, you need to work at forming a strong Executive.
Electing a new Club Executive
All Toastmaster clubs are required to hold their Annual Business Meeting at the first meeting in May, and elect a new club executive. The new executive takes office on 1 July.
Outgoing Officer Duties
There are a number of duties the outgoing executive needs to perform, and these are briefly outlined below.
President
- Plan a transition meeting between outgoing and incoming officers.
- Prepare the annual report.
- Install new club officers at the first meeting in July.
- Ensure the new club officer list is updated on the Toastmasters International website.
- Ensure smooth transition of leadership to their successor.
Vice President Education
- Prepare the club forward speaking programme to the end July.
- Update members’ manuals and progress charts.
- Lodge member achievement awards for recognition with Toastmasters International.
- Pass education programme information to their successor.
Vice President Membership
- Check membership records are up to date.
- Pass membership program information to their successor.
Vice President Public Relations
- Prepare a news release about the newly elected officers.
- Publish transition information in the club newsletter or on the club website.
- Pass public relations program information to their successor.
Secretary/Treasurer
- Update the club profile on the Toastmasters International website.
- Prepare annual financial report for presentation at the Annual Business Meeting.
- Change bank account signatories.
- Pass club records to their successors.
Sergeant at Arms
- Audit club supplies and resources.
- Replenish club supplies.
- Transfer club supplies, keys and information to their successor.
Immediate Past President
- Provide guidance and resources to support current President and executive.
- Act as Nominations committee chair for the following year’s club executive.
- Conduct the elections for the following year’s club executive.
Incoming Officer Duties
When all incoming officers take office there are a number of duties to be performed.
President
- Hold an inaugural club executive meeting.
- Plan club goals for the new year using the Distinguished Club Programme.
- Review duties with each newly elected club officer.
- Schedule executive committee meetings (monthly or bi-monthly).
- Prepare a report for club executive meetings.
- Attend Area Council meetings.
- Conduct General Business at all club meetings.
Vice President Education
- Review the club forward speaking program and prepare new program.
- Promote the educational program to club members.
- Plan club speech contests.
- Prepare a report for club executive meetings.
- Attend Area Council meetings.
Vice President Membership
- Plan the membership building program.
- Review and update the guest pack and resources.
- Prepare a report for club executive meetings.
Vice President Public Relations
- Plan the annual public relations programme.
- Review and update publicity materials.
- Publish a club newsletter and update the club website.
Secretary/Treasurer
- Record and publish minutes of club executive meetings.
- Keep the club constitution and bylaws.
- Develop a club annual budget.
- Prepare a financial report for club executive meetings.
- Check club bank account signatories have been transferred.
Sergeant at Arms
- Assume custody of club property, resources, and keys.
- Assist with preparation of the meeting venue for meetings.
- Assist club members with special requirements for speech assignments.
More Resources
The Club Leadership Handbook has a wealth of information and resources for the successful running of a club. This Handbook also contains a large number of online links to further information; having an online copy so these links are available will make you a more effective Club Officer.
Club officers also attend Club Leadership Training for role-specific information, to meet other club leaders, and to learn how Executive teams can become effective teams. The knowledge you gain from Leadership Training is invaluable in work situations – another example of Toastmasters being “a safe place to make mistakes”.