Online Attendance FAQ

Clubs with an online attendance option are regular clubs that have opted to allow members to attend online (see Policy 2.0 and Protocol 2.0). These are not considered online clubs.

There is no change. As is the case now, clubs that are domiciled in the U.S. will receive an EIN, whether or not they allow some of its members to attend online.

The existing speech contest rules apply and any member wishing to participate in a speech contest must do so in person. As stated in the Toastmasters International Speech Contest Rulebook, General Rules for All Toastmasters Speech Contests, Eligibility, 2. 8. (page 7): “Each contestant must be present to compete. Participation by audio tape, video tape, teleconference, Web cam, streaming audio, or other remote technology is not permitted. (Exception: participants in the Taped Speech Contest are required to submit their entries as audio recordings, as outlined in the Taped Speech Contest section of this rulebook.)”

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

As stated in Article V: Quorum and Voting, Section 1 of the Club Constitution for Clubs of Toastmasters International: “A majority of the active individual membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business of this club. A majority of the club executive committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the committee’s business."

In addition, Article V: Quorum and Voting, Voting, Section 4 states: “Unless a greater vote is required by this constitution in a particular matter, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of those active individual members who are present and voting at a duly held business meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of this club.” In this case, present would include those members participating online.

Existing clubs will stay in the same area and district they are currently in. When a new club is organized, as stated in Protocol 7.0, it will be assigned to the district within which boundaries it meets. There is no change to the alignment process for clubs that choose to allow online attendance as a component to their in-person meetings. These are not considered online clubs—they are simply clubs that may have members participate via technology from time to time, depending on need (i.e., a member who is traveling, someone who is homebound, etc.). This would be voted on by the club and documented in the club’s Addendum of Standard Club Options.

If a club allows online attendance, they would need to be aware of the member’s request and prepare the appropriate technical equipment to allow the member to participate online. If no one planned to attend online on a particular meeting day, then it would not be necessary to set up the equipment.

Yes. The intent of policy is that members participating online must have both live audio and live video to be considered in attendance at a club meeting. The revised Protocol 2.0, Club and Membership Eligibility, Online Attendance at Club Meetings, A. states: “Online attendance is defined as any member participating and interacting in a club meeting through the use of live audio and video conferencing tools utilizing an online platform.” In addition, subparagraph III of the same section states: “Online participation in a club meeting does not include teleconferencing, recorded video, or recorded audio.”

This is up to the club (if the club agrees and it is included in their Addendum of Standard Club Options). It is up to the club to elect officers and assign meeting roles as they see fit. There is no change.

The DCP and DRP have not changed for clubs allowing online attendance. A club allowing online attendance counts in the district's base and participates in the DCP as normal.

The DRP will not be affected. There would be no difference for clubs that choose to allow members to attend online; they will participate in the DRP as normal as they are still considered a conventional club and will count in the district’s club base.

Dues for clubs allowing online attendance are the same as other clubs: $60 USD semiannually. Please refer to Policy 8.0 of Policy and Protocol for the prorated amounts based on the joining month and districted status.

The education program has not changed for clubs allowing online attendance.

Your club members, at a club meeting with quorum present, may vote to make changes in the club operations. The vote must succeed by at least a majority of those voting. The club can vote to change whatever practices it wishes, as long as these changes do not contradict the governing documents. Once the vote has passed, a club officer will need to update the Addendum of Standard Club Options in Club Central.