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FEBRUARY 2013
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 Prepare for Club Officer Kit Mailing
In May, every club will receive seven copies of the Club Leadership Handbook (Item 1310) for incoming officers. These handbooks are part of the Club Officer Kit, which will be sent to your club mailing address on record. To ensure that the materials are received promptly and in the correct language, please complete the following steps by March 15:
- Confirm or update your club mailing address.
- Log in using your personal username and password.
- Click on Club Central (middle left of page).
- Click on your club name and number, and then on Update my club mailing address.
- Click Save at bottom of page.
- Confirm your language preferences. The Club Leadership Handbook is available in English, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish.
- From Club Central (log in using instructions above), click on your club name and number.
- Select Update my club meeting information.
- Under Club Specifics, go to Language for officer manuals.
- Choose a language from the drop-down box.
- Click Update at bottom of page.
- Reminder for California Club Treasurers
California-based clubs are required to electronically file the 199N form with the Franchise Tax Board by May 15 for the 2012 tax year. On January 16, club presidents and treasurers received an email from World Headquarters containing filing instructions. If you have questions, please email 199N@toastmasters.org
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- Treasurer's Report Reminder
Please submit the Mid-year Audit Treasurer's Report by  February 15 to districtfinancialreports@toastmasters.org. Be sure to include supporting documentation and the original signed report. For the report to be considered complete, your district accounts must be reconciled through December 2012 and closed by World Headquarters. Remember to have the district governor, treasurer and each audit committee member all sign the Monthly Narratives and Certification spreadsheets.
- Deadline for Club Officer Training Report
The second round of training for club officers should be in progress now. Please submit training reports through District Central no later than May 31, so that the clubs in your district receive credit toward the Distinguished Club Program. Check your district report regularly for accuracy.
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Submit Dues Renewals Next Month
Beginning March 1, club officers may submit renewals through the Toastmasters website by accessing Club Central. A reminder email will be sent on February 28.
 1+1 Membership-Building Program
Marketing materials to support the 1+1 program are now available for all members to download at www.toastmasters.org/1plus1. Club presidents, encourage your members to give fliers to their friends, family and colleagues to ignite their interest in becoming Toastmasters. As a reminder, letters of acknowledgement and 1+1 decals are sent to club presidents each month. Be sure to present the letter and congratulate all referring members for their contribution.
Mentoring Tips
Mentors help new members prepare for meeting roles and their first few speeches. If your club doesn't have a mentoring program, conduct The Successful Club Series presentation titled Mentoring (Item 296) to teach your club what it takes to be a mentor. If you already have a mentoring program, make sure to assign all new Toastmasters a mentor so they can receive the support they need.
Reignite Your Club's Branding Efforts
 Does your club have a branded Toastmasters International website, banner and lectern? To strengthen awareness of Toastmasters and help you grow your membership, all clubs and districts must present one consistent look and message. To learn how your club can ignite its branding efforts, visit the Brand Portal.
Is Your Club Difficult to Find?
Help prospective members find your meeting location by updating your club information online. Be sure to include the most current contact information, including a phone number and an email address.
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Thank You, Mid-year Training Participants
The training, conducted around the globe in January, built on last year's foundational sessions at the Toastmasters International Convention. Your discussions, sharing of best practices and collaboration made the training valuable for all attendees, and a tremendous success.
Club Visits by Area Governors
When an area governor visits a club, he or she identifies ways for the club to improve so it can thrive. To earn credit in the Distinguished Area Program, area governors are required to visit each club in their area twice during the year and submit an Area Governor's Club Visit Report (Item 1471). Club visits should take place between January 1 and May 31, and between July 1 and November 30.
District Conferences: Speaker Selection and Alignment Tips
Selecting the right speakers is one of the most important aspects of planning your conference, and the keynote speaker is the most critical. Here are suggestions for finding the best speakers to motivate, inspire and educate your attendees. Prepare for the conference's Annual Business Meeting by reviewing and amending, if necessary, the alignment of clubs, areas and divisions. Please note that alignment changes are subject to the district council's approval.
Conference Supplies
Now is the time to stock up on materials for your district conference. To see a complete list of available items, such as Toastmasters name badges, welcome ribbons and certificate holders, view this flier. If you are designing unique items, use Toastmasters International logos, trademarks and other graphic elements that are available on Toastmasters Brand Portal. Next, submit all products, artwork or designs for trademark approval. Be sure to include vendor and pricing information on the request form.
Does Your District Have a Procedure Manual?
A district executive committee or district council can establish or modify procedures to provide consistency while guiding the district. If your district changes its procedures, please post an updated copy of your procedure manual on the district website and email it to districts@toastmasters.org. For additional information, see page 9 of the District Leadership Handbook.
Finding Tomorrow's District Leaders
Now is the best time to start thinking about your district's future leadership. Potential district leaders can be found in your clubs today. Follow these tips to identify the best prospects.
Is Your District on Track to Become Distinguished?
With the revised District Recognition Program under way, make sure your district is on target to meet its goals, and review the District Performance Reports frequently.
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There is no "All Leaders" information for the month of February.
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Keep your members informed by posting the following information on your club website or Facebook page, or in your next club newsletter.
February 2013 Board Meeting
The Board of Directors will meet February 22-23 in Southern California. The Board held its first in-person meeting after the International Convention in August. Since that time, the Board's committees have met virtually, focusing on topics that support the 2010 Strategic Plan. These virtual meetings have saved time and travel expenses.
This year's February Board meeting schedule has been reduced to two days. After the meeting, results of the discussions will be shared in writing on February 25 on the Toastmasters International website rather than at a public board briefing or through streaming video, as was done in the past.
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