Rotary International is a global network of volunteer leaders and problem-solvers dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges, including those involving literacy, peace, water, and health (such as eradicating polio worldwide). For more than 110 years, Rotary's “people of action” have used their passion, energy, and intellect to act on sustainable projects that better our world and our communities. Like Toastmasters, everything in Rotary revolves around the club. Currently, there are more than 1.2 million members from more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world

Toastmasters and Rotary want to offer the best membership experience possible. There is much excitement about leveraging unique and similar strengths. A collaboration between our organizations can provide Toastmasters the opportunity to apply public-speaking and communication skills, make new connections, and possibly give back to your communities through a vast array of service projects.

In turn, Rotary members will have more opportunities for personal and professional growth to improve their leadership and communication skills.

From a member point of view, Toastmasters will have the opportunity to take their leadership skills and apply them outside of the club environment to make more of a community impact. As an organization, Toastmasters will be opened to potential new markets and members.

The goal of this collaboration is to leverage our organizations’ strengths. There are multiple opportunities to support this; you can:

• Welcoming a Rotarian to visit a Toastmasters club
• Inviting a Rotarian to be a guest speaker at a Toastmasters club
• Considering opportunities to hold a joint Toastmasters/Rotary club meeting
• Learning more about Rotary and visiting a local Rotary club

Yes, Toastmasters will use its educational expertise to create co-branded structured leadership development courses for Rotary members, available on their website. This structured program will be based on current Pathways content, relying on self-assessment, independent study, applied projects, peer-to-peer feedback, and reflection. You may also have a Rotarian visit your club for an evaluation. The first two courses, Develop a Speech and Deliver a Speech, launched May 2020 for Rotary members.

No, not as a Toastmaster. You would have to be a member of Rotary to enroll. However, the content is based on Pathways, which is already available to Toastmasters members and is much more in-depth; the leadership development and communication courses would be more of a sample of the Pathways content. These courses will be optional for Rotary members.

Yes, you can absolutely be a member of both organizations. There are even some Toastmasters clubs that exist within Rotary clubs.

No, there are no discounts for dual membership currently.

Just like Toastmasters, Rotary International has communicated with its leaders that our two organizations are working together. However, there is the possibility that you may try to connect with a Rotary club that has not yet heard about the alliance. If that happens, you can share what you know (perhaps even sending them this FAQ), or direct them to www.toastmasters.org/Rotary for more information.

It’s important to note that much like Toastmasters clubs, Rotary clubs are autonomous, and determine their own activities/priorities that reflect their members’ interests and community’s needs. If a club doesn’t have the capacity or interest to collaborate at this time, there may be another one nearby with a better fit.

While the courses will be rolled out in English by the end of 2020 (in other languages in 2021), the strategic alliance will be an ongoing collaboration

Toastmasters can check out www.toastmasters.org/Rotary, www.rotary.org/Toastmasters, or email rotaryalliance@toastmasters.org for any questions not answered here.

If an individual Toastmasters member chooses to participate in a Rotary event, it is their personal choice. However, it is against Toastmasters policy to co-sponsor fundraising events and therefore clubs and Districts cannot use their name in connection with non-educational events. Please keep this in mind if a Rotary club extends an invitation for fundraising.