It’s really interesting how certain “rules” get made and passed around, and eventually these myths are thought to be fact. Here’s a few I’ve found. These are all FALSE. If someone tells you what’s below is required, they are incorrect, and I’ve included links where possible to the TI web site. Many of these were gathered from a discussion on the Facebook members group. Continue reading “Toastmasters urban myths and legends”
Category: miscellaneous Toastmasters
Analysis of Toastmasters International form 990 tax return for 2013
I’ve received and reviewed the 2013 tax return for Toastmasters International. It appears to identify the Revitalized Education Program (at least in 2013) as NogginLabs of Chicago, “your guide to building the best e-learning in the world”, a “certified women-owned small business”. Toastmasters is included on their web site’s client list, and they appear to have a few employees in Toastmasters clubs, based on LinkedIn profiles. Continue reading “Analysis of Toastmasters International form 990 tax return for 2013”
Analysis of Toastmasters International form 990 tax return for 2012
The 2012 form 990 tax return for Toastmasters International has some interesting data in it. Total program revenue increased by 21.6%, due in large part to dues increasing by 33% (from $54 to $72/six month) on Oct. 1, 2011 (this was the first full year with the increase).
Expenses did not increase as much, by just 17.6% from the previous year, mainly “district expenses” ($7.6M), salaries and wages ($6.3M), and the magazine ($2.1M). Continue reading “Analysis of Toastmasters International form 990 tax return for 2012”
Flashback: The first 50 Toastmasters clubs
David Lewtas, the Toastmasters District 32 historian, has compiled an excellent history of the first 50 clubs. With his kind permission, I share it here. It’s a fascinating review of how these clubs got started, and how those low numbers occasionally got re-used for other clubs.
Toastmasters International Original 50 Chartered Clubs (PDF)
Flashback: Toastmasters Distinguished Club Program, 1989-90
How did we measure Toastmasters club success before 1999? There were several versions of the Distinguished Club Program (DCP) before the 10-goal system we now know and love was put into place. Let’s look at how the DCP worked in 1989-90.
Points were awarded for educational awards: 750/CTM, 600/ATM, 400/DTM. Only one award of a given type per member (per club/per year) was recognized for DCP purposes, just as today (but there was no total limit). Presenting educational programs like Success/Leadership, Youth Leadership, and Speechcraft earned 100-250 points each when registered with WHQ. Continue reading “Flashback: Toastmasters Distinguished Club Program, 1989-90”
Analysis of Toastmasters International form 990 tax return for 2011
The 2011 form 990 tax return for Toastmasters International is now available, and I’ve highlighted some interesting data from it here.
Total revenue for 2011 was $23.3M, total expenses $22.3M, but that $1M was matched by investment losses, with a total excess for the year of $3,700 (this would be “profit” in a for-profit company).
Net assets grew from $36.9M to $38.5M, or 4.3%, which seems roughly equal to club and membership growth. Fixed assets include land that cost $1.2M, buildings that cost $4.1M (book value after depreciation is now $1.5M), and equipment that cost $6.6M (book value $1.7M). Continue reading “Analysis of Toastmasters International form 990 tax return for 2011”
Minimum requirements for club officer training
Districts have full discretion over setting minimum requirements for club officer training, and there seems to be a wide range of standards. On the one hand, we have districts that appear to grant credit to all seven club officers when an AG attends a regular club meeting and talks for ten minutes. On the other hand, we have districts that require individual officers to attend a whole TLI (not just training for their office, but the whole 4-hour TLI). In between, we have districts with, shall we say, situational standards, and they become weaker and weaker as August 31 or Feb. 28 get closer, and other districts with a clear written standard. Continue reading “Minimum requirements for club officer training”
Toastmasters Speech Contest Rulebook Change Summary, 2012 to 2013
World Headquarters has released their annual revision to the Speech Contest Rulebook. While changes are marked with a diamond in the text, there’s no indication of what the change is, and there’s no official summary of what’s different.
So I carefully compared the two editions and made my notes. The changes most relevant to running a contest are:
- A member who INTENDS to compete may not serve as a judge (probably to cover club contests where the member hasn’t actually competed yet). Continue reading “Toastmasters Speech Contest Rulebook Change Summary, 2012 to 2013”
2011-12 facts and figures about districts
Membership payments
37 of the 86 districts lost membership this year.
D59 (continental Europe) added the most membership payments, adding 1,741 over their base, about 870 members, almost 15% growth. D41 (India except Karala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) wasn’t far behind, adding 1,550 over base (28%).
D41 added the most membership payments as a percentage, at 28% growth, simply amazing! D79 (Saudi Arabia) was next at 21%, and D76 (Japan) at 16%.
Continue reading “2011-12 facts and figures about districts”
Contest questions: What would YOU do?
Contests are one of the easiest places to make a mistake — and yet, one of the most important events to get right, especially for members who are planning on becoming the World Champion of Public Speaking! Here’s a few scenarios to think about. What would YOU do?
Some of them have “right” answers per the rules, some have “right” answers per most peoples’ understanding of fairness … and some have no good answer at all. Regardless, they are likely to start a good conversation at contest training.
Contest program & preparation
Do you include contestant names on the program? Speech title? Their club name and number? Educational award level (like CC or DTM)? Title (like club president or past district governor)?