Club President
Leading the club to achieve excellence and member success
Overview
As Club President, you're the chief executive officer responsible for the overall success and direction of the club. Your role involves setting strategic goals, leading the executive committee, representing the club to the district and community, and ensuring members have a positive, valuable experience.
You'll chair executive committee meetings, monitor club performance, mentor officers, and create an environment where members can develop their communication and leadership skills. This role requires vision, diplomacy, and the ability to inspire others toward shared goals.
Source: Toastmasters International
Responsibilities
These are the official responsibilities from Toastmasters International. Click the arrows to see what this actually means day-to-day at our club.
Preside over club business meetings and executive committee meetings
Club business meetings: Lead business meetings where the club votes on matters such as new member applications, budget approvals, or contest winners. Keep discussions focused and ensure everyone has an opportunity to voice their opinion before calling for a vote.
Executive committee meetings: Chair monthly officer meetings where the leadership team reviews club performance, addresses challenges, and plans upcoming activities. Set the agenda, facilitate discussion, and ensure all officers understand their action items before the meeting concludes.
Develop club strategic plans and goals
Annual planning: Work with the executive committee to set clear, measurable goals for the year aligned with the Toastmasters Distinguished Club Program. Common goals include membership targets, educational achievements, officer training completion, and special events.
Progress monitoring: Regularly review progress toward goals and adjust strategies as needed. Share updates with the membership to maintain transparency and keep everyone engaged in the club's success.
Serve as the club's chief spokesperson
District liaison: Represent the club at district council meetings and serve as the primary contact between the club and district leadership. Communicate district initiatives back to the club and advocate for club needs with district leaders.
Public representation: Speak on behalf of the club when addressing guests, representing the club at community events, or communicating with external organizations. Your conduct reflects on the club's reputation.
Support and mentor club officers
Officer development: Meet regularly with officers to provide guidance, answer questions, and help them succeed in their roles. Remember that some officers may be new to leadership; your support helps them grow and ensures the club runs smoothly.
Conflict resolution: Address any conflicts between officers or members diplomatically. Listen to all perspectives, find common ground, and facilitate solutions that maintain club harmony.
Monitor club quality and member satisfaction
Quality assurance: Ensure meetings run on time, follow the proper format, and provide value to members. Pay attention to meeting energy, participation levels, and member feedback. A vibrant, well-run meeting is the foundation of a successful club.
Member engagement: Regularly check in with members about their experience, goals, and satisfaction. Address concerns promptly and look for opportunities to enhance the club experience. Retention depends on members feeling heard and valued.
Ensure officers submit reports and maintain Club Central
Administrative oversight: Verify that officers complete required training and submit necessary reports on time. Track deadlines for dues payments, distinguished club program goals, and officer elections. These administrative requirements directly affect the club's standing with Toastmasters International.
Club Central updates: Ensure the Secretary keeps Club Central updated with current officer information, meeting details, and member roster. Accurate records are essential for club operations and district communication.
Hold yourself and other officers accountable
Lead by example: Model the behavior you expect from others. Attend meetings consistently, complete your commitments on time, and maintain a positive attitude. Your actions set the standard for the entire club.
Succession planning: Begin preparing your successor several months before your term ends. Share what you've learned, introduce them to key district contacts, and ensure they have the resources needed to succeed. A smooth transition maintains club momentum.
Remain current with the Leader Letter
Stay informed: Read the monthly Leader Letter from Toastmasters International for updates on policies, programs, and best practices. This publication keeps you connected to the broader Toastmasters organization and provides valuable leadership insights.
Share knowledge: When you learn something useful from the Leader Letter, share it with your executive committee or the entire club. Your role includes keeping the team informed about organizational developments.
Note: Main responsibilities are from Toastmasters International. Detailed breakdowns within expandable items represent our club's practical interpretation of these duties.
Skills Learned
These skills are identified by Toastmasters International as key learning outcomes for this role. Click on each skill to see practical examples.
Strategic planning and execution
By setting annual goals, developing action plans, and monitoring progress toward objectives, you develop strategic planning skills that enable you to think long-term, prioritize initiatives, and execute plans that drive measurable results.
Leadership and team management
By leading the executive committee, mentoring officers, and inspiring members toward shared goals, you develop leadership and team management skills that help you build effective teams, delegate appropriately, and create an environment where others can succeed.
Decision-making and problem-solving
By addressing club challenges, resolving conflicts, and making strategic decisions under uncertainty, you develop decision-making and problem-solving skills that enable you to analyze situations, weigh options, and take decisive action when needed.
Communication and presentation
By representing the club to the district and community, facilitating meetings, and addressing members, you develop strong communication and presentation skills that enable you to articulate vision, engage diverse audiences, and present information clearly and persuasively.
Diplomacy and conflict resolution
By mediating disagreements, managing difficult conversations, and finding common ground among diverse perspectives, you develop diplomacy and conflict resolution skills that help you navigate sensitive situations with tact and facilitate win-win solutions.
Accountability and integrity
By modeling consistent behavior, following through on commitments, and upholding club values, you develop accountability and integrity that demonstrate your reliability, build trust, and inspire others to maintain high standards.
Mentoring and coaching
By supporting officer development, providing guidance when challenges arise, and helping others grow into leadership roles, you develop mentoring and coaching skills that enable you to develop talent, provide constructive feedback, and help others reach their potential.
Change management
By introducing new initiatives, adapting to organizational changes from Toastmasters International, and helping members navigate transitions, you develop change management skills that enable you to lead organizations through change while maintaining morale and momentum.
Note: Skills are identified by Toastmasters International. Practical examples represent our club's interpretation of how these skills are developed in this role.
Requirements
Term & Time Commitment
Term Length: One year (1 July - 30 June)
Time Commitment: 4-6 hours per week
Typical Activities:
- Attend and lead regular club meetings
- Chair monthly executive committee meetings
- Meet with officers individually as needed
- Attend district council meetings (quarterly or as scheduled)
- Monitor club performance and member satisfaction
- Complete officer training requirements
Experience
Prior club leadership experience is strongly recommended for this role. Most successful presidents have previously served as a Vice President or other executive committee member, giving them familiarity with club operations and officer responsibilities.
Toastmasters International provides comprehensive training, resources, and support for all club officers. The President receives guidance from the area director and district leaders throughout their term.
President Resources
Official Training Manual
Find additional materials and support at Toastmasters.org Leadership Central
Interested in This Role?
Learn more about leadership opportunities at MLP Toastmasters