What is a club with an online attendance option?
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.
Do clubs that allow online attendance receive an EIN?
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.
How do speech contests work for clubs allowing online attendance?
Can a member that attends meetings online be a judge at speech contests?
Do members attending online count toward quorum? Are they able to vote?
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.
If existing clubs allow online attendance, will they remain in their current district?
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.
Do the club officers need to approve online attendance for a member away on business, or for any other reason, if the member would like to attend the meeting online?
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.
Are members that participate online required to have both audio and video technology to be considered in attendance at a club meeting?
Can a member who attends their club meetings online hold a club officer role and/or meeting role?
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.
Are there any changes to the DCP or DRP for clubs that allows online attendance?
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.
Are there any changes to the DRP for a club that allows online attendance?
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.
What are the dues for clubs allowing online attendance?
Dues for clubs allowing online attendance are the same as other clubs: $45 USD semmiannually. Please refer to Policy 8.0 of Policy and Protocol for the prorated amounts based on the joining month and districted status.
Are there any changes to the education program for clubs allowing online attendance?
The education program has not changed for clubs allowing online attendance.