Distinguished Club Program
The Distinguished Club Program (DCP) was established by Toastmasters International as a measure of club success. Each year (from July 1, through June 30 of the following calendar year) the Distinguished Club Program recognizes club achievements in education, membership growth, club leadership training, and administration.
While not an exhaustive measure of club quality, the actions required to achieve success in the DCP include key steps proven to lead to success. Put differently, earning Distinguished Club Recognition is not itself the mission of a toastmasters club, but rather serves as evidence that the club is delivering on its mission to create a positive and supportive learning experience, and helping its members to achieve their personal goals.
Each club is encouraged to adopt a Club Success Plan, which for many clubs will be based on the targets outlined in the DCP. The DCP can therefore guide the club officers’ focus, and has the duel benefit of helping both the club and its members.
Distinguished Club Program Goals
In the Distinguished Club Program, there are ten goals that serve as targets to help a club become a stronger organization. The goals are summarized below. For more information, refer to the complete Distinguished Club Program and Club Success Plan PDF from Toastmasters International.
| Education Goals: Up to six of the Pathways Level goals below | |
| 1. | Four members complete Level 1 |
| 2. | Two members complete Level 2 |
| 3. | Two more members complate Level 2 |
| 4. | Two members complete Level 3 |
| 5. | One member completes Level 4, Level 5 or DTM |
| 6. | One more member completes Level 4, Level 5 or DTM |
| Membership Goals | |
| 7. | Add four new members |
| 8. | Add four more new members |
| Officer Training Goal | |
| 9. | Have a minimum of four officers trained during each of the two Club Officer Training periods |
| Administration Goal | |
| 10. | Submit one membership dues renewal report and one club officer list to Toastmasters International before the deadline |
By achieving a certain number of goals, a club can earn one of three levels of recognition:
Achieve 5-6 Goals = Distinguished Club
Achieve 7-8 Goals = Select Distinguished Club
Achieve 9-10 Goals = President’s Distinguished Club
Membership Requirement
To be eligible for recognition under the Distinguished Club Program, regardless of the number of goals met, a club must end the Toastmasters year on June 30 with twenty (20) or more members -OR- with a net increase of at least three (3) members from the base; the base being the number of members the club had in the beginning of the Toastmasters year on July 1.
Tracking Your Club’s Success
In October, January and April your club president will receive an e-mail reminder to check your club’s progress online. The report will show your membership base, current membership and progress toward the 10 goals. Following the June 30 close date, and after all data received has been processed, your club president will be sent a final, year end report showing how the club did and any recognition it earned.
Any club member can track how his or her club is doing in the Distinguished Club Program by visiting the Dashboard of Toastmasters International.