FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions* on
The Club Coach Program

• Why should I consider becoming a Club Coach?
  • Toastmasters International’s (TI) core values are integrity, dedication to excellence, service to the member, and respect for the individual. Club Coaching embodies all of these. The individual benefits to you (just a few): sharpen your leadership skills, help more people benefit from the Toastmasters program and achieve their goals, hone your communication skills in a new way, enhance your prestige on the job, and discover other new talents you can use in other settings.
• What qualifications do I need in order to become a Club Coach?
  • There are no specific qualifications in the context of the Toastmaster Communication or Leadership Track. For example, a Toastmaster does not need to be a designated CTM or a CL or have any other designation to qualify. A Toastmaster must simply have a desire to coach and the time to do it. That being said, the Club Coaching Program provides a wonderful opportunity for maximum involvement within a Toastmaster District.
• How many Club Coaches can be appointed to any one club?
  • Either one or two coaches. Many Toastmasters find club coaching as a two person team to be the most effective way to coach a club. This is especially true in situations where time commitment is a big concern or in situations where long distance driving is required. It is generally safer and more cost effective to share duties made possible by a two coach system.
• As a Club Coach, how much time do I need to devote to coaching each month?
  • To be a successful assignment, it is suggested that Coaches attend all regular club meetings for the first 3 to 6 months or until such time as 3 to 5 new members have joined (not counting the coaches, should they choose to join). A low-membership club will really appreciate the presence of two coaches at their regular meetings. By being there, say twice a month, they fill a meeting role, add diversity to the meeting, and making it easier for a guest to say "yes, I want to join." Coaches can make the meetings fun again.
  • Club Coaching need NOT be a time devouring exercise. By using the phone and/or electronic mail (the Internet), many tasks can be completed efficiently, e.g. planning
    a dynamic, fully functional regular meeting.
• What's in it for the Coach?
• Coaches can give speeches, earn manual credit, or give successful club series tutorials. Being a Club Coach creates additional speaking opportunities.
• Upon fulfilling the role of Club Coach (i.e. your assigned Club achieves Distinguished status) you will receive credit towards the Advanced Leader (AL) award designation. The AL designation is needed for the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), the highest individual designation awarded by TI.
• Can I be appointed as Club Coach for my own Club?
  • No. A Club Coach must come from outside of the Club at the time of appointment. The reason why is because a Club Coach needs to be “neutral” to enable the club to make a fresh start. It should be noted that upon appointment the Club Coach may join the club they are coaching if they desire. However, this is optional.
• What resources does District 53 have to help Club Coaches?
  • TI's First Aid for Your Club flier - a large collection of membership building materials that can help your club grow.
  • You can download the District 53 Club First Aid Kit for Club Coaches ( under development) here.
  • Discuss your assignment with the District 53 Lieutenant Governor of Marketing , just ask for assistance.
• How do I sign up to be a Club Coach?
  • Contact Marilyn Jess, Club Rescue Chair
  • Send an e-mail entry to with:
    • Subject Line = Club Coach; and the email message (body) indicating
    • Your Name and designation (CTM, CL, ATMB, ...)
    • Your Club Name and Number =
    • Daytime Contact Information =
    • Early Evening Contact Information =
    • Cities, towns, locations you are willing to serve/support
    • Availability for a Club meeting during the day, noontime, after work, or evening
  • Your request will be acknowledged and referred to the District 53 Governor. You will then be contacted for any questions and to confirm your appointment.

COACHING TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying about the rewards of being a Club Coach …

Other Questions or Comments about Club Coaching?

* Adapted from District 42 Toastmasters, www.d42.org/ccpfaqs2.htm