Toastmasters International -Build Membership With Small, Steady Steps

Portrait of women in red suit jacket with Toastmasters pin

Membership building is something we need to focus on from the moment a club is chartered. Does that sound unusual? You might wonder, Why start so soon? The answer is simple: Building and sustaining a strong membership base is key to a thriving club.

You don’t need to rely solely on frequent open houses to draw new members, even though they can be effective. Simple, passive advertising can also make a big impact. For example, you could post a flier outside your company cafeteria, on a library bulletin board, or in any space with heavy foot traffic. Sharing club information in an electronic newsletter or displaying it on closed-circuit TVs in your office complex are also easy ways to spread the word. Small, consistent efforts like these can go a long way toward attracting new members.

If you check the Statistics and Data Hub on the Toastmasters International website, you’ll see that the main reasons members leave Toastmasters are often out of our control—they change jobs, relocate, or experience life circumstances that prevent attendance. However, what we can control is ensuring our club stays vibrant and engaging, attracting new members to keep the energy alive.

Think about when our meetings are most fun. It’s when we have a full house, and all participants are actively involved—fulfilling their meeting roles, delivering speeches from Pathways projects, and following Toastmasters’ guidelines. Toastmasters isn’t a spectator sport. Watching and reading are helpful, but true growth only comes from active participation.

Every club operates similarly, but the little differences are what make each unique. In my home club, for example, we encourage visitors to participate in Table Topics after members have spoken. While some guests may initially feel hesitant, we never force them. Most often, they leave feeling included and excited to come back.

Toastmasters isn’t a spectator sport. Watching and reading are helpful, but true growth only comes from active participation.

One critical point to remember: No matter how many members your club has, always run strong, engaging, and fun meetings. Guests won’t join a club that doesn’t feel well-organized or dynamic. Let’s make our clubs places people want to be—a place of growth, support, and camaraderie.

Encourage others to visit your meetings. I don’t see inviting people to join Toastmasters as “selling” a product—it’s sharing a life-changing gift. Guests not only benefit themselves but also enrich our clubs with fresh perspectives and energy.

Have you taken the Plus One Pledge? If not, it’s not too late. Invite a friend, colleague, or family member to your next meeting. Together, we can make our meetings more rewarding, vibrant, and impactful for everyone.