There are currently :
visitors online. Powered by Online Count.
FUND RAISING
From time to time, Clubs may conduct fund-raising to offset costs for educational sessions and to raise funds to further the purpose of Toastmasters International. Toastmasters International is an educational organization and not a service club such as Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc, whose main focus is to raise funds for community or charitable causes. Before you start on fund-raising project, answer these questions:
Is the product or service rendered by individual members donated or voluntary?
Is it the Club, rather than individual members, that is receiving monetary compensation?
Is at least one-third of the Club’s total financial support from member dues?
Will the profits be used for the furtherance of Toastmasters International’s tax-exempt purpose, which includes:
building and improving clubs;
training Club and District officers;
purchasing educational program materials;
sending a voting delegate to official District Conferences or to the International Convention;
Covering general administrative expenses connected with the operation of the Club or District?
5Is the fund-raising activity legal in the Club’s city; state, province, or country?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, you are not operating within the policies of Toastmasters International, and the fund-raising activity is prohibited.
ACCEPTABLE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES
Conducting Speech craft, Success/Communication, or Success/ Leadership Programs and charging a fee to the participants. The revenue should be used to buy the program material. Any excess funds are to be used to further the purpose of Toastmasters International as stated above. Toastmasters International’s purpose is providing education to its members. Members may not market seminars so as to compete with for-profit enterprises. Fees charged should be reasonable.
Holding a raffle, auction, white elephant sale, or bazaar of donated goods at a Club, Area, Division, or the District function, where permitted under local law.
Accepting advertising in Club and District newsletter. The revenue should be used to offset the cost of producing and/ or mailing the publication. Any excess funds are to be used to further the purpose of Toastmasters International as stated above.
Selling entertaining books or diner’s books.
UNACCEPTABLE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES
Unacceptable fund-raising activities are:
Buying items and then selling them, other than entertainment or diner’s books.
Raising funds for social events.
Raising funds to donate to a worthy cause.
Raising money to set up a fund, such as a scholarship fund or educational fund.
Raising money to support a campaign for a candidate at any level of the organization or outside the organization.
Holding or participating in sporting or other physical events, such as tennis or golf tournaments, walk-a-thons, or jog-a-thons.
Holding pancake breakfast, fireworks displays, or picnics.
LIABILITY
Toastmasters International is covered by liability insurance for injury occurring within a Toastmasters meeting. Because of our low risk, our premium is minimal. If claims were to increase, our premiums would rise sharply and this could cause the organization to raise membership dues in order to cover the additional premium. This is why fund-raising activities with a high risk of injury are not permitted.
