To start a new Toastmasters Club:

1. Get the manual: How to Build a Toastmasters Club - available from Toastmaster's International or (if you're already in TM - from your District VP of Marketing). This contains all the paperwork plus a step by step plan for launching the group, including meeting agendas.

2. Get a core group of at least four experienced Toastmasters to work with you as sponsors and mentors. It takes a lot of role modelling to bring a bunch of newbies up to speed. Be prepared to devote time to educating them on meeting roles and protocols. (See link on left to Meeting Aids).

3. Figure out where you will find your prospective members. Good hunting at: the Unitarian and Congregational church, the local Democratic Party's Central Committee, local peace and environmental groups, existing TM clubs. Get out and start talking it up. Have friends tell friends. Always carry a sign-up sheet to collect names, phone numbers, emails of people who say they're interested.

4. Find a convenient, cheap/free place to meet and set a date for your first meeting - which will be a demonstration (abbrieviated sample meeting) put on by your experienced team. 

5. Send in your $95 chartering fee to TI. This will get you a big box of materials to see you through the first weeks.

6. Hold your first meetings (you may need to demo two or three times) and sign folks up to be charter members.  When you hit 20 paid members (17 new to TM) you're an official club!

It's work, but OH SO REWARDING!!!  Email us if you're desperate for info or courage.