Avoiding the Dues Blues - Fall Edition

Can you believe it's already mid-August? Where has the summer gone?

As you enjoy the last of those warm summer days with family and friends, you're probably not thinking too much about collecting your Toastmasters club dues. If you're like me you're fully engaged in making sure that the special cut of meat that you just purchased is grilled to perfection on your barbeque.

September is usually a busy month filled with many activities. For those clubs that haven't been meeting over the summer it's even more hectic.

It's not to soon to begin collecting your club dues. For those clubs meeting this summer, now is the time to begin reminding your members that their semi-annual dues are due.

If your club is using a FreeToastHost website www.freetoasthost.org you can prepare invoices for your members and email them or print them off and hand them out at a club meeting. For information on how to use the dues collection tool on your website check out the FAQ sheet HERE.

Most clubs collect dues twice a year. It's just habit. We pay our dues to Toastmasters twice a year, so the treasurer collects dues twice a year. Why not consider collecting dues once a year. Many clubs find that by invoicing their members for the whole year's dues it saves time and energy.

During this year's April renewal, Toastmasters International introduced a new procedure for obtaining a club's renewal reminder. The reminders will distributed by email during the first week of September. An invoice is no longer sent via snail mail.

Beginning the first week of September club officers may view and print a copy of the invoice.club's members. Visit the club business login at www.toastmasters.org/clubbusiness

Dues can be submitted online, by mail, or by fax. DO NOT SUBMIT DUES BY EMAIL - it is not secure. if paying by credit card, dues may be paid online.

Don't wait until all of the dues are collected to submit them to Toastmasters International. At least 6 members must pay their dues. Of those 6, at least 3 must be renewing.

Submit the dues you've collected On Time, you can always make supplemental payments as you receive additional payments.

Remember, Dues are due at World Headquarters by October 1.

Begin collecting your club member's dues today. Act now and you'll avoid the dues blues.

Greg Gazin has an excellent Toastcaster Podcast on the subject. Check it out!

That's all for now!

Chuck