The Distinguished Club Program is how Toastmasters measures a healthy club. It has ten goals, and reaching them is mostly a matter of knowing what counts and checking in early. Here they are in plain English, along with a plan, and how Toastmanagers helps your officers keep track. Always confirm the details against the current DCP manual, since Toastmasters updates it.
The 10 goals
Education (Goals 1 to 6)
- Goal 1: Four Level 1 awards
- Goal 2: Two Level 2 awards
- Goal 3: Two more Level 2 awards
- Goal 4: Two Level 3 awards
- Goal 5: One Level 4, Path Completion, or DTM award
- Goal 6: One more Level 4, Path Completion, or DTM award
Membership (Goals 7 and 8)
- Goal 7: Four new members
- Goal 8: Four more new members
Only members with paid dues count. Guests don't.
Training (Goal 9)
At least four club officers trained in the first period (June 1 to August 31), and at least four in the second (November 1 to the end of February). Missing either period means missing the goal.
Administration (Goal 10)
The club officer list sent on time, and one round of dues paid on time, with at least eight members, three of them renewing, by October 1 or April 1.
Recognition levels
Each level needs a number of goals and a membership base as of June 30.
- Distinguished: 5 goals, with 20 members or net growth of 3
- Select Distinguished: 7 goals, with 20 members or net growth of 5
- President's Distinguished: 9 goals, with 20 members
- Smedley Distinguished: 10 goals, with 25 members
A submitted Club Success Plan, due September 30, is also required for recognition.
A plan for the year
July to September
- Hold your officer planning meeting
- Finish your Club Success Plan
- Get officers trained for Goal 9's first period
- Pay renewal dues on time for October 1
October to December
- Identify who can earn Level 1 and 2 awards by year end
- Schedule the speeches they need
- Start guest outreach in earnest
January to March
- Get officers trained before the end of February
- Pay April 1 dues on time
- Check progress: which goals are close?
April to June
- Push those last awards over the line
- Make sure every completed level has been approved
- Submit your new officer list
Where clubs lose goals
- Forgotten awards. A member finished Level 2, but it was never approved.
- Late training. Only three officers attended.
- No speech slots. Members were ready, but the schedule was full.
- New members who never paid. They came, enjoyed it, and never completed the application.
Using Toastmanagers to stay on track
Education goals are won or lost in the schedule. Six of the ten goals depend on members giving the right speeches at the right time, and a spreadsheet can't tell you who needs what.
- Pathways progress next to the schedule, so you can book speeches for the members closest to a level
- Role requests with the project attached, so a speaker's goal comes with the request
- Meeting-role requirements tracked automatically from the schedule
- The Members tab, with attendance and progress side by side, to help spot who needs a nudge
- Automatic reminders, so officers can spend their time on the goals instead of on chasing
Our Pathways tracking guide walks through a monthly routine.
Track Your Goals Next to Your Meetings
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals does a typical club need to aim for?
Aim for at least five, and plan your year around the goals you can get to first.
Can a member's award count for more than one goal?
Check the current manual, since each goal's rules are specific.
Where do I see my club's official progress?
Toastmasters' online dashboards, at dashboards.toastmasters.org.