can be challenging -- and enjoyable. Hopefully, it will also be a productive means of providing information to prospective members as well as your club's members and officers. These days, your website can easily be your most reliable source of members. In order for that to happen, the site should be attractive, and the prospect should be able to find the information they seek right there on the first page. Essential information that should be on the "home page" includes:
- The Club name
- The Club's meeting time
- Location and directions if necessary
- a contact e-mail or telephone number
Less essential, but very helpful information that can be included on other pages are:
- The features and benefits of Toastmasters membership
- Membership promotion ideas for the Club's members
- A calendar listing appropriate information about Club events or events the Club's members should attend
- The mission of the Club
- A published or "last updated" date to identify the timeliness of the information.
Club web pages may also include an on-line version of the Club's newsletter or information appropriate for publication in a club newsletter. If you feel you must include your club officer's names and e-mail addresses or telephone numbers, but be sure to obtain their written permission in advance and keep a copy in your club's permanent records. The prefered approach is to simply have one main contact email address or link on the site.
The new Toastmasters Brand brings with it more stringent guidelines for use of the Toastmasters logo, headers, and color scheme. Be sure to consult the Toastmasters Brand Manual to make sure your website and literature are in line with Toastmasters requirements.
How to build a free club website on Google or WordPress
If you're unsure how to start or don't have the software, you may want to check out www.freetoasthost.org which offers web hosting and design tools free for Toastmasters clubs. Here again, the essentials apply. Your free club website will be infinitely more effective if it includes the Club name, the Club's meeting time, location, and a contact e-mail or telephone number on the home page. The more you customize your Free Toast Host site, the better. Click here for our helpful FreeToastHost User Guide.
Feel free to use the Toastmasters emblem and the words "Toastmasters" and "Toastmasters International". Please do not alter the logo, nor incorporate it in your club's logo. Always include the following trademark statement on your opening page:
"The information on this website is for the sole use of Toastmasters' members, for Toastmasters business only. It is not to be used for solicitation and distribution of non-Toastmasters material or information. All rights reserved. Toastmasters International, the Toastmasters International logo and all other Toastmasters International trademarks and copyrights are the sole property of Toastmasters International and may be used only by permission."
You may wish to create a link to the District 84 web site (http://www.toastmastersd84.org) and the Toastmasters International web site (http://www.toastmasters.org). If you would like yours Club's link (URL) and email address to be part of the Club listing on the Toastmasters International web site please email the information, including your Club and District numbers, to clubofficers@toastmasters.org.
Note: Clubs URL should be a maximum of 65 characters and email address should be a maximum of 35 characters.
A web page is an official publication of the club, and the club president is responsible for its content. Please check Toastmasters official guidlines for web pages. If you have questions or concerns regarding your club website, or webhosting feel free to ask the District webmaster. Let us know when you publish your site, so we can put your link here on the District site. Good luck with your website.
Sylvia Navarro, DTM
District Webmaster
Here are some authorized logos for your convenience:
Terms and conditions for using the Toastmaster's logo,
and Special authorization
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Creating a website for your Club
