Cosmopolitan Toastmasters
Cosmopolitan Toastmasters
Somewhat Better Speaking, Listening, Thinking and Eating
Constitution & Bylaws of Cosmopolitan Toastmasters
Cosmopolitan Toastmasters Club No. 515; District 6
Certificate of Club Adoption:
The undersigned, being the validly elected and duly acting President and Secretary of The Cosmopolitan Toastmasters Club of Bloomington, MN, do hereby certify that on the 1st day of July, 1947, this Club adopted and agreed to be bound by the terms of this Constitution, effective upon the date that Toastmasters International issues a Charter to this Club, by the vote of at least a majority of the active individual members of this Club present and voting at a duly called and noticed Club business meeting at which a quorum was at all times present.
Dated: July 1, 1947_, ______________________________________
Club President PAUL BERGQUIST
Dated: _July 1, 1947_, _____________________________________
Club Secretary RICHARD NYBERG
Toastmasters Club Constitution for Member Clubs of Toastmasters International
ARTICLE (section)
I. MISSION AND PURPOSES:
II. MEMBERSHIP: Composition (1) Admission to Membership (2) Member Responsibilities (3) Inactive and Honorary Membership (4-6 Expel/Suspend/Decline to Renew Membership (7)
III. INITIATION FEES AND DUES: Initiation Fee (1) Reinstatement Fee (2) Transfer to Other Club (3) Club Dues (4)
IV. MEETINGS AND NOTICE: Regular Meetings (1) Special Meetings (2) Club Executive Committee Meetings (3) Notice (4-5)
V. QUORUM AND VOTING: Quorum (1) Voting (2-4)
VI. OFFICERS: Officers (1) Educational Credit (2) Term of Office (3, 6) Immediate Past President (4) Nominations (5) Resignation or Removal (7) Vacancy in Office (8) Re-election (9)
VII. DUTIES OF OFFICERS: Club President (1) Vice President Education (2) Vice President Membership (3) Vice President Public Relations (4) Club Secretary (5) Club Treasurer (6) Sergeant-at-Arms (7) Immediate Past Club President (8) Council Representatives (9) Additional Duties (10)
VIII. COMMITTEES: Standing (1) Club Executive (2) Education (3) Membership (4) Public Relations (5) Social and Reception (6) Additional Duties (7)
IX. RULES OF ORDER: Parliamentary Authority (1) Parliamentarian (2)
X. AFFILIATION: International Affiliation (1) District Affiliation (2) Financial Obligations (3) Separate Legal Entity (4) Representation at Annual Business Meeting and Other Meetings (5) Relationship with Other Governing Documents (6)
XI. LEGAL STATUS AND DISSOLUTION: Affiliation with Others and Use of Funds (1) Dissolution (2) Compliance with California Law (3)
XII. ADMENDMENTS TO CLUB CONSTITUTION: How Amended (1) Proposals from International Board (2) Proposals from Clubs (3) Notice (4) Conflicting Proposals (5)
I. NAME
II. MEMBERSHIP: Composition (1) Honorary Membership (2)
III. FEES & DUES: Initiation Fee (1) Club Dues (2) Reinstatement Fee (3) Transfer to Other Club (4) Inactive Member Dues (5)
IV. MEETINGS: Regular Meetings (1) Special Meetings (2) Executive Committee Meetings (3)
V. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Officers (1) Duties (2) Terms of Office (3)
VI. RULES OF ORDER
VII. AMENDMENTS
VIII. REMOVAL OF MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
GLOSSARY OF GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
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Toastmasters Club Constitution for Members of Toastmasters International
Toastmasters Club Constitution for Members of Toastmasters International
Article I
Mission and Purposes:
The mission of a Toastmasters Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.
In order to carry out this mission, this Club shall:
1. Help its individual members improve their abilities to communicate effectively;
2. Provide for its individual members’ instructions, educational materials and opportunities which
will give them skill and experience in the preparation and delivery of speeches;
3. Encourage its individual members to read and to listen analytically;
4. Provide for its individual members’ fair and constructive evaluation of their efforts toward self improvement;
5. Increase its individual members’ knowledge of the rules of parliamentary procedure and their
skills in conducting meetings and participating in group discussions;
6. Afford leadership training for its individual members; and
7. Provide opportunities and encouragement for its individual members to appear before audiences
and to express their thoughts creditably.
Article II
Membership:
Sec. 1. All individual members of this Club shall be at least 18 years of age. No person shall be
excluded from individual membership in, or from any program or activity of, this Club because of age
(except those persons under 18 years of age), race, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin,
sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability, so long as the individual, through his or her own
effort, is able to participate in the program. However, the Bylaws of this Club may provide for other
restrictions on the composition of the individual membership, e.g., to the employees of a particular
company or agency, residents of a specific community, or people sharing a special interest.
Sec. 2. This Club is a private association, and membership herein shall be by invitation only. Any
individual member may sponsor an eligible prospective individual member, and invite him or her to
join this Club, so long as the person is not currently suspended or removed from good standing with
Toastmasters International under Article III, Sec. 8, of the Bylaws of Toastmasters International. Application for
individual membership shall be made on the form provided by Toastmasters International.
Such application, accompanied by the initiation fee and applicable dues, shall be returned to
the Club Secretary who shall read it to this Club. The applicant shall be declared elected to individual
membership upon the favorable vote of at least a majority of the active individual members of this
Club present and voting at a business meeting of the Club membership. The individual membership of
this Club may be divided into three classifications: active, inactive and honorary.
Sec. 3. All active individual members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of this Club, and
all individual members shall share in its responsibilities. These responsibilities shall include support
of its purposes and constructive contribution to its program and activities.
Sec. 4. Inactive individual membership is provided for as follows:
(a) Inactive individual membership in this Club may be conferred by the Executive Committee
of this Club on any individual member requesting an extended absence from Club meetings,
or who wishes to maintain individual membership without regular attendance at Club
meetings. An individual member may also be classified as inactive for continued absence
without notice. An inactive individual member may be restored to active individual membership
by the Club Executive Committee upon request, provided there is a vacancy on the
active roster of this Club.
(b) Inactive individual members shall have no voting privileges, shall not hold office, shall
not be counted toward a quorum of the Club membership, and shall not participate in International Speech
Contests. However, this Club may count any inactive individual members
toward qualification for minimum Toastmasters International standards for member Clubs.
Inactive individual members shall pay at least such portion of their Club dues as this Club
pays to Toastmasters International as the per capita payment for such inactive individual
member, and shall pay any additional amount specified in the Bylaws of this Club. Except as
provided herein, the rights, obligations, and conditions of inactive membership shall be as
stated in the Bylaws of this Club.
Sec. 5. Honorary individual membership may be conferred upon any qualified person by the favorable
vote of at least two-thirds of the active individual members of this Club at a Club business
meeting. Such membership shall be restricted to persons whose activities and public statements are
consistent with the purposes of Toastmasters International. Honorary individual members have no
voting privileges, shall not hold office, shall not be counted toward a quorum of the Club membership,
and shall not participate in speech contests. Honorary individual members shall be exempt from all
Club fees and dues, and their per capita payments to Toastmasters International shall be paid by this
Club. Except as provided herein, the rights, obligations, and conditions of honorary membership shall
be as stated in the Bylaws of this Club.
Sec. 6. Inactive and honorary individual members are not eligible to serve in any Club office. They
are not entitled to places on the regular speakers’ program but may serve as substitutes when requested
by the Club President or the Toastmaster of the meeting. They may also participate in Club
discussions and serve as evaluators.
Sec. 7. This Club may establish, from time to time, routine procedures for dropping individual
members who fail to pay Club dues, who miss a certain number of meetings, or who fall below other
minimum standards as determined by the Club or Toastmasters International. In addition, this Club
may expel, suspend, or decline to renew Club membership of any individual member (a) who does not
support this Club’s purposes; (b) who does not constructively contribute to this Club’s program and
activities; (c) who acts in a manner inconsistent with standards of conduct set by this Club or by
Toastmasters International; or (d) for other just cause. Such standards include ethical, political, and
other standards of conduct that may be established by the Toastmasters International Board of Directors
from time to time and published as policy bulletins. This Club shall follow such policies and
procedures as may be adopted by the Toastmasters International Board for Club expulsions, suspensions,
or other disciplinary actions. If this Club does not expel an individual member for violations of
Toastmasters International standards of conduct, after written request to do so is made by the International
President, this Club may be expelled from Toastmasters International unless its failure to act
can be justified to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors.
Article III
Initiation Fees and Dues:
Sec. 1. The initiation fee for individual membership in this Club shall be as stated in the Bylaws of this
Club. Such fee shall be payable when an individual membership application is filed with the Club Secretary.
The fee shall be returned if the application is not accepted. Immediately upon acceptance of a new
individual member, the Club Secretary shall so notify World Headquarters of Toastmasters International,
and each new individual member, on payment of this fee and applicable dues, and being received into
this Club, shall be presented with a copy of the Communication and Leadership manual and such other
materials as may be provided for new individual members by Toastmasters International.
Sec. 2. Any fee for reinstatement of a former individual member shall be stated in the Bylaws of this Club.
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Sec. 3. Any individual member in good standing desiring to transfer to another Toastmasters Club
may request the Club Secretary to furnish a letter or card showing the date to which the individual
member’s per capita payment to Toastmasters International is paid. When an applicant for individual
membership in this Club transfers from another Toastmasters Club and presents a letter or card from
said Club showing individual membership in good standing and that a per capita payment to Toastmasters
International is paid for the current period, the applicant may be elected to individual membership
without payment of the initiation fee, and upon payment of any transfer fee stated in the
Bylaws of this Club.
Sec. 4. The dues of this Club for active and inactive individual members shall be as stated in the
Bylaws of this Club. Such dues shall be payable in advance at such time as this Club shall designate.
Dues shall be paid by all individual members and by the dates specified to maintain individual membership
in this Club.
Article IV
Meetings and Notice:
Sec. 1. Regular meetings of this Club, which shall include any business meeting of active individual
members, shall be held as provided in the Bylaws of this Club.
Sec. 2. Special business meetings of this Club may be called by a majority vote of the active individual
members present and voting at any regular meeting at which a quorum is present, or by the
Club President.
Sec. 3. Meetings of the Club Executive Committee shall be held as provided in the Bylaws of this
Club.
Sec. 4. No notice shall be required for regular business meetings held as provided in the Bylaws of
this Club. Notice of any change in the time or place of any regular meeting, and notice of all special
meetings, shall be given by mail, telephone, or other reasonable means at least four (4) days in advance
of such meeting to all individual members of this Club. Notice of special meetings shall include
a statement of the general purposes of the meeting, but any membership business otherwise valid may
be transacted at the meeting.
Sec. 5 If this Club shall permanently change the time or place of regular meetings as provided in the
Bylaws of this Club, the Club Secretary shall immediately provide notice of such change to World
Headquarters.
Article V
Quorum and Voting:
Sec. 1. A majority of the active individual membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of all business of this Club. A majority of the Club Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of the Committee’s business.
Sec. 2. Each active individual member shall be entitled to one vote on any matter presented to the
Club membership for a vote.
Sec. 3. No voting by proxy or absentee ballot shall be permitted on any matter presented to the Club
membership for a vote.
Sec. 4. Unless a greater vote is required by this Constitution or by the Bylaws of this Club in a
particular matter, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of those active individual members who
are present and voting at a duly held business meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of
this Club.
Article VI
Officers:
Sec. 1. The Officers of this Club shall be a Club President, a Vice President Education, a Vice
President Membership, a Vice President Public Relations, a Club Secretary, a Club Treasurer (or a
Club Secretary/Treasurer), a Sergeant at Arms, and the Immediate Past Club President.
Sec. 2. In addition to the Officers provided in this Constitution, this Club may have such other
Officers as may be provided in the Bylaws of this Club, but Toastmasters International credit toward
any educational award is limited to service as a Club Officer named in this Constitution.
Sec. 3. Officers shall serve for terms of one (1) year, provided that if, and only if, this Club meets
weekly throughout the year, this Club may provide in its Bylaws that Officers shall serve for half-year
terms. The terms of Officers serving an annual term shall commence at 12:01 a.m. on July 1 and end
on June 30 at midnight. The terms of Officers serving a half-year term shall either commence at 12:01
a.m. on July 1 and end on December 31 at midnight, or commence at 12:01 a.m. on January 1 and end
on June 30 at midnight.
Sec. 4. Except for the Immediate Past Club President, the Officers of this Club shall be elected by
the active individual members of this Club. If the office of Immediate Past Club President is vacated
for any reason, it shall stay vacant for the remainder of the term.
Sec. 5. Nominations for Club Officers shall be made by a Club Nominating Committee appointed
by the Club President at least two (2) weeks prior to the election. This Committee shall consist of three
(3) active individual members. This Committee shall present its report at the regular business meeting
immediately preceding the business meeting at which the election is to take place, and shall present
only the names of active individual members who have consented to serve if elected. Further nominations
may be made from the floor at the time of the election by any active individual member. All
elections shall be by secret ballot, unless a secret ballot is dispensed with by unanimous vote, with a
majority vote of all active individual members present and voting necessary to elect each Officer. The
Chairman of the Club Nominating Committee shall be the Immediate Past Club President, unless the
best interests of the Club require otherwise.
Sec. 6. For Officers who serve terms of one (1) year, elections shall be held at the first meeting in
May in each year, to take office the following July. For Officers who serve terms of a half-year,
elections shall be held at the first meetings in May and November in each year, to take office the
following July or January, respectively.
Sec. 7. Any Officer of this Club may resign, provided that any such resignation must be made in
writing and delivered to the Club President or Club Secretary. Unless any such resignation is, by its
terms, effective on a later date, it shall be effective on delivery to such Club Officer, and no acceptance
by this Club shall be required to make it effective. Any Officer of this Club may be removed
from office at any time, with or without cause, by majority vote of all active individual members
present and voting at a business meeting of this Club.
Sec. 8. Any vacancy in an Office, except for the Immediate Past Club President, shall be filled by a
special election held at the next business meeting following the announcement of the vacancy.
Sec. 9. Club Presidents elected for a term of one (1) year may not be re-elected for a successive term.
Club Presidents elected for a term of a half-year may be re-elected for one successive term of a half-year.
Article VII
Duties of Officers:
Sec. 1. The Club President is the chief executive officer of this Club and is responsible for fulfilling the mission of
this Club. The President presides at meetings of this Club and the Club Executive Committee; appoints all
Committees; and has general supervision of the operation of this Club. The President shall be an ex officio
member of all Committees of this Club except the Club Nominating Committee and shall serve as one of this
Club’s representatives on the Area and District Councils. The President shall transmit to this Club for its approval
or disapproval all ideas and plans proposed by the Area and District Councils which may affect this Club or its
individual members; and shall take no action binding upon this Club without either specific prior authorization or
subsequent ratification by this Club.
Sec. 2. The Vice President Education is the second ranking Club Officer and is responsible for
planning, organizing and directing a Club program which meets the educational needs of the individual
members. The Vice President Education chairs the Education Committee. The Vice President
Education also serves as one of this Club’s representatives on the Area and District Councils and shall
take no action binding upon this Club without either specific prior authorization or subsequent ratification
by this Club.
Sec. 3. The Vice President Membership is the third ranking Club Officer and is responsible for
planning, organizing and directing a program that ensures individual member retention and growth in
Club individual membership. The Vice President Membership chairs the Membership Committee.
The Vice President Membership serves as one of this Club’s representatives on the Area Council and
shall take no action binding upon this Club without either specific prior authorization or subsequent
ratification by this Club.
Sec. 4. The Vice President Public Relations is the fourth ranking Club Officer and is responsible for
developing and directing a publicity program that informs individual members and the general public
about Toastmasters International. The Vice President Public Relations chairs the Public Relations
Committee.
Sec. 5. The Club Secretary is responsible for Club records and correspondence. The Club Secretary
has custody of the Club’s Charter, Constitution, and Bylaws and all other records and documents of
this Club; keeps an accurate record of the meetings and activities of this Club and of the Club Executive
Committee; maintains an accurate and complete roster of individual members of this Club, including
the address and status of each individual member; and transmits the same to the successor in
office. The Club Secretary provides notices of meetings as required by this Constitution, and immediately
notifies World Headquarters of Toastmasters International of any change in the roster of individual
members.
Sec. 6. The Club Treasurer is responsible for Club financial policies, procedures, and controls. The Club Treasurer
receives and disburses, with the approval of this Club, all Club funds; pays to Toastmasters International all
financial obligations of this Club as they come due; and keeps an accurate account of all transactions. The Club
Treasurer shall make financial reports to this Club and to the Club Executive Committee quarterly and upon
request, and shall transmit the accounts and all undistributed funds to the successor in office at the end of the
Club Treasurer’s term.
Sec. 7. The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for Club property management, meeting room preparation,
and hospitality. The Sergeant at Arms chairs the Social and Reception Committee.
Sec. 8. The Immediate Past Club President provides advice and counsel as requested by the Club
President.
Sec. 9. In the event the Club President and/or Vice President Education shall be unable to attend a
meeting of the District Council, they shall certify the proxy credentials of the official representative or
representatives of this Club attending said District Council meeting. Such representative(s) shall be
active individual members of this Club.
Sec. 10. In addition to the duties stated in this Constitution, each of the Officers of this Club shall
have such duties and responsibilities as may be provided in the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws,
District Administrative Bylaws, manuals, or other directives of Toastmasters International, or as may
be assigned by this Club.
Article VIII
Committees:
Sec. 1. The Standing Committees of this Club shall be the Executive, Education, Membership, Public
Relations, and the Social and Reception Committees.
Sec. 2. The Club Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers of this Club named in this
Constitution, with the Club President serving as the chairman. This Committee shall have charge of
all business and administrative affairs of this Club and shall consider all matters concerning the welfare
of this Club. All actions of the Executive Committee shall be submitted to this Club at the next
business meeting for ratification. Any decision of the Executive Committee which this Club fails to
ratify shall be null and void.
Sec. 3. The Education Committee shall have charge of the general educational program of this Club.
It shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, all program schedules of this Club and shall publish the
assignments at least three (3) weeks in advance. This Committee shall assist in the utilization and
interpretation of program and educational materials available from Toastmasters International. It shall
arrange for the exchange of speakers and educational programs with other Clubs and encourage speaking
engagements of individual members before non-Toastmasters groups
Sec. 4. The Membership Committee shall consider all applications for individual membership and
report thereon to this Club, and shall arrange for proper induction of all new individual members. This
Committee shall be responsible for maintaining Club individual membership and attendance. It shall
be the goal of this Committee to ensure that the individual membership of this Club is at all times at
charter strength or better.
Sec. 5. The Public Relations Committee shall arrange the preparation and dissemination of news
releases regarding this Club’s activities and educational programs and shall also promote opportunities
for community participation in Toastmasters’ learning programs. It shall also be responsible for
all internal publications of this Club, including the Club newsletter.
Sec. 6. The Social and Reception Committee shall be responsible for all social functions of this
Club and such other duties as may be assigned to it. It shall act as a reception committee at all meetings.
Sec. 7. In addition to the duties stated in this Constitution, each of the Committees of this Club shall
have such duties and responsibilities as may be provided in the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws,
District Administrative Bylaws, manuals, or other directives of Toastmasters International, or as may
be assigned by this Club.
Article IX
Rules of Order:
Sec. 1. Insofar as they do not conflict with the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Toastmasters
International, policies or procedures adopted by the Toastmasters International Board of Directors,
this Club Constitution, the Bylaws of this Club, or laws applicable to nonprofit corporations, Robert’s
Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the final authority as to parliamentary procedure, provided
that if this Club is located in a jurisdiction where Robert’s Rules are not a recognized authority on
parliamentary procedure, the Bylaws of this Club shall specify in place of Robert’s Rules the name of
the recognized authority in the jurisdiction where this Club is located.
Sec. 2. The “customary” Club Parliamentarian is the Immediate Past President, however, a Parliamentarian may
be appointed at each meeting by the Club President.
Article X
Affiliation:
Sec. 1. Upon receiving a Charter from Toastmasters International, and so long as this Club remains
in good standing with Toastmasters International, this Club shall be a member of Toastmasters
International, entitled to all the rights and powers, and subject to all the duties and requirements, of
member Clubs as may be stated from time to time in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of
Toastmasters International, in the District Administrative Bylaws, in this Constitution, and in policy
bulletins issued by the Toastmasters International Board of Directors.
Sec. 2. This Club shall also be affiliated with such District of Toastmasters International as the
Board of Directors may designate, and shall be represented on that District Council as provided in the
District Administrative Bylaws.
Sec. 3. This Club shall make membership payments and other payments on all individual members
as required by Toastmasters International, provided that there shall be no change affecting the financial
obligations of this Club to Toastmasters International except after notice by publication in The
Toastmaster magazine.
Sec. 4. This Club is an independent legal entity, separate from Toastmasters International and every
other member Club of Toastmasters International, subject only to the express terms and conditions of
affiliation stated in this Constitution and in the Toastmasters International documents identified in
Section 1 of this Article. As such, this Club is fully responsible for its own debts, liabilities, and other
obligations, and any creditor of this Club shall look only to the assets of this Club for payment, and
not to Toastmasters International, nor to any other member Club of Toastmasters International, nor to
any individual member of this Club.
Sec. 5. This Club is entitled to representation at all Toastmasters International Annual Business
Meetings as provided in the Bylaws of Toastmasters International, and at any other meetings of the
voting members of Toastmasters International, at Regional Conferences, and at District and Area
Council meetings. This Club shall select its representatives in sufficient time for the Club President or
Club Secretary to validate the proper credentials for them. In the event this Club is not represented at
the Annual Business Meeting or the Regional Conference by personal representatives selected from
this Club, the Executive Committee of this Club shall appoint and authorize a proxy with authority to
act. Proxies for District Council Meetings shall be selected as set forth in Article VII, Sec. 9, above.
Such representative or proxy shall be an active individual member of a Toastmasters International
member Club and must be in good standing with Toastmasters International under Article III, Sec. 8,
of the Bylaws of Toastmasters International.
Sec. 6. The Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of Toastmasters International, as they may be
amended by their terms from time to time, and this Constitution, as it may be amended from time to
time as provided in Article XII below, shall govern this Club and all other Toastmasters Clubs affiliated
with Toastmasters International. This Club shall adopt no policy and shall take no action in
conflict with the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Toastmasters International, with this Constitution,
or with any policy or purpose of Toastmasters International. This Constitution shall at no time
be in conflict with the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or policies of Toastmasters International as
they may be amended from time to time. This Club shall not have the power to amend any reference
in its Bylaws to this Constitution.
Article XI
Legal Status and Dissolution:
Sec. 1. This Club is an unincorporated association formed solely for the purpose of privately educating
its individual members. This Club is not legally affiliated with any company, agency, or special
interest group from which this Club may draw its individual members. The use of the funds of this
Club shall be limited to educational purposes. They may not be used for social or political purposes, or
for the benefit of any individual.
Sec. 2. In the event of dissolution of this Club, distribution of any funds, after payment of any
indebtedness, shall be made either by contribution to any educational research or memorial fund
maintained by Toastmasters International, or by contribution to another Toastmasters Club or to a
Toastmasters District.
Sec. 3. This Constitution and the Bylaws of this Club shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance
with the laws of the State of California, where Toastmasters International is incorporated, regardless
of the location of this Club.
Article XII
Amendments to Club Constitution:
Sec. 1. This Constitution may be amended only by a majority of the votes cast at an Annual Business
Meeting or a special meeting of the voting membership of Toastmasters International.
Sec. 2. Proposed amendments may be submitted by the Board of Directors to the voting membership
of Toastmasters International at any time up to sixty (60) days before the membership meeting at
which they will be considered.
Sec. 3. Proposed amendments may also be submitted by Toastmasters Clubs to the Annual Business
Meeting of Toastmasters International as follows: Proposed amendments must be presented in writing
to and received by the Board of Directors no later than December 31 before the Annual Business
Meeting at which they are to be submitted. The proposing Club, or each proposing Club if there is
more than one, shall have approved the proposed amendment by the vote of at least two-thirds of the
active individual members of the Club present and voting at a Club business meeting at which a
quorum is present; such approval shall be evidenced by a certificate stating the proposed amendment
signed by all the active individual Club members who voted to approve the proposed amendment.
Each proposing Club shall submit such a certificate to the Board of Directors no later than the December31
deadline. The proposed amendment shall be placed before the voting members of Toastmasters International
only if the proposed amendment and certificate(s) are presented to and received by the Board no later than
December31 and one of the following conditions is met:
(a) The Board of Directors votes to place the proposed amendment before the voting membership; or
(b) The amendment is proposed by at least one percent (1%) of all the votes held by the voting
membership of Toastmasters International, including member Clubs and Delegates at Large;
or
(c) (1) the proponent(s) of the amendment agree to bear the full reasonable administrative cost to
Toastmasters International of submitting the proposed amendment to the voting membership
for a vote;
and
(2) no other Club Constitution amendment proposed by any proponent of the amendment shall
be placed before the voting membership at the same meeting;
and
(3) if an amendment on substantially the same subject has been voted on by the voting membership within five
(5) calendar years before the meeting at which the amendment will be
submitted, such prior proposed amendment shall have received no less than thirty percent
(30%) of the votes cast; provided that no proposed amendment shall be placed before the voting members if it
has been rendered moot; substantially duplicates or is encompassed by another proposed amendment at the
same meeting; is illegal; is designed to further a personal claim, grievance, or interest; is beyond the power of
Toastmasters International to effectuate; or is not a proper subject for this Constitution under California law.
Sec. 4. Notice of any proposed amendments to be submitted to the voting membership of Toastmasters
International for a vote shall be mailed by the Executive Director to each voting member at least
sixty (60) days before the meeting, together with any recommendation of the Board of Directors
thereon. Any such recommendation shall also be presented to the voting members at the meeting
before the vote is taken on the proposed amendments. No amendments to the proposed amendment
may be made during the meeting, nor at any time after sixty (60) days prior to the meeting.
Sec. 5. In the event of two or more Club Constitution amendment proposals presented to the same
meeting of members, which the Board determines to be in conflict with each other, only the proposal
receiving the highest majority of votes cast shall be adopted.
The Cosmo-Bylaws
BYLAWS OF THE COSMOPOLITAN TOASTMASTERS CLUB
OF MINNESOTA .........CLUB NO. 515 DISTRICT NO. 6
Article I
Name:
The name and location of this Club shall be as set forth above in the title of these Bylaws. Such name
and location may be changed as provided in Article VII below.
Article II
Membership:
Sec. 1. Subject to the nondiscrimination requirements set forth in Section 1 of Article II of the Club
Constitution, individual membership in this Club shall be restricted to: __NO RESTRICTIONS__.
(If no restrictions will be placed on membership in this Club, write in “no restrictions” on line above)
Sec. 2. Honorary individual memberships in this Club shall be conferred for a term of : 3 year(s)
and otherwise as provided in the Club Constitution.
Article III
Fees and Dues:
Sec. 1. The initiation fee for individual membership in this Club shall be $____5.00______, payable as
provided in the Club Constitution.
(The dues collected from a new individual member in addition to the initiation fee shall include the new individual member fee and per capita payment to Toastmasters International, plus any Club dues.)
Sec. 2. The dues of this Club for active individual members shall be $____44.00___ per person per
___6-Months_. Such dues shall be payable in advance on or before _April 1st and October 1st____.
(Club dues shall include the amount of the Toastmasters International per capita payment.)
Sec. 3. Reinstatement to individual membership of a former individual member shall call for a
payment of a reinstatement fee of $__0.00___.
(The reinstatement fee is optional and, if collected, is retained by the Club. If the Club does not charge a reinstatement fee, place a “0” on the line above.)
Sec. 4. The fee for an individual member of another Toastmasters Club who transfers into this Club shall
be $_0.00__. Other conditions of transfer into this Club shall be as stated in the Club Constitution.
(The transfer fee is optional and, if collected, is retained by the Club. If the Club does not charge a transfer fee, place a “0” on the line above.)
Sec. 5. The dues of this Club for inactive individual members shall be $_____2.00_________ per person
per ____year________. Such dues shall be payable in advance on or before __April 1st or October 1st__.
(The Club may set the dues for inactive individual members at any amount up to the amount of dues for active individual members, provided that inactive individual member dues must include the per capita payment required of this Club to Toastmasters International attributable to such inactive individual member, as provided in the Club Constitution.
Article IV
Meetings:
Sec. 1. Regular meetings of this Club, which shall include any business meeting of active individual
members, shall be held every __THURSDAY__, at such hour and place as this Club from time to time
shall designate, weekly from September through May. In addition “Summer Meetings/Events” shall be held at
least monthly from June 1 through August 31.
Sec. 2. Special business meetings of this Club may be called by a majority vote of the active individual
members present and voting at any regular meeting at which a quorum is present, or by the
Club President.
Sec. 3. The Executive Committee of this Club shall meet at least __QUARTERLY_, at such hours
and places as it may determine.
Article V
Election of Officers:
Sec. 1. The Officers of this Club shall be as provided in the Club Constitution, with selection, duties,
and terms as provided therein. In addition, this Club shall have as Officers: ________________
______The Club Webmaster -as an "Associate (non-voting) Executive Committee Member"___
Sec. 2. The additional Officers of this Club provided in the preceding Section shall be selected and
have duties as follows: To Create and Maintain the Club Website insuring its timeliness and accuracy
(If this Club does not wish to elect additional Officers, write “none” above in both Sec. 1 and Sec. 2.)
Sec. 3. This Club elects Officers for the following terms of office (check one):
_ Half-year terms, from July 1 to December 31 and from January 1 to June 30.
X Full-year terms, from July 1 to June 30.
(Clubs meeting every week throughout the entire year may choose half-year terms; all other Clubs must choose full-year terms. The beginning and end of the terms are set forth in Article VI, Sec. 3, of the Club Constitution.)
Article VI
Rules of Order:
Sec. 1. Since Robert’s Rules are a recognized authority on parliamentary procedure in the jurisdiction
where this Club is located; __NO OTHER RULES__ shall be deemed substituted for Robert’s Rules in Article IX, Sec. 1, of the Club Constitution with respect to this Club.
(Complete this Article only if this Club is located in a jurisdiction where Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised are not recognized parliamentary authority.)
Article VII
Amendments:
Sec. 1. Subject to the review of Toastmasters International, and provided the proposed amendment
is within the scope of permitted amendments, these Bylaws may be amended, including amendments
to change the name or location of this Club, at any duly called and noticed business meeting of this
Club at which a quorum is present, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the active individual
members present and voting. Any such amendment must be proposed in writing by an active
individual member at the meeting immediately preceding that at which the amendment is to be voted on.
Sec. 2. The scope of these Bylaws, and any amendments to these Bylaws, is limited to the matters
specifically placed within the discretion of this Club by the Club Constitution or by a policy of the
Board of Directors of Toastmasters International. This Club shall not have the power to amend any
reference in these Bylaws to the Club Constitution.
Sec. 3. Upon its adoption by this Club, the Club Secretary shall immediately mail a copy of any
Bylaws amendment to the Executive Director at World Headquarters of Toastmasters International for
review. If Toastmasters International finds that the amendment does not exceed the scope of permitted
amendments to the Bylaws of this Club and is not otherwise improper, the amendment shall be filed in
the records of Toastmasters International. If Toastmasters International determines that the amendment
exceeds the scope of permitted amendments or is otherwise improper, Toastmasters International
shall so notify this Club, and the amendment shall be null, void, and of no effect.
Sec. 4. Cosmopolitan Toastmasters Club No. 515 will have the additional standing club committees.
The Choral Committee (Special Meetings and Events)
The ICTM Council (Subversive Evil-Doers)
Toastmaster-of-the-Year Committee (may present "TM of the Year" to an outstanding member annually)
Sec. 5. The Official Mascot of Cosmopolitan Toastmasters, Club No. 515 shall be our beloved porcine pal, COSMO
PIGGLESWORTH, whose very existence brings motivation, civility and gentlemanliness to our assembled throng.
Article VIII
Removal of Members and Officers:
Sec. 1. Rules for termination and removal of individual members are stated in the TMI Constitution in Article II,
Section 7 of Toastmasters International, which will apply to any Individual Cosmopolitan 515 Club member.
Sec. 2. Rules for termination and removal of Officers is described in Article VI, section 7 in the Constitution of
Toastmasters International. However, special consideration is given to the President of Cosmopolitan 515
Toastmasters club. If the President refuses to step down, the following Impeachment proceeding shall be
implemented. A written declaration of Impeachment must be read and presented to the Sergeant-at-Arms, and
voted on at the following meeting. If passed, by a majority of active members, a special trial meeting shall be held
within two(2) subsequent meetings chaired by the Sergeant-at-Arms. Both the President and prosecutors may
select up to 2 advocates who may call witnesses. Following final summations, the club shall remove the
President from office with a 2/3 majority vote for termination. A special election for President shall be held at the
next meeting. The Impeached, prosecuted and humiliated President is allowed to run for the position again. A
more serious forced replacement of any officer is discribed in this article VIII, Section 3.
Sec. 3. Rules for "Recall Elections": Cosmopolitan Toastmasters Club No. 515 makes provisions for recall
elections for any club officer -including its President. Any active member can initiate a recall election by submitting
a written "Recall Election Petition" (to the presiding chair), including the signature of 35% of active members at
any regularly scheduled meeting -specifying which office is to be recalled. The chair will confirm and
identify which member(s) propose to run against the current office holder. There must be at least one
identified candidate to run against the current officer. A special "Recall Election" will then be held at the next
regularly scheduled meeting, (immediately following the agenda-specified "reading of the previous meeting
minutes"). The secret ballot election will be conducted by the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the results shall be
tallied by the Sergeant-at-Arms (if said officer is not being recalled) including 2 witnesses of confirmation, and the
winner shall be announced at the same meeting....without specifying the tallied results. The challenged office
will then be immediately occupied by the winner of a majority of the submitted ballots. In which case the current
occupant loses the election, the Club Secretary must immediately notify both Toastmasters International and TM
District 6 of the new officeholder.
Certificate of Secretary
I, General Secretary John Drewitz , certify that I am presently the duly elected and acting Secretary of _Cosmopolitan Toastmasters__Club, Number _515_____, an unincorporated association, and that the above Bylaws, consisting of ________ pages, are the Bylaws of this Club as adopted at a duly called and noticed business meeting of this Club at which a quorum was at all times present, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the active individual members present and voting, on __June 30__, _1999_.
DATED: __September 10,2009, ____________________________
CLUB SECRETARY JOHN (GSD) DREWITZ
Glossary of Terms
Glossary of Governing Documents
Glossary of Governing Documents
The following glossary collects definitions found throughout the governing documents (Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws of Toastmasters International, District Administrative Bylaws, Toastmasters Club Constitution and Standard Club Bylaws) for convenient reference. However, this glossary does not contain every term used in the governing documents, nor are these summary definitions intended to substitute for the full definitions given in the governing documents themselves. If any question should arise concerning the definition of any term in this glossary, the reader is advised to consult the governing documents. Nothing in this glossary shall be considered in legally or judicially construing the meaning of any term in the governing documents.
Annual Business Meeting: The regular yearly meeting of the voting members of Toastmasters International, held during the International Convention.
Areas: Administrative units within each District of Toastmasters International, each of which is under the direction of an Area Governor. The District may organize Areas together into Divisions.
Articles of Incorporation: The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Toastmasters International, as filed with the California Secretary of State.
Board or Board of Directors: The Board of Directors of Toastmasters International, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, consisting of 23 voting Directors, who are the International President, the Senior Vice President, the Second and Third Vice Presidents, the Immediate Past International President, two International Directors from each of eight geographic Regions, and two elected International Directors from outside the United States and Canada. The Executive Director of Toastmasters International is an ex officio member of the Board without voting privileges.
Bylaws: Depending on the context, either: (1) the Bylaws of Toastmasters International, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation; or (2) the Standard Club Bylaws for member Clubs.
Charter: A document issued by World Headquarters and signed by the International President and the Executive Director that commences membership in Toastmasters International of a member Club.
Clubs or Member Clubs: Groups which have subscribed to the purposes and ideals of Toastmasters International and have been granted a Charter and continue to function in compliance with the conditions set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, the Club Constitution, the policies established by the Board of Directors, and the decisions of the Board and its authorized agents and representatives. Clubs are unincorporated associations, existing as legal entities separate from, but affiliated with, Toastmasters International.
Constitution or Club Constitution: Toastmasters Club Constitution for member Clubs of Toastmasters International, which is standard for all Clubs and must be adopted by a Club in order to become a member Club within Toastmasters International.
Corporation, this or the: Toastmasters International, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation.
Delegates at Large: The Toastmasters International President, the Vice Presidents, the International Directors, Past International Presidents, Past International Directors, and District Governors, subject to the conditions of membership stated in the Bylaws.
Designated representative: The person through whom member Clubs exercise their rights and obligations of membership; generally the President of the member Club.
Director: A voting member of the Board of Directors of Toastmasters International
District Administrative Bylaws: The central document governing administration of the Districts of Toastmasters International, issued and modified from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Districts: Administrative units of Toastmasters International, organized based on the territory covered by groups of adjacent member Clubs, whose boundaries are established and modified subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. Each District is designated by a number. Each District is divided into Areas, and in some Districts, Areas are organized together into Divisions. Districts are governed by the District Administrative Bylaws.
Divisions: Administrative units into which some Districts of Toastmasters International are divided, each under the direction of a Division Governor and consisting of a number of adjacent Areas.
Executive Committee: Depending on the context, any of the following: (1) The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, which exercises the power of the Board in some circumstances, and consists of the International President, the three Vice Presidents, the Immediate Past International President, and the Executive Director as an ex officio member without voting rights; or (2) the Executive Committee of a District of Toastmasters International, consisting of the District Governor, the Lieutenant Governor Education and Training, the Lieutenant Governor Marketing, the Public Relations Officer, the District Secretary, the District Treasurer, the Area Governors, and any Division Governors, together with the Immediate Past District Governor; or (3) the Executive Committee of a member Club, consisting of the Officers of the Club named in the Club’s Constitution; i.e., a Club President, a Vice President Education, a Vice President Membership, a Vice President Public Relations, a Club Secretary, a Club Treasurer, (or a Club Secretary/Treasurer) a Sergeant at Arms, and the Immediate Past Club President.
Executive Director: The Executive Director of Toastmasters International, who is the managing officer of the corporation under the supervision of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors and is appointed by the Board of Directors.
Good standing of individual members of Clubs: Membership status required in order for individual members of Clubs to vote at the Club level or otherwise participate in Toastmasters International activities open to individual members of Clubs. Good standing is presumed on admission of an individual member into a Club, and thereafter continues so long as the individual remains a member of the Club, the Club is not suspended or terminated, the Club pays when due fees and payments relating to such member, the Club continues to recognize the individual as a member in good standing, and the individual member has not been suspended or removed from good standing with Toastmasters International by action of the Board of Directors.
Individual members: Persons who are members of Clubs that are members of Toastmasters International.
International President: The President of Toastmasters International, who is the chief executive officer of the corporation and who presides over the Board of Directors and the Annual Business Meeting.
Manual of Management Operations: A manual adopted and modified from time to time by the Board of Directors of Toastmasters International, containing policies for the administration of the organization.
Officers: Depending on the context, the Officers of: (1) Toastmasters International, who are the International President, the Senior Vice President, the Second and Third Vice Presidents, the Immediate Past International President, the 18 International Directors, the Secretary-Treasurer, the Executive Director, and the District Governor for each District of Toastmasters International; or (2) a District of Toastmasters International, who are the District Officers, consisting of the District Governor, the Lieutenant Governor Education and Training, the Lieutenant Governor Marketing, the Public Relations Officer, the District Secretary, the District Treasurer, Area Governors, and possibly including Division Governors at the discretion of the District Council (each Past District Governor shall be an ex officio Officer of the District); or (3) a member Club of Toastmasters International, who are a Club President, a Vice President Education, a Vice President Membership, a Vice President Public Relations, a Club Secretary, a Club Treasurer (or a Club Secretary/Treasurer), a Sergeant at Arms, and the Immediate Past Club President.
Quorum: The minimum number of the voting members required to be present for a meeting to legally transact business. The Bylaws of Toastmasters International contain an Article stating the quorum requirements for the Annual Business Meeting and other member meetings, for the Board of Directors, and for Board Committees. The District Administrative Bylaws and Club Constitution also contain quorum requirements for meetings at the District and Club levels.
Regions: Geographic areas representing the territory of groups of member Clubs, the boundaries of which may be modified from time to time by a two-thirds vote of the entire Board. Each Region should have as nearly as possible an equal number of Clubs, and no Region should have more than 15% of the total number of member Clubs in good standing at the end of the fiscal year immediately preceding any modification.
Standing Committees: Depending on the context, any of the following: (1) the Executive Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Advisory Committee of Past Presidents, the Marketing and Education Committee, the Governance and Policy Committee, and the District Administration Committee of Toastmasters International, and such other Committees as the Board from time to time may establish (except for the Executive Committee, these Committees are advisory and do not exercise the power of the Board of Directors); or (2) the Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, and Audit Committee of a District of Toastmasters International; or (3) the Executive, Education, Membership, Public Relations, and Social and Reception Committees of a member Club of Toastmasters International.
Vote…of the Board: A vote in which the required majority or greater percentage necessary for action shall be calculated using the number of Directors present at a duly noticed meeting at which a quorum is present.
Vote…of the entire Board: A vote in which the required majority or greater percentage necessary for action shall be calculated using the total number of Directors then in office.
Toastmasters International
P.O. Box 9052 • Mission Viejo, CA 92690
Catalog No. 210C