I received and probably many of you also received the following email from Toastmasters International.   There will see some changes to the Distinguished Club Program Requirements . You can see these changes in the chart they sent in the email.  I, being a creature of habit, tend to go to an automatic resistance to change. It is just human nature I suppose.  Some of the changes of note: All awards require the submission of club success plan. This part I don't have any resistance to. :).   I think ti is a good thing and our club submitted on this year so next year will be nothing new.    The standard has been for some time for membership "A net growth of three or net 20 members. Now that is the requirement for Distinguished. For Select Distinguished now is net growth of 5 or 20 members and President Distinguished requires simply net of 20 members.  The addition of the "Smedley Award".  25 total members and 10 goals achieved.   You can reference the email with the chart for exact requirements in all of the areas specified.   In my experience in Pioneer Toastmasters We have never had issue with achieving the Educational requirements. Take this years DCP report that I attached at the bottom of this post. We have 8 out of 10 goals achieved. Just the members portion is a struggle.    While I am resident to change I have found that when change happens there are opportunities to be had!  I say our club sets the goal for next year to achieve the Smedley Distinguished Award!   No goal is achieved without work! I know we can do it and what would that be like for Pioneer Toastmasters to have all 10 goals achieved and have 25 or more members?   That is compelling to me!    Not to neglect this year goals as we still have seven weeks left in this fiscal year and we should still be trying to meet our membership requirements for this year and achieve presidents distinguished.    May 6, 2025  Dear Club Officer, The Distinguished Club Program is evolving to better recognize and celebrate club achievements! We’re pleased to share that the Board of Directors recently made exciting enhancements to both the Distinguished Club and District Recognition programs for the upcoming 2025-2026 program year.  These improvements create a more accessible path to recognition while offering new challenges for high-performing clubs. They also better align our recognition programs with Toastmasters International’s strategic plan.  Changes to the Distinguished Club Program are:

A new qualifying requirement: Complete and submit your Club Success Plan by September 30  Introduction of the prestigious Smedley level achievement for clubs that maintain at least 25 members and accomplish all 10 Distinguished Club Program goals

Requirements Level Club Success Plan Membership as of June 30 Goals Distinguished Submitted by September 30* 20 total members or net growth of 3** 5 Select Distinguished Submitted by September 30* 20 total members or net growth of 5** 7 President's Distinguished Submitted by September 30* 20 total members** 9 Smedley Distinguished Submitted by September 30* 25 total members** 10

*For newly chartered clubs, the due date is 90 days after charter date. Clubs that charter after April 1 will automatically receive credit for submitting the Club Success Plan for their charter program year.  **Total member count consists of renewing, dual, new, charter, and reinstated members. Transfer members do not count toward this total.  We believe these changes will encourage more clubs to participate in the Distinguished Club Program, making recognition achievable for clubs at all stages. For clubs that have consistently excelled in the current program, the new Smedley level provides a new goal to strive toward.  As we all know, clubs are the heart of the Toastmasters experience. These program enhancements are designed to help every club create a vibrant, engaging environment where both the club and its members can flourish.  Thank you for your leadership and dedication. Please reach our team at clubquality@toastmasters.org if you have any questions.  Warmly,  Club Quality and Member Support  Toastmasters International  toastmasters.org