Club web sites are a great tool to share information quickly, consistently and inexpensively. For these reasons, it is critical that you have a primary and a backup web master to ensure accurate and up to date information. If you don't know that much about how to build a site, read on for helpful tips to get you started.

There are several web sites that allow you to build a web site. Some sites are free and others charge a fee. The following are some that other Toastmasters clubs have used:

• angelfire.com;
• yahoo.com;
• geocities.com;
• brinkster.com;
• homestead.com.
• powweb.com;
• freetoasthost.com

When creating a website, keep these useful tips in mind:

• Be concise - if possible, have less than 65 characters in your domain name (URL)
• Include hyperlinks to www.toastmasters.org and www.d6tm.org
• Include club information such as: editor contact information,
  meeting day/time, club meeting schedules/special events, contact
  information for prospective visitors
• Be sure to include a phone number(s)
• Use proper grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and sentence structure
• Be visual - use clip art and/or photos
• Contact webeditor@d6tm.org to be linked from the District web site
  (include your club web site address)
• Enter the District 6 web site contest!

Additional information may be found at Creating a Club Web Site.

Creating Guest Packets

Include:

• Intro/Welcome letter
• A fact sheet with name of club, current membership, a list of club officers, meeting time(s), club charter date, dues, info about mentors
• A Brief history of TM
• FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions. Answers to Q's such as: What is TM? How long are the meetings? What is a typical meeting like? If I'm a guest do I have to speak? What is the atmosphere at a meeting (warm, encouraging, etc); How can I learn more (District and International web addresses); How do I join?
• Mission Statement - club, TM International,
• A Toastmaster's Promise
• Info about the CTM program - an outline of the first 10 speeches
• Sample Speakers/Meeting schedule
• Sample Meeting Agenda
• Meeting roles and responsibilities (list all club role and the duties i.e. Topicsmaster: prepare interesting table topics, incorporate the theme into your questions, call on as many members as possible)
• A membership application
• New Member profile page
• New Member Mentor Request Form

Club Newsletter

A club newsletter is a great vehicle to share the culture of your club. Your audience is broad-plan to share the newsletter with visitors, past and current members, and target audiences such as your company or community.

• Visitors gain insight into how members work together and what you think is important.
• Current members gain key information about events and may receive recognition for accomplishments.
• Past members can stay connected with your club and perhaps decide to rejoin the club.
• Your target audience can learn how valuable and fun your club is through what you include in the newsletter.

Keep the needs of these audiences in mind, and incorporate the tips below, as you develop the content and the presentation of your club newsletter.

• Determine how often the newsletter will be published and where it will be distributed (to club members, in visitor packets, dropped off at libraries, etc.).
• An easy-to-use software (Word) can be utilized, or specialized graphics packages.
• Include club information such as: editor contact information, meeting day/time, club meeting schedules/special events, contact information for prospective visitors
• Use proper grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and sentence structure
• If possible, use color font or print on colored paper
• If possible, use clip art and/or photos
• Always include your club president as publisher and the name of the club member who is editor.
• Use the Toastmaster logo somewhere. A copy can be downloaded/copied from toastmasters.org. Click on Member Information-Public Relations-TM Logos.
• Enter the District 6 newsletter contest!

Club Flier

The audience for a brochure/flier is generally non-Toastmasters and Toastmasters in other clubs. The goal is to entice potential Toastmasters into visiting your club. For advanced clubs or special interest clubs, your audience will include current Toastmasters.

• Fliers are designed to fit on one side of 8-1/2 x 11 inch piece of paper. They are often posted on bulletin boards and other public places.
• Brochures are designed to fit on two sides of an 8-1/2 x 11 inch piece of paper and folded into two sections (like a booklet) or three sections. Tri-fold brochures fit in standard business-size envelopes if you decide to mail them out. Or you might reserve one of the brochure's panels for a name and address.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when designing fliers and brochures:

• Do not overload the brochure/flier with text. White space is as important as the text.
• Avoid using too many colors, font styles, and font sizes. Simple is elegant!
• Include the most important facts such as who (your club name), when, where, and at what time your club meets.
• Describe Toastmasters, and then mention what's unique about your club.
• Be sure to include contact information for the club.
• Choose graphics/photos that add value to the message.
• Take a look at the brochure templates in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Publisher for ideas.
• Visit your local office supply store for ideas. You can purchase professionally designed brochure paper.
• Type your content and then print it on the brochure paper.
• Be creative: use paper sizes other than 8-1/2 by 11 inches; design a bi-fold brochure that opens vertically instead of horizontally; crop graphics/photos in interesting shapes other than square; use word art (rotated text, curved text, shaded text).
• Read Looking Good in Print, Fifth Edition, by Roger C. Parker, for a short course on designing all types of print materials.
• Enter the District 6 flier/brochure contest!