Club Growth Incentives
District 217 is investing in growth. Explore this year's programs and earn recognition for building stronger clubs.
CLUB OFFICERS
Questions About Growth?
Contact our Club Growth Director for guidance on recruiting members and building a stronger club.
A Message from Your Club Growth Director
Terrence Armstrong
Club Growth Director, District 217
Hello District 217! It will be my pleasure to serve you this year. My mission is to show every member of District 217 that you are valued, appreciated, and essential to our success. As we prepare for an exciting year of growth, I look forward to supporting every club and every member on this journey.
"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care"
— Terrence Armstrong, Club Growth Director
This year, District 217 is proud to offer a range of incentives designed to reward clubs that grow, connect, and build strong membership. Here's what you can look forward to - with more incentives coming soon!
2026–2027 Incentive Programs
Club Incentives
Fantastic Four
JULY 1, 2026 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
Recruit 4 new members during the program period and your club could earn recognition and a financial award.
$25 AWARD - 15 30 CLUBS RECOGNIZED
Winners:
- Corning Charlotte Toastmasters
- Fort Mill Toastmasters
- LPL Carolinas Toastmasters
- Ballantyne Toastmasters
- Queen City Toastmasters Club
- University City Toastmasters Club
- Trimedx Toastmasters
- Goldmine Toastmasters Club
- Triad Toastmasters Club
- Speak Up!
- Chapel Hill Toastmasters
- Cary Club
- Centre Green
- Raleigh Club
- Apex Club
- Cape Fear Toastmasters
- Centennial Visioneers
- Duke Toastmasters Club
- Durham Club
- Holly Springs Toastmasters
- NC Professionals
- Raleigh Talkmasters Club
- Rock Hill Club
- SECU Toastmasters
- SIEMENS Xcelerators - USA
- Softtalk Toastmasters Club
- Talking Together Toastmasters Club
- Wilmington Toastmasters
Smedley Award
AUGUST 1 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
Add 5 new, dual, or reinstated members, and your club will earn an official Smedley Award ribbon from Toastmasters. Additionally, the first 15 clubs will earn a $25 award from the district.
$25 AWARD - 15 CLUBS RECOGNIZED
Winners:
- Centre Green
- Corning Charlotte Toastmasters
- Duke Toastmasters Club
- Goldmine Toastmasters Club
- Queen City Toastmasters Club
- SIEMENS Xcelerators - USA
- Speak Up!
Member Incentive · Aug 1, 2026 – Apr 30, 2027
Have Gavel, Will Travel
Your next great Toastmasters experience may be waiting at another club.
Visit clubs with 15 members or fewer, take on meeting roles, and earn District recognition — while helping another club create an energetic, successful meeting. A new audience for your next speech, a new crowd for your best joke as Jokemaster, and new Toastmasters to meet along the way.
Gavel Award
What to do
- Visit 5 clubs
- Serve in 3 assigned meeting roles
- At least 1 role must be delivering a speech
Your reward
- Have Gavel Will Travel Certificate
Silver Gavel Award
What to do
- Visit 10 clubs
- Serve in 7 assigned meeting roles
- At least 3 roles must be delivering speeches
Your rewards
- Have Gavel Will Travel Certificate
- Silver Gavel Key Chain
Gold Gavel Award
What to do
- Visit 20 clubs
- Serve in 15 assigned meeting roles
- Deliver at least 7 speeches
- At least 1 speech must come from the Better Speaker Series or The Successful Club Series
Your rewards
- Have Gavel Will Travel Certificate
- Gold Gavel Key Chain
- Special write-up in the District newsletter
- Special recognition at the District Conference
Your Gavel. Your Journey. Your Impact.
Every club you visit is a chance to speak, lead, learn, and connect — and to bring fresh energy to fellow Toastmasters across the District. Five clubs gets you started. Ten takes you to Silver. Twenty takes you all the way to Gold.
After each visit, record your club and meeting role on the tracking form.
How far will your gavel go?
TIP: Expand the search options in Find a Club to filter your search.
Questions? Email the Club Growth Director at cgd@d217toastmasters.org
The Growth Games
JULY 1, 2026 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
We’re celebrating clubs that add the most new members — and there are District Bucks on the line! Awards are based on the number of new members added above each club’s existing base.
Top Club Overall
The club (across all size categories) that adds the most new members above its base will receive $50 in District Bucks.
WINNER: Queen City Toastmasters Club
We’re also boosting clubs in every size range with extra chances to win:
Category 1: Clubs with a 20+ member base
Top 2 clubs adding the most new members above their base will each receive $25 in District Bucks.
WINNERS: Queen City Toastmasters Club, Goldmine Toastmasters Club
Category 2: Clubs with a 13–19 member base
Top 2 clubs adding the most new members above their base will each receive $25 in District Bucks.
WINNERS: University City Toastmasters Club, Centre Green
Category 3: Clubs with a 12 and under member base
Top 2 clubs adding the most new members above their base will each receive $25 in District Bucks.
WINNERS: 3-way tie! Trimedx Toastmasters, Rock Hill Club, Centennial Visioneers
$50 Top Club Award - $25 Category Awards - 7 Clubs Recognized
Elite Eight
JULY 1, 2026 - MAY 31, 2027
Recruit 8 new members within the program year and earn a larger award for your club's sustained commitment to growth.
$50 AWARD - 20 CLUBS RECOGNIZED
High Five
JULY 1, 2026 - JUNE 30, 2027
Clubs that recruit 5 new members above their base and achieve Distinguished or higher status will be honored.
(Full awards list coming soon!)
District 217 — this is our year to grow, connect, and show every member that they matter. Together, we will build stronger clubs, stronger leaders, and a stronger district.