The Educational Program
The educational program is the heart of a Toastmasters Club. It is the means through
which you develop your communication and leadership skills and achieve your goal of becoming a better
communicator.
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The Toastmasters educational program is divided into two tracks -- a communication
track and a leadership track. The communication track is the major part of the
system -- almost all new members join Toastmasters for the benefits this track
offers. Some become involved in the leadership track. The tracks are not mutually
exclusive. You may participate in both tracks at the same time if you wish.
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Communication Track
The core of the communication track is the Communication and Leadership program manual
(also called the "basic manual"), which contains ten speech projects. Every new member
is sent a basic manual within 48 hours after his/her application for membership
(Form 400) is received at World Headquarters. (Included in the material sent with the
basic manual are three other manuals: Your Speaking Voice, Effective Speech Evaluation,
and Gestures: Your Body Speaks.)
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The CTM Award
The basic manual helps developyour speaking skills one step at a time. Every project
builds upon what you have learned in the preceding project. As you complete the
projects you'll learn the importance of sincerity in speaking, how to effectively
organize a presentation, how to use body language and voice to convey your message,
word choice and props, persuasive speaking, and how to inspire others.
Your first goal as a member is to complete this manual. When you do, you are eligible
for Competent Toastmaster (CTM) recognition. When you finish all 10 projects,
complete the CTM application (Catalog no. 223 in the manual), have the Vice President
Of Education sign it, and send it to World Headquarters. You'll receive a CTM certificate
and, if this is your first CTM award, two Advanced Communication and Leadership program manuals free of
charge. If you wish, World Headquarters will send your employer a letter about your accomplishment.
Advanced Program
After receiving CTM recognition you can enter the Advanced Communication and Leadership
program, where you can refine and enhance your basic skills. This program consists of 15 manuals, each
containing five speech projects. Many of the manuals are career-oriented; several are not. You choose the manuals
you want to complete and the skills you want to learn.
(Select the manual name from the list box for information on a particular manual.)
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The Entertaining Speaker
This manual includes valuable information on how to give an entreating or dramatic speech, where to find material, how to make an audience laugh, and what to do when you're asked to speak after dinner.
Speaking to Inform
The projects in this manual will help you to give informative and interesting speeches. Topics covered include the demonstration talk, the fact-finding report, the abstract concept and resources for informing.
Public Relations
This complete guide to preparing and delivering the public relations speech will help you to develop resources and techniques, "speak under fire ", and handle the media.
The Discussion Leader
This manual offers guidance in presenting workshop and conference presentation. Role-playing and problem-solving sessions are also covered. This manual is a must for managers, trainers, teachers and administrators.
Specialty Speeches
Speakers must be able to speak in many situations ad this manual will help. Types of speeches covered include impromptu speeches, sales presentations, introductions, inspirational speeches, and oral interpretations.
Speeches by Management
This manual will help you successfully handle a variety of peaking situations that managers encounter in their work environment. Subjects covered include briefings, technical speeches, motivational talks and confrontations.
The Professional Speaker
This manual is a complete guide to becoming a professional speaker. Subjects covered include speaking as a company representative and speaking for pay.
Persuasive Speaking
The ability to influence and persuade others to accept your ideas, products, or services is vital.
The projects in this manual are all designed to help you develop excellent persuasive techniques
and expand your presentation skills.
Technical Presentations
The projects in this manual will help you to prepare and present briefings, proposals, technical papers and technical team presentations.
Communicating on Television
Television presentations differ from other presentations, as they require special considerations. With this manual you'll learn to present editorials, appear as a guest on a "talk" show, conduct a press conference, and use television to train
Communicating on Television
Television presentations differ from other presentations, as they require special considerations. With this manual you'll learn to present editorials, appear as a guest on a "talk" show, conduct a press conference, and use television to train
Interpretive Reading
This manual will help you to develop your interpretive reading skills. The projects include presenting stories, poetry, monodramas, plays and oratorical speeches.
Interpersonal Communication
Topics covered include conversing with ease, negotiating, handling criticism, coaching someone to improve performance, and expressing dissatisfaction effectively.
Special Occasion Speeches
Provides instruction in giving toasts, speaking in praise, 'roasting' someone, and presenting and accepting awards.
Humorously Speaking
New! Audiences love to laugh. This manual shows you how to use humorous stories and jokes throughout your speech to grab and keep listeners' attention and illustrate your points. You also learn how to give an entirely humorous speech
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Advanced Toastmaster
When you work in the advanced manuals you are eligible for several awards:
Advanced Toastmaster Bronze (ATM-B) Award
To be eligible for this award, you must have:
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Achieved Competent Toastmaster award
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Completed two Advanced Communication and Leadership program manuals
Advanced Toastmaster Silver (ATM-S) Award
To be eligible for this award, you must have:
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Achieved new Advanced Toastmaster Bronze award or achieved Able Toastmaster award
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Completed two additional advanced manuals (may not be those completed for
previous awards)
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Conducted any two programs from The Better Speaker Series and/or The
Successful Club Series
Advanced Toastmaster Gold (ATM-G) Award
To be eligible for this award, members must have:
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Achieved new Advanced Toastmaster Silver award or achieved Able Toastmaster Bronze award
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Completed two additional advanced manuals (may not be those completed for previous awards)
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Conducted a registered Success / Leadership program
Success / Communication program
(Success / Leadership or Success / Communication programs may not be those
completed for Able Toastmaster Bronze award)
or a registered Youth Leadership program
Coached a new member with the first three speech projects
Bythe time you earn the Advanced Toastmaster Gold award,
you will have completed six of the available Advanced
Communication and Leadership program manuals and will
have learned many valuable advanced speaking skills.
To apply for any of the Advanced Toastmaster awards,
complete the appropriate section of the Advanced
Toastmaster Award application (Catalog no. 1207-A). This
application also is in the back of each advanced manual
and is available from World Headquarters.
You'll receive a certificate and, if you wish, World
Headquarters will send a letter to your employer about
your achievement.
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Accredited Speakers Program
Toastmasters International has a special program which
recognizes those members who have professional-level speaking skills.
The Accredited Speaker program is not for everyone. Only a handful of Toastmasters have what it takes to become
Accredited Speakers. Less than 25 percent of those who apply for the program become Accredited Speakers.
* * *
The program is conducted annually.
To qualify as an Accredited Speaker, an applicant must be a current member of a Toastmasters Club. He or she also
must be an Able Toastmaster or Advanced Toastmaster Bronze and have had a minimum of 25 speaking engagements
to non-Toastmasters audiences within three years of application date.
Five copies of letters of acknowledgment or appreciation from any of the 25 engagements must be provided as
documentary evidence of successful presentations. In addition, applicants must pass a rigorous two-stage judging process.
If you or someone in your Club has professional-level speaking skills, call or write World Headquarters for the
Accredited Speaker program brochure and application. Deadline each year for entries is November 1.
* * * * * * * * *
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Leadership Track
As mentioned earlier, the
Toastmasters educational program also includes a
leadership track, where you acquire and practice the skills necessary to be an effective leader. You can serve
as a Club leader, developing skills in planning, training, motivating, and managing. You even can become a
District leader, where these skills are further enhanced. You also can participate in the "High Performance
Leadership" program (Catalog No. 262), which requires you to conduct a project of your choice in which
you serve as a leader. The program provides study material and activities to complete.
Following are the awards members may earn in the leadership track
and the requirements for each.
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CompetentLeader (CL) Award
To be eligible for this award, you must have:
Achieved Competent Toastmaster award
Served at least six months (June 1 through December 31, or January 1 through June 30) as a Club officer
(President, Vice President Education, Vice President membership, Vice President Public Relations, Secretary, Treasurer, or Sergeant
at Arms) and participated in the preparation of a Club Success Plan
While a Club officer, participated in a District-sponsored Club officer training program
Conducted any two programs from The Successful Club Series
* * *
Advanced Leader (AL) Award
To be eligible for this award, you must have:
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Achieved Competent Leader award
Served a complete term as a District
officer (District Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Public Relations
Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, Division Governor,
or Area Governor)
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Competed the High
Performance Leadership program
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Served successfully as a
Club Sponsor, Mentor, or Specialist
* * *
Distinguished
Toastmaster (DTM) Award
The
Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award is the highest
award our organization bestows and it recognizes both
communication and leadership skills. To be eligible for
the DTM award, a member must have:
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Achieved Advanced
Toastmaster Gold award
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Achieved Advanced Leader
award
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To
apply for any of the leadership awards, complete the
appropriate section of the Leadership/Distinguished
Toastmaster Awards application (Catalog No. 1209-A).
Applications also are available from World Headquarters.
You'll
receive a certificate and, if you wish, World
Headquarters will send a letter to your employer about
your achievement.
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Quotable
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"It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of pr challenges, and I believe in myself."
Muhammad Ali
"It ain't bragging if you can do it."
Dizzy Dean
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."
Kahlil Gibran
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