While there are variations from one club to another, the basic structure is the same - it provides members with many opportunities to participate.

• Toastmastering - formulating a toast (3 minute speed); ensuring fitting introductions to speakers; bridging between presentations.
• Prepared Speeches - speeches, demonstrations, seminars, interpretive reading, presenting or accepting a reward, etc.
• Impromptu Speaking - with little or no preparation time, structure persuasive remarks on an assigned topic; with confidence.
• Positive Evaluation - a mini-speech, providing constructive feedback to speakers and to the meeting participants as a group.

Podium's Meeting Agenda

• Invocation
• Toast to Queen & Country
• Chairman’s Welcome
• Introducing the Head Table
• Introducing Guests
• As I See It
• Rebuttal – As I See It
• Table Topics
• Toast
• Thimble Theatre
• General Evaluation – Part I
• Speeches
• Formal Evaluation of Speakers
• Grammarian’s Report
• General Evaluation – Part II
• Quizmaster’s Challenge
• Presentation of Awards
• Guest Comments
• Other Business
• Chairman’s Closing Remarks

Use the chart to set goals for what you would like to achieve in 1 year, 2 years and 5 years. Revisit it at the end of each year.

Toastmasters Educational Program

(Based on “The Successful Club Series – The Toastmasters Educational Program”)

When you decide to join Toastmasters, you have a goal or several goals in mind, whether it is to improve your communication skills or to be more at ease when doing a presentation in front of a large audience. Toastmasters International provides the structure to allow you to measure your progress toward your goals and recognizes your achievements through the Toastmasters Educational Program.

The Program is divided into two tracks – a communication track and a leadership track. You don’t have to choose one over the other, in fact you can participate in both at the same time.

Communication and Leadership Program Manual:

The core element of the communication track is the “Communication and Leadership Program manual”, (AKA the basic manual), which contains 10 speech projects. This is the manual you received when you join the Club. Each speech introduces a different emphasis.

The speech projects are:
1) The Ice Breaker – introduce yourself to your fellow Club members.

2) Speak with Sincerity – convince the audience of your sincerity and conviction on a subject you thoroughly understand.

3) Organize your Speech – organize your thoughts into a logical sequence that leads the audience to a clearly defined goal.

4) Show What You Mean – explore the different ways of using body language.

5) Vocal Variety – explore the use of voice volume, pitch, rate, and quality as assets to your speaking.

6) Work with Words – select the right words to communicate your ideas clearly and vividly.

7) Apply Your Skills – bring together and apply the communication skills you have learned in the preceding speech projects.

8) Add Impact to Your Speech – learn how to use props effectively in your presentations.

9) Persuade With Power – present a talk that persuades the audience to accept your proposal or viewpoint.

10) Inspire Your Audience – put your feelings into words and inspire the audience, using all the techniques you have learned so far.

Once you complete all 10 speeches, you are eligible for the “Competent Toastmaster” (CTM) award. The information is submitted by your VP – Education to TMI. You’ll receive a certificate and two Advanced Communication and Leadership Program manuals of your choice. World Headquarters will send a letter about your accomplishment to your employer (if you wish).

The Advanced Program:

Once you have completed your CTM, TMI offers advanced speech training. There are 15 manuals to choose from.

They are:
1) The Entertaining Speaker

2) Speaking to Inform

3) Public Relations

4) The Discussion Leader

5) Specialty Speeches

6) Speeches by Management

7) The Professional Speaker

8) Technical Presentations

9) Persuasive Speaking

10) Communicating on Television

11) Storytelling

12) Interpretive Reading

13) Interpersonal Communication

14) Special Occasion Speeches

15) Humorously Speaking

If you are not sure which manual to choose, contact your VP – Education. They have a set of manuals that you can borrow to help you decide which manual to choose.

Each manual consists of five speeches which will help you further improve your speaking skills. The manuals offer practical experience in handling a variety of speaking situations that you may face in your personal and professional life.

As you complete the manuals they count towards 3 advanced awards:

1. Advanced Toastmaster – Bronze (ATM-B)
   • achieved the CTM award;
   • completed two Advanced Communication and Leadership Program manuals.

2. Advanced Toastmaster – Silver (ATM-S)
   • achieved ATM-B award;
   • completed two additional advanced manuals (not previously done).
   • Conducted any two programs from “The Better Speaker Series” and/or “The Successful Club Series”.

3. Advanced Toastmaster – Gold (ATM-G)
   • achieved ATM-S award;
   • completed two additional advanced manuals (not previously done);
   • conducted a Success/Leadership Program, Success/Communication Program or a Youth Leadership Program (may not be those completed for any previous award).
   • Coached a new member with the first three speech projects.

The Leadership Track:

In the leadership track, you learn and practice the skills necessary to be an effective leader. When you work in the leadership track, you can earn the following awards:

1. Competent Leader (CL)

• achieved CTM award;
• served at least 6 months as a Club officer and participated in the preparation of a Club Success Plan while serving in this office;
• while a Club officer, participated in a District-sponsored Club officer training program;
• conducted any two programs from “The Successful Club Series” (may not be those completed for any previous award).

2. Advanced Leader (AL)

• achieved CL award;
• served a complete term as a District Officer (District Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Public Relations Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, Division Governor, Area Governor)
• completed the High Performance Leadership program;
• served successfully as a Club Sponsor, Mentor, or Specialist.

Distinguished Toastmaster Award:

This is the highest award a member can earn and it recognizes both communication and leadership achievements.

To be eligible, you must have:

So, what will your goal be for this year? Do you want to learn the basics of public speaking? Then work towards and achieve your CTM award.

Do you want to become a polished speaker, able to handle a variety of speaking situations? Then go for the ATM – Bronze, Silver and then the Gold! Do you want to become a capable leader? Then the CL is your goal!

Do you want to expand your leadership skills even more? Then it’s the AL award for you! Do you want to master both communication AND leadership skills? Then go for the highest and the best – become a DTM and reach the pinnacle of Toastmasters success!

Speak to one of our VP – Education and share your goals with them. They will be pleased to help you accomplish your goals! Remember: “if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there”. If you have no goals, you have no way of measuring your success in learning public speaking skills. So, start with a plan to achieve your educational goals in Toastmasters - - - this year!

Podium's members that achieved their Competent Toastmaster and higher certificates, are chosen to become mentors for new or experienced members.

A mentor takes a personal interest in and helps an inexperienced person, sometimes called a mentee. The mentor serves as a role model, coach, and confidante, offering knowledge, insight, perspective, or wisdom useful to the mentee. This special help enables the mentee to learn and advance more quickly.

A mentor program has numerous benefits. With the aid of a mentor, new members:

• Learn the program
• Learn Club standards and customs
• Develop confidence
• Participate more and
• Quickly Learn speaking skills.

Mentorship is available to all new members shortly after they join Podium club.