The educational program is at the heart of our Club. It is the means by which you develop your skills and achieve your goal of becoming a better communicator.

On an informal level, every meeting offers you the chance to practise. But toastmasters also offers a formal educational programme, which is divided into two tracks - a communication track and a leadership track.

Both offer formal training in the form of various projects that you can carry out, and which allow you to learn through experimentation and experience.



Communication Track

The communication track is the major emphasis for all new members, most of whom join Toastmasters for the benefits it offers. Some also become involved in the leadership track, but they are not mutually exclusive.

The core of the communication track is the Competent Communication manual, which contains 10 speech projects that allow you to gradually build up your speaking abilities. Upon competion of the Competent Communication manual there are 15 Advanced Communication manuals to develop skills across a wide a range of subjects and speaking situations.

Competent Communication Manual
Advanced Communication Manual

Leadership Track

The leadership track allows you to acquire and practise 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.

Committee members attend twice yearly training sessions with all the other clubs in the Area. This provides valuable support to the club and also the individual working towards their Leadership Award.

Following are the awards members may earn in the leadership track and the requirements for each.

Competent Leader (CL) Award

The Competent Leadership manual is the core of the leadership track. It features 10 projects, which you complete while serving in various club meeting roles. An evaluator will give you feedback on each project, helping you to improve. When you complete the manual, you are eligible for Competent Leader (CL) recognition. Complete the CL application in the manual and ask your vice president education (VPE) to submit it online to World Headquarters. You'll receive a CL certificate and, if you wish, World Headquarters will send your employer a letter about your accomplishment.

After earning the CL award you can further refine and develop your leadership skills by working in the advanced leader program. Members working in this program are eligible for Advanced Leader Bronze (ALB) and Advanced Leader Silver (ALS) recognition

Advanced Leader Bronze (ALB)

To be eligible for this award, a member must have:

*Achieved new Competent Leader award
*Achieved Competent Communicator award (or 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 serving in this office
*While serving in the above office, participated in a district-sponsored club officer training program
*Conducted any two programs from The Successful Club Series and/or The Leadership Excellence Series (may not be those completed for previous awards)

The Successful Club Series modules include:

*The Moments Of Truth (290)
*Finding New Members For Your Club (291)
*Evaluation To Motivate (292)
*Closing The Sale (293)
*Creating The Best Club Climate (294)
*Meeting Roles And Responsibilities (295)
*Mentoring (296)
*Keeping The Commitment (297)
*Going Beyond Our Club (298)
*How To Be A Distinguished Club (299)
*The Toastmasters Educational Program (300)

A complete set of The Leadership Excellence Series modules, including scripts and PowerPoint presentations. The series includes:

*The Visionary Leader (311)
*Developing A Mission (312)
*Values And Leadership (313)
*Goal Setting And Planning (314)
*Delegate To Empower (315)
*Building A Team (316)
*Giving Effective Feedback (317)
*The Leader As A Coach (318)
*Motivating People (319)
*Service And Leadership (320)
*Resolving Conflict (321)


Advanced Leader Silver (ALS)

To be eligible for this award, a member must have:

*Achieved Advanced Leader Bronze award (or 'old' 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). A complete term is defined as having served at least from September 1 through June 30. Those assuming office after September 1 do not qualify as having served a full term
*Completed the High Performance Leadership program
*Served successfully as a club sponsor, mentor or coach


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:

*Achieved Advanced Communicator Gold award (or achieved Advanced Toastmaster Gold award)
*Achieved Advanced Leader Silver award (or achieved Advanced Leader award)

Leadership Elements