Su Brooks – Toastmasters District 83

Additional Opportunities Beyond Your Club

Toastmasters often look for additional speaking and leadership opportunities outside of their club in order to complete an educational award in either the traditional or the Pathways program.

A few of our District leaders shared their ideas and inspiration.

Janette Alexander, DTM advised, “We’re starting an advanced club in Randolph, NJ. We need speakers. We meet the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6:30- 8pm. Because we are not chartered yet, you would give the credit for speeches completed to your home club. If you are looking for places, we have a place for you.”

Michelle Tropper, DTM shared, “Consider training events for the educational modules in the Traditional program. They are required. That’s a great venue for that.”

She continued, “Come to the Hail and Farewell event on July 27 at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Bridgewater, NJ. It takes place from 11 am-3pm. Consider presenting a toast or a roast and get speech credit.

This is a great opportunity that many people don’t even think about.”

Consider the Special Occasion Speeches manual in the traditional education program or one of the speeches in the Pathways Level 3 project, “Deliver Social Speeches.” Always think, “Is this an event where I can present? You’re going there anyway. Why not make it worth your while? Make yourself part of the program.”

Michelle also recommends, for Area and Division contests, call around to clubs near you or have the leaders send you an email. Speakers and role holders are always needed.

Always be ready, have a speech in your pocket and have your evaluation forms from your traditional manual or Pathways resources with you. Sketch out a game plan.

Other opportunities include speaking if you are conducting a presentation for work or a community organization. Some of these could include Girl Scouts, the Rotary, the Junior League. Have another Toastmaster attend, provide an evaluation for you and you can get speech credit.

Work seminars could also be an opportunity, so look at the criteria for speeches for discussion leader and seminars projects. Again, get an evaluation from a Toastmaster in attendance.

Once you make Toastmasters part of what you do, you are always thinking of leveraging opportunities.

Create a website or a blog post.

Some people go to networking events all the time. You’re going anyway. Family events. You’re engaging in every day. It’s a matter of being mindful of what you’re doing day to day. Michelle continues, “The longer you are a Toastmaster, the less you think about it. Develop the skills for communication and conversation. That’s what I think is exciting about Pathways.”

Subhash Harmalker, DTM, has extensive experience helping at Area and Division contests. “It is a great opportunity for networking. You’re also providing service, which is very satisfying. Providing goodwill can help you boost confidence and morale. When you venture outside your comfort zone, you learn. Compete in a contest. Learn from observing others.”

Whether you are beginning your Toastmasters journey in Pathways or are finishing up a DTM in the traditional program, these leaders have suggested excellent examples for us to explore Toastmasters opportunities outside of our club.

Opportunities Beyond Your Club

Whether you are pursuing a traditional or a Pathways DTM award, there are several opportunities for learning about speaking and leadership beyond your club environment. The fun and excitement is extended beyond your manuals and Pathways resources.

Visit other clubs

Talk to members of the other club and learn new ways of conducting a meeting. Explore a community club if you are a member of a corporate club. Check out an advanced club if you are interested in taking your skills to the next level and seek comprehensive feedback.

District-sponsored education and training sessions

Attend club officer training to not only learn about your role, but also to meet your counterparts in other clubs. Sometimes, general education sessions are presented in addition to the officer breakout sessions.

Pathways training sessions are another great opportunity to get your questions answered and share best practices as we navigate this exciting educational experience and learn together. These could take place as standalone sessions or after a District gathering.

Area and Division contests

At the Evaluation contests, the Contest Chairs seek out model (also known as test) speakers from other locations so the contestants experience new ideas from someone who might be unfamiliar to them.

As a model speaker, you can present your speech to an audience in another area or division and ask an audience member for a written evaluation as long as the duties as a contest official do not pose a conflict of interest. Bring your manual or Pathways resource with you. Take notes from the speech evaluators and consider implementing their suggestions in your future speeches.

District Annual Conferences

Join fellow Toastmasters at the District Annual Conference, May 3-5, 2019 at the APA Hotel in Woodbridge, NJ. Register for the conference here. Learn new ideas at educational workshops. Network with other Toastmasters. Become inspired and entertained at the International speech and Humorous speech contests. Hone your speech evaluation and Table Topics skills observing the best in the District compete.

Blog contributed by Su Brooks, DTM 2 District 83 Training Coordinator and Social Media Strategist

Su has been a Toastmaster since July 2000 and has earned two DTM awards in the Traditional program. In Pathways, she is working on three paths: Leadership Development, Presentation Mastery, and Engaging Humor. In addition, she recently began the Pathways Mentoring Program.

For 2018-2019, she serves as the Sergeant at Arms for Talk of Monmouth, an advanced club in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and as the District Training Coordinator and a Social Media Strategist.

She is a member of No Limits Toastmasters in Staten Island, New York, where she serves as the audio technician on the production crew for Toastmasters in the Community, a cable TV show.

For 2019-2020, Su will take on the role of Destination DTM Chair for District 83.

Planning and scheduling your speeches and leadership roles

Whether pursuing a traditional or a Pathways DTM, you will need to complete several speeches and perform many leadership roles in order to attain your goal. You have a variety of opportunities available.

I discussed this topic with Bill Atkins, DTM, a member of Red Bank Toastmasters, Talk of Monmouth (an advanced club) and the soon-to-be-chartered Holmdel Toastmasters club. Here are some of the ideas we talked about when I mentored Bill while he was completing his DTM.

Your club(s)

Sign up on your own on the club’s website (if your club uses this method) but be respectful that other members want speaking spots, too. Let your VPE and mentor know about your goal.

Other clubs

Visit other clubs that may have speaking spots and support roles available if they have fewer members in their club and struggle to fill roles.

Join another club

Consider joining an additional club if your schedule and budget will allow it. For example, if you are a member of a corporate club, consider a community club, an advanced club or a specialty club.

The importance of planning

Bill shared some advice that helped him complete his DTM sooner than he thought possible. He stated, “One of the most important things I learned from Su is to have a Toastmasters calendar to plan the requirements and speaking opportunities. Planning, then writing down what and where I would be completing projects and speeches, helped me advance to the next level more quickly.”

Outside of Toastmasters

With permission of your club VPE, you can present speeches at work or in the community. Receive speech credit when you meet the project requirements and have a Toastmaster present as your speech evaluator. Consult your traditional manuals or Pathways project resources for complete details.

Bill continued, “Because of my Toastmasters experience, I have been able to speak at many other opportunities outside of Toastmasters. These include speaking to an audience of over 400 people for two hours at a conference in Washington, DC, many local business organizations, as well as conducting training at businesses such as car dealerships, real estate firms and corporations.”

“I will be completing my first full path, Presentation Mastery, while also working on the Effective Coaching path. I am using the same calendar planning strategy I learned from Su, my DTM mentor,” Bill concluded.

Blog contributed by Su Brooks, DTM 2 District 83 Training Coordinator and Social Media Strategist

For 2018-2019, she serves as the Sergeant at Arms for Talk of Monmouth, an advanced club in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and as the District Training Coordinator and a Social Media Strategist.

She is a member of No Limits Toastmasters in Staten Island, New York, where she serves as the audio technician on the production crew for Toastmasters in the Community, a cable TV show.

For 2019-2020, Su will take on the role of Destination DTM Chair for District 83.

Reciprocity

One of the greatest experiences in Toastmasters is reciprocating by helping fellow Toastmasters achieve their goals while you achieve yours. This creates an ever-expanding circle of sharing compared to a one-time experience between two or more people.

Here are ten Toastmasters tips to help you reach milestones whether you plan to achieve a traditional or a Pathways DTM:

Organize a club officer training session in your division with permission from district leaders
Serve as a trainer at club officer training
Assist at club, area, division and district contests if you are not a contestant
Provide advice in your area of expertise for a club member’s speech; he/she helps in a similar way for you
If practical, carpool with fellow club members to contests, meetings, district special events or training sessions
Serve on a guidance committee for a Toastmaster working on a traditional or Pathways High Performance Leadership (HPL) project
If you are a speaker, offer to evaluate another speaker during a club speakout
Help a fellow club member become confident beginning Pathways when you are both ready
Inspire a fellow Toastmaster to take on a club or district officer role for 2019-2020 and share what you learned during your term
Notify club members seeking speaking slots when you learn about opportunities in other clubs

Often, club members are eager to help; Go ahead and ask.

Blog contributed by Su Brooks, DTM 2 District 83 Training Coordinator and Social Media Strategist

For 2018-2019, she serves as the Sergeant at Arms for Talk of Monmouth, an advanced club in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and as the District Training Coordinator and a Social Media Strategist.

She is a member of No Limits Toastmasters in Staten Island, New York, where she serves as the audio technician on the production crew for Toastmasters in the Community, a cable TV show.

For 2019-2020, Su will take on the role of Destination DTM Chair for District 83.

Differences Between Traditional and Pathways DTM Achievements

You decided to pursue a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award and would like to learn more about a traditional DTM and a Pathways DTM.

The requirements for attaining a traditional DTM and a Pathways DTM are available on the Toastmasters International website: https://www.toastmasters.org/education/distinguished-toastmaster.

Here are a few of the highlights you may be interested in exploring in order to determine which is right for you or a member of your club.

Timing

Members have until June 30, 2020 to complete the requirements for a DTM in the traditional program.

There are no deadlines for completing a Pathways DTM.

Support for Clubs

In the traditional program, a Toastmaster must complete the requirements for serving as a sponsor, mentor or coach.

In the Pathways program, a Toastmaster is required to:

Serve as a club sponsor, or conduct a Speechcraft, or Youth Leadership Program

AND

Serve as a club mentor or coach

Completing requirements

In the traditional program, Toastmasters may work on speeches and leadership requirements in a variety of manuals at the same.

In the Pathways program, individuals must work sequentially on completing requirements for Levels 1-5 in their paths.

High Performance Leadership (HPL)

In the traditional program, a member can begin working on an HPL project at any time as a component of their Advanced Leader Silver (ALS) award.

In the Pathways program, an HPL project, either a Level 5 requirement or an optional elective depending on the member’s chosen path, can be started when the member completes Level 4.

Continue to stay informed:

Toastmasters International website
Toastmaster magazine (print and online)
Coming Soon: Pathways resources on the District 83 website
Club Officer Training (next sessions take place June, July and August 2019)

Blog contributed by Su Brooks, DTM 2 District 83 Training Coordinator and Social Media Strategist

For 2018-2019, she serves as the Sergeant at Arms for Talk of Monmouth, an advanced club in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and as the District Training Coordinator and a Social Media Strategist.

She is a member of No Limits Toastmasters in Staten Island, New York, where she serves as the audio technician on the production crew for Toastmasters in the Community, a cable TV show.

For 2019-2020, Su will take on the role of Destination DTM Chair for District 83.

High Performance Leadership (HPL) Projects

Ideas and timing (Traditional and Pathways)

Selecting an idea for your High Performance Leadership project can be a daunting task.

You can select any one of many types of projects.

It can be:

Your own idea for a Toastmasters or non-Toastmasters group or project
An idea from a club or district officer
A suggestion from our District HPL Coordinator
An idea from a community group
A project related to your business or profession as long as a Toastmaster is on your committee

Some people use their term as a district officer as their HPL project.

Traditional and Pathways HPL projects: Similarities and Differences

Traditional HPL

Start as soon as you are ready. All components of your Advanced Leader Silver award, including earning the Leadership Excellence certificate from Toastmasters International must be completed before June 30, 2020, so plan accordingly.

Pathways HPL

You may work on Pathways HPL projects when you reach Level 5. Not all paths have an HPL project as a required project. Some have it as an optional elective.

The Traditional and Pathways HPL projects and requirements cannot be interchanged.

Both type of HPL projects require a speech to your club to share the idea at the outset and another speech at the end to present your results, although the terminology differs for each.

Meetings with Your Guidance Committee

These can be in-person, via phone call or video conference. Plan ahead to make sure you complete the required number of meetings.

Recognition

You will receive the Leadership Excellence certificate from Toastmasters International upon successful completion of your traditional HPL.

You can recognize the people on your guidance and action committees in any way that is meaningful to you.

For more information

Consult your traditional High Performance Leadership manual or Pathways resources for complete details.

Blog contributed by Su Brooks, DTM 2 District 83 Training Coordinator and Social Media Strategist

For 2018-2019, she serves as the Sergeant at Arms for Talk of Monmouth, an advanced club in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and as the District Training Coordinator and a Social Media Strategist.

She is a member of No Limits Toastmasters in Staten Island, New York, where she serves as the audio technician on the production crew for Toastmasters in the Community, a cable TV show.

For 2019-2020, Su will take on the role of Destination DTM Chair for District 83.

Mentoring a New Member

For a traditional DTM, Toastmasters need to mentor a new member with their first three speeches as one of the components of the Advanced Communicator Gold (ACG) award.

If you are planning to complete this before June 2020, planning ahead is very important. You can guide and encourage the new member, but please remember, even though you are eager to complete your ACG, It’s not about you, it’s their schedule. Be patient.

While working one of my ACG awards a few years ago, I had everything completed EXCEPT for this requirement. I began working with one of the new members who had to leave to the club.

Her husband landed a graduate teaching assignment that conflicted with the meeting night of the club and the couple had one car. That meant I had to start over with another new member.

I started again with another new member and was seeking to complete the requirement before the end of the Toastmasters year on June 30. However, my plans were delayed again. My friend had job responsibilities that took priority over Toastmasters.

Eventually, my friend presented her third speech and I completed my ACG. However, the entire process took much longer than I anticipated.

This advice also applies if you are completing a traditional program Competent Leadership (CL) manual requirement and/or if you have decided to enroll in the Pathways Mentoring Program, which you will be eligible to begin after completing Level 2 in Pathways.

Blog contributed by Su Brooks, DTM 2 District 83 Training Coordinator and Social Media Strategist

For 2018-2019, she serves as the Sergeant at Arms for Talk of Monmouth, an advanced club in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and as the District Training Coordinator and a Social Media Strategist.

She is a member of No Limits Toastmasters in Staten Island, New York, where she serves as the audio technician on the production crew for Toastmasters in the Community, a cable TV show.

For 2019-2020, Su will take on the role of Destination DTM Chair for District 83.

Selecting and Timing Your Leadership Roles

The leadership roles described in this post, unlike speeches, CAN carry over from the Traditional DTM track to the Pathways DTM track. However, credit for these roles must not have been applied to a previous award.

District Officer

Start now and tell Lynda Starr that you are interested in serving as a District Officer for 2019-2020 so you can complete your next award.

You might need to be flexible with the officer positions available. There could be an abundance of people in one geographical area seeking a role and a need to fill a position in another area.

Sponsor, Mentor, Coach

Start now and ask William Markert for an appointment. A Sponsor for a new club receives credit after the club successfully charters. Some clubs charter very quickly, while others take months. Up to two people can sponsor a new club.

A Mentor for a newly chartered club fills the role for a minimum of six months. Up to two people can serve. Mentors may receive credit after they complete their service AND the President of the club signs a form attesting to its completion.

A Club Coach is appointed upon the request of a Club that is in need of support to increase their membership, restore club quality and bring their club to the level of Distinguished status or higher. Clubs qualify for a Coach if their membership is below 12. Two Coaches may work with a club. A Coach is successful if the club becomes Distinguished by the end of the Toastmasters year.

A Coach can request that the appointment be extended another year. Keep this timing in mind if you are seeking to complete a traditional DTM by June 2020.

Successful club coaches traditionally receive credit toward the ALS or DTM award for their service as a coach. In addition, the ALS award also requires one year of service as a district officer. But starting in January 2019, successful club coaches will also be credited with service as a district officer. This means successful club coaches will complete two of the ALS/DTM requirements rather than one. Club coaches will still have two years to help clubs become distinguished—all of this year and through the 2019-2020 program year.

Youth Leadership Program, Speechcraft

Start on your own schedule. Materials for these programs may be ordered through the Toastmasters International online shop.

Talk to Toastmasters who have completed these community programs for insight and helpful advice.

Talk to your DTM mentor, your Club Vice President Education, a District Officer or the District Destination DTM Chair to help determine which roles might be best suited for your goals.

Blog contributed by Su Brooks, DTM 2 District 83 Training Coordinator and Social Media Strategist

For 2018-2019, she serves as the Sergeant at Arms for Talk of Monmouth, an advanced club in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and as the District Training Coordinator and a Social Media Strategist.

She is a member of No Limits Toastmasters in Staten Island, New York, where she serves as the audio technician on the production crew for Toastmasters in the Community, a cable TV show.

For 2019-2020, Su will take on the role of Destination DTM Chair for District 83.

The Value of a DTM Mentor

Your (Distinguished Toastmaster) DTM mentor will support you with your goals whether you have decided to pursue a traditional or a Pathways DTM.

Your DTM mentor can be a member of your club or a member of another club. You and your mentor can discuss how often to meet to talk about your progress and next steps.

A mentor will help you define the timetable for your goal. Requirements for a traditional DTM must be completed by June 2020. A Pathways DTM does not have a deadline specified by Toastmasters International. You and your mentor should discuss the overall timing, then break your goal into manageable segments with short, medium and long-term goals for success.Perhaps you are looking for additional speaking opportunities. I mentored a few Toastmasters who were able to serve as a model speaker for evaluation contests at other clubs, areas, and divisions outside their own.

Your DTM mentor can also let you know about clubs who might have fewer members than your club and frequently look for Toastmasters outside of their club to fill a speaking role on their agenda. It’s a good idea to have your next speech ready to go in case a prepared speaker has to cancel at the last minute and you can readily fill in.

You and your DTM mentor can meet Toastmasters outside of your club(s) at training sessions, contests and conferences. Meeting new people helps generate different ideas to help you reach your goals.

At a conference planning meeting, my DTM mentor informed me about two people seeking their DTM. I learned that they scheduled two educational workshops at a library on a weekend and invited everyone in the district to attend. This way they were able to reach a large audience and could present their training sessions without having to take time away from their regularly scheduled club meeting time.

You might be seeking a leadership role and need advice and connections for serving as a district officer or a sponsor, mentor, or coach. Your DTM mentor can help you with that information to get an appointment. Contact the District Director for more information.

For more information about DTM mentors, please contact the District 83 Destination DTM Chair.

Blog contributed by Su Brooks, DTM 2 District 83 Training Coordinator and Social Media Strategist

For 2018-2019, she serves as the Sergeant at Arms for Talk of Monmouth, an advanced club in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and as the District Training Coordinator and a Social Media Strategist.

She is a member of No Limits Toastmasters in Staten Island, New York, where she serves as the audio technician on the production crew for Toastmasters in the Community, a cable TV show.

For 2019-2020, Su will take on the role of Destination DTM Chair for District 83.

Pathways Learning Experience: Get Ready

District 83 expects to launch the Pathways Learning Experience to our members on May 15, 2018.

In order to access the online Base Camp, where you will begin your Assessment to select one of the ten learning paths to pursue, and choose print or online materials, you must have an account with Toastmasters International. It is a single sign-on that you would use to access anything on the Toastmasters site, including Pathways.

If you have not done so already, please visit www.toastmasters.org to get started.

At the top of the menu bar, select “Login” and fill in your Username, which is your email address.

If you have not set up an account yet, leave the Password field blank, and select “Forgot password?”

You will be prompted to select a password.

Use this combination of Username and Password to Login to the Toastmasters International website once Pathways launches in order to access Base Camp and begin your journey. There is a plethora of great information on the website including club DCP progress, resources and the Toastmasters magazine.

Get your account set up today so when Pathways launches, you will be ready to get started.

Thank you to the following contributors of this article: Su Brooks, Elizabeth Mancuso, Lynda Starr, Michelle Tropper