What is Speechcraft?

  You may have heard the term "Speechcraft"  used in  Toastmasters and may not have  thought much about it.  Is it just a reference to well crafted speeches? 

  SpeechCraft along with Youth Leadership Program are programs from Toastmasters International  that enable a coordinator to run programs for developing better communication skills. In a sense these are condensed versions of what we do in toastmasters weekly. To quote the speechcraft information from Toastmaster international: 

"Speechcraft is a blended learning program designed to provide optimal support for learners interested in building their communication and public speaking skills. The directed learning portion of Speechcraft is delivered by an experienced public speaker, most often a member of Toastmasters International. The follow-up, or individual, learning intended to support the in-person sessions is delivered online through interactive materials designed specifically for adult learners."

Speechcraft is a  four, six or eight week program.  Many times people who participate in these learning programs go on to join toastmasters clubs and continue their education and practice of public speaking and leadership skills. 

 Youth Leadership program is similar to Speechcraft. It is for young people ages 14 to 18. To once again quote the Toastmasters international website: 

"The Youth Leadership Program is a workshop consisting of eight one- to two-hour sessions that enable those between the ages of 14 and 18 to develop their communication and leadership skills through practical experience. The program is presented during or after school, or on weekends. In the workshop, young people will learn how to:

• Evaluate their own speaking ability
• Prepare and deliver speeches
• Give impromptu talks
• Control their voice, vocabulary, and gestures
• Give constructive feedback and more"

  While Toastmasters members can certainly participate in the speechcraft program the primary focus of these is for non members. It is an opportunity to learn the basic skills of public speaking as well as leadership in different elements of the programs roles, much like a toastmasters meeting.   Members will receive guidance from experienced toastmasters. 

These programs are also opportunities for Toastmasters to fulfill leadership roles and can receive credit in their pathways as they work towards their Distinguished Toastmasters Award (DTM)  Which I would highly encourage too of you to be in pursuit of! 

More information can be found at Toastmasters International website under educational programs,  at the link below:

https://www.toastmasters.org/education 

A Toastmaster Wears Many Hats.

   In reviewing what is called The Leader Letter on Toastmasters international Webpage. I went down some "rabbit holes" and looked around at what was on there.   I came across several things that may help us as a club. I would like to present briefly the resource called:  "A Toastmaster Wears Many Hats".  I truly don't remember this resource from the past but my guess is this may have been around for some time. 

 It is an excellent review of our roles in a toastmasters meeting. I think as we assemble materials to give to new members this would be very good thing to present to them. It is already digital and would be easily forwarded to them via email. 

  For the educational Moment I would like to very briefly bring up some tips from this resource for different meeting roles.  Here are a few tips and my thoughts about them. 

When you are the Speaker:  

• Be sure to discuss your goals and any personal concerns about your speaking skills with your evaluator. Emphasize areas you are working on that you would like your evaluator to note.

    I think I can certainly be better about thinking about What do I want to focus on improving during a given speech. I think this has tremendous value rather than just doing the speech and seeing what  SO I think it is worthy of reflection and setting goals for the speech itself in regards to what area do you wish to specifically improve upon in your public speaking. 

  When you are the Evaluator:

   The most effective evaluators make themselves aware of the member’s skill level, habits, and mannerisms, as well as their progress to date whenever possible.

    Our club does very well at this. Reading what a toastmaster needs form you not just your evaluation of their speech or presentation of said speech. Some will need more encouragement because it was all they had to just get in front of the club and speak. This is monumental achievement for them and should be recognized by the evaluator as well. 

  When you are Table Topics Master: 

  Create a list of speakers, evaluators, General Evaluator, and Toastmaster for the meeting so you can call on other members first. If time permits, call on participants already scheduled to speak.

   This is somthign we don't really think all that much about in our club as we often have more than enough time for most everyone to do table topics. Table topics priority should go to those who don't have another opportunity to speak in the meeting. 

    When you are Toastmaster:

  The main duties of the Toastmaster are to coordinate and conduct the entire meeting, introduce participants, and act as a genial host. The Toastmaster sets the tone for the meeting. This task is generally reserved for members who are quite familiar with the club and its procedures.

  Serving as Toastmaster is an excellent way to practice planning, preparation, organization, time management, facilitation, motivation, and team-building skills as you strive to make the meeting one of the club’s best.

    I think it deserves emphasizing how important the Toastmaster role is . Once you are assigned as Toastmaster you are basically in charge of that weeks meeting. May sound daunting but it really is a lot of fun and you have a whole club of support for you. Take charge and lead the meeting.  I would also emphasize what the last line says about Toastmaster "As you strive to make the meeting one of the club's best.'  We need to think about all of the roles as an opportunity to do it better than we did last time!   I know I am guilty of just going through the motions many times of teh roles and not really thinking about how can I do it better. To me that is what Toastmasters is all about: Becoming Better speakers, Better leaders and Better people! 

  
  

  These are just a  a few things form this resource. I would encourage us all to go in and read this as a refresher or maybe for a first time learning experience about the meeting roles we hold so dearly in Toastmasters. 

  
  

  https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/a-toastmaster-wears-many-hats

  
  

    

Hip Pocket Speeches.

  This last Saturday Toastmasters District 26 conducted the Event:"Hall of Fame and Second Round TM Officer Training"   It was for multiple reasons,  like presenting awards from last year and also included was early bird officers training. 

  I attended the officers training for Vice President of Education. It is always wonderful to compare notes with other clubs and see how their VP of Ed's are doing certain things. Keith Horowitz, a long time friend in TM and fellow Geocacher (That is another story for another time),  conducted this training. 

  One thing he brought up and I think it is a very good idea is he asked his officers specifically, but I also think it would be an excellent thing for anyone to do, is to have a hip pocket speech prepared. More specifically if one would wish to you can use some modules that are a hold over from the legacy program and that is the "Better Speaker Series",  Successful Club Series and Leadership Excellence Series. These all would make excellent hip pocket speeches for when we have people drop off the agenda. 

 Why would we want to do this?  

  These presentations help with common issues facing clubs! Things like the basics of how to prepare and write speeches. Most of our more seasoned members could open a set of these slides and give a speech from them with no problem!   For the newer members it would be an excellent thing to review these materials and prepare to give presentation on them for these moments as well. The best way to learn often is to prepare to teach something! 

   I would encourage all of us to have in our "hip pockets" one of these modules, about so many different aspects of Toastmasters, ready for when you have the opportunity. 

  As to how we make it count for credit in your pathway? I know the VP of Ed himself,  we can make it fit! There are many options for this in your path and I am convinced we can put it in there somewhere! 

  My challenge to myself and for you is to look over these resources and  have a set of slides on a given subject ready to talk to so we can always have at least one speaker at every meeting.  It will also be a great learning experience for us as we review some great information. 

  You can find these modules on TM International webpage. I find it easiest to just put the titles in the search bar and it will take you right to them. You can download the whole set onto your computer. 

https://www.toastmasters.org/