Pathways Mentorship Program

The Toastmasters Pathways Mentor Program is an optional, structured program within the Pathways education system that allows experienced members who have completed Level 2 to mentor newer members. The program, accessible through Toastmasters Base Camp, provides training and resources for mentors and involves completing two mentoring projects to build and reinforce mentoring skills. Mentors offer general support and guidance, while mentees (or protégés) take action to achieve personal and club goals. 

How the Pathways Mentor Program Works

1. Eligibility: Members must complete Level 2 of any Pathways path and be a member in good standing for at least six months to begin the program.
2. Accessing the Program: Log in to Toastmasters.org, go to "my home" and then "Base Camp" to find the "Pathways Mentor Program".
3. Curriculum: The program includes an optional curriculum divided into three sections: Prepare to Mentor, Mentoring, and Advanced Mentoring.
4. Mentoring Projects: The core of the program involves completing two mentoring projects: one short-term and one longer-term project, often lasting about six months.
5. Role of the Mentor: Mentors provide general feedback, encouragement, and personal support, helping mentees develop their own plans to reach their goals.
6. Role of the Mentee (Protégé): Mentees are often new members who receive guidance with their speeches and overall progress in Toastmasters, according to YouTube.
7. Completion: Upon completion, a certificate is available, and members can become a designated Pathways Mentor. 

Benefits of the Program

• For Mentors:It helps members build and reinforce their own mentoring and leadership skills. 
• For Mentees:New members gain valuable support and guidance, helping them achieve their speaking and leadership goals. 
• For Clubs:The program fosters a supportive environment and helps members grow within the club. 

Don't leave the speaking area unoccupied

   I have noticed that we have gotten a little remiss on "handing over control of the meeting". As toastmaster you will begin the meeting and take control of what is happening. During the meeting you will give control over to various others: like the  Inspirational quote person, Prepared speakers, Table Topics Master. etc.    Traditionally when you hand over control to these various people you will shake hands, bump fists or forearms, Bow...  whatever gesture you deem appropriate.    This in the past was  primarily hand shake but covid changed that for a time and we have done various things since then. 

The point is you are handing over control of the meeting at those time and when they are complete you are taking it back.    Never should the speaking area be unoccupied.   We practice these things and I can't tell you for sure they this is a written rule but it is certainly an expectation in speech contests for example.  This shows a certain professionalism and continuity to things as well as avoiding awkward transitions.  This is what we could call a Best Practice. 

When the Thrill is gone

 A recent article in the Toastmasters Leader Letter.   "When the Thrill Is Gone. How to reignite your passion for Toastmasters". By Kate McClare DTM

  There are times when you read something and it just seems to ring true to your own experience at the time.,   This article is very good and if you have not read it I would encourage you to do so later when you have time!   

  In our club, the last several years, we have been through a lot!  The pandemic and all that that entailed,  with us meeting only on zoom and so forth definitely had an effect on membership.   I still think in many ways we are still trying to re-group or recover from all of that mess.  

 Beyond that I think Toastmasters in general is struggling with membership and so forth. This article goes into many thoughts and ideas about what to do to build membership and re-energize . The article talks about different areas of our lives and addresses those very well. IE: Personal Matters, Club Dynamics, and Burnout. 

 All of these areas certainly at one level or another apply to each one of us.   We all have much larger lives than just the few hours a week we are involved in Toastmasters.   

   I would encourage all of us to think about our involvement and in an effort to re-engage focus on what we want to get out off our time together in Toastmasters.   It might be a  simple as  completing a given level in your pathway. Maybe consider preparing a speech for the speech contests coming up.  Look at opportunities to serve at club level or even area or district level.  

   The last thing they talk about in the article is make it fun.     I know the officers have tried to do this with different ideas but we are certainly open to any other ideas you all may have!   One of the ideas in the article was how one club had a joint meeting with another club!   We have done some of that in the past  and I remember that fondly.  It was indeed a lot of fun!   What about us all crashing another clubs meeting!?  A large amount of us just show up maybe   via zoom or in person?  What if that club did the same thing with our meeting?!  I think that could be fun.   

  I will close this post the way the article closed and that is to share this quote from Helen Blanchard, DTM, the first woman to serve as Toastmasters International President: “If you get out of Toastmasters all that there is to get out of Toastmasters, you’ll never get out of Toastmasters.”  

  Link to the article:   https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues2025/August/When-The-Thrill-Is-Gone