Running a SpeechCraft

Did you know that one of the rungs you must complete for the new Pathways DTM is to sponsor a club, conduct a Youth Leadership Program or conduct a SpeechCraft?

If SpeechCraft is something you’d like to try, there are a few things you should know... 

• Speechcraft is an intensive public speaking course (4 - 8 weeks) in the fundamentals of public speaking, communication, and leading meetings.
• The program can be offered to non-Toastmasters or to new members of Toastmasters.
• Participants will learn speaking, listening, evaluating, and how to run a meeting.
• Besides getting credit towards the DTM, the coordinator will enhance their own abilities to coordinate and lead a workshop series.
• Other club members can assist the coordinator by serving as advisors, giving educational speeches and performing meeting roles.
• Assistants can receive Pathways project credit as well.

SpeechCraft is a versatile membership building tool. It can be used in lieu of a demo meeting to build interest in starting a club. One savvy corporate club in the district is currently using it to train executives in public speaking skills, thus building its own club brand. An existing club can use SpeechCraft to target a specific potential member population. For example, a club wishing to add more young professionals to its member base might offer a SpeechCraft that helps people strengthen their job interviewing skills.

A Speechcraft course prepares participants for increased and broadened responsibilities in their workplace and community. Surveys of Human Resource professionals have shown that they seek and promote individuals with good communication and organization skills.
It is also a great way to promote the value of the Toastmasters program, enabling prospective new members to experience, first-hand, what Toastmasters is all about. Toastmasters clubs may conduct Speechcraft Courses:

• during regular Toastmasters club meetings, to enable new and prospective members to experience the program and quickly develop foundational skills
• as a special course outside of Toastmasters meetings to introduce non-Toastmasters to the program
• to launch a new Toastmasters club.
• as one of the membership building program that qualifies for rebates

Order SpeechCraft materials from toastmasters.org. https://www.toastmasters.org/shop/education/programs-and-modules/205--Speechcraft-Starter-Kit
 

Complete materials for starting and promoting a Speechcraft program for five people. Includes: 

• 3 Coordinator's Guides (Item 204) 
• 10 Instructions for the Advisor (Item 208INDV) 
• 5 Speechcraft Workbooks (Item 204H) 
• 15 copies of An Opportunity To Succeed (Item 207) 
• 3 copies of Number One Membership Building Tool (Item 203A) 
• 5 Participant's Certificates (Item 261) 
• Coordinator's Certificate (Item 260)
• Expanding Your Horizons (Item 211)