May 25, 2015. That was the date that started it all.
As a work from home blogger, I am not in a position where I need to make inspiring speeches to employees or persuasive ones to board of directors. I joined Toastmasters to help me iron out some of the awkwardness in my everyday encounters. I needed help with overcoming the overwhelming feeling one gets while engaging in small talk or meeting strangers.
I needed Toastmasters for everyday life. May 25, 2015 is when I started Toastmasters.
The Toastmasters educational program is divided into two tracks – a communication track and a leadership track. Members are encouraged to participate in both tracks. The two tracks are not mutually exclusive and you can work in both at the same time. Both also provide for specific accomplishments.
Getting My CC, Moving to ACB
As of April 16, 2016, I received my Competent Communicator award along the Communication Track. This means that I finished off 10 speeches, each with its own individual focus or objective that teaches members the basics of speeches (organizing, using vocal variety, hand gestures).
To kick off my next award – Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB) – I have chosen to do 5 storytelling speeches and 5 specialty speeches (impromptu, sales pitch). I delivered the first one last week: a folk tale I heard in Ireland.
Tackling My CL, On Track for ALB
And last Wednesday (June 15. 2016), I received my Competent Leadership award. Each of the ten projects in the Competent Leadership (CL) manual focuses on a different leadership skill (like listening or time management) and an assignment that requires your serving in one or more specified meeting or club roles in which you can practice aspects of that skill. Roles can include Evaluator, Timer, Toastmaster, Grammarian and General Evaluator. In most projects you can choose which roles to serve in.
This year, I have volunteered and was nominated to be the VP of Public Relations for Morningstars Toastmasters AND the advanced Beachcombers Toastmasters Club (must have your CC to join). It’s the next step on the Leadership Track toward Advanced Leadership Bronze (ALB).
Going Forward
They say that you can accomplish DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) in four years. I’m not sure I will do it in four years . . . but I am sure I will do it!
Onward and upward!