Speechcraft FAQ's

For more information on Speechcraft, please contact the District 9 Speechcraft coordinator Kathleen Cricket Windsong

What is Speechcraft?

Speechcraft is a program designed to teach non-members basic public speaking skills. It is often the first step for participants to overcome their fear of public speaking and lack of confidence to perform. Experienced members of your club present the fundamentals of public speaking in a relaxed enjoyable atmosphere. Through actual involvement, participants are given tools to become experienced and poised speakers. It is also a great way to promote the benefits of Toastmasters’ membership in your community or company.

How does the program work?

Speechcraft can be presented as an integral part of your club meeting or as a seminar-style program presented outside of the club, at a different location and time. The program can be conducted in four, six, or eight sessions, most often presented in consecutive weeks within one to two hour time frames.

What are the basic highlights of the 4, 6, and 8 -session formats?

The Speechcraft program now offers 3 excellent presentational outlines for your club’s consideration. This enables clubs to select the format that most aligns with your club’s specific objectives and commitment parameters. Whether 4, 6, or 8 sessions are held, all participants have the opportunity to complete a minimum of 3 speeches, plus practice impromptu speaking through Table Topics. For club speech presenters, corresponding educational speeches are required as each new speaking element is introduced. Format highlights follow:

1. 8-SESSION FORMAT: Most extensive and effective, offers participants opportunities to develop new speaking skills in a variety of situations including impromptu, presentation, introduction, evaluation, group discussion and meeting settings. Requires the most time and participation commitment from both participants and club members. A group project, 6 individual projects and conducting a meeting are covered in the 8-session program.



2. 6-SESSION FORMAT: Best compromise of thoroughness and preparation requirements for both participants and club members. Focuses on the expansion of each participant’s presentational style with 5 individual speech projects and 1 speech evaluation.



3. 4-SESSION FORMAT: Recommended format if there are critical time and resource constraints for the sponsoring club. Offers an experiential “taste” of Toastmasters and foundational speaking base with 3 speech projects.

What are some general factors to consider when selecting a location?

Determining targeted participants will influence location choice. A location/site with a friendly, neutral and casual business atmosphere is desired. A place where Speechcraft materials can be stowed between sessions is a plus. Avoid sites with outside noise and similar distractions. In almost all circumstances, it is not recommended to have Speechcraft replace regular club meetings. For most clubs, regular members need to be able to continue to work toward their own speech-giving goals. Instead, one compromise is to have a portion of each meeting devoted to Speechcraft. Depending on how many participants you have, it is suggested adding an extra 30-60 minutes to your club meeting either before or after the regularly scheduled time. Trimming the business portion of the meeting can also yield extra time for Speechcraft.

What are some advantages of presenting the program at club meetings?

If the time slot and location work for the Speechcraft participant then he or she would likely be able to attend your regular club meetings. It also provides participants with a sample of the Toastmasters club experience, making it easier for your participants to become members of your club at the conclusion of the program. As a club, it may be more conducive for you to expand upon your regularly designated meeting time than to find another time slot and place that works for all club members.

What are some advantages of presenting the program at a different location?

More participants can be accommodated because more space and time are often available. You can conduct the program for a particular group, civic club, or company at the group's location that is convenient for participants. Also, a Speechcraft program outside the club often leads to the formation of a new Toastmasters club. For clubs who regularly meet early, Speechcraft participants may hesitate to try something new at the early hour, but once they have experienced the benefits of the program at a more neutral time and setting, they may be more than willing to continue at your designated club meeting time.

What does our club need to consider before sponsoring a Speechcraft program?

• Know there is someone with Speechcraft experience to help guide your club’s efforts.

• Gather as much information as possible. At a minimum, acquire and become very familiar with the TI Speechcraft materials. Identify best-fit presentational format for your club.

• Speechcraft coordinator’s guide recommends having one overall coordinator with an assistant to oversee the entire program. Another recommendation is that at least four club members commit to planning and managing the Speechcraft 8-session format from beginning to end. It is important to select enthusiastic leaders who help maintain the club’s focus throughout.

• Club member support and commitment are a must. Depending on club size, participation commitments of each member will vary. One suggestion is to obtain a commitment from all club members that each will participate in a minimum of two meetings and be an audience member in at least two more meetings. Create a chart or table for the entire planned Speechcraft course and have club members sign up for specific sessions and duties, especially for the educational sessions.

• Location, dates, time, make-up dates, refreshments and similar logistics should be discussed and agreed upon prior to commencing the program.

• Know how the Speechcraft program will be advertised and promoted, plus identify target groups and geographical areas. One suggestion is to announce your Speechcraft series using a title a participant can easily identify with such as “Communicate with Confidence.

• Plan, plan, plan for a successful program!
  

How do we find participants and how many do you recommend?

Attracting people to participate in your Speechcraft program requires an organized promotional program.

• Is yours a community or company club? Define your market and whom you want to attract. This will help determine how you market your program.

• For community clubs, decide whether to market citywide or with specific groups. Placing advertisements and public announcements in local newspapers, radio stations, local libraries and city’s chamber of commerce are a few of many marketing strategies. Others include producing and handing out flyers and mailers to specific targets.

• For targeting potential participants within a company, promote the program through notices on bulletin boards, announcements in company newsletters, memos and email. Enlist the help of the human resources department.

• The recruitment of choice is for current club members to promote the program person to person. One to one personal contacts have proven to be the most fruitful, plus members can target selected candidates.

• Within a club presentation, 5-10 participants are recommended. For programs presented at a different location, more participants can easily be accommodated with more time/space availability and additional resources.
  

What is the recommended fee?

The Speechcraft program should at least pay for itself. The approach of charging enough to cover the cost of conducting the Speechcraft plus enough for membership has been more successful than simply charging for Speechcraft. The added benefit by charging for both is the perception that the Speechcraft is more valuable because it costs more.

Our club has a small membership with limited resources in all areas. Is there any district assistance available to us? YES!!!

• In addition to our Speechcraft chair, the district has multiple people with Speechcraft experience who are available to help guide your club’s efforts and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

• Courtesy of our district, extra Speechcraft materials are available to clubs with little or no revenue.

• If needed, Toastmasters from neighboring clubs may be tapped for educational presentations or other purposes during your Speechcraft program.

Can I get access to forms and templates created by others?

Certainly. The Speechcraft materials offer sample templates. In addition, many individuals and clubs have created useful forms and templates that will make preparing a Speechcraft program easier. Some documents are available on the District 9 web site, through the Speechcraft chair and Speechcraft veteran members. In addition, many more can be found by searching online.

What are some benefits and challenges for our Toastmaster members and our club?

This experience can help unite a club with focused purpose and foster enthusiastic leadership and teamwork among club members. Speechcraft provides opportunities to stretch and challenge the potential of each Toastmaster member. The experience of being a teacher and trainer is a valuable benefit to presenters. Putting together a mini syllabus and making it into an educational presentation is a worthwhile endeavor. Receiving TI leadership credit for the presentations/speeches is an added plus. Putting together a well thought-out and effective presentation is a challenge but the potential rewards are great.

What are some benefits and challenges for Speechcraft participants?

No matter which session format is selected, each participant gains much information within a short-term commitment. In addition to the benefits touted by Toastmasters International and contained in the Speechcraft materials, each participant makes a personal commitment to improve one’s self. It is their beginning of building personal confidence. Each has the opportunity to step out of one’s comfort zone and try something different. Attending Speechcraft offers the chance to make new acquaintances and perhaps new friendships. There is the benefit of hearing different views and perspectives in a friendly atmosphere. But, there is also the challenge of simply showing up to each meeting. There is the challenge of preparing speeches and mustering the courage to deliver them. There is the challenge of graciously accepting feedback without becoming defensive or taking it personally.

What are ways to promote Toastmasters during the Speechcraft program?

At various times, talk up Toastmasters pointing out that, although Speechcraft is focused on public speaking, Toastmasters encompasses all forms of communication (including listening) and leadership. Point out that everything Toastmasters members do, during and outside of their club meetings, are “transferable skills.” That is, everything we do in Toastmasters will provide us benefit outside of Toastmasters. Encourage them to attend a regular Toastmasters meeting for additional insight.

Remember, both Speechcraft and Toastmasters promote the building of all communication skills that will improve participants performance in:

• Meeting the public

• Conducting business meetings

• Developing and presenting ideas to others

• Motivating people

• Interviewing for jobs

• Selling ideas or products

• Critical thinking and solving problems

• Communicating more effectively at work and at home

• Working more competently on the job with your employer, associates, subordinates, and customers

• Evaluating others and situations when needed

• Participating more capably in groups and community activities

• Honing management skills

• Effectively collaborating with fellow employees and others

• Offering and accepting constructive feedback

How do we reach our goal of recruiting new Toastmasters members via Speechcraft?

One successful way of recruiting new members has been to have participants sign up for both Speechcraft and Toastmaster membership at the same time. Prior to actual enlistment, plan to conduct an orientation meeting explaining that Speechcraft is an introduction to public speaking, but continuing as a Toastmaster Member will make the speaking and confidence development possible. Without that commitment, they will not likely accomplish their purpose. To have a successful recruitment, clubs need to convey the above message along with having an experienced coordinator and club member participation.

Besides acquiring new members, are there other reasons why clubs choose to present a Speechcraft series?

Yes! There are multiple reasons—beyond the goal of increased membership—why clubs sponsor a Speechcraft program. Already mentioned but well worth a repeat, it is a way to spark new vitality and purpose in a club. It is a way for clubs to become known and more visible within their community. It is also a great vehicle for clubs to use to give back to their community. A pertinent example of this is club sponsorship of a Speechcraft program aimed specifically at teens. Although teens under the age of 18 are not eligible to join Toastmasters International, they can personally benefit from the tools learned in Speechcraft. Giving for the sake of giving has its intrinsic rewards that are more difficult to measure, but can be just as rewarding as gaining new members.

How do we know if we have had a successful Speechcraft presentation?

The best way to answer this is for your club to determine beforehand what your club wants to gain, then review and measure the results at the end of your program. A Speechcraft evaluation form is provided online for your convenience. It is recommended that clubs report their evaluation and results, including future recommendations for the benefit of others engaging in the Speechcraft program to District 9’s Speechcraft chair.

In essence, what can Speechcraft provide for our club?

It has been documented that clubs who sponsor a Speechcraft program each year do not have issues with low membership. It is also known to stimulate and revitalize an existing club while building membership. If this appeals to your club, it is worth your effort!