Success does NOT happen by accident. Regardless of what you may think, leaders aren't born they are made. They are honest with themselves. Willing to admit weakness and challenges, they address these straight on - moving in the direction of well plotted course. This is true about Toastmasters. When you become a member of a club, like taking the first steps of a journey, you know where you are going and why.
After joining Toastmasters, you receive two manuals - the Competent Communicator and Competent Leader. These manuals guide you in facing the challenges of becoming an effective and persuasive speaker as well as take on increasingly difficult roles to help the club meeting be a meaningful experience for all of those in attendance. At every Club meeting, there are members, prospective members and guests. It is important that whenever a non-club member attends, they are treated to the universal Toastmaster experience.
Inside each manual, there are places to record your progress toward your goals. There is no set time requirement for completing these achievements. However, if you take advantage of opportunities to speak and lead, it will seem like you just started when you finish. Following the Competent Communicator (CC) and the Competent Leader (CL) manuals, make future achievements seem like a piece of cake. Your goal is to become an effective communicator and proven leader - this leads to the eventual prized designation of the Distinguished Toastmaster or DTM. With the DTM, you will be recognized worldwide as an individual who sets goals and works to effectively achieve them ... seen as a proven Leader whenever you visit any club throughout the world.
If this seems confusing, it won't be after you get started. Have questions? Write them down when you think of them, and ask the Club Vice President of Education.
