The Toastmasters Educational Program

Most people who join Toastmasters are looking for ways to improve their skills at Communication and/or Leadership. Toastmasters International has built an educational program to help you achieve these goals.

Competent Toastmaster (CTM)
Every new member gets a packet including the Communication and Leadership Manual, which is commonly called the CTM manual. CTM means Competent Toastmaster and it's the first step in Toastmasters Program. Completing the CTM requires delivering 10 speeches which are outlined in the manual. The manual provides guidance and objectives for each of the 10 projects, but the speaker chooses her own topic. The manual’s description of the first speech is here.

After completing the CTM, you receive a certificate and, if you wish, World Headquarters will send your employer a letter about your accomplishment.

Then you start to work onthe Advanced manuals, of which there are fifteen:

  • The Entertaining Speaker
  • Speaking to Inform
  • Public Relations
  • The Discussion Leader
  • Specialty Speeches
  • Speeches by Management
  • The Professional Speaker
  • Technical Presentations
  • Persuasive Speaking
  • Communicating on Television
  • Storytelling
  • Interpretive Reading
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Special Occasion Speeches
  • Humorously Speaking

    While you work through the advanced manuals, you are eligible for several awards:

    Advanced Toastmaster Bronze (ATM-B)
    This award requires:

  • Achieved the CTM award
  • Completed two Advanced manuals

    Advanced Toastmaster Silver (ATM-S)
    This award requires:

  • Achieved the ATM-B award
  • Completed two additional advanced manuals
  • Conducted any two programs from The Better Speaker Series and/or The Successful Club Series

    Advanced Toastmaster Gold (ATM-G)
    This award requires:

  • Achieved the ATM-S award
  • Completed two additional advanced manuals
  • Conducted a Success/Leadership Program, Success/Communication Program or a Youth Leadership Program
  • Coached a new member with the first three speech projects

    Toastmasters also has awards to recognize members as they achieve their Leadership goals. All members can serve as a Club leader, developing skills in planning, training, motivating, and managing. You even can become a District leader, where these skills are further enhanced. The leadership awards are:

    Competent Leader (CL)
    This award requires:

  • Achieved the CTM award
  • Served at least six months as a Club officer and participated in the preparation of a Club Success Plan while serving in this office
  • While a Club officer, participated in a District-sponsored Club officer training program
  • Conducted any two programs from The Successful Club Series and/or The Leadership Excellence Series (may not be those completed for any previous award)

    Advanced Leader (AL)
    This award requires:

  • Achieved the CL award
  • Served a complete term as a District officer
  • Completed the High Performance Leadership program
  • Served successfully as a Club Sponsor, Mentor, or Coach

    Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)
    The Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award is the highest award our organization bestows and it recognizes both communication and leadership skills. To be eligible for the DTM award, a member must have:

  • Achieved the ATM-G award
  • Achieved the AL award