Ron Clark, DTM Toastmasters Leadership Institute Training District 25 Toastmasters The Accredited Speaker Program By Toastmasters International

The Accredited Speaker Program  What we are going to cover 1. What it is 2. Who is eligible 3. How to achieve it 4. The requirements

What This Program Is About  Information about the Accredited Speaker Process  How to get the skills to become an Accredited Speaker  Eligibility requirements  How to become certified

WHAT: Background Information  Program began in 1980  One of the rarest of all Toastmaster awards  Fewer than 20 percent of all applicants have qualified as Accredited Speakers since the program began  The program is conducted annually  Due by November 1

What is Required 1. All materials must be in HQ by November 1 2. An application 3. Documentation – Five client letters of acknowledgement 4. A 15 to 45 minute recording in front of a live audience – make sure your name is on it 5. Application fee of $100 Sent to: Accredited Speaker Program Toastmasters International P. O. Box 9052 Mission Viejo, CA 92690

Now Let’s Start:  How to prepare a proper introduction  Why make a high quality recording  Presenting to a live audience  Selecting a meaningful subject that fits

Things We Will Cover  How to organize for clarity & effectiveness  What to keep in a folder for documentation

Who is it For?  For those that meet a higher standard of speaking  Mastered professional speaking techniques  Able to attract and hold the attention of an audience  Have a powerful message to deliver  Are ready for the next step  ARE YOU THAT PERSON?

Candidates Include  Those that give public seminars  Do presentations to companies and organizations (other than Toastmasters)  Give presentations for your employer  Or to other groups  Usually receive a fee  Fees may be a significant source of income

How Will You benefit From Becoming an Accredited Speaker?  Opportunity to grow in public speaking  Recognition as an accomplished speaker  Expands your speaking expertise  The more you speak - the greater the opportunity to speak again

WHO: Eligibility  Must be a current member of a Toastmasters Club  Must be in good standing  Must be an Able Toastmaster  Advanced Toastmaster Bronze

Speaking Requirements  Minimum of 25 speaking engagements  To non-Toastmasters audiences within three years of the application date  Documentation: Need five copies of letters of acknowledgment or appreciation

What is Needed  The first step – a recording  Documentary evidence of successful presentations Keep a folder  Applicants must pass a rigorous two-stage judging process

The Second Step  The second level requires a different presentation  An additional fee of $150  Presentation before a panel of anonymous judges  At an International Convention At your expense  Do a 20 to 45 minute presentation You may or may not use visual aids

Judging is Based On  Speech development  Audience response  Speech value  Voice  Platform style  Word usage  And for the live performance, body language and appearance

Your Introduction is Important Write your own introduction Give it to the person who will introduce you as far in advance as possible Ask that he or she rehearse it Present it as written – no adlibs Serves as a bridge between speaker and the audience

Prepare a Proper Introduction  The introduction must be part of your recording  Countless submissions have no introduction or a very poor one  Must answer the four questions… Why this speaker? Why this audience? Why this subject? Why this time?

Organize for Clarity & Effectiveness  Many speeches have weak unimaginative openings  Lack a strong closing  Some speakers switch subjects  In effect, give several different speeches Ask for a mentor or peer to review your speech

Select a Meaningful Subject  What is your passion?  It is best to limit to 3 or 4 topics.  Presentations are varied - many subjects are done  Presenters who select a powerful, meaningful subject appropriate to their audience are more likely to be successful

Your Presentation: The Good The Bad…Don’t Get Ugly Appropriate for the Accredited Speaker Program may include:  Keynote speeches  Seminars  After dinner speeches NOT appropriate includes:  A portion of a roast for another Toastmaster  A segment of a longer workshop  A eulogy  A speech containing “blue” humor What to Use

Your Speech Should Have:  A clear opening, body and closing  The opening should get the favorable attention of the audience 1. State the subject 2. Leave no doubt of your topic 3. Tell them why your subject is important 4. Give them a reason to pay attention to the message

The Speech  After a clear opening  Deliver your main message  Provide supporting information within the body of your speech  Let the closing summarize your speech  Leave your main message clear in the audience’s mind  Include a call to action in the closing

Make a High Quality Recording  15 to 45 minute presentation  Must include the introduction  Must accompany the application  Major indicator of your professionalism  Does not need to be professional equipment  But high quality will project a better image Keep a backup

Points to Ponder - Recordings  Frequent blunders include: Poor acoustics makes the speaker unintelligible The speaker does not speak clearly into the microphone Audience disruptions – noises  Over powers speaker Presentation lost in mechanical noise or interference Recording equipment malfunctions

Present to a Live Audience  Professional level speakers connect with audiences  Interact with them  Judges consider the audience response  They can tell when a speech is recorded without an audience

People are Essential  If you tell funny stories, your audience will laugh  If you maintain eye contact, they will stay awake  If you love your presentation, they will love it too

Documentation - Keep a Folder Copy of the Accredited Speaker Program, Rules and Application Maintain a file for each speech Include date, location, speech title/type, time, and if you received a letter of appreciation Include copies of each letter of appreciation Keep a directory of sponsors for each presentation

That’s It  Two speeches One recorded and submitted with your application One in person at the International Conference  Two application fees $100 for first level $150 for second level  A commitment to excellence – to be the BEST speaker

Thank You

Any Questions?  Would you like a copy of this presentation? Go to click on Resourceswww.d25toastmasters.org Need more information