2006 Education System Revision
Improved Educational Awards
To enhance its leadership training and make all educational designations in the communication and leadership tracks clearer and more meaningful, Toastmasters International made some exciting changes to its educational system and award designations effective July 1, 2006.
- A new leadership award. Members completing the new Competent Leadership manual will receive the new Competent Leader award. The 10-project Competent Leadership manual debuted in January 2006 and is included in New Member Kits. Members may also purchase the manual (Item 265) for $6 (U.S.) plus shipping.
- New titles for leadership awards. The previous Competent Leader award is now the Advanced Leader Bronze award. The previous Advanced Leader award is now the Advanced Leader Silver award. The requirements for the Advanced Leader Bronze award include the completion of the new Competent Leadership manual. Because the requirements for this award have changed, there is a two-year grace period for those working toward the previous Competent Leader award. This means World Headquarters will continue to issue Competent Leader awards under the previous requirements through June 30, 2008. Beginning July 1, 2008, all members will have to meet the new requirements. Those who have already earned the Competent Leader award under the previous requirements and who apply now for the Advanced Leader award will receive the new Advanced Leader Silver award.
- New titles for the Communication and Leadership Program and Advanced Communication and Leadership Program manuals.The Communication and Leadership Program manual is now the Competent Communication manual and the Advanced Communication and Leadership Program manuals are the Advanced Communication Series manuals.
- New titles for the communication track awards.The Competent Toastmaster (CTM) is now the Competent Communicator (CC) award. The Advanced Toastmaster Bronze, Advanced Toastmaster Silver and Advanced Toastmaster Gold awards are now the Advanced Communicator Bronze, Advanced Communicator Silver and Advanced Communicator Gold awards respectively, with no changes to award requirements. Members applying now for any of the previous awards will receive certificates reflecting the new award names.
- A change in the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) requirements.To be eligible for the award, a member must have received the Advanced Communicator Gold (or previous Advanced Toastmaster Gold) and the Advanced Leader Silver (or previous Advanced Leader) awards.
Frequently asked questions about the program improvements.
Q: The new leadership manual has 10 projects. Will I be evaluated on each of these projects, just as I am in the Communication and Leadership Program manual?
A: Yes. For each leadership role you complete as a project requirement, your club vice president education will assign an evaluator who will provide a written evaluation. However, a verbal evaluation is optional and at the club’s discretion. Many clubs have limited time available during meetings; adding verbal evaluations for those serving in meeting roles may not be feasible. If you want a verbal evaluation in addition to the written evaluation, and if the meeting cannot accommodate it, the evaluator should give it privately after the club meeting.
Q: How does the Competent Leadership manual affect my club?
A: The CL manual allows members to join your club and immediately begin working on developing their leadership skills. As mentioned in the previous question, the club vice president education assigns an evaluator who will provide a written evaluation. However, most clubs don’t have the meeting time to allow verbal evaluations of a leadership project. In these cases, if a member wants a verbal evaluation, the evaluator may provide it outside of the club meeting.
Q: Do I have to complete the Competent Communication and Competent Leadership manuals in any particular order?
A: No. You may work in both manuals at the same time if you wish, or work in one at a time. If you complete the Competent Leadership manual first, you may apply for the Competent Leader award. If you complete the Competent Communication manual first, you may apply for the Competent Communicator award. If you finish both at the same time, you may apply for both awards at the same time.
Q: I earned the "old" CL award several years ago. Does that mean as of July 1, 2006, my title is Advanced Leader Bronze?
A: You still are a Competent Leader. Likewise, members who already have received the Advanced Leader award retain that title.
Q: I have already earned the "old" Competent Leader award. Do I have to complete the new Competent Leadership manual?
A: No. However, we encourage you to do so because you’ll enhance and refine your leadership skills by completing the projects in the manual.
Q: I have already earned the "old" Competent Leader award. Can I apply for the Advanced Leader Bronze award?
A: The requirements for the "old" Competent Leader and the Advanced Leader Bronze awards are the same, and Toastmasters International does not issue multiple awards for the same work. If you want to earn the Advanced Leader Bronze award, you would have to meet all of the requirements a second time. Instead of doing this, we recommend that you work toward the next level award, the Advanced Leader Silver.
Q: I have met almost all conditions for the "old" Competent Leader award. Will I have to start over and complete the requirements for the new Competent Leader award, which includes completing the new Competent Leadership manual?
A: You need not start over as long as you complete the award requirements and apply for the Competent Leader award before June 30, 2008. After that date, all applicants must meet the new criteria.
Q: I have earned the "old" Competent Leader. What is the next leadership award I could earn?
A: Those who already have the "old" Competent Leader award may work toward the Advanced Leader Silver award.
Q: How does the new leadership award affect the Distinguished Club Program?
A: The new award was incorporated into the 2006-07 Distinguished Club Program. A club now must have at least one Competent Leader, Advanced Leader Bronze, Advanced Leader Silver or Distinguished Toastmaster award to meet Goal 5, and at least one additional Competent Leader, Advanced Leader Bronze, Advanced Leader Silver or Distinguished Toastmaster award to meet Goal 6.
Q: The communication track has three advanced awards, but the leadership track has two. Will there be more leadership awards?
A: We are planning to expand the leadership track even more, so eventually an Advanced Leader Gold award will be introduced.
Q: I am now a Competent Toastmaster. Does that mean as of July 1, 2006, my title is Competent Communicator?
A: You still are a Competent Toastmaster. Likewise, members who already have received the Advanced Toastmaster Bronze, Advanced Toastmaster Silver and Advanced Toastmaster Gold awards will retain those titles. Only those who applied for awards after June 30, 2006, have the new titles.
Q: I’ve been a member for a long time and have all of the awards. What can I do?
A: We recommend completing the Competent Leadership manual because you’ll develop and refine your leadership skills. Completing all the educational awards again also will help improve your communication skills.
Read more about the communication award requirements and the leadership award requirements.