Accredited Speaker Program FAQs
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Find the answers to common questions about the Accredited Speaker Program. Answers are added periodically, so check back often!
Who is eligible to apply?
To qualify as an Accredited Speaker, an applicant must:
- Have earned an Advanced Communicator award
- Be a current member in good standing of a Toastmasters club
- Fulfill 25 speaking engagements to non-Toastmasters audiences within the three years before the application date
- Submit a 15- to 45-minute audio presentation recorded before a live audience
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How do I apply?
Applicants must send the following to World Headquarters between August 24 and November 1 each year:
- A completed application form
- Five letters of acknowledgement from five clients
- An audio presentation
- Application fee
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What is an acceptable audio presentation?
Requirements of audio presentations are as follows:
- Not including an introduction, it must last no less than 15 and no more than 45 minutes in length.
- The recording must be audio only (no video) and must be delivered in the form of a CD or standard-size cassette.
- English is the only accepted language.
- The audio presentation must be recorded before a live, non-Toastmasters audience.
- Visual aids (slides, handouts, props, etc.) are not permitted.
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What are the most common types of presentations applicants give?
Keynote. A keynote is the main speech at a meeting. Keynote speakers usually speak to the entire group of meeting attendees during or after a meal. A keynote speech typically lasts 30 to 90 minutes and focuses on a broad topic of interest to all attendees. For example, at an advertising association meeting, science fiction writer Ray Bradbury gave a keynote on creativity.
Seminar. A seminar is a presentation on a topic covering some facet of knowledge or skill. The speaker's goal is to impart knowledge of the topic.
Lecture. A lecture usually lasts 20 to 90 minutes and is given before a group of 10 to 1,000 or more people. Lectures are somewhat formal. The speaker follows an outline of points. Audience participation is minimal and usually confined to a brief question-and-answer session after the talk. For example, the U.S. president's State of the Union address is a lecture.
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If I am a speaker at a conference and do multiple sessions, does each session count as a separate speaking engagement?
No, that conference is one overall event and is considered one speaking engagement.
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Do the 25 separate speaking engagements have to be to 25 different organizations?
No, speaking for the same organization is acceptable, as long as the presentations are at different events.
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I am a professor. Does giving lectures to my class count as a speaking engagement?
No, if you are in a salaried position that involves presenting regularly (teacher, minister, manager, etc.), you are not able to count presentations given for that job as speaking engagements
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I presented at a Toastmasters district conference. Can that count as a speaking engagement?
No, presentations given at Toastmasters clubs, speech contests, district events, district conferences and at the International Convention qualify as speaking to a Toastmasters audience. To count, speaking engagements must be for a non-Toastmasters audience.
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What counts as a letter of acknowledgment?
Letters of acknowledgment are the equivalent of a recommendation letter or thank you letter from a client. Emails from personal email accounts, cards or handwritten notes are not acceptable letters of acknowledgement.
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Do I have to be paid for the speaking engagements?
No, however, the Accredited Speaker Program is designed for Toastmasters who, as professional speakers, earn a significant portion of their yearly income from speaking engagements. A member who is at this stage in his or her speaking career is more likely to become an Accredited Speaker.
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What criteria are used to judge applicants’ presentations?
There are three main categories:
- Content – speech development, speech value
- Delivery – body language, voice, platform style
- Language – grammar and word choice
Judges are asked to rate the presentation based on the following prompts:
- Was the speech structured around a purpose, and did the structure include an opening, body and conclusion?
- Did the speech immediately engage the audience’s attention and then move forward toward a significant conclusion?
- Was the development supported by relevant examples and illustrations, facts and figures, delivered with a smoothness in a way that blended into the framework of the speech to present the audience with a unified whole?
- Did the speech related directly to that purpose?
- Did the speaker say something meaningful and original to the audience?
- Did the speaker’s appearance reinforce the speech, whether profound, sad, humorous, instructional, etc.?
- Did body language support points through gestures, expressions and body positioning?
- Was the voice flexible, moving from one pitch level to another for emphasis, and did it illustrate variety of rate and volume?
- Did the speaker speak with enthusiasm and assurance, showing interest in the audience and confidence in audience members’ reactions?
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