The Accredited Speaker
Program
By Toastmasters International
Ron Clark, DTM
Toastmasters Leadership Institute Training
District 25 Toastmasters
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
How
requirements
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
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
1.
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
Serves as a bridge
between speaker and
the audience
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
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
A
A
A
What to
Use
portion of a roast for another Toastmaster
segment of a longer workshop
eulogy
speech containing “blue” humor
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
Two application fees
One recorded and submitted with
your application
One in person at the International
Conference
$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 www.d25toastmasters.org,
click on Resources
Need more information
ronc464@hotmail.com
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