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