Presentation Mastery

In this project, you will learn how to compose a speech appropriate for a social occasion and recognize the characteristics of a toast, a eulogy, an acceptance speech, and a speech to praise an individual or group. You will also learn to adapt and personalize anecdotes for speeches in different situations.

The purpose of this project is to practice delivering social speeches in front of your club members.

Develop two different social speeches—each 3 to 4 minutes—and present them at two separate club meetings. You may choose any two types of social speeches that appeal to you or that you would like to practice. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• The Social Speech Basics resource.
• Two 3- to 4-minute speeches.

• Schedule your speeches with the Vice President Education. Each 3- to 4-minute speech is to be presented at a different club meeting.
• Select two different types of social speeches to present to your club.
• Write your speeches.
• Rehearse your speeches.

When giving speeches or presentations, visuals can enhance the experience for an audience. Presentation software is an outstanding tool for creating fluid, engaging visuals to use when you present. In this project, you will identify topics that can benefit from the use of presentation software, understand best practices for designing engaging and informative visuals, create clear, concise, and visually pleasing slides, and demonstrate the ability to present using presentation software as a tool.

The purpose of this project is to introduce or review basic presentation software strategies for creating and using slides to support or enhance a speech.

Select a speech topic that lends well to a visual presentation using technology. Use the content of this project and your own research to help you develop your slides. Give a 5- to 7-minute speech using the slides you developed. Your speech can be humorous, demonstrative, or informational, and it may include stories or anecdotes.

• Developing presentation slides.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Select a topic that lends itself well to the use of presentation software.
• Write your speech.
• Using presentation software, create a slideshow to enhance your speech.
• Rehearse your speech.

In this project, you will learn to apply storytelling techniques and descriptive skills to make a presentation relatable and interesting. You will draw from your own experience to craft a story and develop a personal style when telling it. You will create stories that elicit the desired emotional impact on the audience.

The purpose of this project is to practice using a story within a speech or giving a speech that is a story.

Choose an established story, a story about your life, or a fictional tale of your own creation. Deliver the 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting. If your Vice President Education approves a non-club event, your evaluator should be a Toastmaster who attended the event. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Identify the elements of a good story.
• Choose the story you would like to tell.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education. If your Vice President Education approves a non-club event, your evaluator must attend the event.
• Write your speech.
• Rehearse your speech.

Information that includes visual elements is retained better than written or spoken material alone. Adding visual elements to your speech can boost retention and heighten emotional impact. In this project, you will learn how to choose the correct visual aid for your presentation, how to create effective visual aids, and the best use of each type.

The purpose of this project is to practice selecting and using a variety of visual aids during a speech.

Choose a speech topic that lends itself well to using visual aids. Create at least one but no more than three visual aids to enhance your presentation. Deliver your 5- to 7-minute presentation at a club meeting. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• Creating one to three visual aids.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Select a speech topic that lends itself to using a visual aid.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech.
• Develop a visual aid to use when you present your speech.
• Rehearse your speech with your visual aid.

Descriptive language paints a picture with words. Whether the purpose of your speech is to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire, descriptive language helps evoke specific imagery to illustrate your point. In this project, you will learn to recognize the difference between literal and figurative language and determine when to use each. You will implement verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in your speech to create vivid descriptions. You will use literary elements and language to create evocative speeches.

The purpose of this project is to practice writing a speech with an emphasis on adding language to increase interest and impact.

You may speak on any topic. Develop a 5- to 7-minute speech describing the topic in detail and present it at your club meeting.

• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Choose your speech topic. You may choose to consider a specific situation, location, or memory that elicits an emotional response.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech. Be sure to use descriptive language. As an extra challenge, you may keep your topic a secret so others can guess what you were describing at the close of your speech.
• Rehearse your speech.

Learning about your audience before your speech helps you tailor your message and present it successfully. In this project, you will learn about identifying different audience types, and how to address them effectively.

The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to connect with an unfamiliar audience.

Develop a 5- to 7-minute speech on a topic that is unfamiliar to the majority of your audience. Because you deliver this speech in your Toastmasters club, you are likely familiar with audience members’ preferences and personalities. Selecting a topic that is new or unfamiliar to your fellow club members will allow you to practice adapting as you present. As you speak, monitor audience members’ reactions to your topic and adapt as necessary to maintain engagement. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Select a topic that is unfamiliar to your audience. If you are unsure what topic to choose, meet with your mentor or other experienced club member to help you choose an appropriate topic.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech.
• Rehearse your speech.

Networking improves interpersonal communication skills, increases confidence, and strengthens relationships. In this project, you will learn how to present yourself as friendly and engaging, maintain contact with those in your network, and engage and interact with people to network effectively. You will also learn how to acknowledge the interests of others to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships and behave as a competent and professional ally to all the people in your network.

The purpose of this project is to develop and practice a personal strategy for building connections through networking.

Prepare for and attend a networking event. After the event, present a 5- to 7-minute speech to your club. Your speech can include a story or stories about your experience, a description of what you learned, or a discussion on the benefits of networking. Your speech may be personal to you or informational about networking. If you attend a non-Toastmasters event, you must give your Vice President Education a signed Project Completion Form. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• The Prepare to Network resource.
• Attending a networking event.
• The Project Completion Form.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Select a networking event to attend.
• Identify your skills and abilities and select a few you would like to highlight.
• Prepare your elevator pitch.
• Rehearse your pitch in front of your mentor, friends, and family.
• Set goals for the networking event. (Be specific: make five new contacts, share my contact information with two new contacts, etc.)
• Attend the networking event.
• After the event, follow up with new contacts.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education. If you need more time to share your experience with your club, you may schedule an 8- to 10-minute speech with the approval of the Vice President Education.
• Write a speech about your experience at the networking event.
• Rehearse your speech.

In this project, you will learn strategies for improving your personal interactions. You will note your attitudes and thoughts and recognize your successes to enhance leadership and collaborative skills. Focusing on the positive in your life helps you reach out to others in constructive ways.

The purpose of this project is to practice being aware of your thoughts and feelings, as well as the impact of your responses on others.

Keep a daily record of your moods and attitudes for a minimum of two weeks, noting when you feel positive or negative, your successes and efforts, and three things for which you are grateful. Record and evaluate any changes in your behavior or the behavior of those around you. At a club meeting, share some aspect of your experience. You may choose to schedule a 2- to 3-minute report or a 5- to 7-minute speech. After completing your speech, submit your signed Project Completion Form to your Vice President Education to indicate you completed the journal. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• Recording your daily moods and attitudes for a minimum of two weeks.
• A 2- to 3-minute report or a 5- to 7-minute speech.
• The Project Completion Form.

• Keep a daily record of your moods and attitudes for a minimum of two weeks.
• Note when you are feeling positive or negative, your successes and efforts, and three things for which you are grateful. (Remember, you will not be required to share the intimacies of your journal with any member of your club.)
• After noting your feelings, make note of any changes in your behavior or the behavior of those around you.
• After two weeks, evaluate changes and trends.
• Schedule your report or speech with the Vice President Education. You may choose to deliver a 2- to 3-minute report or a 5- to 7-minute speech.
• Write your report or speech.
• Rehearse your report or speech.
• Submit your signed Project Completion Form to the Vice President Education.

In this project, you will learn how to present a speech in an enthusiastic and inspiring fashion in order to establish a strong rapport with your audience.

The purpose of this project is to practice writing and delivering a speech that inspires others.

Select a topic with the intent of inspiring your audience and prepare a 5- to 7-minute speech for your club. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content. If you receive prior approval from the Vice President Education, you may speak to a non-Toastmasters group. If you speak to a non-Toastmasters group, remember to invite your evaluator.

• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Select a topic for your inspirational speech. Remember to consider your audience and what would inspire them along with your own vision for the speech.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech.
• Rehearse your speech.

Whether it is an opportunity to share your expertise with an unfamiliar audience or communicate your skills and experience when interviewing for a new job, talking about yourself comfortably paves the way for success in many settings. In this project, you will learn to evaluate your strengths and areas of potential growth without judgment, identify and speak about personal strengths, acknowledge areas you plan to develop, and present yourself well in an interview of any type.

The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to present yourself well in an interview.

Determine which type of interview you would like to practice, such as a job or expert interview. Prepare by reviewing your skills and abilities. Complete the resources in the project and give them to your interviewer before your presentation. You determine which member of your club interviews you, but your interviewer must be someone other than your evaluator. In a 5- to 7-minute role-play presentation at a club meeting, practice answering interview questions to promote your skills, abilities, and experience.

• The Identifying Your Skills Worksheet.
• The Interviewer Instructions resource.
• A 5- to 7-minute role-play interview at a club meeting.

• Review your skills and abilities.
• Identify at least two strengths you are confident sharing.
• Make note of any skills you would like to develop and formulate a plan for improving those skills.
• Complete the Identifying Your Skills Worksheet.
• Schedule your interview with your Vice President Education.
• Plan the role-play activity. Be creative and thorough. For example, create names and descriptions of the organization, open position, and interviewer.
• Prepare interview questions for your interviewer that are specific to the skills you would like to practice during the activity.
• Determine which member of your club will interview you. If possible, select a member who has experience interviewing others. The Vice President Education is not required to act as the interviewer. Remember, your interviewer must be someone other than your evaluator.
• Send the Interviewer Instructions resource, your interview questions, and any other plans for the activity to your interviewer well in advance of the meeting.
• Review your answers to questions on the Identifying Your Skills Worksheet to prepare for your interview.

Your greatest tool as a speaker is your voice. The best public speakers recognize when to raise or lower their voices, how to use silence to add impact, and the value of varying their pace as they present to an audience. In this project, you will learn to recognize the impact of vocal variety and identify changes in pitch, tone, volume, and pace when listening to a speaker. You will learn when and how to effectively adjust pitch, tone, volume, and pace to emphasize different sections of a speech and use vocal variety to enhance a presentation. You will demonstrate knowledge of personal vocal variety patterns, adjust them to meet the needs of audience members, and improve the quality of a speech.

The purpose of this project is to practice using vocal variety to enhance a speech.

Learn or review the importance of vocal variety. Use the exercises in this project to improve your vocal variety skills. Then, present a 5- to 7-minute speech on any topic at a club meeting. The primary focus of the evaluation is your vocal variety. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Review the Speech Profile resource.
• Select any topic of your choosing.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech.
• Rehearse your speech.
• Once you have completed your speech, review your Speech Profile resource and connect the dots to create a graph representing your speech profile.

When we communicate with others, our goal is to understand and be understood. Active listening is a way of reaching that goal. In this project, you will learn the difference between hearing and listening, study how to comprehend and connect with a speaker, and explore why listening helps build strong, lasting connections. You will uncover the relationship between listening and strong leadership.

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate your ability to listen to what others say.

At a club meeting, fulfill the role of Topicsmaster. As Topicsmaster, comment on each speaker's Table Topics® speech to demonstrate your active listening skills. For example, you might say, "Thank you. That was a compelling opinion on the benefits of gardening. I understand you feel strongly that everyone needs to spend some time doing something they love."

• Serving as Topicsmaster at a club meeting.

• Request to be the Topicsmaster at a club meeting.
• Explain to the Vice President Education that you will be completing your Active Listening project and will need extra time and an evaluator to evaluate your active listening skills.
• Complete the role of Topicsmaster as described in the Active Listening project.

Humor is one of the great bridges connecting a speaker to an audience. It is a highly effective method of breaking down communication barriers in many settings, even the most difficult. It is also one of the most challenging skills to learn for those who don’t come by it naturally. In this project you will learn to recognize the elements of a humorous, well-organized story, identify the story you want to tell when delivering a speech, and understand your sense of humor. You will work to determine the best stories for your topic.

The purpose of this project is to begin developing a collection of humorous stories and to present a speech that includes humor.

Give a 5- to 7-minute speech on a topic of your choosing. Your speech should include at least one anecdote or story intended to entertain or bring humor into your presentation.

• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Select a topic for your speech and develop at least one story you can use in your speech to add humor.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech.
• Rehearse your speech.

In this project you will learn strategies for choosing a topic and selecting the most reliable sources for research. You will study options for producing a well-organized speech using a variety of organizational structures. You will find a brief review of methods for citing research and a section to help you examine your transitions between sections of your speech to make sure they are smooth and effective.

The purpose of this project is to learn or review basic research methods and present a well-organized, well-researched speech on any topic.

Select a topic that you are not already familiar with or that you wish to learn more about. Be sure your topic is narrow enough to be an effective 5- to 7-minute speech. Research the topic and begin organizing the information, as described in this project. Practice your speech and continue to refine its organization. Present your speech at a club meeting. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• Researching a topic.
• The Research Worksheet.
• The Speech Outline Worksheet.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Select a topic for your speech that you are not already familiar with or that you wish to learn more about. Make sure it is narrow enough to cover in your speaking time. For example, the topic of “dogs” is so broad that a 5- to 7-minute speech would appear shallow. Narrowing your topic to “young Golden Retrievers” allows you to develop a speech that reflects thoughtful research.
• Research your topic by locating multiple, generally reliable sources.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech.
• Prepare a list of sources to share with audience members.
• Rehearse your speech.

Podcasts are incredibly popular because of their diversity. Like speeches, they can be used to educate, entertain, or inform audiences. In this project, you will choose one or more of your personal interests as the subject(s) for a podcast, create interesting content and organize it into a cohesive program, record the program, and upload it to a website or application. You will use your public speaking skills to enhance the message of your podcast.

The purpose of this project is to introduce you to the skills needed to organize and present a podcast.

Use this project and your own research to create a podcast. Record a minimum of 60 minutes of content. You are free to divide the episodes as you choose. Each separate episode must be at least 10 minutes, but may be longer if it fits your topic and style. After you record all content, play a 5- to 10-minute segment in your club. Introduce the segment in a 2- to 3-minute speech.

• Recording 60 minutes of podcast content.
• A 2- to 3-minute introduction speech.

• Create a podcast. (Review the materials in the project for steps.)
• Write and record a minimum of 60 minutes of content. (Note: You are not required to post your podcast episodes on the Internet if you choose not to.)
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Select a 5- to 10-minute segment from one of your episodes to share with your club.
• Prepare a verbal introduction to the segment you intend to share.
• Rehearse your introduction.

Social media is a collection of websites and applications that enables users to create and share content. These sites and applications are tools that help users build and maintain a network of contacts, promote themselves and their organizations, and share information. In this project, you will determine how best to use the different types of online communication. You will create and maintain an online profile to promote yourself or an organization. You will recognize the importance of internet privacy and safeguard your personal information. You will present an appropriate personal image that aids in the accomplishment of your promotional goals and engage in positive interactions with others online.

The purpose of this project is to apply your understanding of social media to enhance an established or new social media presence.

Use this project and your own research to build a new social media presence or enhance an existing presence. You may focus on a personal goal (such as connecting with old friends or promoting a blog) or on a professional goal (such as promoting a business or organization). Use the tools you identify as best for you and your purpose. After you achieve your goal, deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech to your club about your results, experience, and the benefits of social media. Submit the Project Completion Form to your Vice President Education to receive credit for completing the project. With the Vice President Public Relation’s approval, you may choose to create a social media presence for your Toastmasters club. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• Establishing or enhancing a social media presence.
• The Project Completion Form.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Select a goal you want to accomplish that is supported by a strong social media presence.
• Generate the social media posts required to meet your goal.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech.
• Consider creating a visual aid, such as a handout, to share some of your posts during your speech. (Note: This is optional.)
• Rehearse your speech.

Blogging is an efficient, effective form of communication that can reach people around the world. Publishing a blog also gives you the satisfaction of ownership over content, a place for you to share your interests, and the opportunity to gain the support of an online community. In this project, you will learn the basic structure of developing and writing a compelling blog, how to properly engage your readership, and the importance of privacy and security online.

The purpose of this project is to review or introduce the skills needed to write and maintain a blog.

Post a minimum of eight blog posts in one month. Your blog may be new or one you have already established. You must receive approval from the Vice President Education to blog on behalf of your club. Deliver a 2- to 3-minute speech at a club meeting about the impact of your blogging experience. You may choose to have your blog evaluated by members of the club. Submit your signed Project Completion Form to the Vice President Education to receive credit for this project. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• Maintaining a blog and posting at least eight times in one month.
• The Blog Evaluation Form.
• The Project Completion Form.
• A 2- to 3-minute speech.

• Start your own blog. Use the resources available to you online to find the information you need for your geographic area. (If you already have an established blog, you may use it for this assignment.)
• Make eight posts on your blog over the course of one month.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education. If you need longer to complete your speech, you may give a 5- to 7-minute speech with the Vice President Education’s approval.
• Write your speech to share your experience setting up your blog and posting on the site.
• Rehearse your speech.
• Share the link to your blog site. You may choose to share with your entire club, your Vice President Education, or your evaluator.
• You may choose to have your blog evaluated by your club members. Distribute the Blog Evaluation Form to members so they may give you feedback about your blog.
• Following the delivery of your speech, submit your Project Completion Form to the Vice President Education to verify you completed the assignment.

Technology evolves every day as new tools and forms of communication become available. These evolutions enable us to unite global communities. By taking advantage of advances in technology, you can share knowledge and dialogue with Toastmasters members, colleagues, or anyone across the world. In this project, you will learn how to effectively conduct online meetings and webinars, prepare and organize necessary visual aids and other supplementary materials, and lead with confidence.

The purpose of this project is to practice facilitating an online meeting or leading a webinar.

Conduct a 20- to 25-minute online meeting with fellow Toastmasters or a 20- to 25-minute webinar with visual aids for fellow Toastmasters. You determine the topic of your meeting or webinar. Research and use an application that best fits your needs and geographic area. Invite your evaluator to participate in the online meeting or webinar. If you complete your assignment with non-Toastmasters, you must receive approval from the Vice President Education and invite your evaluator to attend.

• The Online Meeting Agenda resource.
• The Online Meeting Basics resource.
• Planning and conducting a 20- to 25-minute online meeting or webinar.

• Select a topic for your 20- to 25-minute webinar and determine your audience. With the Vice President Education’s approval, you may conduct the online meeting or webinar with non-Toastmasters or with another club.
• Create your webinar.
• Design visual aids if you intend to use them.
• Schedule your webinar or online meeting and invite your Vice President Education and evaluator to attend.
• Facilitate your online meeting or webinar.

Many presentations are followed by a question-and-answer session. A question-and-answer session allows audience members to add to their knowledge of your topic. In this project, you will learn to prepare to answer questions and provide information clearly, concisely, and with confidence. You will also learn to deal with difficult audience members.

The purpose of this project is to learn about and practice facilitating a question-and-answer session.

Select a topic of which you are particularly knowledgeable. Prepare and deliver a speech on this topic, followed by a question-and-answer session. Together, the speech and question-and-answer session must be 15 to 20 minutes. Use your time effectively to ensure both segments are completed.

• A speech and question-and-answer session lasting 15 to 20 minutes.

• Select a topic for an informational speech that supports a question-and-answer session.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education. Be sure to inform them that your speech and question-and-answer session will take 15 to 20 minutes.
• Write your speech. Remember, this speech is the first part of your question-and-answer session. You may speak for as long as you like during the 20-minute project time, but you will be evaluated on your use of time.
• Rehearse your speech.

The purpose of public relations is to create and maintain a positive reputation for a person or organization. It’s also used to increase public awareness, generate goodwill, and build credibility. In this project, you will learn to promote awareness of an organization, formulate a public relations strategy, and use various public relations tactics. You will also learn to identify which media channels are available to reach your intended audience. Keep in mind that if you want to initiate a public relations campaign on behalf of your club, you must work with the Vice President Public Relations.

The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to effectively use public relations strategies for any group or situation.

Create a public relations plan for a real or hypothetical group or situation. If it involves your club, it must be hypothetical unless you communicate with the Vice President Public Relations and Club President. Share your plan in a 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting. This speech is not a report on the content of this project, but an example of how you will or might apply what you learned.

• Creating a public relations strategy.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Plan a simple public relations strategy.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education. If you need more time to share your strategy with your club, you may schedule an 8-to 10-minute speech with the approval of the Vice President Education.
• Write a speech to share your public relations strategy with your club.
• Rehearse your speech.

The path to managing a successful project begins with the enthusiasm, knowledge, and leadership of a project manager. Though every project is unique, project management skills apply in every setting. In this project, you will learn how to recognize your strengths as a project manager. During the process of completing your assignment, you will recognize the importance of developing rapport with stakeholders, cultivating appropriate relationships with your team, and managing time to meet deadlines. You will develop the skills to delegate tasks, manage resources, and set a precedent for behavior.

The purpose of this project is to practice developing a plan, building a team, and fulfilling the plan with the help of your team.

Form a team of three to four people and choose a project. Create a plan for your project and present the plan to your club. You may choose to schedule a 2- to 3 -minute report or a 5- to 7-minute speech. Complete your project with your team. Finally, present a 5- to 7-minute speech about the experience. This speech may be humorous, informational, or any type of speech that appeals to you. It should not be a report about the content of this project, but a reflection of your experience applying what you learned.

• Building a team.
• Creating a project plan.
• The Project Plan resource.
• A 2- to 3-minute speech about your plan.
• Completing the plan with your team.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech about your experience.

• Invite two to three people to be on your project team.
• With your team, select a project to complete.
• Schedule your first speech with the Vice President Education. If you need more time to share your plan with your club, you may schedule a 5- to 7-minute speech with the approval of the Vice President Education.
• Using the Project Plan resource, formulate a plan for your project.
• Write a 2- to 3-minute speech about the project to share with your club.
• Rehearse your first speech.
• Present your first speech.
• Work with your team to complete your chosen project.
• Schedule your second speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write a 5- to 7-minute speech about the experience of managing your project.

You have reached an important milestone in your Toastmasters journey. Not only are you nearing the completion of this path, but you have completed a major project involving planning, leadership, and team management. The Lessons Learned project is designed to help you understand the steps to debrief team members and key stakeholders at major milestones and after the completion of your project. In this project, you will identify the discussion points of a large group meeting, encourage a culture of contribution and voicing opinions, and facilitate productive discussion that yields results. You will also learn to create a plan for future improvements based upon resolutions proposed in the meeting. Please note: This project must be started after the completion of a separate, larger project on this path that involved completing a task with a team. Please complete a different elective if your most recent project on this path did not involve team members.

The purpose of this project is to learn about and apply the skills needed to run a lessons learned meeting during a project or after its completion.

Facilitate a lessons learned meeting for a team with which you are completing or have completed a project. This meeting is separate from your regular Toastmasters meeting. Organize and facilitate a discussion. Record the results into a document you and your team members can use to facilitate the current project or future projects. If you haven’t already, give team members an opportunity to complete a 360° evaluation of you as a team leader. Finally, present a 5- to 7-minute speech in your club about the lessons learned meeting or your leadership experience. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• Facilitating a lessons learned meeting.
• Documenting the results of the lessons learned meeting.
• The 360° Evaluation resource.
• The Lessons Learned Response Log.
• The Metrics Log.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Before you can begin the Lessons Learned project, you must have completed a separate, larger project on this path that involved completing a task with a team. Please complete a different elective if your most recent project on this path did not involve team members.
• Invite the team from your previous project to your lessons learned meeting.
• Use the steps described in the Lessons Learned project to conduct your meeting.
• Give your team members an opportunity to complete a 360° evaluation of you as a team leader.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write a speech about your experience during and after the lessons learned meeting.
• Rehearse your speech.

In this project, you will learn effective moderation techniques, how to host a panel discussion, and how to prepare yourself and the panelists. You will develop knowledge about what is expected of you as a panel member, proper etiquette for speaking and responding on a panel, and tools for providing the best experience for your audience, yourself, and other panel members. You will learn to adjust for any changes during the panel and how to create a comfortable atmosphere for learning and interaction.

The purpose of this project is to apply your skills as a public speaker and leader to facilitate a panel discussion.

Plan and moderate a 20- to 40-minute panel discussion. The panel discussion can be on any topic and may take place at a club meeting or outside of Toastmasters with the approval of your Vice President Education. Toastmasters who participate as panelists do not receive credit in Toastmasters Pathways. When you have the opportunity, volunteer to act as a panelist for another member completing this project.

• Planning and moderating a 20- to 40-minute panel discussion.
• The Panelist Basics resource.
• The Project Completion Form.

• Select a topic for your panel discussion or review the topic you are tasked with covering.
• Meet with your club leadership team to schedule your panel discussion or notify your Vice President Education of the time and date of your non-Toastmasters panel.
• Invite panelists to your discussion and distribute the Panelist Basics resource.
• If appropriate, advertise or send invitations for your panel discussion. If your panel is held outside of Toastmasters, invite your Vice President Education and/or other club members to attend, including your evaluator for the project.
• If you are unable to include a Toastmaster to evaluate you as a moderator, share the Evaluation Criteria and Evaluation Form resources with another attendee at your event and collect their feedback.
• Moderate your panel discussion.
• If you held your panel discussion outside of Toastmasters, submit your signed Project Completion Form to the Vice President Education to receive credit for the completion of the project.

A simple definition for ethical behavior is recognizing and doing what is right. Applying that definition to leadership seems like a straightforward step—ethical leadership is knowing the right decision and being accountable for following through with that choice on behalf of a group or organization. Challenges arise when the decisions facing a leader are complex, have a result that is good for one party and not another, or are difficult to make because no option is clearly right. In this project, you will identify the key elements of ethical leadership, recognize the impact of ethical and unethical decisions, identify the steps and considerations involved in making an ethical decision, and recognize and assess your own ethical framework.

The purpose of this project is to develop a clear understanding of your own ethical framework and create an opportunity for others to hear about and discuss ethics in your organization or community.

Define a framework of your personal ethics. This may require you to complete research beyond the contents of this project. Organize and moderate a 20- to 40-minute panel discussion about ethics, followed by a question-and-answer session. If you have never facilitated a panel discussion, review the Moderate a Panel Discussion project. You may also complete this assignment at an event outside of Toastmasters with approval from your club Vice President Education and at least one Toastmasters member in attendance.

• The Ethical Framework resource.
• Organizing and moderating a panel discussion as well as a question-and-answer session.

• Work with your Toastmasters club leadership to set a date for a panel discussion on ethical leadership.
• Invite the members of your panel to the event. (Your panel must have a minimum of three members and one member of the panel must be a non-Toastmasters member.) All panelists must have leadership experience.
• Develop the discussion points you would like to cover for your panel discussion. These may be designed as questions or topic statements.
• Prepare panel members by sharing questions and/or discussion topics. It is recommended you provide all information at least one week before the panel discussion to allow panelists time to review the information and give feedback.
• Act as moderator for the panel discussion.
• Allow time for a question-and-answer session after the panel discussion.

Leadership can be defined as the ability to inspire and guide, build an environment where visions are developed, and support a team while goals are met. In this project, you will build a team and lead its members to the successful completion of a project of your design. You will develop a comprehensive plan that includes a set of well-defined goals, delegate tasks to team members, and motivate each individual through the completion of their tasks until the project is complete.

The purpose of this project is to apply your leadership and planning knowledge to develop a project plan, organize a guidance committee, and implement your plan with the help of a team.

Select a project to complete with a team of at least three other members. Form a guidance committee and meet at least five times through the duration of the project. Deliver a 5-to 7-minute speech at a club meeting to introduce your plan and vision. After you implement the plan, deliver a second 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting to share your experience developing and completing your plan. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• Selecting, leading, and completing a project with a team.
• Forming and meeting with a guidance committee at least five times.
• The Guidance Committee Introduction resource.
• The Meeting Agenda resource.
• The Project Plan Overview resource.
• The Project Plan resource.
• The Vision Plan resource.
• The Event Planning Worksheet.

• Define your project.
• Recruit members for your guidance committee.
• Schedule your first speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your first speech. Include information about your vision and project.
• Rehearse your first speech.
• Present your first speech.
• Recruit members for your team.
• Organize a calendar of meetings with your team and your guidance committee.
• Complete your project.
• Schedule your second speech with the Vice President Education.

Leading in a volunteer environment is distinct from leadership in an employment setting because traditional, compensation-based motivation of team members is not an option. In this project, you will learn the skills required to lead in a volunteer organization and develop an understanding of the importance of recognition and reward in motivating volunteers. You will come to understand the value of building a strong environment of mutual respect with other members and the importance of showing integrity, competency, and character in decisions, leadership, and actions.

The purpose of this project is to apply the skills needed to successfully lead in a volunteer organization.

Serve in a leadership role in Toastmasters or another volunteer organization for at least six months. You may complete this project based on your employment, but a volunteer organization is preferable. Ask members of the organization to complete a 360° evaluation of your leadership skills. Create a succession plan to aid in the transition after you leave your position of leadership. After your six-month term, deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting to reflect on your personal experience. If you plan to fulfill a leadership role in a non-Toastmasters organization, you must receive advance permission from your Vice President Education. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• Serving in a volunteer leadership role for a minimum of six months.
• Conducting a 360° evaluation of your leadership skills.
• Creating a succession plan.
• The Succession Plan resource.
• The 360° Evaluation resource.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Identify the leadership role of your choice. If you plan to fulfill a leadership role in a nonToastmasters organization, you must receive advance permission from your Vice President Education.
• Fulfill the leadership role of your choice.
• Select the group you would like to complete your 360° evaluation. This group must include representatives from a team you lead, a person or persons you reported to or who oversaw the work you completed as a leader, and at least one peer.
• Distribute the 360° Evaluation resource.
• Use the Succession Plan resource to create a succession plan for your office.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Collect, review, and submit your evaluations to the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech. Include information about your experience as a leader, information about how you designed your succession plan, and the impact of your 360° evaluations.
• Rehearse your speech.