Here are some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) that we hope you find useful.

What does TLI stand for?
Toastmasters Leadership Institute.

What is the difference between the types of TLIs offered?

Full TLI: Normally held on a Saturday morning; begins with an Opening Session with a keynote speaker, followed by three 50-minute classes; includes officer training, contest preparation, judges and chief judges training, and other courses in the areas of leadership, education, and marketing; judges training usually held for a two hour session after lunch; registration available on the D25 website

TLI Limited: Held in the farther geographic locations within the District; normally held on a Saturday morning or Saturday afternoon; begins with an Opening Session with a keynote speaker, followed by officer training and a limited offering of additional classes in the areas of leadership, education, and/or marketing; judges training offered when trainer available; registration available on the D25 website

 

TLI Lite: Normally held on a Friday evening; no Opening Session; officer training; sometimes judges training; no electives; available registration on the D25 website

 

Division Sponsored Club Officer Training: Scheduled by the Division Governor; officer training only; scheduled for 1 to 1½ -hours; preregistration not offered on the D25 website.  Check TLI web page with TLI dates to see if email to Division Governor is required for preregistration.

 

“Last Chance” Make-Up: Scheduled by the Training Chairman; officer training only; preregistration not offered on the D25 website

How much does it cost?
It's free! Free refreshments also provided for those who preregister.

What are the prerequisites?
None!

Who can go?
Any Toastmaster! You don't have to be an officer to attend. If you are thinking about running for an office in the future, go to training sessions to find out about officer roles and responsibilities. Attend electives to improve your Communication and Leadership skills. Network and make new friends! There’s something for everyone!

Do I have to go to more than one session?
Each session stands on its own. Most people go to one morning session during the summer TLI season and one morning  session during winter TLI. Stay for our Lunch and Learn session and judges training in the afternoon.

What if I am an officer in two different clubs?
If you are a different officer in each club, then you need to attend training for each office or attend Advanced Officer Training (when offered at full TLIs).  If you're the same officer in both clubs, you need to only attend one session. However, you need to register for both clubs so you get credit for each club.

What if I serve in two offices in one club?
If you're Secretary/Treasurer of one club, then going to either Secretary/Treasurer training satisfies the requirement. For all other officer positions, you will go to 2 separate classes.

I’ve served in the same office several times in a row. Do I still have to go to training?
Yes. You might get different ideas at this training session. And you can provide additional insights to the newer officers at the training session. You can opt to attend Advanced Leadership Training at a Full TLI and receive credit for the office you hold. Just be sure to register at the session for the credit desired.

If you have served in the office for quite awhile, consider letting another member have an opportunity to grow by taking on your office. You can take the opportunity to grow at the same time by mentoring your successor, serving in a different club office, or even becoming a district officer.

I was trained last summer. Do I have to go in the winter?
For your club to get credit for the Club DCP (Distinguished Club Plan), 4 officers must be trained in the summer and 4 officers must be trained in the winter. For the Super 7 award, all 7 officers must be trained in both the summer and winter.

Summer training is often different from winter training. In the summer, the focus is on the start of the year and learning the basics. In the winter, the emphasis may be more on lessons learned during the past 6 months and problems encountered. Now that you’ve got 6 months of experience in the office, you've likely got a completely different set of questions to ask than you did at the beginning of the year.

Do I have to attend the electives?
No. Although, you'll get a lot out of both the officer training and the electives, there is no requirement to attend the electives.

Only 4 officers from my club have to go, right?
To get credit for the Club's DCP (Distinguished Club Plan), only four officers need to be trained. However, to ensure the best functioning of the club, it's beneficial for all officers to be trained. Also, it helps the club when non-officers get trained so that they can serve on committees, be prepared to take on an officer role in the future, or take electives that help improve their leadership and/or communications skills.

Do we get extra credit if all 7 officers get trained?
When all 7 officers are trained in each summer and winter session, the club receives the Super 7 Award for each session. Your club will receive a ribbon for your banner.

What if I can't make it on any Saturday (or on any of the TLI dates)?
Division-sponsored training is offered on weekdays. Also, Districts 50 and 55 may provide training on other dates that you can attend. Individual or club-level training is not allowed for DCP credit.
See the next question for further information.

District 50's or District 55's Training is more convenient. Can I attend one of theirs instead?
Definitely. When you go, make sure they know you're from District 25. Get written confirmation from them that you attended. They will notify your District's LGET to give you credit. Check the District 50 or District 55 websites for their TLI sessions. You will receive credit just as if you had attended our own TLI session. Since District 50 includes many parts of Dallas County, you may find their training locations and dates particularly useful.

I'm not an officer. Why would I want to go?
If you're thinking about becoming an officer in the future, you can attend different officer training classes to help you decide in which position you'd like to serve.

The electives can you build your communication or leadership skills in general. You can learn how to help out on a committee by attending an officer's training class.

Do I need to pre-register for TLI? I didn't pre-register in time. What do I do?

Just show up!   Keep in mind that pre-registering ensures that enough session materials and refreshments are available for all of our members.  Also, look carefully at the flier for that particular session and at the synopsis for that session on the website to make sure that there aren't security procedures in place that would require you to pre-register.

How do I know if I got credit? I attended but didn't get credit. What should I do?
On the main TLI page, there will be a link to a summer or winter spreadsheet. Scroll down to your Club Number. If your officer position is not checked off, look at the top of the spreadsheet to see when it was last updated and what sessions it includes. If you're not listed, but believe the spreadsheet should have included you, contact the District Training Chairman or the LGET.

What should I bring?
If you're attending officer training, it would be helpful to bring your manual. If you haven't received it, your previous President should have one for you. The new “rebranded” (August 2011) officer manuals are now all alike, so the same “Club Leadershp Handbook” is used for all club offices. Click here to download a copy

 Last updated 11/30/2011