by Lydeisha Gossett and Melissa Syphrett
Coordinating Speechcraft with a fellow Toastmaster was a rewarding experience. Planning together allowed us to design an engaging program for our club and for the Speechcrafters we hosted. Completing the program also allowed us to build leadership skills and earn one more credential toward a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award.
Preplanning was essential. We scripted meetings and adjusted agendas while preserving the core Toastmasters experience. We also consulted with experienced Toastmasters beforehand to avoid pitfalls, and we partnered with our company’s intern program to extend Toastmasters’ reach. We were excited to expose young professionals to what Toastmasters has to offer.
When everything was done, our Speechcrafters had exceeded expectations, and our club had grown stronger through the process. Here are a few of our key takeaways:
Keep your club engaged
If you incorporate your Speechcraft into club meetings, let members know Speechcraft isn’t just for Speechcrafters. Each meeting will need a:
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- Guide (mentor) for each Speechcrafter
- Toastmaster
- Educational speaker
- Timer
- Table Topics Master
- Ah Counter
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Stay flexible
Speechcraft provides agendas but you can modify them. Also, check requirements. We found out programs can have more than one coordinator and fewer than five participants.
Set communication expectations
Notify Speechcrafters that their communication will be critical to the meeting running smoothly. If they’re new to work or club environments, they may not know the difference that little things like accepting calendar invites and answering emails can make.
Recruit strong educational speakers
Speechcrafts include an educational presentation at every meeting. If someone in your Toastmasters network has a strong speech that fits the topic’s bill—such as vocal variety—reach out! It will maximize the Speechcrafters’ experience and inspire members.
In the end, Speechcraft involves juggling several moving parts. But as you balance them, you’ll grow and learn with everyone around you.
