Speechcraft is an extended workshop on communication and leadership where the participants learn about various aspects of communication and leadership, participants are supported by a team of presenters and mentors and are guided by a coordinator. The Speechcraft program allows experienced Toastmasters to present the fundamentals of public speaking to non-members in an atmosphere of a Toastmasters club meeting.

For Clubs, it is a great way to promote membership in community or company club, as Speechcraft brings prospective new members to a meeting to see, first-hand, what Toastmasters is all about.

For participants, it is the quickest means by which non-Toastmasters can jump right into the process of improving their speaking skills, it also serves as a method of recruiting new members for local clubs.

It is structured and run like a condensed Toastmaster meeting with short educational during the meeting and about 15 minutes of coaching at the conclusion of each meeting. Speechcraft’s short duration appeals to people with busy lives who want to improve their speaking skills but don’t want to make an on-going commitment.

Speechcraft students learn public speaking and evaluation skills in a safe, supportive environment and derive many of the benefits we as Toastmasters are already familiar with but may have taken for granted. The only difference is with Speechcraft there is a specific time period. 

The Speechcraft program allows experienced Toastmasters to present the fundamentals of public speaking to non-members in an atmosphere of a Toastmasters club meeting. It’s a great way to promote membership in your community or company club, as Speechcraft brings prospective new members to a meeting to see, first-hand, what Toastmasters is all about.

Benefits of Speechcraft for participants include:

• Gaining confidence in public speaking
• Developing communication and language skills
• Learning to think quickly and clearly
• Becoming an effective listener
• Learning to evaluate effectively
• Using body language and visual aids
• Gaining advance social skills
• Improving job or promotion prospects
• Gaining experience benefits of a TM club without having to initially join

Speechcraft can also help participants improve performance in:

• Problem-solving
• Meeting in larger groups
• Motivating people
• Selling ideas or products
• Conducting business meetings
• Impromptu Speaking
• Managing Nervousness
• Introducing a Speaker
• Preparation & Practice
• Speech Structure & Organization
• Beginning & Concluding a Speech
• Body Language
• Vocal Variety
• Knowing an Audience

Benefits of Speechcraft for a Club include:

• Building club membership
• Giving new members a helping hand with the different meeting roles
• Reaching out to the community
• Giving experienced members an opportunity to grow
• Sharing the Toastmasters experience with others
• Speechcraft students who decide to join the club are up to speed and already have an Ice Breaker credit towards Level 1
• Speechcraft students invite their family and friends to the graduation ceremony,– which introduces them to Toastmasters and possibly inspire them to join. 
• Acquiring additional funds in their treasury if Speechcraft students choose not to join the club (see “fees” below)
• Additionally, individual Toastmasters can accelerate the completion of their Pathways Levels by fulfilling various roles in a Speechcraft. 
• One member can earn credit as Speechcraft coordinator

Pros and Cons to Holding a Speechcraft Within or Outside of the Club

Benefits of holding a Speechcraft within the club during the club’s regular meeting time and place:

• Participants become familiar with the time and meeting place of the club. They know by the end of the program that they can work it in their schedules.
• Get to know the current members of the club. If they join, they know they are joining friends.
• The fee they pay for the course can be applied towards their club membership should they decide to join the club sponsoring the Speechcraft.

Benefits of conducting a Speechcraft outside of the club:

• There are many considerations and benefits of holding a Speechcraft outside of the regular club meeting time and place.
• Doesn’t disrupt regular club meetings
• The location where Speechcraft takes place may better suited in terms of location, space, logistics, environment, etc.
• The fee they pay for the course can be applied towards their club membership should they decide to join the club sponsoring the Speechcraft.

Organizing A Speechcraft Program

A successful Speechcraft requires the commitment of Club Members to assist in conducting the program.

Here is how a club might go about hosting a Speechcraft:

• The Club’s Executive Committee decides to present the program, then discusses it with the membership. The Club decides whether the program will be conducted during regular Club meetings or outside of the Club. Once this is decided, the Club President appoints a Speechcraft Coordinator, who is responsible for planning and managing the program.
• The club also needs advertisements (eg., flyers and webpage) – a good task for the VPPR.
• The Secretary or Treasurer needs to order materials from Toastmasters.
• The VPM helps to prepare information packets for the students – information about Toastmasters, old TM magazines, meeting roles, basic information about the club, etc.
• The VPE helps by assigning meeting roles to club members for most meetings.
• One mentor per participant. The mentor also evaluates at least two speeches by the mentee.
• Other members to fill the roles of Toastmaster of the Day, Table Topics Master, General Evaluator, Educational Presenter, Leadership Evaluator, Grammarian, Ah Counter, Timer, etc
• For a general idea of how an Agenda may look like, a sample could be provided upon request or request an example from speech@toastmasters86.org.
• The SAA should be prepared to welcome the participants.
• Someone needs to plan the graduation

Turning Participants Into New Members

Speechcraft participants are prospective new members for club. They will join the club if they are impressed by the activities and inspired by members and can see the benefits they will gain from their experience.

The Speechcraft starter kit is available from Toastmasters International for a fee plus tax and shipping. The kit contains complete materials for starting and promoting a Speechcraft program, it includes:

• 10 Instructions for the Advisor (Item 208)
• 5 Speechcraft Workbooks (Item 204H)
• 15 copies of An Opportunity To Succeed (Item 207)
• 3 copies of Number One Membership Building Tool (Item 203A)
• 5 Participant’s Certificates (Item 261)
• Coordinator’s Certificate (Item 260) Expanding Your Horizons (Item 211)