Speechcraft is an extended workshop on communication and leadership. The participants learn about various aspects of communication and leadership and are supported by a team of presenters and mentors and guided by a coordinator.

• Speechcraft Program is a short-course designed to teach public speaking skills to members and non-members
• SpeechCraft is learning by doing in a smaller group setting.
• SpeechCraft is a jump-start for improving confidence in speaking.
• SpeechCraft is run similar to a regular Toastmaster meeting, except the audience is generally smaller, there are fewer agenda roles, and focus is on the SpeechCraft participants. It has a business session, table topics, prepared speeches and evaluations.
• Participants present 3 – 6 speeches, give evaluations and participate in table topics at every session (except maybe the first session when it is demonstrated by experienced Toastmasters)
• Conducted in 4, to 10 sessions– depending on the size of the group, and the pace and schedule set by the hosting team of presenter.
• Club members help by giving evaluations, especially during the start of the program. They also conduct educational sessions related to the topics such as speech preparation, speaking techniques, impromptu speaking & evaluations.
• One experienced Toastmaster is assigned to each participant to serve as their advisor and speech evaluator.
• Each session needs a Table Topics Master, a Timer, a General Evaluator. These roles are initially handled by experienced Toastmasters but later are filled by the participants.
• 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 brings prospective new members into your club to see, first-hand, what Toastmasters is all about. It is a great way to promote your club in your community or company.    (TOP)

Clubs find many benefits in hosting a Speechcraft session:

For the Club:

• Build club membership (Clubs that conduct a Speechcraft program at least once each year have few membership problems.)
• Is an opportunity for Club publicity.
• Further spread the mission of Toastmasters
• Reach out to the community
• Get the recognition for starting a new club
• Share the Toastmasters experience with others

For the members it:

• serves as a refresher course for those who help out
• is a way to involve and stretch out.
• provides an additional learning opportunities
• gives an opportunity to practice their communication and leadership abilities.
• gives experienced members an opportunity to grow by developing leadership skills 
  fulfills one of the requirements for Advanced Communicator Gold recognition for coordinating a Speechcraft session. 
• increases interest and attendance.

Participants:

• Get a chance to see what Toastmasters is all about
• Enjoy the camaraderie of a Toastmasters group
• Gain confidence and training in their communication skills
• Learn about good public speaking and have the opportunity to practice within the Speechcraft group, mentored by experienced Toastmasters.
• Friendships and careers can and do blossom from the Speechcraft experience   (TOP)

Finding Participants 

• People who expressed an interest in your club
• People within your company (sales and marketing)
• Community club – promote city wide or target specific groups
• Members who want to learn or practise specific skills or who cannot attend regular meetings.

If your Club is within a company

• promote the program though notices on bulletin boards, announcements in company newsletters, memos or via computer. 
• If possible, enlist the support of the human resources department.

If your club is a community Club

• Decide whether to promote the program city-wide or to target specific groups, such as College students, Engineers, Doctors teachers, etc. 
• Arrange for announcements in newsletter or at the groups’ meetings.
• For general public, place advertisements in your local newspapers, radio and television.  You could also solicit participants through direct mail.
• Generate a list of prospects, business, professional people, relatives, friends, fellow employees, Club Guests   (TOP)

• Speechcraft coordinator – led by club member
• Experienced Toastmaster – capable of motivating others
• Receives credit towards ACG   (TOP)

You can choose how you want to do the presentation!

Speechcraft may be held either inside the club or outside depending on the number of participants

INSIDE the club setting:

• Invite 5-10 people
• Devote 30 minutes of each meeting to presenting Speechcraft
• 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.

OUTSIDE the club setting:

• More participants (over 10) can be accommodated because more time is available
• Program may be conducted for a particular group, civic  club or company at the group’s location
• A Speechcraft program outside the Club often leads to the formation of a new Toastmasters Club.
• It can be held at your regular meeting location or a new location or city to attract new people or start   (TOP)

• The Club’s Executive Committee decides to present the program, then discusses it with the membership.
• Order a Speechcraft package in advance from Toastmasters International. This package contains a Coordinator's Guide, Participant Handbooks, and other supporting materials.
• Promote Speechcraft to get participants. - Decide how you will promote Speechcraft – you could ask each member to recommend a person, put up posters offering this course, send out a special letter to certain departments at work, etc.
• Set a rate to cover costs, material and profit for your club.
• Set a schedule (adapt the program to participants) – Inform the participants and club members the time, place and length of meetings.
• Recognize participants with certificates and praise
• The Club decides whether the program will be conducted during regular Club meetings or outside of the Club.
• The Cub President appoints a Speechcraft Coordinator, who is responsible for planning and managing the program.
• Motivate club members to participate in the program – It gives them a chance to help others, to give speeches, and to give educational programs. Each member can multitask to fill the roles of Topicmaster, General Evaluator, Educational Presenter, Evaluator and Timer. Also be an advisor for the participant
• Invite participants to join your club afterwards or to start the new club (if that was your purpose).   (TOP)

 Fees

• Speechcraft kits with a manual for each participant (order extra manuals) and manual for each leader/helper
  Order the basic Speechcraft Starter Kit (Catalog no, 204) from Toastmasters International Store. The Kit includes:
  Three Coordinator’s Guides (Catalog no. 204)
  Ten Instructions for Advisors (Catalog no. 208)
  Five Speechcraft Participants Handbooks (Catalog no. 204-H)
  One Receipt Book
  15 copies of An Opportunity to Succeed (Catalog no. 207)
  Three copies of Number One Membership Building Tool (Catalog no. 203-A)
  Five Participant’s Certificates (Catalog no. 261)
  One Coordinator’s Certificate (Catalog no. 260)
  Expanding Your Horizons (211)
• You can order additional items separately.
• Extra material for educational sessions (Better speaker series, articles from TM magazines, additional books for reference)
• Flipcharts and pens, whiteboards, overhead projector
• Videotapes/DVD and players – show videotapes   (TOP)

• For maximum effectiveness, a Speechcraft program should be conducted in eight sessions – once a week.  The Coordinator’s Guide is written for an eight-session program conducted outside of the Club.  Simply follow the sample agendas.
• The program can also be conducted in four or six sessions if necessary.  Sample agendas are also provided in Guide.
• Prepare for each session well in advance.  Make sure Educational Presenters are well versed and do not read directly off of overhead slides.  Encourage them to use their own experiences.
• Advisors work with participants 10 -15 minutes each week at the end of the program to prepare for the following weeks’ assignments.
• During the last session, invite participants to join the Club.    (TOP)

Turning Prospects into New Members

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