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You're listening to the Talkative Toastmaster podcast. I'm your host, melanie Surplus. In this podcast, we explore how Toastmasters can help you to polish your public speaking skills, communicate with confidence and amplify your authenticity. You'll hear from my fellow Toastmasters and I how this global organization has impacted our lives for the better and how it could impact yours. Now let's get talkative. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to episode 52.

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This week we're going to explore one of the specialist programs in Toastmasters that has elevated the art of public speaking worldwide, and that is the Toastmasters Accredited Speaker Program. Now, if you're a member of Toastmasters, you're probably familiar with the organization's reputation for helping individuals improve their communication and leadership skills. But did you know that they also offer an exclusive designation for professional caliber speakers? The accredited speaker designation is not only a mark of excellence in public speaking, but also a designation of credibility and impact. And if you go back to last week's episode that is, episode 51, you'll hear my conversation with one of these accredited speakers, dale Ann Clark. So if you haven't listened to that episode, go back and have a listen to it. And this week's episode just really gives a little bit more detail about the actual program. So today we'll look at how that program works, what the application process involves and the benefits of achieving this recognition. Now, all of the information is available on the Toastmasters website, and in fact, there's quite a detailed handbook about this process as well, but I just wanted to talk through it.

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So the accredited speaker program offered by Toastmasters International is designed for members who really want to demonstrate their skills at a professional level. It's a challenging program, obviously, that goes beyond Toastmasters' traditional focus on personal development and leadership. Really, its point is to emphasize polished, highly effective public speaking. As of today, fewer than 100 people worldwide have achieved the accredited speaker designation since the program was introduced in 1981, which really underscores the rigor and selectivity of this honor. So what exactly does it mean to be an accredited speaker? Well, this designation is for people who don't just speak well, but they have achieved a level of mastery where they can inspire, entertain, educate and even motivate audiences consistently. They're essentially recognised as accomplished professionals in the field, whether they're corporate trainers, motivational speakers, educators or other public-facing communicators. The accredited speaker badge is an official testament from Toastmasters to their skill. Accredited Speaker Badge is an official testament from Toastmasters to their skill, professionalism and ability to engage audiences of various types and sizes. One of the unique aspects of this program is its focus on professional level skills. While most Toastmasters pathways and projects are designed to help members improve incrementally, the accredited speaker program is really meant for those who are already operating at or near the top of their game. Candidates who pursue this designation should ideally have a significant amount of real-world speaking experience, with a proven track record of delivering effective speeches and presentations to large and diverse audiences. So let's explore how the program actually works.

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The accredited speaker designation is awarded through a two-level process that evaluates applicants' abilities on various fronts. Level one is essentially a qualifying round where candidates submit a written application and a video showcasing a live presentation. This presentation must be at least 20 minutes long, delivered to a non-Toastmasters audience, and show the candidate's ability to engage and deliver that value to the audience. This requirement is really designed to ensure that applicants can perform well outside of the familiar Toastmasters club environment, and applications are judged on factors such as speech structure, style, originality and audience engagement, amongst other criteria, and those criteria are listed in detail in the handbook. The submission itself involves some paperwork, of course. Along with the video, applicants need to provide details about their professional speaking experience, client references and background information. The application must also be accompanied by a letter from the applicant's district director or a past international director validating their readiness for the program. This initial level functions as a filter to ensure that only candidates who are genuinely ready to operate at a professional standard proceed to that next stage.

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If candidates make it through level one, they then move on to level two, which involves a live evaluation. This stage takes place at the Toastmasters International Convention in any given year, where the candidates deliver 20 to 25 minute presentations in front of a live audience and a panel of judges including other accredited speakers. This live performance is the ultimate test. It's where candidates demonstrate not only their speaking skills but also their capacity to engage a large audience on the spot. Judges at this stage are seasoned evaluators who look for qualities that signify a professional speaker, that is, presence, control, content, connection with the audience and overall impact. The judges score candidates rigorously and only those who meet Toastmasters high standards receive the accredited speaker designation. If you go back again to last week's episode with my discussion with Dale, there's a link to her presentation at the annual convention last year, which is when she achieved this designation. She also talks about this part of the process Now.

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The evaluation process itself is thorough and uncompromising and, as I've mentioned, candidates are evaluated across multiple dimensions, each intended to highlight their skills in different aspects of professional speaking. The judges are looking for speeches to ensure that they have a clear, logical flow that's easy for audiences to follow. The content is scrutinized for its relevance, originality and ability to resonate with the audience. Delivery and body language are crucial factors, as they show how well a speaker can command the room and establish a connection with listeners. And, furthermore, candidates need to be adaptable, adjusting their approach based on the audience's responses, as any speaker in any general forum would need to be able to do so.

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The accredited speaker designation isn't just about delivering a polished presentation. It's about excelling in every aspect of speaking that a professional environment demands. Given the extensive requirements and rigorous evaluation, it's no wonder that only a select few earn the accredited speaker title. However, the exclusivity of the designation is part of what makes it so valuable. So let's look at just a couple of the benefits of becoming an accredited speaker. Firstly, earning this designation serves as a credential that can enhance your reputation and marketability as a speaker. Firstly, earning this designation serves as a credential that can enhance your reputation and marketability as a speaker.

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In a field where credibility matters, the accredited speaker badge can act as a distinguishing factor. Dale pointed to this in the conversation I had with her. It signifies to potential clients, organizations and event planners that you're not only a capable speaker but also a recognized expert who has met Toastmasters' international high standards For speakers seeking to expand speakers for conferences or events in an event planning capacity, that these extra kinds of qualifications and designations definitely do help people to stand out. I mean, obviously, when you are choosing a speaker, you want to look at their show reels and look at how they are in front of an audience and you want to read testimonials from their clients. But if they can show some sort of designation from a very recognizable organization like Toastmasters, I personally feel it adds that extra level of credibility.

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Further, achieving the accredited speaker designation brings lifelong benefits in terms of networking. Accredited speakers form a unique community within Toastmasters, offering opportunities for professional collaboration, mentorship and support. So it's really that next level of networking in the organization. Members often share speaking engagements, collaborate on projects and provide referrals, creating a mutually supportive ecosystem that can be highly beneficial for career advancement. Additionally, the designation opened doors to speaking engagements at Toastmasters events around the world, giving accredited speakers a platform to show their talents to new and diverse audiences. And in my interview with Eliza a couple of episodes ago, she had organized a global 20-hour speech fest celebrating the 100th anniversary of Toastmasters and I believe she had something like 17 accredited speakers speaking at various stages through that event. So there does seem to be many speaking opportunities within the organization for our accredited speakers.

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The accredited speaker designation also obviously provides personal growth. Many speakers attest to that pursuing the designation pushed them to refine their skills and enhance their self-awareness as communicators. By all accounts, the feedback received during the evaluation process is invaluable. It provides insight from experienced evaluators who offer constructive advice on areas for improvement. This feedback loop allows candidates to refine their craft even further, making the accredited speaker journey a transformative learning experience For those who achieve it. The accredited speaker title is a culmination of years of hard work, dedication and self-improvement. But this designation is more than just a personal milestone. It's a commitment to continued excellence, which again is one of the hallmarks of the Toastmasters organisation. Accredited speakers are encouraged to maintain their skills and grow as professionals contributing back to the Toastmasters community and the broader world of public speaking. They often mentor other Toastmasters members, providing guidance to those who aspire to improve their speaking skills or to pursue the accredited speaker title themselves, and I've seen this with a number of professional speakers who are still in Toastmasters. They're very engaged with the organization, often taking on leadership roles or mentoring roles or whatever it might be, and their willingness to help other Toastmasters I think is one of the great elements of the program and obviously part of the broader culture of Toastmasters.

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Now, if you're considering applying to the program, here's a couple of tips that may help you on your journey. This is just gathered through my own research and just speaking with different people. So, firstly, develop your speaking portfolio by gathering videos of your live presentations. If you don't already have footage, start by recording your speeches in various settings and to different types of audiences. Make sure these presentations showcase your range, allowing the judges to see how you handle diverse topics, audience sizes and environments. It's no doubt also helpful to seek feedback from professionals outside your immediate network. You could invite experienced Toastmasters or professional evaluators to observe your presentations and offer constructive feedback. This external perspective can highlight areas that may need improvement and give you the chance to fine-tune your performance before submitting your application.

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Another important tip, I feel, is to approach the program with patience and resilience. The accredited speaker program is one of the most challenging paths within Toastmasters and it may take several attempts before achieving success. And it may take several attempts before achieving success. Even Dale was saying that she didn't get through level one the first time, but got through in the end and ultimately became one of the accredited speakers. So you know, remember, if you don't succeed the first time, the experience gained is invaluable. It's also crucial to immerse yourself in the speaking community within and beyond Toastmasters, and the best speakers I know definitely network with other speakers and really immerse themselves in that world. Attend workshops, join professional speaker associations and study renowned speakers to expand your understanding of what makes a truly memorable speech and speaker. Cultivating a professional approach to speaking will not only enhance your application, but also prepare you for the live evaluation stage, where your ability to think and respond like a seasoned professional is put to the test.

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The Accredited Speaker Program represents one of the highest forms of recognition within Toastmasters, and the effort required to achieve it is substantial but not unachievable. However, for those who persevere, the awards extend far beyond the title itself. Accredited speakers are seen as leaders in the field of communication. They set high standards for others to aspire to and often play a vital role in inspiring other members to improve their skills. The accredited speaker designation is more than just a goal. It's a journey that embodies the Toastmasters spirit of growth, excellence and community. By challenging yourself to pursue this program, you commit to the process of continuous improvement that will benefit you both personally and professionally. You'll develop resilience, hone your craft and join a prestigious community that celebrates the art and science of public speaking.

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So, to wrap up our episode today, whether you're an aspiring professional speaker or simply a Toastmasters member with a passion for impactful communication, the Accredited Speaker program offers a rewarding path. It's rigorous, no doubt, but the journey to becoming an accredited speaker will undoubtedly shape you into a more skilled, confident and inspiring speaker. So if you're ready to take your speaking to the next level, consider embarking on this path, and I'll pop the links to all the accredited speaker resources in the description below. So thank you for joining me on this episode. I hope you found value in understanding some of the elements of what it takes to become an accredited speaker with Toastmasters International, whether you're interested in applying or simply inspired by the pursuit of excellence. Remember that the journey to becoming a better speaker is a rewarding one, however you choose to do it. Keep practicing, keep improving and, who knows, maybe one day you'll be the next Toastmaster to earn this prestigious designation.

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If you're ready to unlock your potential, consider joining a Toastmasters club near you. Check out the find a club link on the Toastmasters international website at wwwtoastmastersorg. It's worth visiting a couple of different clubs as a guest to see which club best suits you. If you do take the leap and visit a meeting, I would absolutely love to hear your experience. Feel free to message me at talkativetoastmaster at gmailcom or tag me in the comments if you found this podcast on YouTube, facebook, instagram or Twitter.

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Thanks for listening to today's show. Head to talkativetoastmastercom, where you'll find the show notes for this and all other episodes, as well as links to some awesome Toastmasters resources. If you found value in today's content, I'd really appreciate if you could share it with friends and colleagues who may be interested, or leave a review on iTunes. This will help more people to find us. Until next time, remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt you gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. So let's face that fear and step into the spotlight with confidence and grace. Have a great week.