Pathways
In 2017, Toastmasters International launched a new education program, Pathways.
1. Address unique goals by providing multiple paths.
2. Treat communication and leadership as one, inseparable quality.
3. Use technology to help you learn better.
Here is our promise to you: You get to choose which path you want to work on, how far you want to go, and how fast you want to improve yourself. No matter your choice, we will always support you in your journey.
1. What's My Path?
After joining Central Austin, you will select a path that best fits your goals in Toastmasters. Currently, there are 11 paths in Pathways. Click on the tiles to learn more.
Dynamic Leadership helps you build your skills as a strategic leader. The projects on this path focus on understanding leadership and communication styles, the effect of conflict on a group, and the skills needed to defuse and direct conflict. These projects also emphasize the development of strategies to facilitate change in an organization or group, interpersonal communication, and public speaking. Dynamic Leadership culminates in a project focused on applying your leadership skills.
Effective Coaching helps you build your skills as a positive communicator and leader. The projects on this path focus on understanding and building consensus, contributing to the development of others by coaching, and establishing strong public speaking skills. Each project emphasizes the importance of effective interpersonal communication. Effective Coaching culminates in a High Performance Leadership project of your design.
Engaging Humor is designed to help you build your skills as a humorous and engaging public speaker. The projects on this path focus on understanding your sense of humor and how that sense of humor translates to engaging audience members. The projects contribute to developing an understanding of how to effectively use humor in a speech, including challenging situations and impromptu speeches. Engaging Humor culminates in an extended humorous speech that will allow you to apply what you learned.
Innovative Planning helps you build your skills as a public speaker and leader. The projects on this path focus on developing a strong connection with audience members when you present, speech writing, and speech delivery. The projects contribute to building an understanding of the steps to manage a project, as well as creating innovative solutions. Innovative Planning culminates in a High Performance Leadership project of your design.
Leadership Development helps you build your skills as an effective communicator and leader. The projects on this path focus on learning how to manage time, as well as how to develop and implement a plan. Public speaking and leading a team are emphasized in all projects. Leadership Development culminates in the planning and execution of an event that will allow you to apply everything you learned.
Motivational Strategies helps you build your skills as a powerful and effective communicator. The projects focus on learning strategies for building connections with the people around you, understanding motivation, and successfully leading small groups to accomplish tasks. Motivational Strategies culminates in a comprehensive team-building project that brings all of your skills together, including public speaking.
Persuasive Influence helps you build your skills as an innovative communicator and leader. The projects on this path focus on how to negotiate a positive outcome together with building strong interpersonal communication and public speaking skills. Each project emphasizes developing leadership skills to use in complex situations, as well as creating innovative solutions to challenges. Persuasive Influence culminates in a High Performance Leadership project of your design.
Presentational Mastery helps you build your skills as an accomplished public speaker. The projects on this path focus on learning how an audience responds to you and improving your connection with audience members. The projects contribute to developing an understanding of effective public speaking technique, including speech writing and speech delivery. Presentational Mastery culminates in an extended speech that will allow you to apply what you learned.
Strategic Relationships helps you build your skills as a leader in communication. The projects on this path focus on understanding diversity, building personal and professional connections with a variety of people, and developing a public relations strategy. Communicating well interpersonally and as a public speaker is emphasized in each project. Strategic Relationships culminates in a project to apply your skills as a leader in a volunteer organization.
Team Collaboration helps you build your skills as a collaborative leader. The projects on this path focus on active listening, motivating others, and collaborating with a team. Each project contributes to building interpersonal communication and public speaking skills. Team Collaboration culminates in a project focused on applying your leadership skills.
Visionary Communication helps you build your skills as a strategic communicator and leader. The projects on this path focus on developing your skills for sharing information with a group, planning communications, and creating innovative solutions. Speech writing and speech delivery are emphasized in each project. Visionary Communication culminates in the development and launch of a long-term personal or professional vision.
If you are still unsure, no worries! Each path has 5 levels, and the first two are the same for all paths. You can also get advice from your mentor and fellow members.
2. Level 1 Projects
Congratulations on selecting a path! You are now a step closer to working on your goals.
Level 1 consists of three projects. You will give a total of 4 speeches and 1 evaluation, meet various goals along the way, and set new ones for your next level.
Level 1 Projects
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Ice Breaker
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Evaluation and Feedback
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Researching and Presenting
Log in to Portal today to download your projects. When you are ready to give a speech, you can sign up for a speaking role on our agenda.
3. Your Path to DTM
Just like in the traditional program, you can achieve DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster), the highest recognition from Toastmasters International.
Earning a DTM requires years of hard work. If you know of someone working on their DTM, please lend them your support and encouragement!
Distinguished Toastmaster
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Complete 2 paths
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Serve 4 leadership roles
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Finish DTM project
4. DCP Goals
Every year (July 1 to June 30), Central Austin Toastmasters participates in meeting all 10 DCP goals (Distinguished Club Program).
The reason is simple. We love setting and meeting goals ❤. Not just as individuals, but as a club too. These goals help us create many opportunities to collaborate and succeed together.
Yearly Educational Goals
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4+ members finish Level 1
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4+ members finish Level 2
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2+ members finish Level 3
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1+ member finishes Level 4
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1+ member finishes Level 5
Visit the DCP Dashboard to check how we are doing. Ask your officers how you can help!