Each club member has personal reasons for joining toastmasters.

Some members needed to give a presentation at work, some had wedding speeches to prepare, others needed to address local clubs or societies, and some just joined for the fun of learning a new skill and meeting like minded people.

Whatever the reason for joining everyone’s skills improve. Those improvements are recognized through the Toastmasters International awards system.

There are 2 award tracks. 

The leadership Track and The Communication Track.

The leadership track has 3 Levels - Competent Leader, Advanced Leader Bronze, and Advanced Leader Silver.

To gain the leadership awards, members have to carry out a variety of roles during club meetings (timekeeper, Topics, Master, Evaluator, etc.), be part of the club committee and also help to promote the Toastmasters International organisation, by assisting with new clubs and helping to educate members and guests about the organisation and how it can help people.

The Communication track has 4 levels. Competent Communicator, Advanced Communicator Bronze, Advanced Communicator Silver and Advanced Communicator Gold.

To gain the communications awards, each member has to complete a series of speeches at each level and carry out some educational sessions that will help others to achieve their goals.

Members can choose what levels they wish to aim for. No-one is put under pressure to advance at anything other than their own pace.

Everyone who completes both the Leadership and Communications Tracks are awarded the highest honour in Toastmasters, the Distinguished Toastmaster Award