The 'Effective Coaching' Path explained.

The "Effective Coaching" path is designed to help members enhance their coaching skills.  

An evaluation session at a Toastmaster club.

A member progresses through levels. Each level has a set of tasks (speeches, roles, projects). At the end of each level, the Vice-President (Education) signs off the level and the member progresses to the next level.

After completing Level 5, the member is awarded the "Effective Coach" certification of completion.

The following sections describe the content of each level.

LEVEL 1 - Mastering the Fundamentals


In order to complete Level 1, the member must complete the following tasks:

Project 1: The Ice-Breaker (One Speech)
Every Path starts with an Ice-Breaker speech. The Ice-Breaker is where the member introduces himself to the audience. 

Project 2: Evaluation and Feedback (Two Speeches + 1 Role)
In order to complete Project 2, a member must deliver 2 speeches and act as an Evaluator. That's a total of 3 meetings to meet the project objectives. 

Project 3: Researching & Presenting (One Speech)
This project requires the member to research on any subject and present a 5 to 7 minutes speech on the chosen subject. 

Summary of Level 1
To complete Level 1, a member must deliver 4 speeches plus 1 role. This means the member must attend 5 meetings in total to deliver his projects. 
If we assume that the member belongs to only 1 club, and the club meets twice a month, it would require 2.5 months to complete Level 1 (assuming the member is given an opportunity to deliver his project at every meeting). In reality, that is not possible since other members must also deliver their own projects. A realistic time-frame would be 4-5 months (i.e. A member delivers his project in one meeting, and acts as a role player in the next meeting).

Completing Level 1
Once all the projects are completed, you mark the Level as completed. This will send a notification to the Base Camp Manager (VP-Education of the club). Once the level completion is approved, you will be able to print your Level completion certificate and start working on Level 2.

LEVEL 2 - Learning your Style

In order to complete Level 1, the member must complete the following tasks:

Project 1: Understanding your Leadership Style (One Speech)
This project introduces the concept of different leadership styles and includes a self-assessment that provides you with an understanding of your own leadership style based on the responses given by you. The project requires you to deliver a speech on your leadership style. To learn more about the 'Understanding your Leadership Style' project, click <this link4>.

Project 2: Understanding your Communication Style (One Speech)
Similar to Project 1, this project introduces the concept of different communication styles and includes a self-assessment that provides you with an understanding of your own communication style based on the responses given by you. The project requires you to deliver a speech on your communication style. To learn more about the 'Understanding your Communication Style' project, click <this link5>.

Project 3: Introduction to Toastmaster Mentoring (One Speech)
This project introduces the concept of Toastmaster mentoring. The project requires you to deliver a speech on your past experience as a protege/mentee. To learn more about the 'Introduction to Toastmaster Mentoring' project, click <this link6>.

Summary of Level 2
The projects in Level 2 are challenging compared to Level 1. You need to understand your own styles in Leadership and Communication and deliver speeches around these subjects.
To complete Level 2, a member must deliver 3 speeches. This means the member must attend 3 meetings in total to deliver his projects. 


LEVEL 3 - Increasing Knowledge

Level 3 introduces 'Electives' where members can choose projects that suit their needs. In order to complete Level 3, the member must complete the following tasks:

Project 1: Reaching Consensus (One Speech)
This project requires the member to work with a group of people (either Toastmasters or non-Toastmasters) and attempt to reach a consensus on any subject. If this project is done in a club environment, the member should conduct a workshop of approximately 20 minutes to build consensus and then deliver a 2-3 minute speech on the experience.

This is a major project that requires careful planning and execution plus support from others. To learn more about 'Reaching Consensus' project in detail, click <this link7>.

Project 2 & 3: Electives.
You have to choose up to 2 Electives to progress to the next level. The list of Electives available are in Level 3 are:

Elective	Description	Type
Deliver Social Speeches	This project addresses the skills needed to compose a speech for a social occasion including a toast, eulogy, an acceptance speech, etc.	Speech
Using Presentation Software	This project addresses the use of presentation software—from identifying topics that benefit from the use of technology to effective slide design.	Speech
Connect with Storytelling	This project addresses storytelling techniques and descriptive skills to help make every speech relatable and interesting.	Speech
Creating Effective Visual Aids	This project addresses effective methods for choosing the best visual aid for your presentation along with the creation and use of each type.	Speech
Using Descriptive Language	This project addresses the difference between literal and figurative language along with how to determine when to use each to create vivid descriptions.	Speech
Connect with Your Audience	This project focuses on different audience types and how to address them effectively.	Speech
Make Connections Through Networking	This project focuses on how to network effectively and understanding the importance of being a professional ally to people in your network.	Speech
Focus on the Positive	This project addresses how to present a speech in an enthusiastic and inspiring fashion to establish a strong rapport with your audience.	Speech
Inspire Your Audience	This project addresses how to present a speech in an enthusiastic and inspiring fashion to establish a strong rapport with your audience.	Speech
Prepare for an Interview	This project addresses the skills you need to identify and speak about personal strengths and present yourself well in an interview of any type.	Interview
Understanding Vocal Variety	This project addresses the importance of vocal variety when giving a speech and provides activities to develop and nurture its use.	Speech
Effective Body Language	This project focuses on how to recognize body language used when speaking publicly and how to use gestures to enhance speech content.	Speech
Active Listening	This project covers the difference between hearing and listening, and steps for exploring the ways listening helps build strong, lasting connections.	Role (Table Topic Master)

To learn more about the elective projects in Level 3, click <this link8>.

Additional Projects in Level 3

In addition to the core project and electives listed above, a member must complete the following tasks before progressing to Level 4.

1. Evaluator Role: A member must take up a role as an evaluator for another member. Please note that the evaluation role done in Level 1 as part of the 'Evaluation and Feedback' project does not count. A member must do a separate evaluation role.

2. Toastmaster of the Day: Before progressing to Level 4, a member must take up the role of the TMOD (Toastmaster of the Day) and conduct one club meeting.

3. Table Topic Master: A member must also act as a Table-Topic master. If you selected the 'Active Listening' elective (which is a Table Topic Master role), it does not count. A member must do a separate Table Topic session in a club meeting.

To learn more about these additional roles that are required before progressing to Level 4, click <this link9>.

Summary of Level 3

The projects in Level 3 are demanding compared to the previous 2 levels. The main project 'Reaching consensus' requires the member to carefully plan the project and identify the people who will be involved in the project. The workshop needs proper planning.

The elective projects are fun. Those who have gone through the traditional manual will recognize some of the projects from their 'Competent Communicator' manual. For example, 'Using Descriptive Language' is equivalent to the CC4 project in the traditional manual.

This is a fairly lengthy level that may take a member at least 3-4 months to complete as it requires a commitment of 6 club meetings.

LEVEL 4 - Building Skills

Level 4 introduces the practical elements of the Effective Coaching path. Members completing this level must spend time coaching others, as well as invest a significant amount of time completing their elective projects. The Level is made up of only 2 projects but the projects are complex. In order to complete Level 4, the member must complete the following tasks:

Project 1: Improvements through Positive Coaching

This project is the first practical project in the Program. The objective of this project is for the member to spend time coaching (either a Toastmaster or a non-Toastmaster) with a defined objective. At the end of the project, the member must deliver a speech about the experience of coaching. 

To learn more about the 'Improvements through Positive Coaching' project, click <this link10>.

Project 2: Elective.

The member can choose from a range of electives available at Level 4. Only 1 Elective needs to be completed in order to meet the requirements of this level. These are complex projects that require a significant investment of time and effort from the member.

The list of electives available at Level 4 are:

Project	Description	Type
Create a Podcast	This project addresses the skills you need to develop a podcast, create interesting content and organize a cohesive program.	Project
Building a Social Media Presence	This project addresses how best to use different types of online communication. You will create and maintain an online profile to promote yourself or an organization	Project
Managing a Difficult Audience	This project covers common behaviors of difficult audience members and how to address each behavior in a calm, effective and professional way.	Speech
Write a Compelling Blog	This project addresses the basics of developing a compelling blog and successfully engaging a readership.	Project
Manage Online Meetings	This project addresses how to effectively conduct online meetings and webinars, prepare and organize necessary visual aids, and lead with confidence.	Project
Question-and-Answer Session	This project addresses how to prepare to answer questions and provide information clearly, concisely and with confidence.	Speech
Public Relations Strategies	This project focuses on how to promote awareness of an organization, formulate a public relations strategy and use various public relations tactics.	Project
Manage Projects Successfully	This project focuses on skills needed to effectively manage a project, develop a rapport with stakeholders and cultivate strong relationships with a team.	Project

To learn more about the elective projects in Level 4, click <this link11>.

Summary of Level 4

Even though there are only 2 projects in Level 4, these projects require significant investment in time to complete the tasks and activities. For the main project, the member must spend time coaching another member or a non-toastmaster and then deliver a speech on the experience. 

The club commitment is only 2 meetings. The time required to complete the level will depend on how much time the member takes for the coaching activity as well as the elective project.

LEVEL 5 - Demonstrating Expertise

Level 5 is the final level in the Pathways program. Completing this level requires extensive hands-on work by the member. In order to complete Level 5, the member must complete the following tasks:

Project 1: HPL (High-Performance Leadership) Project.

This involves planning, monitoring and executing a well-defined project. It is up to the member to define the project and its scope. A guidance committee of minimum 2 members will provide oversight and feedback. 

To learn more about the 'High-Performance Leadership' project, click <this link12>.

Project 2: Elective

The member can choose from 5 electives available at Level 5. Only 1 Elective needs to be completed in order to meet the requirements of this level. These are complex projects that require a significant investment of time and effort from the member.

The list of electives available at Level 5 are:

Project	Description	Type
Lessons Learned	This project addresses how to identify the discussion points of a large group meeting, encourage a culture of contribution and voicing opinions, and facilitate productive discussions that yield results	Project
Moderate a Panel Discussion	This project addresses the skills needed to successfully moderate a panel discussion and how to be an effective participant on a panel.	Speech
Ethical Leadership	This project addresses the importance of recognizing the effect of decisions that impact ethics, best practices for making ethical decisions and developing an ethical framework	Speech
Leading in Your Volunteer Organization	This project focuses on the skills required to lead in a volunteer organization and the importance of recognition and reward in motivating volunteers.	Project
Prepare to Speak Professionally	This project is designed to help you define the attributes of professional speakers and apply that understanding to your own skills as a speaker.	Speech

To learn more about the elective projects in Level 4, click <this link13>.

Project 3: Reflect on your Path (Concluding Speech).

This is a 5-7 minute speech to summarize your entire experience in completing the Path. 

To learn more about the 'Reflect on your Path' project, click <this link14>.

Use the links above to navigate to individual projects to learn more about each project and how I tackled each project to complete my path.