The Pathway to Distinguished Toastmaster
Where will your Toastmasters path take you? Have you set goals? Do you remember your “Why” in Toastmasters? If your goal is to be a Distinguished Toastmaster, please read on . . .
Honorable, Eminent, Notable
These are some ways that organizations describe those members who have reached the highest pinnacle of success. In Toastmasters, we call those people Distinguished Toastmasters (DTMs)—the highest award a Toastmaster can achieve. Webster’s dictionary defines distinguished as: successful, authoritative, and commanding great respect. Wouldn’t these qualities serve us each well in our daily lives?
Distinguished Toastmasters are a rare breed. Less than one percent of all Toastmasters ever achieve that designation. In District 39 we have about 200 DTMs currently—quite a high proportion. These members have persisted in achieving all of their educational awards, every leadership goal, and have served the clubs and District by being officers, conducting speech crafts, and starting new clubs.
Why become a Distinguished Toastmaster?
What makes people strive for that mountain of achievement? There may be as many reasons as there are Distinguished Toastmasters. Some are life-long learners and want to continue learning. Others are focused on job promotions. Many continue to achieve goals to help their clubs be distinguished. Still others want to have the prestige of the initials, DTM, behind their names.
Whatever the reason, achieving a DTM award is not the end of a Toastmaster’s career but the beginning of an advanced opportunity to apply what they have learned, to attain even higher levels of leadership and communication competency. A graduate degree, so to speak.
Are you ready to be a Distinguished Toastmaster? Check out the requirements below.