• A new manual on leadership and a new leadership award. The 10-project Competent Leadership manual will help you develop leadership skills while serving in various club meeting roles. The manual will debut in January 2006 and will be included in the new-member kit, which all new members receive. Other members may purchase the manual (Catalog No. 265) for $6.00 (U.S.) plus shipping. Members completing the manual will receive the new Competent Leader award. Toastmasters International will begin issuing the new award in July 2006.
  
• New titles for the existing leadership awards. The current Competent Leader award will become the Advanced Leader Bronze award. The current Advanced Leader award will become the Advanced Leader Silver award. The requirements for the Advanced Leader Bronze award will include completion of the new Competent Leader manual. (See the sidebar for all requirements for these awards.) Because the requirements for this award are changing, there will be a two-year “grace period” for those working toward the current Competent Leader award. This means World Headquarters will continue to issue Competent Leader awards under the current requirements through June 30, 2008. Beginning July 1, 2008, all members will have to meet the new requirements. Those who have already earned the Competent Leader award under the current requirements and who apply for the Advanced Leader award after June 30, 2006, will receive the new Advanced Leader Silver certificate.
  
• New titles for the Communication and Leadership Program and Advanced Communication and Leadership Program manuals. At their next reprinting, the Communication and Leadership manual will be titled the Competent Communication manual and the Advanced Communication and Leadership Program manuals will become the Advanced Communication manuals.
  
• New titles for the communication track awards. Effective July 1, 2006, the Competent Toastmaster (CTM) award, given to those completing the Communication and Leadership Program manual, becomes the Competent Communicator award. The Advanced Toastmaster Bronze, Advanced Toastmaster Silver and Advanced Toastmaster Gold awards will become the Advanced Communicator Bronze, Advanced Communicator Silver and Advanced Communicator Gold awards respectively, with no changes to award requirements. (See the sidebar for all requirements for these awards.) Beginning July 1, 2006, members applying for any of the current awards will receive certificates reflecting the new award names.
  
• A change in the Distinguished Toastmaster award requirements. Beginning July 1, 2006, to be eligible for the award, a member must have received the Advanced Communicator Gold (or current Advanced Toastmaster Gold) and the Advanced Leader Silver (or current Advanced Leader) awards.

Frequently asked questions about the program improvements.

Q: The new leadership manual has 10 projects. Will I be evaluated on each of these projects, just as I am in the current Communication and Leadership Program manual?

A: Yes. For each leadership role you complete as a project requirement, your club vice president education will assign an evaluator who will provide a written evaluation. However, a verbal evaluation is optional and at the club’s discretion. Many clubs have limited time available during meetings; adding verbal evaluations for those serving in meeting roles may not be feasible. If you want a verbal evaluation in addition to the written evaluation, and if the meeting cannot accommodate it, the evaluator should give it privately after the club meeting.

Q: How will the Competent Leadership manual affect my club?

A: The new manual allows members to join your club and immediately begin working on developing their leadership skills. As mentioned in the previous question, the club vice president education assigns an evaluator who will provide a written evaluation. However, most clubs won’t have the meeting time to allow verbal evaluations of a leadership project. In these cases, if a member wants a verbal evaluation, the evaluator may provide it outside of the club meeting. More information about how to incorporate the manual into your club and its activities will appear in the December issue of this magazine. Club officers also will get information during their district’s upcoming club officer training.

Q: Do I have to complete the Competent Communication and Competent Leadership manuals in any particular order?

A: No. You may work in both manuals at the same time if you wish, or work in one at a time. If you complete the Competent Leadership manual first, you may apply for the Competent Leader award. If you complete the Competent Communication manual first, you may apply for the Competent Communicator award. If you finish both at the same time, you may apply for both awards at the same time.

Q: I am now a Competent Leader. After July 1, 2006, will my title be Advanced Leader Bronze?

A: You still will be a Competent Leader. Likewise, members who already have received the Advanced Leader award will retain that title.

Q: I am now a Competent Leader. Do I have to complete the new Competent Leadership manual?

A: No. However, we encourage you to do so because you’ll enhance and refine your leadership skills by completing the projects in the manual.

Q: I am now a Competent Leader. After July 1, 2006, could I apply for the Advanced Leader Bronze award?

A: The requirements for the current Competent Leader and the Advanced Leader Bronze awards are the same, and Toastmasters International does not issue multiple awards for the same work. If you want to earn the Advanced Leader Bronze award, you would have to meet all of the requirements a second time. Instead of doing this, we recommend that you work toward the next level award, the Advanced Leader Silver.