Speechcraft FAQ

Member

1. How do I access the new Speechcraft digital experience?

To purchase a Speechcraft Digital Bundle and start a Speechcraft event, visit the Toastmasters online store at Speechcraft-Digital-Bundle. To learn more about Speechcraft, visit the Speechcraft Gateway at Speechcraft.toastmasters.org.

2. Who typically fills the role of coordinator? Are there restrictions about who can serve in this role?

Speechcraft coordinators are Toastmasters members who have their club’s support.

Speechcraft is not available for purchase by non-members. Members cannot coordinate a Speechcraft without the support of their club.

Coordinator and Speechcrafter

1. Where is the login for Speechcraft?

Visit the Speechcraft Gateway at speechcraft.toastmasters.org. Coordinators and Speechcrafters will both log in from this page.

2. Is there a print version available?

There are no hard-copy manuals. The Speechcraft program is designed to be accessed online.

There are some resources within the coordinator and Speechcrafter materials that can be printed if desired, but the entire program is not available in print.

Coordinator

1. How many participants are allowed for each Digital Bundle? Can you add more participants?

Each Speechcraft Digital Bundle includes five participants. To conduct an event with more than five participants, coordinators will need to purchase multiple Digital Bundles.

Participant seats cannot be purchased individually—only in bundles of five.

Each Digital Bundle will be added as a separate event on the Speechcraft Gateway and the Speechcraft Portal on Base Camp. However, they can be held together at the same time and location.

2. Do I need to add all participants when I create my event, or can I come back to the Speechcraft Gateway and add them later?

Coordinators can add participants to their Speechcraft event as soon as the event is created on the Speechcraft Gateway. However, coordinators are not required to add participants as soon as the event is created, nor are they required to add all five participants at once. Participants can be added on the Event tab at any time, as long as not all Speechcrafter seats for the event can be filled. This is true even after the start of the event date.

3. I purchased multiple Digital Bundles so I can have more than five participants, but the Create New Event page on the Speechcraft Gateway is only letting me add five participants. How do I add my other participants?

Each Digital Bundle (group of five participants) is treated as a separate event.

This means that if you purchase multiple bundles, each bundle has to be added individually. If you purchased multiple Digital Bundles in the same order, you would use the same order number to redeem all bundles.

Events can have the same location and time, and can be run together, but they will need to be entered as separate events on the Speechcraft Gateway. They will also show as separate events on your Event tab on the Speechcraft Gateway, and they will be pushed separately to Base Camp.

Once you have added each of your events, all events will be available on the Events tab. To view an event and add participants, use the drop-down menu under "Current and Future Events."

4. I logged into the Speechcraft Portal on Base Camp, but I don’t have access to any learning. How do I get my coordinator materials?

First, confirm that you logged in to Base Camp through the Speechcraft Gateway to access the Speechcraft Portal on Base Camp. You’ll know you’re logged in to the Speechcraft Portal if you see the words “Toastmasters Speechcraft” in the upper left corner. If you see “Toastmasters Pathways learning experience,” in the upper left corner, go to the Speechcraft Gateway and access Base Camp from the Event tab.

Your Speechcraft materials will be assigned on Base Camp within 24 hours of when you redeemed your Digital Bundle on the Speechcraft Gateway. If it has been more than 24 hours and you still do not have access to materials on your Learning page (Transcript) on Base Camp, please contact the Speechcraft team at speechcraft@toastmasters.org or +1 720-439-5050.

5. What is the difference between the new Speechcraft digital experience and the traditional Speechcraft?

The Speechcraft digital experience will be very familiar to members who have participated in Speechcraft in the past—either as a coordinator or a participant. The speeches are the same, or similar, and the educational presentations also mirror the Speechcraft Toastmasters members know and love.

The primary difference, other than the fact that it is delivered online, is a greater emphasis on applying feedback and completing speeches. Clubs and coordinators are always at their discretion to decide how Speechcraft is delivered, but delivering speeches is how Speechcrafters learn. Being evaluated and discussing how feedback can be applied is at the heart of the Toastmasters learning experience, Pathways, and now, Speechcraft.

6. Can a club set up multiple Speechcraft events at the same time?

Yes. Clubs who are conducting a Speechcraft with more than five participants may want to schedule multiple Speechcraft events. These events could be conducted simultaneously, as one Speechcraft.

7. I’m coordinating a Speechcraft event and would like to be a participant in the same event. Can I add myself as a Speechcrafter?

Yes. You can be both a coordinator and a participant in the same Speechcraft event. However, when you add yourself as a Speechcrafter, you will need to use an email address that is different from your coordinator login. Speechcraft logins are connected to your email address, which means you can only use an email address once for your event. To add yourself as a Speechcrafter, simply use a secondary email address.

8. I purchased Speechcraft but won’t be able to hold an event, or the program will not fit my needs. Can I get a refund?

If you are unable to use your Speechcraft Digital Bundle, you have a few options. You can gift the digital bundle to another coordinator in your club, or provide it to another club altogether.

If you would prefer to receive a refund, you can return your Digital Bundle within 12 months of purchase, as long as event dates have not been added on the Speechcraft Gateway. To request a refund, email supplyorders@toastmasters.org. Include your member number and the order confirmation number received when you purchased your Speechcraft Digital Bundle. Once you have added event dates and times on the Speechcraft Gateway, you are no longer eligible to receive a refund. If you’ve redeemed the digital bundle and scheduled your event, you can transfer the event to another coordinator in your club. To do so, email Speechcraft@toastmasters.org and be sure to include your member number, the name of the club for which you are conducting the Speechcraft event, and the name and member number of the coordinator who will be taking over your event.

9. Can I use a Gift Certificate to purchase a Speechcraft Digital Bundle?

Yes, gift certificates can be used to purchase a Speechcraft Digital Bundle. To redeem your gift certificate, mail it to Toastmasters International, along with a completed order form.

Toastmasters International, 9127 S. Jamaica Street, Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112

10. I have a Speechcrafter who is being difficult. What should I do?

One of the primary goals of Speechcraft is building relationships. When you have a difficult Speechcrafter, addressing their concerns is important, but not to the detriment of other participants, visitors, and volunteers. Encourage participants to hold questions until a break or the end of the session. Be sure to remind the Speechcrafter to share their feedback or concerns with their guide during the workshop portion of your session. Work with the difficult Speechcrafter’s guide to engage in a supportive conversation about each party’s concerns and collaborate as a team to resolve any issues or challenging behaviors. (For more information on the responsibility of guides, please review your Coordinator Introduction project.)

Remember that challenging Speechcrafters provide you with an opportunity to build your leadership skills. Be respectful and expect the same of everyone participating in your event. Encourage your guides to review the Toastmasters Pathways Mentor Program for suggestions on supporting short-term mentees. These projects are available on the Pathways portal on Base Camp to members who have completed Level 2 of their path.

11. Now that I’ve coordinated a Speechcraft event, I have feedback I would like to share to help improve the experience. Who should I contact?

If you have feedback on the educational content, the digital platform, or your experience as a coordinator, make sure you’ve marked complete your Final Checklist and submitted the feedback survey. If you have additional feedback you were not able to include in the survey, please contact the Speechcraft team at World Headquarters by calling +1 720-439-5050 or emailing Speechcraft@toastmasters.org.

12. Do I get credit for coordinating a Speechcraft event?

Members who coordinate a completed Speechcraft event are eligible to receive credit toward their Distinguished Toastmaster award.

13. What do I need to do to get credit for coordinating a Speechcraft event?

When you are ready to apply the Speechcraft you Coordinated for credit toward the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award, complete and sign the DTM application and submit to World Headquarters. Toastmasters International will review your application and contact you if there are any questions.

14. Where can I access my Speechcraft Coordinator certificate?

Once you have completed your Speechcraft event, launch the “Final Checklist” item on your Learning page (Transcript) on Base Camp. Review the checklist and confirm that you have finished all tasks listed. Then, click the “Mark Complete” button on the Final Checklist.

After the page refreshes, you’ll notice that the button next to the Final Checklist reads “Evaluate.” Click this button to share feedback with Toastmasters International about your experience coordinating a Speechcraft event.

Once you’ve submitted your feedback to Toastmasters, return to your Learning page (Transcript) and click the “Active” dropdown menu. Then, select “Completed.” Your Final Checklist item will show on your completed page with a “View Certificate” button. Click this button to view, download, and print your certificate.

Remember that your Speechcraft access on Base Camp expires 90 days after your event ends, so you’ll want to make sure you download and save your certificate.

15. If I purchase multiple Digital Bundles and conduct them as one Speechcraft event, do I get credit for two Speechcraft events?

If your Speechcraft event includes more than five people, you should purchase multiple Digital Bundles and hold this as one event. You would then get credit for conducting one Speechcraft.

16. If my Speechcraft includes multiple digital bundles and multiple coordinators, can more than one coordinator get credit toward their DTM.

Yes. As long as a coordinator has a group of Speechcrafters assigned to them on the Speechcraft portal on Base Camp, share the responsibilities, and meet all coordinator requirements, they are eligible for credit toward a Distinguished Toastmaster award. This is true even if the group they are assigned to coordinate is part of a larger Speechcraft event. Keep in mind that meeting all requirements includes tracking completions and effectively managing the group on Base Camp.

17. I purchased my Speechcraft Digital Bundle to gift to someone else. How do I set them up as the coordinator?

When you purchase a Digital Bundle, you will receive a Speechcraft Order Confirmation email that includes your order confirmation number—also referred to as your Digital Bundle Order Number. This number will be used to create the Speechcraft event on the Speechcraft Gateway. Provide the Digital Bundle Order Number and the Coordinator Quick Start Guide to the member who will be coordinating the event. Because the event must be set up by the coordinator, that member will want to visit the Speechcraft Gateway and set up the event themselves.

18. Do I need to belong to the club that my Speechcraft event is associated with?

When coordinating a Speechcraft event, a club to which you belong must approve for you to host the event in connection with the club. When setting up your event on the Speechcraft Gateway, you will see that the event is automatically associated with a club in which you are a member. If you belong to more than one club, you will be able to select the club that approved the Speechcraft event. You will not be able to associate the event with a club in which you are not a member.

Speechcrafter

1. I logged into the Speechcraft Portal on Base Camp, but I don’t have access to any learning materials. How do I get my learning?

Your Speechcraft materials will be assigned on Base Camp within 24 hours of when you registered. If it has been more than 24 hours and you still do not have access to materials on your Learning page on Base Camp, please contact the Speechcraft Team at Speechcraft@toastmasters.org or 720-439-5050.

2. How long will I have access to my Speechcrafter learning?

Base Camp and your Speechcrafter Learning will remain available to you for 90 days after your final Speechcraft session. After 90 days, your Base Camp login will expire and you will no longer be able to access your learning.

3. What is the “Surveys to Complete” section included on the home page of the Speechcraft portal on Base Camp?

When you first login to the Speechcraft Portal on Base Camp, the “Surveys to Complete” section will include four items: Self-Assessment—Before; Self-Assessment—Midway; Self-Assessment—After; and Feedback Survey—Speechcrafter.

The self-assessments are designed to help you gauge your communication skills when you begin and how your confidence grows during your Speechcraft course. You’ll complete the first self-assessment at the start of your Speechcraft; the second one, part-way through; and the final one, once your Speechcraft has concluded. Your coordinator will see your assessment results, and you’ll be able to compare your own responses using the Speechcraft Dashboards.

The Feedback Survey is your opportunity to provide Toastmasters International with feedback about your experience as a Speechcrafter. Your coordinator will not see your responses to this survey, and the Speechcraft team at Toastmasters will use your input to help with future enhancements.

4. How do I earn badges?

You earn badges when you complete speeches in Speechcraft. Your badges will be awarded automatically when your Coordinator marks certain speeches complete on Base Camp. Other Speechcrafters can also award you badges to acknowledge your growth and hard work. All badges will display on your My Badges page.

5. Where can I access my Speechcraft certificate?

Your certificate will be awarded when your coordinator marks complete your Speechcrafter Certificate item on Base Camp. This item is included in the Coordinator Tracking Curriculum on Base Camp. When your Speechcraft is concluded, your Coordinator will mark the Speechcrafter Certificate complete. After they have done so, the button next to this item will read "View Certificate." Click this button to view and download your certificate.

Make sure to download and save your certificate right away. Access to your course login on Base Camp will expire 90 days after your event ends. If your event has concluded and your Speechcrafter Certificate item in you Coordinator Tracking Curriculum does not read "View Certificate," contact your coordinator and ask them to mark this item complete.

6. How can I confirm that my coordinator gave me credit for a speech?

To confirm that your coordinator awarded credit for all speeches you completed, log in to the Speechcraft Portal on Base Camp from the Speechcraft Gateway and select the “Open Curriculum” button next to the Coordinator Tracking item on your Learning page. This curriculum includes an item for every Speechcraft speech. Make sure that the status for each speech you gave shows as "Completed." If any speeches you presented are not showing as completed, contact your coordinator. When you are ready to apply your work in Speechcraft toward credit in the Toastmasters education program, Pathways, contact the Toastmasters Speechcraft Team by calling 720-439-5050 or emailing Speechcraft@toastmasters.org.

7. After joining a Toastmasters club, how much credit will I receive in the Toastmasters education program for each speech completed in Speechcraft?

When you join a Toastmasters club, speeches presented during Speechcraft provide credit in the Toastmasters education program, Pathways, as shown below. To ensure you can get credit, confirm that your coordinator has marked your speeches complete on Base Camp.

0 Speeches: No Credit
One (1) Speech: “Ice Breaker”
Two (2) Speeches: “Ice Breaker” and “Writing a Speech with Purpose”
Three (3) Speeches: “Ice Breaker”, “Writing a Speech with Purpose," and “Introduction to Vocal Variety and Body Language"
Four (4) Speeches: Level 1 completion
Five (5) Speeches: Level 1 completion and “Introduction to Toastmasters Mentoring”
Six (6) Speeches: Level 1 completion, “Introduction to Toastmasters Mentoring,” and one (1) Level 3 Elective
Seven (7) Speeches: Level 1 completion, “Introduction to Toastmasters Mentoring,” and two (2) Level 3 Electives

8. How do I reach my Speechcraft coordinator?

The contact information for your Speechcraft Coordinator is available on your Speechcraft Event page. This is the first page that you will see when you log into Speechcraft.toastmasters.org.

9. My Speechcraft coordinator has canceled the rest of our Speechcraft event. What should I do?

Contact your coordinator to ask if they are issuing refunds and if they plan to host another Speechcraft event soon. If they do not have plans to host another Speechcraft event, there may be other clubs close to you who will be holding one. Ask your coordinator if they can connect you with a club or Toastmasters leader who could help you find a Speechcraft event.

10. What is Base Camp?

Base Camp is the portal where your Speechcrafter materials are accessed. On Base Camp, you’ll be able to access your Speechcrafter learning, download resources, complete self-assessments, and receive badges and a certificate.

Base Camp also allows you to interact with others in your Speechcraft by sending messages and awarding badges.