Do you know why people think a DTM award is beyond their reach? The answer is simple enough, they do not know what is involved and are afraid to step out of that comfort zone to try and find out. It usually takes someone to push them in that direction for them to decide “OK, I am going to do it”. Ladies and Gentlemen, I constantly say, “YOU ARE NOT IN THIS ALONE” and I truly mean it.
District 33 has its very own DTM Club. The entire concept of the DTM Club is to create as many DTM’s as possible throughout the entire District. If you are going for your first or 20th DTM, it does not matter. The DTM club is designed to help you get there. We have the resources and know-how to help you overcome the hurdles that stand in your way of achieving that elusive DTM.
There are two things that happen immediately when you join the DTM Club as a member. First you are assigned a mentor to help guide you one way. You and your mentor should talk at least once per week. Bringing up any difficulties you are having in reaching that DTM goal. Your mentor will then help you figure out how to get around those problems and keep you moving forward.
Second, you are assigned your very first task. Download the DTM application and fill in everything you have done to date. All the data you need is found on the Toastmaster International website once you login. After that data is filled in you and your mentor will sit down and figure out a plan of action with dates etc. Your mentor will hold you accountable during your weekly calls and help you stay on track.
Helen Blanchard once quipped:
If you get out of Toastmasters everything you can get out of Toastmasters, you will never get out of Toastmasters.
How right she was – LOL. Your real Toastmaster journey begins once you receive that DTM. You see, at that point, it becomes time to give back. I am here to tell you, while you think you are having fun with your regular club meetings, it is nothing compared to the fun of giving back. I used to tell people that “If I knew every single thing in the whole world, I would be an all-knowing god. But if I died and did not pass on that knowledge, then it was useless and everyone else would have to figure it out all over again.” It is the same with Toastmasters. If you have that DTM and do not pass on the knowledge you learned to get there, then it was useless.
If you wish to grow and expand your Toastmaster journey, become a member of the DTM Club. We would love to have you there with us. Every member in the DTM Club has a vested interest in your success. Stand out above the others, acquire your DTM and enjoy the found boundaries of your ever-increasing comfort zone. Put those leadership skills to use and have more fun with public speaking than you ever thought possible.
Still asking yourself, “What’s in it for me? To read an article about that very subject click here.
Are you telling yourself you do not have the time to make it happen?
8 Tips for Achieving DTM Designation
Having a difficult time finding ways to earn your DTM? While there are no shortcuts, here are some tips.
- Put Toastmasters on your to-do list every day, even if it’s just for completing one small item.
- Find a mentor to help understand the DTM requirements and keep you inspired.
- Keep a print or digital record of everything you do toward the DTM.
- Sign up for speeches as often as you can. If your club has many willing speakers, suggest a Speakathon (a meeting where multiple speeches are given, often without a Table Topics® session) to allow for more speeches to be given.
- Join a second club. This allows you to complete more speeches or to be an officer in another club.
- Ask your Toastmasters friends for help. Your Area Director, Division Director, and District leaders can help you find opportunities to be a club mentor, sponsor, or coach. They also can help with ideas on Speechcraft, Youth Leadership, or forming new clubs.
- Ask non-Toastmasters for help. Friends from work, school, chamber of commerce, local library, or charitable organizations may know of places that can benefit from Speechcraft or Youth Leadership. They may also have ideas for where a new club can be formed.
- Remember your DTM project can be done outside the Toastmasters setting. You can do a project to benefit your school, university, religious group, or other volunteer organization. Just be sure to include at least one Toastmaster on your guidance committee.