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[…] Toastmasters Club��New Member Orientation & Basic Pathways Overview��March 2026 update

V4.5 03/30/26�Patty Wyatt, Jim Jameson

(Generic)

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What is Toastmasters?

Began in 1924, in the basement of a YMCA , in Santa Ana, CA
A worldwide nonprofit educational organization that empowers people to become more effective communicators and leaders
A network of over 270,000 members in more than 14,400 clubs across 148 countries!
The most effective provider of dynamic, high-value, experiential communication and leadership skills development in the world

toastmasters.org

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The Toastmasters club experience

Hands-on / Learn-by-doing
Peer support / no instructor!
Access to a mentor (to assist with Goals, Speeches, Encouragement!)
Receive feedback and evaluations in a supportive environment
Weekly practice where you will:
Fill meeting roles
Give prepared or impromptu speeches
Take on volunteer leadership tasks

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… Club Officers – 2024

Officer	Position	Email

(Generic)

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Club Meetings are Key!

Meeting Roles are like pieces of a puzzle -- when roles are effectively carried out:

Meetings are FUN
Meetings WORK!
It all fits together!

S.@A.

Table Topics

Evaluator

Greeter

Word

Speaker

General Evaluator

Ah! Counter

Toastmaster

Three Parts to every meeting:

Prepared Speeches
Table Topics
Evaluations

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How Do I Get Started in this Club?

Find Club Web Site / Reference Links

Receive email invite; Log into two important websites (update your profile, etc.)

Club Site – Get club news, sign up for roles and speeches (must opt-in first)� (Note: You will receive a weekly email announcing each week’s meeting and opportunities for roles)
Toastmasters International (TI) Site – Do Pathways Projects, get credit!

Request a Mentor (see VPE) – Select Path/Set goals! (optional but suggested for new members)

Sign up for Pathways and choose your Path (TI Website)

Sign up for meeting roles and participate in meetings (Club Site)

Start working on your Icebreaker Speech (perhaps with your Mentor)

(Generic)

The learning doesn’t stop at the club. Active members receive a subscription to the Toastmaster magazine, which is filled with guidance on public speaking, leadership, featured articles on fellow Toastmasters and much more. Toastmasters offers the opportunity to compete in a speech contest, which culminates in finalists competing in the World Championship of Public Speaking®. This contest is held at the Toastmasters International Convention, which also features education sessions and a chance to cast your club’s vote on important business matters at the Annual Business Meeting. We also provides district conferences, where you can meet fellow Toastmasters in the area and connect with them. There’s also a lot of helpful resources for you to access if you visit the Toastmasters website.

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Example�Club Website�(using Free Toast Host)

Sign up for Roles

The learning doesn’t stop at the club. Active members receive a subscription to the Toastmaster magazine, which is filled with guidance on public speaking, leadership, featured articles on fellow Toastmasters and much more. Toastmasters offers the opportunity to compete in a speech contest, which culminates in finalists competing in the World Championship of Public Speaking®. This contest is held at the Toastmasters International Convention, which also features education sessions and a chance to cast your club’s vote on important business matters at the Annual Business Meeting. We also provides district conferences, where you can meet fellow Toastmasters in the area and connect with them. There’s also a lot of helpful resources for you to access if you visit the Toastmasters website.

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Signing Up for Meeting Roles�(if using Free Toast Host)

Go to the Club web site (Free Toast Host in this example)
Log in as a member
Go to “Meeting Agendas”
Choose “View Another Agenda” (if for a future meeting)
Select a meeting date
Click on “Sign up” for a role

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Meeting Roles

Other Role ‘How To’ Resources:

- Role ‘cheat sheet’ card on table

- “The Navigator” Document

The next 14 slides provide details on each role. Click here to skip to the next section.

Toastmaster – MC / Chairs meeting & keeps on track!
Table Topics Master – leads impromptu speaking
Grammarian / Ah counter – tracks filler words and grammar errors
Timer – times speaking assignments and provides reports
Speakers – Deliver prepared speech projects
Evaluators – evaluate Speakers with positive peer feedback
General Evaluator- introduce report providers and meeting evaluation
Word Master – provide word with definition

The learning doesn’t stop at the club. Active members receive a subscription to the Toastmaster magazine, which is filled with guidance on public speaking, leadership, featured articles on fellow Toastmasters and much more. Toastmasters offers the opportunity to compete in a speech contest, which culminates in finalists competing in the World Championship of Public Speaking®. This contest is held at the Toastmasters International Convention, which also features education sessions and a chance to cast your club’s vote on important business matters at the Annual Business Meeting. We also provides district conferences, where you can meet fellow Toastmasters in the area and connect with them. There’s also a lot of helpful resources for you to access if you visit the Toastmasters website.

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Pledge / Inspiration

Stand and lead the club in Pledge when called on by the SAA
Next, provide a very short reading (one or two sentences) of inspiration.
Inspiration can be something you find based on the theme of the meeting or just something you like
SAA also has booklets you can select from

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Vote Counter

Empty the ballot basket when it comes to you after Speeches, Table Topics, and Evaluations
Count the votes
You don’t vote unless you need to break a tie; you don’t let anyone know if there was a tie
During the Evaluation section of the meeting, you announce the winners and hand out the ribbons

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Word Master

Pick a WORD for the meeting
Provide large printout for frame at front of meeting; provide small printouts for members.
Include: word, pronunciation, definition(s), sample sentence
Count how many times each member uses the word and report at end of meeting

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Listener

Listen carefully throughout meeting
Take notes on interesting points
Quiz club during the Evaluation section of meeting

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Timer

Before the meeting, check the stopwatch, timer light, and cards
Time all speeches, table topics, and evaluations
Speeches: check with each speaker
Table topics: 1-2 minutes (green at 1 min, yellow at 1:30, and red at 2 min)
Evaluations: 2-3 minutes (green at 2 min, yellow at 2.30, and red at 3 min)
Stand and give reports when requested

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Ah Counter

Listen carefully to all members through meeting
Note use of filler words like um, er, ah, etc.
Give a report during the Evaluation section of the meeting

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Grammarian

Listen carefully to all members throughout meeting
Note any uses of poor grammar or other language issues
Also note any special or colorful phrases used
Give a report during the Evaluation section of the meeting

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Toastmaster

IN WEEK BEFORE MEETING:

Pick the theme for the meeting
Make sure all roles are filled

JUST BEFORE THE MEETING:

Print a few copies of the agenda for guests (around 4)
Introduce helpers and speakers
Timer’s report / voting
Pass meeting to Table Topics Master

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Table Topics Master

Create three to five questions based on the meeting theme
Introduce the question / read the question
Choose the member to respond
Evaluators are always exempt
Request Timer’s report / pass the ballot basket
Introduce the General Evaluator

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General Evaluator

Toastmaster will have ask for helper reports
Observe and take notes on meeting
Introduce the Evaluators
Ask for Timer’s report
Remind everyone to vote
Request helper reports per agenda
Give overview of the meeting
Introduce the Presiding Officer

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Speaker

Pick a topic you like
Prepare your speech and introduction
Before the meeting, check in with your evaluator, the Toastmaster, and the Timer
Relax
Give your speech
After the meeting, review with your evaluator
NOTE: You always get credit for doing a speech, even if you don’t qualify for voting

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Table Topics

Relax and have fun
You need to speak at least one full minute to qualify for voting
You can answer the question that is asked or veer off to a topic of your choice
The goal is to practice speaking on the spur of the moment

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Evaluator

Before the meeting, meet with the speaker
Listen and watch
Relax
Give your evaluation
After the meeting, take a few minutes with the speaker

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Lectern Courtesy

Always shake hands with the other person when approaching or leaving the lectern
Ideally, the person arriving crosses in front of the person leaving the lectern
Don’t leave the lectern until the other person arrives

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WHY TM? The Benefits of Toastmasters Club Meetings

How Can I Participate?	WIIFM (What’s In it for Me?)	WIIFO (What’s In it for Others?)
1. Attend Meetings!	Networking, Camaraderie, Enjoyment of speeches, Learning from others	Your presence supports and affirms your fellow toastmasters. The audience is a very important role!
2 Fulfill Short Meeting Roles	Practice and gain comfort with a brief easy speaking role, requiring little or no preparation.	These roles support the flow of the meeting and provide valuable feedback to all participants.
3 Perform Longer Roles	Grow important skills by leading one aspect of a meeting. Gain confidence and a feeling of accomplishment.	The ‘glue’ – these roles are essential to a successful meeting and to ensure great value for everyone present.
4 Give a Speech!	Practice a variety of speaking skills in a safe & supportive environment (and receive valuable/affirming feedback)!	Our audience enjoys the speeches and they learn – both from the speech content and the experience/feedback.
5 Serve as Club Officer/Mentor	Learn & practice leadership skills (in a safe/supportive environment)	Help other members learn and grow, ensuring continuity & effectiveness of the club mission.

How Can I Participate?	WIIFM (What’s In it for Me?)
1. Attend Meetings!	Networking, Camaraderie, Enjoyment of speeches, Learning from others
2 Fulfill Short Meeting Roles	Practice and gain comfort with a brief easy speaking role, requiring little or no preparation.
3 Perform Longer Roles	Grow important skills by leading one aspect of a meeting. Gain confidence and a feeling of accomplishment.
4 Give a Speech!	Practice a variety of speaking skills in a safe & supportive environment (and receive valuable/affirming feedback)!
5 Serve as Club Officer/Mentor	Learn & practice leadership skills (in a safe/supportive environment)

How Can I Participate?
1. Attend Meetings!
2 Fulfill Short Meeting Roles
3 Perform Longer Roles
4 Give a Speech!
5 Serve as Club Officer/Mentor

Jim Jameson 2019

JimJameson83@gmail.com 10/2020

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Learning doesn’t stop at the club level!

Subscription to the Toastmaster magazine (online)
Speech contests at each level
International Convention
District conferences
Access to helpful resources at www.toastmasters.org

“The idea of getting in front of a group, not as Mrs. Fields but as Debbi, made my knees shake. But the Toastmasters group understood. Here’s a place where you can learn, grow, develop – and where other people are doing and feeling the same thing.”

Debbi Fields Rose

Founder, Mrs. Field’s Cookies

The learning doesn’t stop at the club. Active members receive a subscription to the Toastmaster magazine, which is filled with guidance on public speaking, leadership, featured articles on fellow Toastmasters and much more. Toastmasters offers the opportunity to compete in a speech contest, which culminates in finalists competing in the World Championship of Public Speaking®. This contest is held at the Toastmasters International Convention, which also features education sessions and a chance to cast your club’s vote on important business matters at the Annual Business Meeting. We also provides district conferences, where you can meet fellow Toastmasters in the area and connect with them. There’s also a lot of helpful resources for you to access if you visit the Toastmasters website.

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Welcome to Toastmasters!

Your potential is limited only by how many excuses you have!

The learning doesn’t stop at the club. Active members receive a subscription to the Toastmaster magazine, which is filled with guidance on public speaking, leadership, featured articles on fellow Toastmasters and much more. Toastmasters offers the opportunity to compete in a speech contest, which culminates in finalists competing in the World Championship of Public Speaking®. This contest is held at the Toastmasters International Convention, which also features education sessions and a chance to cast your club’s vote on important business matters at the Annual Business Meeting. We also provides district conferences, where you can meet fellow Toastmasters in the area and connect with them. There’s also a lot of helpful resources for you to access if you visit the Toastmasters website.

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Part 2��Education Update:�Introducing Pathways�

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Get Started on Pathways as Soon as You Can!

Why?

Understand the Education Program
Help Other Members
Set a Great Example!

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WHY Are We Here – In a Toastmasters Club?

What are our GOALS (Individually and/or Collectively)?

To learn and practice new skills
To meet and interact with people
To express yourself or share your message
To help others do these things

Pathways provides a framework to help people meet goals and measure progress!

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Your Toastmasters/Pathways Vision

JimJameson83@gmail.com 10/2020

⎕ Learning ⎕ Creating ⎕ Belonging ⎕ Doing ⎕ Serving

Why did you join TM?

What kind of speaker do you want to be?

What topics do you want to talk about?

What kind of leader do you want to be?

⎕ Inspiring ⎕ Entertaining ⎕ Persuasive ⎕ Educational

⎕ Motivational ⎕ Storyteller ⎕ Mentor ⎕ Mediator

⎕ Profession ⎕ Hobbies ⎕ Family ⎕ Travel

⎕ Stories ⎕ Research ⎕ People ⎕ Experiences

⎕ Manager ⎕ Coach/Mentor ⎕ Team Lead ⎕ Thought Leader

⎕ Entrepreneur ⎕ Diplomat ⎕ Influencer ⎕ Peer Advisor

Communication

+

Leadership

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Your TM/Pathways Journey

Plan my �JOURNEY

How?

Path / Topics

Pick my�PROJECTS

What?

Knowledge / Skills

See my�RESULTS

Where?

Abilities

Find my �GOALS

Why?

Competencies

JimJameson83@gmail.com 10/2020

Communication

+

Leadership

Think of Pathways as a Travel Guide, not a Road Map!�(ideas for what you CAN do, not what you SHOULD do)

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What is Pathways?

JimJameson83@gmail.com 10/2020

A flexible learning framework,

providing a flexible set of experiences (Projects)

Projects are grouped in 6 broad themes (Paths)

Engaging Humor
Presentation Mastery
Motivational Strategies
Visionary Communication
Dynamic Leadership
Persuasive Influence

L1

L2

L3

L4

L5

A PATH = 15 Projects in 5 Levels

Note: In addition to these 6 current Paths there are 5 “Legacy Paths” that are still in use by long term members but no longer available to buy.

Like a BINGO card?

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The Paths & Projects Catalog (v6) – a great resource! (PDF)

(For “new” Paths)

Project Description

Path Contents�All projects on each Level, �including required and electives

< Easy Navigation

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Prepare to Choose a Path

JimJameson83@gmail.com 10/2020

Think about your topics – What do you want to talk about? e.g.

> Profession > Hobbies > Family > Travel

> Stories > Research > People > Experiences

Consider how you will use this Path’s theme

Thematic -- Try to incorporate Path’s theme into every speech topic
Eclectic -- Address Path’s theme only where required

But don’t overthink it -- pick a Path, and if you don’t like it:

You have 30 days to change your mind and exchange it
Or keep it and do it later; Or just do L1-3 (mostly the same in each path)

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Path and Project Flexibility

JimJameson83@gmail.com 10/2020

Project Purpose/Objectives are generic & flexible – adapt as needed!� (e.g. add skills or use ideas from other sources)
Talk about your topic, not the speech objective/learning material!
Projects can be done in any order, even across multiple paths
Projects are mostly the same in every path (except for 3 unique � required projects in L3-5)
Every path has four electives in Levels 3-5 to customize Path� (26 options to choose from!)

E

R

L1

L2

R

E

L3

R

E

L4

R

E

L5

A PATH = 15 Projects in 5 Levels

“Reflect on your Path” - Final speech!

* Note: In late October five supplemental educational presentations were added to each path. See slides later in this presentation. �

*

**

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Selecting a Path

JimJameson83@gmail.com 10/2020

Three ways to explore and decide on a Path:

Read detailed Path description/theme (see what resonates with you)
Take the Pathways Assessment (gives 1-3 suggestions to consider)
Look at the three unique required projects (see matrix below and/or Catalog)

Unique Required Projects in Levels 3-5 (and Level 2 Required)

To enroll or add a path go to your TI “My Home” page and click the “Learning Hub” box.

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Fulfilling A Project

JimJameson83@gmail.com 10/2020

Levels 1-3 – Basic and Advanced Speaking Skills / Self Awareness

LEARN: In Base Camp read about a skill or subject that may be useful in this project

DO: Write a speech on any topic to practice these skills or apply these insights

PRESENT: Give the speech and receive feedback/evaluation (and mark it complete!)

Level 1-3 Examples:

Writing, Vocal Variety, Body Language, Evaluating, Persuading, Inspiring, Visual Aids, Storytelling, Humor, Communication Style, Mentoring (as a Mentee), etc.

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Fulfilling A Project

JimJameson83@gmail.com 10/2020

LEARN: In Base Camp read about how to do a task using skills from prior projects

DO: Perform the activity (using any topic) and write a speech about the experience

PRESENT: Give the speech (or demonstrate the task) and receive feedback (+ mark complete)

Levels 4-5 – Demonstrate Skills and Abilities (Tasks or Leadership)

Level 4-5 Examples:

Online meetings, Blog, Q&A Session, Podcast, Public Relations, etc.

Panel Discussion, Leading as a Volunteer, Keynote speaker, High Performance Leadership, etc.

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A Quick Tour of a Popular Path (Levels 1-3)

* Choose any two of the 14 Level 3 electives


2	Know Your Communication Style
2	Effective Body Language
2	Mentoring (as a Mentee)


3	Persuasive Speaking (Required)
3	Level 3 Elective * [e.g. Visual Aids]
3	Level 3 Elective * [e.g. Inspire Your Audience]

Deliver Social Speeches	Connect with Your Audience	Understanding Vocal Variety
Using Presentation Software	Make Connections via Networking	Active Listening
Connect with Storytelling	Focus on the Positive	Know Your Sense of Humor
Creating Effective Visual Aids	Inspire Your Audience	Researching and Presenting
Using Descriptive Language	Prepare for an Interview

* Level 3 Elective Choices (14):

I

P

VB

EF

L1

(CS)

(BL)

M

L2

R

E

L3

R

E

L4

R

E

L5

A PATH = 15 Projects in 5 Levels

“Reflect on your Path” - Final speech!

Level	Project Title (Presentation Mastery Path)
1	Icebreaker
1	Writing a Speech with Purpose
1	Vocal Variety & Body Language
1	Evaluation & Feedback (2 sp +Eval)

E

R

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The Road to DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster)

New Member

District Officer

Club Mentor or Club Coach

Club Sponsor or Speechcraft or �Youth Leadership Program

Club Officer-12 mo.

DTM

DTM¹�PROJECT�“Capstone”

Communications:

Two Paths

Leadership:

Four Assignments

¹Email educationprogram@toastmasters.org after completing Level 3 of your second, different Path to ask that the DTM Project be added to your transcript.

Communication

+

Leadership

Awards and Recognition

Plus five supplemental educational presentations with each Path (for Levels completed after 10/2025)

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A Quick Look at��Pathways Navigation and �the NEW Base Camp� �

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Pathways versus Base Camp

JimJameson83@gmail.com 10/2020

Pathways is a flexible learning framework,

- providing a selectable set of experiences (Projects/Speeches), �- which are grouped in broad themes (Paths)

Base Camp is a new, highly interactive website through which we use the Pathways framework and associated learning tools (Paths & Projects)

Pathways (content) ≠ Base Camp (website)

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New Base Camp is much easier to use! Here is a �great way to get started: � �Watch This Video!�

NEW Base Camp

October 2024

https://www.toastmasters.org/education/base-camp-videos

Or for detailed written instructions see the new Pathways User Guide and the Base Camp Manager Guide at the bottom of this page (under Tutorials):

�https://app.basecamp.toastmasters.org/dashboard/resources.

Also near the bottom of this page is an excellent 60-minute webinar!

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Your TI “My Home” Page��(No change in 10/2024!)

Club Admin for officers

To select a new path, or find other learning resources

www.toastmasters.org/myhome/ �(Bookmark this page!)

See all my awards!

Go To Base Camp �(same as before)

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Choose a Path��

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Select a Path to Enroll in Pathways (or buy an additional Path) -- Same as before!

Log in to TM Site and go to My Home

To choose a Path:

JimJameson83@gmail.com 1/2024

www.toastmasters.org/myhome/

https://www.toastmasters.org/start-pathways/select-your-preference?

Skip or answer questions

(first Path is free)

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Pathways Related Navigation – The Big Picture

select a new path,

TI - My Home Page www.toastmasters.org/myhome/

Learning Dashboard�(shows all paths)

Path Overview�(all Levels & projects)

Project

(w/new navigator)

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New Base Camp Home Page:�The Learning Dashboard� �(Base Camp Home Page always opens here, �showing all Paths and Learning opportunities)

Clicking on this logo will always bring you back to this Home page!

Evals!

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Evaluations��(To Give or Receive!)��Downloadable PDF evaluation forms are still located here, just as before the update: �https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/resource-library?c={01B94FC3-FC65-4308-8CB2-6193718ED156}

Send form to Evaluator

Send completed form to Speaker

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Path Overview Page� �The “Curriculum” – �This page shows all Levels in a Path��Expand any level to see all the tasks and projects in that level��- New in October 2025 Update –� �Open this to see the new requirements �for each level� �First page has requirements list and links �to download supplemental presentations� �Second Page has checklist (see next slide)

Newer Base Camp

October 2025

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Path�Overview��The “Curriculum” – �With Level menu expanded��This is page 2 of the checklist with the new requirements for Levels completed after October 2025� �(Note: This is for members to track �their own progress, and is not visible �to Base Camp Managers)

Reference & Tracking Resource

Link: Tracking Spreadsheet

[This tool may help clubs track the new requirements]

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Navigating a �Current Project � �in a Continuing (updated) Path

The New Navigator

Shows all projects in Level

Expands current project

Go directly to any section

Resources area –

To get Eval form or Print Project (download full PDF)

(Projects in the six updated paths are �very engaging and highly interactive!)

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Project Details �(Speech Log)��New way to capture speech info in updated paths, AND another way to send form to Evaluator.��(Not available in Legacy Projects but Evaluations can be found and sent with the Dashboard Feedback tab)

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Mark a�Project�Complete!

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Mark a Level�Complete!��When all Level requirements are met the Submit button will be available

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Planning & Tracking Your Pathways Projects and Speeches

Resources

Offline Tracking Sheet 🡪

Also has 3 new tabs to track new Roles and Supplemental speeches starting Oct 2025

Paths & Projects Catalog

NEW! Includes the new requirements for Meeting Roles and Educational Presentations!

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Your Pathways Journey

Plan my �JOURNEY

How?

Path / Topics

Pick my�PROJECTS

What?

Knowledge / Skills

See my�RESULTS

Where?

Abilities

Find my �GOALS

Why?

Competencies

JimJameson83@gmail.com 10/2020

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Some Additional Resources:

Link to D25 Pathways Resource Page: https://www.d25toastmasters.org/resources/#pathways-resources

”The Navigator” (a great TM overview)! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mMdHDkOG2oCB4oDhP8wl_0AaJbUEoPw-/view?usp=sharing

D57 Paths & Projects Catalog: V6! https://www.d25toastmasters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PathwaysV6-compressed.pdf New!

Pathways Path Tracking Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/file/d/1r6Rl9ez5rLyPeTJ9-fjUaFcsw0kPndwC/view?usp=sharing (new)

TI Club & Pathways Resources (new): https://www.toastmasters.org/leadership-central/club-officer-tools/online-club-charter-resources [Has full PDFs for all L1 projects!]

TI Base Camp Videos (new - excellent): https://www.toastmasters.org/education/base-camp-videos [Has 15-minute intro and full webinar!]

TI – Full Base Camp Manuals (new): https://app.basecamp.toastmasters.org/dashboard/resources [See Tutorial section at bottom]

TI Information Pages: Pathways Update Details Pathways 2024 FAQ [For latest info]

Many thanks to George Marshall (D57) for inspiration and for some of the material in this presentation! [+ bonus slides below]