The Educational and Leadership programs are what allow members to track their progress within Toastmasters. None of the award levels within either the programs denote any level of competency. It just means that the member has given a certain number of evaluated speeches, done other presentations, and served in one or more offices within Toastmasters.

The two programs, or tracks, within Toastmasters, get progressively more challenging. Only about 5% of those that ever joins Toastmasters completes both tracks to earn their DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) award. Many earn their DTM within three years of joining Toastmasters. And many take ten to twenty years to earn their DTM. Length of time matters not.

The Toastmasters Educational track is designed to teach speech skills. These are usually earned by giving manual speeches and receiving an evaluation on them. Most are done within a normal Toastmasters club meeting. However, up to two projects in each manual can be given outside of a normal Toastmasters meeting, provided that the following criteria is met:

• the VP Education is notified before the speech is given
• a fellow Toastmaster is present to do the evaluation, even if it is only a silent/written evaluation
• the presentation fits a manual project

The Toastmasters Leadership track is designed to teach organizational skills. These are usually learned by presenting training sessions, by guiding new members and/or new clubs, and, by serving as a club and district officer.

Here is an overview of the Toastmasters International Educational and Leadership program tracks: