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The Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) project is the final education project in Pathways.
It is designed to demonstrate your ability to lead ethically, build and guide a team,
and communicate clearly while completing a project that benefits an organization.
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You will plan and complete a real project, collect 360° feedback, and deliver two important speeches:
a 5–7 minute “plan” speech and an 8–10 minute “results” speech.
This is where your leadership and speaking skills come together.
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| DTM Project Clarification — Do I need TI approval? |
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No. The DTM project does not require contacting Toastmasters International for permission
or pre-approval of your project idea.
What matters is that your project meets the criteria: it benefits an organization, involves
leading a team, includes planning/execution/evaluation, and is completed with the required speeches and 360° feedback.
Best practice: review your project scope early with your mentor and VPE to avoid rework later.
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Helpful Tip
Before you start, write a one-sentence scope statement:
“This project benefits ___, requires me to lead ___ people, and will be complete by ___.”
If you can’t fill in all three blanks, tighten the scope before you begin.
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DTM Project — What You Must Do
The DTM project has one simple goal: demonstrate that you can lead like an experienced Toastmaster.
You will select a project that benefits an organization (Toastmasters or outside), build a team, and lead the work
from planning through completion.
Your project must include:
Select, lead, and complete a project with a team. Apply ethical leadership using an ethical framework. Use goals, tasks, and a project plan to guide execution. Collect 360° feedback (including at least one team member) and complete a self-assessment. Deliver two speeches to your club: 5–7 minutes (plan) and 8–10 minutes (results).
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What Counts (and What Doesn’t)
| Likely to Qualify |
Likely NOT to Qualify |
- Clear goal, timeline, and deliverables
- You actively lead a team (not solo)
- Benefits a club, District, workplace, or community organization
- Produces measurable outcomes (what changed, improved, increased, solved)
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- A solo effort with no team leadership
- Routine officer duties with no defined project scope
- “I helped” (support role) rather than “I led”
- Re-using a prior Pathways project without expanding scope
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360° Feedback — The Requirement People Miss
At the conclusion of your project, invite stakeholders to complete a 360° evaluation. In Toastmasters,
that may include your team members, club or District leaders affected by the work, and a peer.
You must receive feedback from at least one member of your team—and you should complete a self-assessment too.
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VPE FAQ — Quick Coaching Points
No TI pre-approval is required. Help the member confirm scope early. Verify the project includes team leadership and a clear outcome. Remind the member to schedule the two required speeches: 5–7 and 8–10 minutes. Confirm 360° feedback will include at least one team member plus other stakeholders.
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DTM Project Checklist
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Step |
Checklist Item |
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A. Before You Start |
☐ I selected a project that benefits an organization (Toastmasters or outside).
☐ This project requires me to lead a team (not a solo effort).
☐ Scope statement: “This project benefits ___, I will lead ___ people, and it will be complete by ___.”
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| ☐ |
B. Plan the Project |
☐ I defined the goal and how success will be measured.
☐ I identified tasks, responsibilities, and deadlines (timeline).
☐ I completed a project plan (or equivalent).
☐ I reviewed my ethical framework and how it applies to this project.
☐ I recruited team members with the right mix of skills.
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C. Speech #1 (5–7 min) |
☐ I scheduled the 5–7 minute “plan” speech with the VPE.
☐ My plan speech explains the organization benefit, goal, team roles, timeline, and approach to ethical leadership.
☐ I rehearsed and delivered Speech #1.
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| ☐ |
D. Execute and Lead |
☐ I scheduled regular check-ins/meetings with the team.
☐ I removed obstacles, resolved issues, and kept communication open.
☐ I recognized contributions and tracked milestones.
☐ I completed the project and documented outcomes.
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E. Feedback and Review |
☐ I distributed 360° evaluations to stakeholders.
☐ I received feedback from at least one team member (required).
☐ I completed a self-assessment.
☐ I held a lessons-learned discussion/meeting (recommended).
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F. Speech #2 (8–10 min) |
☐ I scheduled the 8–10 minute “results” speech with the VPE.
☐ My results speech includes outcomes/benefits, leadership experience, challenges, 360° insights, and lessons learned.
☐ I rehearsed and delivered Speech #2.
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G. Wrap-Up |
☐ I completed my reflection (Know / Wonder / Learned or equivalent).
☐ I confirmed all project elements are complete and recorded.
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Tip: Print this checklist and keep it with your project notes. Check items off as you go.
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Bottom Line
The DTM project is not about doing “more.” It’s about demonstrating mastery:
lead a team, deliver results, lead ethically, and
communicate clearly—then share what you learned.
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RESOURCES
Toastmasters International (toastmasters.org)
Pathways Pointers Index (this site)
Distinguished Toastmaster Project Guide
(Item 8599 (Rev. 12/2023)
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DTM Project Checklist (printable Word
doc.) |
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https://my-pathways.info/2025-Enhancements/test.html |
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