When to use Speechcraft

Speechcraft is a tool gifted to every individual toastmaster club by Toastmaster International. If used correctly a speechcraft course will generate revenue and increase a clubs membership. Speechcraft can vary in design and application.  It may be used by a struggling club to bolster membership or a healthy club to earn additional revenue but the trick is knowing how to define the appropriate Speechcraft course to fill your specific requirement.
Over the years I have applied speechcraft in three differing ways:
a) In-House
b) Traditional
c) Non Traditional 
IN-HOUSE SPEECHCRAFT COURSE
This is an excellent strategy for geographically isolated and struggling clubs, that is, clubs that do not have other clubs close by to help in rebuilding using techniques such as Demonstration meetings . A Speechcraft course not only provides new members, but also capital funds for the club.
“In-House Speechcraft Course” description:
This is a recognised Speechcraft course, conducted over 6 weeks, with the venue being your club premises and conducted on the same day as your regular club meeting (but instead of). The impact to your club and members is:

1. Regardless of how often your club meets during the time of the course, your club will need to meet weekly for 6 weeks.
2. Your senior club members conduct the running of the course and associated educationals.
3. Your newer members may elect to be part of the course as “Speechcrafters.” This fast tracks their current speaking project and they receive the benefit of 12 months educationals-great for new members.
4. The course is promoted in the usual manner utilising local and electronic media and via the Club and District web site. When planning consider promotional lead time. You will need at least 4 weeks.
5. The cost to participants attending (not including members) is calculated to include a 6 months club membership, Speechcraft manuals and an acceptable loading to cover club expenses, plus allowing for a small profit.
6. Inform the Speechcrafters they have 6 months membership to continue to practice the skills they have learned once the course is complete. The speeches performed will count toward a CC and CL or Pathways project.

The result of this type of course is that normally out of 10 Speechcrafters (usually 10-12max participants) the minimum retention is 50% (an excellent result from a speechcraft course).
Over the 6 weeks, Speechcrafters will have been conditioned to attend your Toastmasters club meeting on your premises and with your current members. You will find if your members have offered a positive and welcoming environment plus provided good educationals conversion of Speechcrafters will exceed the minimum retention of 50%..
Costing considerations for an internal Speechcraft course:

1. Venue as per your club normal meeting cost. Additional consideration would be the course is run over 6 consecutive weeks. The cost is therefore weekly.
2. 12 X Speechcraft manuals from your Toastmasters supplies source.
3. 12 X Participation certificates
4. 12 X Frames or mounting boards to present the certificates in a professional manner.
5. 12 X Plastic folders to hold manual and retain course handouts
6. Establish a budget based on an advertising plan in your local region. Advise District of your course and promote it on their web site.
7. With the above costs established, divide these by 8 to obtain a base cost loading per Speechcrafter (assuming 8 is the minimum participating figure on which the course will be viable to run).  8 is a good minimum number, as combined with your club members it will still make for dynamic sessions.
8. To arrive at the final price to advertise your course, you need to look at a joining fee to be included into the costing which covers the first 6 months of membership.

If you are concerned re the final calculated cost of the course, check with your District as to the fees currently being charged. You should find that your course costs are comparable or far lower.
Profit is never great. This is generated by those attending the course and those electing to not to join the club. Their inbuilt joining fee is your clubs gain.
Do not accept more than 12 applications. It becomes a planning nightmare to run the course. Experience shows if you accept 12 applications, 2 will pull out before the start of the course or early in the course.
For those clubs interested in using this strategy and require guidance or a course template and educational handouts contact me on 0418 111 309 or email olaf@nqtelecom.com.au

Gaining additional members to strengthen your club (and generate revenue).
Outside of the traditional sources of recruiting, a club may wish to consider strategies to generate additional revenue and in doing so attract new members or at the very least seriously attract new members and generate some revenue. To do this a clubs only strategy is a traditional speechcraft course.
Traditional Speechcraft:
Conduct a Speechcraft course in the traditional way. Determine a venue the dates of running the course for 6 consecutive weeks, promote etc.
The result will be revenue for the club between $1000-$2000 for the 6 weeks effort, plus a possible 10-15% conversion rate to new members. Predominately a traditional Speechcraft course will raise revenue as it seen by the Speechcrafters as a quick fix to their public speaking requirements however do not count on a great member gain.
Not so Traditional Speechcraft:
Before the revenue type of Speechcraft course you need to be up front and include 6 months membership of the club. This allows the Speechcrafters the option to continue to practice the skills they have acquired through the course. Ensure the course is stacked with enthusiastic members to perform the roles of mentors, timers and trainers. Thus building a bond between current members and future members.
Non Traditional Speechcraft course:
In 2008 a need arose for a weekend Speechcraft Course.
A Speechcraft course consists of 12 hours of training, where the Speechcrafters perform in the traditional way of preparing speeches over the week and delivering them the following. A weekend course is a more intense environment where speeches are written, delivered and evaluated during the course. Graduation is by way of a Sunday evening session of speeches and Table Topics conducted by the Speechcrafters, with an audience of family and friends. Be warned, the Table Topic targets are usually the trainers! The presentation of certificates closes the evening.
What benefits are there to a Toastmasters club for running a weekend Speechcraft Course?

1. Instead of using manpower over 6 weeks, the course is conducted over a weekend.
2. A minimum number of 3 trainers are required.
3. Trainers need to be committed and available for both Saturday and Sunday.

Similar to a 6 week course the results will be revenue for the club, with a minimum 15% participants being retained as members. This strategy is to raise revenue quickly or to provide a service to a remote entity such as mines or councils.
This type of  speechcraft originated by flying in on a Friday. The course conducted Saturday and half day Sunday with a BBQ on Sunday evening a final session conducted by the speechcrafter’s, presentation of their certificates and Fly out Monday.
For those clubs interested in using this strategy and require guidance or a course template and educational handouts contact me on 0418 111 309, or email olaf@nqtelecom.com.au