What is “Distinguished”?
If you are a visitor, a new member, or maybe even someone who has been in Toastmasters for awhile but not yet familiar with all of the vocabulary, you might wonder what it means when you hear the term “Distinguished”. As the term implies, it is a great honor to be awarded with, at every level from the member, “Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)”, to the Club, Area, Division, and even District. This tool ensures that Area, Division and District teams are meeting the communication and leadership goals of its members.
Read on for more information on each one.
The Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)
The DTM is the highest award level a member can achieve. By following both the Communication and Leadership tracks in the Educational Program, the DTM is awarded upon successful completion of both the Advanced Communicator Gold (ACG), and the Advanced Leader Silver (ALS), and submission of the Advanced Leader/Distinguished Toastmaster Awards Application to TI World Headquarters. Recipients receive a beautiful plaque, and they can also choose to have a letter sent to their employer. While the DTM is the highest recognition level, it doesn’t mean the member has to stop there. Some members have earned multiple DTM’s. Each Spring and Fall at our District Conventions/Conferences, DTM’s are recognized with a medallion.
The Distinguished Club Program (DCP)
The DCP is a term you will likely hear often within your club, especially if you are a member of the leadership team. For the answer to the question of Why we should care about the Distinguished Club Program please click on the following link: http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/OfficerResources/ClubOfficerResources/DCP/DCPWhyYouShouldCare.aspx
The DCP has a set of goals that the club works toward over the course of the year. Depending on how many of the goals are met, the club can be Distinguished (5 of 10 goals), Select Distinguished (7 of 10 goals) or President’s Distinguished (9 of 10 goals.) District 6 also gives special recognition to those clubs who make 10 for 10, by awarding them with a ribbon for their Club banner. The following is a sample of a DCP report. For more information, see the Distinguished Club Program (DCP) and Club Success Plan.
The Distinguished Area & Division As with the Distinguished Club Program, Areas and Divisions also have a set of goals to meet. There are also the designations of Distinguished, Select Distinguished, and President’s Distinguished. These revisions will be effective July 1, 2012. For more information click on the following link: http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/OfficerResources/DistrictLeaderResources/Recognition/RecognitionProgramRevisions.aspx
. The Distinguished District The Distinguished District Program recognizes those districts that meet Toastmasters International’s growth and educational goals. The program sets goals in the areas most critical to a district’s success. The program is also a management tool for districts, helping them to focus on increasing membership and forming new clubs. This program is designed to ensure that the District is meeting the needs of its members.
For complete details and more information on each goal, visit the Toastmasters International website.