Pathways FAQ

Yes. Each path is made up of five levels of increasing complexity. The program is designed this way so you’re always building on what you learned in the previous level. All learning paths contain the following levels:

Level 1: Mastering Fundamentals
Level 2: Learning Your Style
Level 3: Increasing Knowledge
Level 4: Building Skills
Level 5: Demonstrating Expertise

Yes, you can still earn the DTM award in Pathways, and it will still represent the highest level of educational achievement in Toastmasters.

The new requirements for the DTM award will be:

1. Complete two learning paths.
2. Serve as a club officer for 12 months. (If your club has six-month terms for officers, you can fulfill this requirement by serving as a club officer twice, but you don’t have to do it in consecutive terms.)
3. Serve as a club mentor or coach.
4. Serve as a club sponsor or conduct a Speechcraft or Youth Leadership program.
5. Serve as a district officer for one year.
6. Complete the capstone DTM project. (Members are required to create and implement a project of their own design, in which they demonstrate the skills and expertise they have gained.)

Pathways gives you the flexibility to learn online or in print. Using Base Camp—Pathways’ online learning management system—you’ll have access to engaging learning tools, including videos, interactive quizzes and activities, feedback and recognition, useful tips and more. Choose from 10 unique learning paths that are accessible online. If you prefer to work in print, select paths are available in full-color, professionally bound materials.

The many benefits to members will include:

• A learning experience tailored to your personal and professional goals
• The opportunity to develop many skills relevant to an evolving global marketplace
• Recognition of educational achievements that will come earlier and more frequently
• New technological resources to improve speeches and support meeting roles
• Online access to educational materials
• Videos that model the skills you are learning

If you choose to access Pathways using Base Camp, you will take an online assessment of your skills, interests and goals. Once you’re finished, the assessment will recommend the three paths that best match your responses. If you don’t want to work in a recommended path, you may select whichever path you prefer.

Pathways will roll out in phases to enable the Pathways launch team to manage the program’s capacity and make adjustments as needed to adequately support members. After the first phase—the program pilot—is complete, Pathways will roll out by region in eight subsequent phases:

• Program pilot: District 57
• Program pilot: District 27
• Program pilot: District 51
• Rollout 1: Region 14
• Rollout 2: Region 2
• Rollout 3: Regions 6 and 7
• Rollout 4: Regions 10 and 12
• Rollout 5: Regions 1 and 11
• Rollout 6: Regions 4 and 13
• Rollout 7: Regions 3 and 5
• Rollout 8: Regions 8, 9, undistricted clubs and online clubs

The rollout order is based on several factors, including a region’s size, the availability of translated materials and ensuring a mix of both international and North American regions. Once Pathways has rolled out in every region, there will be a two-year transition period in which the current education program and Pathways will operate simultaneously.

The Pathways Return Policy is as follows:

1. There are no refunds on educational materials or customized items (e.g., engraved items, certificates).  All other items may be returned for a refund as long as the member contacts Toastmasters International within 30 days of receipt of the item; after 30 days no refunds can be initiated. Returned items must be in like-new condition.

2. Educational materials and all other non-customized items can be exchanged as long as the member contacts Toastmasters International within 30 days of receipt of the item. After 30 days no exchanges can be initiated.

3. The new item for an exchange must be selected at the time the exchange is made; members are not given a “credit” to select a new item at a later time.

4. Any time an item is being returned or exchanged, including when it is exchanged due to damage or a shipping error, Toastmasters International reserves the right to require that the original item be returned to Toastmasters International and/or require a photo of the damage. When a damaged item must be sent back to Toastmasters International, the replacement item, if applicable, will be sent after the returned item is received at World Headquarters. 

5. For exchanges due to item(s) being incorrect or damaged when the member receives them, the item(s) will be replaced at no cost to the member. Depending on the member’s location, Toastmasters International may provide a return label for the member to use or reimbursement to the member after he/she incurs the expense.

6. When items are returned to Toastmasters International for a return or exchange that is not due to a shipping error or damage, the member will pay:

• The cost of shipping the original item back to World Headquarters, in all cases.
• The cost of shipping the new item to the member, in the case of an exchange.

7. The 25 fee that members pay when ordering a path in print is not refundable, even when the member is exchanging a print path for an online path. (This applies to Pathways materials only.)

8. When an online path is added to a member’s Base Camp transcript as part of an exchange, the member will receive completion credit in the transcript for any Level 1 projects that were already complete in the path the member is returning. (This applies to Pathways materials only.)

9. Educational materials belong to the person for whom they were ordered; they are not transferable between or among members.

• Motivational Strategies
• Presentation Mastery
• Leadership Development
• Innovative Planning
• Visionary Communication
• Strategic Relationships
• Dynamic Leadership
• Persuasive Influence
• Effective Coaching
• Team Collaboration

Base Camp is your online gateway to Pathways, where you will find everything you need on your journey. Here you can work on projects, track your progress, connect with members of your club and view badges and certificates you’ll earn along the way. Base Camp also features resources to help guide you, including videos, quizzes, interactive activities and more.

Every path has required and elective projects. Path recognition is achieved when a member completes 14 projects across all 5 levels—a combination of 10 required projects and 4 elective projects chosen from a comprehensive list covering a variety of subjects. Each project includes at least one speech. Though members are required to complete 4 elective projects, they have the option to complete as many as they would like.

No. Your progress toward awards won’t be transferable because the projects and structure of learning are so different in the two programs. This applies to the DTM award as well. However, you will still have plenty of time to complete any awards you are currently working toward. After Pathways rolls out in the last region, there will be a two-year transition period to allow everyone the opportunity to complete their work and move over to Pathways.

In the 2010 strategic plan, the Toastmasters Board of Directors called for the education program to be revitalized. The Board stressed the need to modernize the communication track as well as renew the focus on leadership learning in the leadership track.

The current education program has served Toastmasters for many years. However, much of the communication track hasn’t been updated since the 1970s. The Toastmasters Pathways learning experience is not a departure from the current program, because it builds on the established educational foundation. Pathways is a modernized learning experience suited to our changing global society. It offers you more benefits and more opportunities to learn, grow and meet personal and professional goals. You now have the opportunity to develop additional skills you can use not just in your club, but at your job or in your community as well.

Pathways was designed to keep club meetings at the center of your Toastmasters experience. The biggest changes you’ll experience are the new opportunities to grow more skills and master additional competencies. You can still expect the same support from your fellow club members and the familiar structure of your club meetings.