PDUs Through Toastmasters
PDUs Through Toastmasters
Toastmasters International has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience and develop strong leadership skills. |
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Their membership is 260,000 strong, and their members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 12,500-plus clubs that make up a global network of meeting locations. Membership in Toastmasters is one of the greatest investments you can make in yourself, and is one of the most cost-effective skill-building tools available anywhere.
Toastmasters for PDUs
Toastmaster chapters provide member PMP's an opportunity to gain PDU's, and thus present another option for Tampa Bay members to earn PDUs.
PDUs for Toastmasters activities can be reported under category C, self-directed learning, in the PMI system. For information on reporting PDUs, including limits for self-directed learning, go to PMI.org and follow these steps:
1. Log onto PMI.org
2. Select myPMI
3. Click on Report PDUs
4. Check out "PDU Category Caps and Rules"
5. For Toastmasters, use Category C - Self-Directed Learning.
Keep in mind that just attending Toastmasters meetings does not necessarily qualify as self-directed learning. You need to participate.
Below are some suggested guidelines for Toastmasters activities:
1. Speech Evaluator - 1 PDU
2. General Evaluator - 1 PDU
3. Toastmaster of the event (The Emcee) - 1 PDU
4. Speaker / Presenter - 1 PDU
5. Contest or Campaign Chairperson - 1 PDU
6. Contest Chief Judge - 1 PDU
PMPs should follow the PMBOK Code of Ethics and will be subject to audit as any other type of PDU claim.
Benefits
The benefits are incredible for PMP's taking advantage of the Toastmasters proven hands-on education method, and include the following:
PDU’s for PMP’s – Another way to gain PDU’s toward the required 60 PDUs over 3 years to keep your PMP current – Affordably! Essentially Free education that you practice with other Toastmasters as your peers. The cost to the PMP interested in taking advantage of these opportunities is only for the Toastmasters curriculum manuals (approx. $10/manual) and membership dues which are minimal (approx. $30-35 for 6-month membership term). This translates to a very minimal cost per PDU in today's tough economy.
Toastmaster Certifications and Recognitions – Accreditation by an International Organization renowned for churning out great Leaders and Speakers. Toastmasters Certifications add more credentials after your name
Networking opportunities – Multitude of Toastmasters events within several levels of the organizational structure allow PMP's to get involved: Chapter, Area, Division, District, or International Conventions; Speech Contests; Speech-A-Thons; TLI - Toastmasters Learning Institute; Workshops; Speech Craft; TV appearances; Key note speakers; etc... Conversely, the PMI sponsored events allow Toastmasters to be involved in, and network with Project Management practitioners and certified PMP's.
Camaraderie – with other Toastmasters within the club, the area, the division, the district an even internationally. There are over 260,000 Toastmaster members world-wide, with 2,500 chapters in 113 countries and you can attend each club's events as an active Toastmaster member. Camaraderie is similar to the camaraderie you grow to feel with other PMI members and PMPs.
Cross Promotion Synergies – Participating Toastmasters chapters will promotethe Project Management discipline tied well to their leadership skills practice, and conversely the PMI Tampa Bay chapter will promote development of communication and leadership skills offered by Toastmasters - that's a WIN-WIN!!! A great example of this: You ARE reading about Toastmasters on a PMI website!
Tampa Bay Area Toastmaster Chapters
The following is a list of many Toastmasters chapters in the Tampa Bay area:
Bagel Talk Toastmasters | "PROS LIke Us" Toastmasters |
Bay Pines Toastmasters | Raymond James Toastmasters |
Carrollwood Toastmasters | SPC Seminole Toastmasters |
Ceridian Corporation Toastmasters | St Pete Toastmasters |
FIS Toastmasters | STAR Toastmasters (Raytheon Corp) |
Honeywell Toastmasters | Tampa Bay Toastmasters |
Jabil Toastmasters | Toast of the Bay Toastmasters |
"Jose Gaspar" Toastmasters | Valpak Corp Toastmasters |
JP Morgan Chase "JPMC Highlanders" | Verizon Telecom Toastmasters |
Price Waterhouse Coopers "PWC Tampa Talks" | Well-Care Toastmasters |
Progressive Insurance - "Toast N Progress" |
Click for Toastmaster Chapter details