By Greg Pick, DTM, Immediate Past District Director, Pathways Coordinator
The Navigator is the primer for the Pathways learning experience and informs members about Toastmasters meetings and other opportunities. The document provides concise, detailed information about the Pathways learning experience and the Toastmasters program in its 23 pages and is a must-read for our members. The Navigator can be downloaded as a “pdf” or read online by opening it in Base Camp – it is one of the three panels on the Pathways home page.
For those familiar with the information contained in the Competent Communicator manual, the Navigator contains much of the same information as that in the back half of that manual (i.e., after the speech projects).
Summarized below are the key sections contained in the Navigator.
Club basics
Explore the basics related to the three main parts of a Toastmasters program meeting – prepared speeches, impromptu speaking (Table Topics), and evaluations [pp 5]; the club meeting roles [pp 6]; and the roles for each of the officers in the club (club executive committee) [pp 7].
Pathways information
Read about beginning your Pathways experience [pp 9 – 10]. We learn about how the program works, including what to expect at each level [pp 11]. You can access all Pathways information online which results in a richer learning experience through videos, and access to tutorials that explain how to use Pathways.
If you want to access the project offline, every project can be downloaded into a pdf that can be saved and printed. We recommend that you save every project for those situations that prevent online access. We learn that our first path is free and each additional path costs $20 [pp 12 – 13].
Evaluations – Where the Magic Happens
Basis and reason for evaluating one another’s speeches ensure our growth as individuals [pp 15]. Learn how to get the most out of your evaluations: read the project before the meeting [pp 16]; inform your evaluator during the meeting [pp 17]; and actions to take after the meeting [pp 18].
Badges
We receive badges as we progress through our levels [pp 18] and we can award badges to other members [pp 19].
Additional Leadership Opportunities
Although the member experience at a club is key to our growth, the Toastmasters leadership and communication are bigger than that. You can become a mentor and guide the growth and development of other members. Become an officer and assist members to achieve their goals. If leadership you seek, we can become a district officer or staff.
