PATHWAYS NEWS: CHANGES FOR TRADITIONAL PROGRAM DTM AND ALS

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to have a large impact on the everyday lives of our members around the world. The Board of Directors has worked to respond to the needs of our members and clubs as the situation has developed and have made decisions such as allowing clubs to hold their meetings entirely online and extending the April renewals due date to April 30, 2020.

Another concern shared is that due to COVID-19, some members may not be able to complete the final roles required to achieve their Advanced Leader Silver (ALS) or Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) awards prior to the end of the traditional education program on June 30, 2020. During the recent Board of Directors’ meeting, Board members discussed solutions to support our members who are striving to achieve these final awards by year-end and have provided the following additional allowances:

• Members may submit for their ALS or DTM award in the traditional program through June 30, 2021. Therefore, any work completed, such as a club sponsor/mentor role, now through the end of next program year can be used as credit toward the requirements for either of these two awards. Please note, no other awards in the traditional education program will be accepted beyond June 30, 2020.
• The ALS award will not count for credit toward the education goals in the Distinguished Club Program for the 2020–2021 program year, but the DTM award, whether achieved through Pathways or the traditional education program, will count for credit.
• The club coach provision will be extended through June 30, 2021. If a club coach’s role is successfully completed on June 30, 2020 or June 30, 2021, that club coach can use that credit toward both the club support and the District leadership requirements for either an ALS or a DTM award in the traditional program or a DTM award in Pathways.

Toastmasters International acknowledges and appreciates all the hard work and effort our members are putting forth each and every day. We hope these additional extensions assist you and your club members in achieving your education goals and developing your communication and leadership skills.

Please regularly visit the COVID-19 webpage for the latest updates from Toastmasters and email clubquality@toastmasters.org, if you have any questions.