When you read, you begin with "A B C."
When you sing, you begin with "do, re, me."
When you join Toastmasters, you begin with "C T M"
This is just the beginning. 

Being CTM is an accomplishment to be proud of and believing in yourself. 

Why does a football player go back to practicing Basics each year in training camp?  Why does a concert pianist continue to practice Basics, like the musical scale?  The same concept applies to Toastmasters and the Basic "Communication and Leadership Program."  Keep working at it !!
 

I set out to get a CTM only because I like to set and achieve goals.  I already thought I was a pretty good speaker.  When I finished, I had achieved my goal and to my surprise become a much better speaker.

Being from the tropics, one thing that never cease to amaze me are the changes in seasons.  The transformation of what once was barren and dry into a spectacle of stunning beauty and later on abundant fruit, is a true delight to anyone's soul. 

Attaining a CTM is just like that.  In the beginning you might be feeble and sometimes even intimidated but as you continue on developing your skills, to the delight of your own soul you will feel this amazing transformation.

Kind regards!

Why anyone would want to achieve their CTM?
1. To achieve a sense of accomplishment.
2. To achieve credibility outside of Toastmasters.
3. To gain respectability inside of Toastmasters.

Not only did I complete the CTM once, but twice,  because I wasn't satisfied with the first performance.  I  think Toastmaster's CTM makes you focus on goals with its emphasis on completion, not just competency, but completion.

Public speaking is about more than getting over stage fright and making eye contact. The Basic Communication and Leadership Manual allows Toastmasters to master many skills at their own pace.  Pulling all of those skills together and achieving the CTM designation is well deserved recognition.

As children, we were taught to "always do our best", "excel in all that you do", "you can do it...don't hesitate" and "reach for the stars."  By achieving your Competent Toastmaster designation, this is an assured confirmation of all of those encouraging statements that you are doing your best and excelling even further in the area of public speaking and communication skills. Your parents, family members and mentors would be very proud of your achievement...mine were!
 

Completing your CTM is the first level of accomplishment in our organization.  By doing this, you are able to maximize your membership and get the most out of Toastmasters.

I spent 40 hours a year in my Toastmasters meetings.  I spent a total of 1 hour presenting and 20 hours preparing and rehearsing my 10 CTM speeches.  I now have the skills 24/7.  You do the math.

Toastmasters has helped me build self-confidence, overcome fear, and improve my interpersonal and leadership skills to offer more to an employer.  With the speeches I have done to achieve my competency, I have gained a fuller understanding of myself.
I am working on the advanced Toastmasters bronze, and having an even greater adventure!

My three reasons are as follows:
1. An honest way to self check your progress.
2. A progressive approach to reach your goal.
3. A proof to substantiate that you are serious about your leadership potentials.

The fact that I was offered a job to establish a Job-Career Center for Fresno County Public Library with two telephone interviews proves that I had confidence, leadership, and communication qualities. My ATM-B certainly helped to be part of my resume.  Want to take this opportunity to say good-bye and good luck to all Chicago members of Toastmasters.

Because you become a person who is committed to walking the walk not only in your presentations at work in front of decision makers and your boss, but in life in general--it enriches you personally beyond your expectations.

One of the reasons I joined Toastmasters was to hone my communications skills.  As I progressed through the Basic Manual my speaking skills were enhanced tremendously. The completion of my tenth speech gave me a euphoric feeling of accomplishment and more self-confidence.

To expand your resume!  Even if potential employers are not familiar with the term, they may ask you about it.  Wouldn't it be nice to be able to talk about your accomplishments instead of being grilled?

Here are a couple of my reasons for achieving my CTM. Thanks for the opportunity to share them with others.

I gained a great sense of achievement as the UOP Toastmasters Club's first member to reach this goal last year.  I have greater self-confidence, and now I can work on the "fun" speeches.

Helping people gives me the most enjoyment in life.  Earning my CTM enabled me to "help others exceed their expectations, achieve their goals and follow their dreams."

When I joined Toastmasters, I was extremely nervous about public speaking. As I came one speech closer to a CTM, I became more energized and confident with my ability.

Achieving my CTM gave me a feeling of accomplishment.  I joined Toastmasters to conquer my fear of public speaking and I became a competent, confident speaker by earning my CTM.

We should strive to earn our CTM because it supports personal and club growth, demonstrates our program to guests and makes us leaders by example.

Hope all is well with you.

Reaching CTM rank (within two years of joining) yields a sense of accomplishment, reaching the first rung of the Toastmaster's ladder.

It shows the person has followed closely the guideline as laid out in the CTM assignment book and has picked up all the different skills.

CTM is the landmark of the speaker's proven success in achieving his top grade in the communication track, level one  before he can go to achieve his next goal, ATM.