The Workshop Bureau is a rich source of education and training for members of District 60. Through its workshops, it provides opportunities for empowerment and excellence to all its constituents – Members, Clubs, Areas and Divisions.
Workshops are offered on a wide variety of topics and throughout the year. To register for a workshop, check out the Events Calendar. Just click on the description for the workshop and registration details.
Shubha Amba, DTM Workshop Bureau Chair can be reached at workshops@toastmasters60.com
What the Workshop Bureau can do for you
We provide a range of services to empower our members:
1. The Essence of a Workshop
To assist workshop presenters, the District has clarified what constitutes a workshop by providing a definition, approaches and essentials of a workshop. Please scroll down to see The Essence of a Workshop.
2. District 60 Hosted Workshops
The District periodically offers educational workshops on a range of topics that support club success. If you want your club to benefit (of course, you do!), stay tuned for the District’s communication in your Inbox. Additionally, if there is enough interest expressed in these workshops by several clubs, the District will endeavour to arrange for their presentation. To view the District 60 hosted workshops, please click the heading above or use this link: District 60 Hosted Workshops.
3. The Workshop Library
Would you like to have the Bureau arrange for a workshop for your members? Send us a request at the email address at the bottom of this section. Workshops may be selected from a list of workshops available in our workshop library. In case the desired topic is not available, the District will try to arrange on a best efforts basis, subject to the availability of a presenter. To view the workshop library, please click the heading above or use this link: Workshop Library.
4. Annual Conference Workshops
Would you like to present a workshop at the next District’s Annual Conference on April 26-27, 2025? The Bureau invites and adjudicates on workshop proposals for its Annual Conference. Proposals must be submitted on a standard application form. The application form is available for download: Workshop Proposal The proposal submission due date is December 20, 2024.
5. Workshop Presentation Training
Are you interested in learning how to become an effective workshop presenter? We have workshops for you from two distinguished presenters with their distinct approaches on how to design a workshop.
6. Workshop Evaluation
The District endeavours to ensure that our members have a quality experience. All workshops available in the Workshop Library have been practised and evaluated by experienced Toastmasters. If you are interested in evaluating workshops or having your workshop evaluated, please contact Gledsley Müller at workshops@toastmasters60.com.
7. New Workshop Topics
We have a list of topics requested by members, but not yet available. Are you interested in developing a workshop for one of these topics or one that you are passionate about? We would love to hear from you!
8. Promotional Support
Divisions, Areas, Clubs or Members may request to have their workshops promoted on the District 60 website. If you would like to have your workshop advertised, please send us an email at the email address given below.
The Workshop Bureau will be updated periodically as information on more workshops becomes available.
Gledsley Müller Workshop Bureau Chair can be reached at workshops@toastmasters60.com
The Essence of a Workshop
1. Definition of a Workshop
A workshop is a learning experience that is Engaging, Participatory and Interactive. At the heart of a workshop are the participants.
Lecture vs Workshop: While a lecture is speaker-focused sharing of knowledge, a workshop is participant-focused, interactive experience that allows opportunities to apply the learning during the session. Hence, interaction in a workshop is key.
Speech vs. Workshop: A speech, at least in Toastmasters, is a short presentation compared to a workshop which lasts longer, anywhere from 45 minutes and above, depending on the objectives and forum. Hence, careful planning for a workshop is key.
2. Approaches to Workshops
While there may be several approaches, below are two that offer different participant experiences as well as degree of control to the facilitator.
Top-down: A workshop may be structured to impart knowledge in a way that teaches a new skill, a tool or a new way to do things. Participants are invited to engage in learning activities at specific intervals. This approach allows the facilitator greater control and is recommended for new facilitators.
Bottom-up: Alternatively, a workshop may be designed to stimulate an audience discussion with the intent to uncover key lessons and ideas with a recap at the end. As the format is exploratory and the degree of participant involvement higher, this approach is suitable for seasoned facilitators.
3. Essentials of a Workshop:
I. Engaging the Audience: As the participants are at the heart of a workshop, it is important that the facilitator keeps the audience engaged. The following are some of the ways that the audience interest and energy can be sustained:
- Believe in your topic: This is demonstrated in your enthusiasm about your topic.
- Begin with an Ice-breaker: Ask questions, call for introductions, start with a story, etc. to warm up the audience.
- Give examples for each key lesson: Use real stories, anecdotes and examples supporting each point.
- Create activities: Have one activity per key learning giving the participants an opportunity to problem-solve and apply the learning – something simple to get people involved. Make it a fun.
- Variety: Have variety in the activities as there are different types of learners and also to break monotony.
- Variability in presentation material: Use a range of materials, types of media: PPT, cards, coloured paper, charts, boards, etc. to sustain interest.
- Relaxed atmosphere: Make the audience feel relaxed and happy, where the audience feels free to ask questions, share new ideas and learn from one another.
II. Plan in Advance: You don’t always know how a workshop might go. Therefore, careful planning is critical. The greater the planning, the more in control you are. One way to plan is outlined here:
- Define the objective of the workshop
- Determine the needs of workshop participants
- Create an outline for your workshop presentation
- Assign an estimated length of time to each item on the outline, including the planned activities.
- Practice giving your workshop presentation once you complete your outline.
Facilitating workshops can be a very rewarding experience and comes closer to speaking professionally. If you wish to take that next step in your speaking journey, then be sure to attend the Workshop Bureau sponsored workshop presentation training sessions. Lookout for these on District 60 Events Calendar by using this link: Events Calendar.
The Workshop Library
The workshops showcased in the workshop library fall under the following four categories:
- Club Success
- Speaker Success
- Leadership
- Personal/Professional Development
The presenters are happy to present live at your location for an enriching interactive experience. If you wish to review a recording, where available, we have provided a link to a recording of the workshop.
To view the workshop library, please use this link: Workshop Library
Inquires about booking a workshop should be sent to Gledsley Müller at workshops@toastmasters60.com
Workshop Presentation Training
Many of us have developed skills and gained knowledge we believe would be beneficial to others. To help you bring to life your insights and wisdom and how best to share them with the rest of the world, the Workshop Bureau has partnered with two distinguished facilitators to bring you two independent and exciting presentation workshop training events featuring two distinct styles and two different approaches. These events occur once a year of which our members are informed through the District monthly newsletter and Facebook page.
Create a Winning Workshop (3 hours)
Presenter: Dawn Frail, DTM. Dawn has been a professional workshop presenter for over 20 years. Learn the tricks of the trade that helped Dawn teach hundreds of classes to thousands of students. She’ll pull back the curtain and show you how she does it during this learning laboratory. She’ll even share some of her special tools that she uses when designing custom workshops for her clients.
Does the idea of delivering a workshop at a District conference inspire you?
Do you have an idea for a great workshop but don’t know where to start?
Does crafting your workshop seem like such a formidable task that you just keep putting it off?
This 3-hour workshop will walk you through a design process that teaches you how to create a powerful and engaging workshop. Come with a topic in mind and you’ll walk away with a framework for a conference-quality workshop. Maybe even start a new career.
In this session you will learn how to:
- Create learning objectives that inspire action
- Choose activities that encourage learning and build confidence
- Craft debrief questions that drive relevance
- Construct a workshop flow that keeps learners active and engaged
Creating Your Toastmasters Workshop (three 2 hour sessions)
Presenter: Roman Smolak, DTM. Roman joined Toastmasters in 2006 and is an active trainer and workshop presenter. He has created and delivered over 30 workshops, including presentations at ten D60 Conferences. He completed his Master’s Certificate in Adult Training, from York University’s Schulich School of Business.
Part 1 – Design (2 hours)
Trainers aim to transfer knowledge and skills through training and facilitation. The latest techniques incorporate research to build training with more emotional connections. One approach is the utilization of stories to connect and engage learners. Learn to apply stories in the way learners want to experience the content.
In this session, you will learn how to:
- Learn what the purpose of a Toastmasters training session is.
- Develop a training approach based on adult learning principles.
- Identify your key training message that compels transformation.
- Identify a process for organizing content.
Attend this workshop to build the knowledge you need for creating an insightful and entertaining program. Prepare now to become a facilitator for future training events and consider what benefits you will gain in developing your presentation skills.
Part 2 – Delivery (2 hours)
Delivering an interactive workshop can feel like a formidable task. You may resist the silence of a virtual classroom or not know how to deal with learners’ feedback. This workshop addresses how you can deliver an engaging virtual workshop. Join us to learn the top techniques for making your next training event more effective. Acquire the skills to get participants to pay attention and retain what it is you need to teach them.
In this session, you will learn how to:
- Use key principles for delivering great virtual training
- Connect, communicate and collaborate virtually
- Guide learners through interactive dialogue for effective learning
- Avoid virtual training pitfalls
Part 3 – Create Deeper Reflection in Your Toastmasters Workshop (2 hours)
Does your workshop fail to inspire participants? Is it the lack of students’ interest, motivation to learn or the content? Learn new techniques to reverse boring lectures. Update your knowledge for how to create deeper learning experiences. Inspire your audience to get engaged, learn more and to take action.
Join us to learn how to:
- Make your content interesting and relevant to all participants.
- Generate interactive discussions with deeper reflective moments.
- Inspire learners to do their best thinking.
- Guide learners to apply what they learn to their own situations.
Acquire the top techniques for making your next training event more effective.
Workshop Support Team
The Workshop Support Team (WST) is a group of friendly Toastmasters who assist their fellow members take the next step in their speaking journey. Specifically, they provide thoughtful feedback for your newly minted workshops so that you may present with confidence. WST is a collaboration between the Workshop Bureau and TGIF Advanced Toastmasters, a club that has differentiated itself through excellent evaluations enabling its members to elevate themselves as speakers. This team has been formed to enable members across District 60 to ‘Cross Over’ on The Bridge to the World outside Toastmasters.
The Workshop Support Team will provide the following services:
1. Develop and maintain a set of standardized criteria for evaluation of workshops for quality assurance
2. Provide feedback to aspiring facilitators in the setting of a pilot workshop presentation
3. Review and adjudicate workshop proposals and make recommendations for inclusion in the Workshop Bureau and the annual conference
New Workshop Topics
Members have requested workshops on the topics below. Please consider developing one of these workshops and submitting a proposal (Workshop Proposal) to the Workshop Bureau at workshops@toastmasters60.com.
- How to judge a speech contest
- Conflict resolution in a Toastmasters club
- Motivating members and recognizing their achievements
- How to write a club blog
- Social media marketing
- Build a club mentor program
Have a workshop that isn’t on the list above, but is near and dear to you? Please submit your proposal (Workshop Proposal) to the Workshop Bureau at workshops@toastmasters60.com.
