What is Toastmasters?
Toastmasters is a training and educational
organisation which teaches its members
communication, leadership, training and management
skills, and builds their self confidence through
public speaking. It is the largest and most
successful organisation of its type in the world.
How long has Toastmasters been around?
Toastmasters International was founded in 1924 and
now has more than 200,000 members in over 10,000
Clubs in 60 countries around the world. There are
over 500 Clubs in Australia, with around 250 of them
being in NSW or the ACT. As a Toastmaster you will
be welcome in any of these Clubs.
Why do people join Toastmasters?
People
join Toastmasters in order to:
۰Practice public speaking
and enhance their presentation skills
۰Develop the skills to
persuade and convince others
۰Learn to put their ideas
across clearly and with conviction
۰Improve their
self-confidence before a group of people
۰Learn to think quickly
and clearly under pressure
۰Learn to listen
effectively and critically
۰Learn to supportively
evaluate someone else's presentation
۰Train to become a good
leader
What specifically will you learn to do as a
Toastmaster?
In a Toastmasters Club you will learn, by doing,
۰How to give an impromptu
speech
۰How to give a prepared
speech
۰How to evaluate what you
hear
۰How to introduce
speakers
۰How to be a more
effective leader of people
۰How to Chair and run
meetings
All these skills will help you develop self
confidence.
How do you learn these skills?
When you join a Toastmasters Club you receive a
complete training kit covering all aspects of
speaking and evaluation. This kit includes both a
Communication manual and a Leadership manual. These
manuals reflect the years of experience Toastmasters
has in helping people just like you. They take you
step by step through the art of making and
evaluating speeches and developing leadership
skills.
In particular you learn by doing with your efforts
evaluated by your fellow Club members. You will be
gradually introduced to the various roles within a
Toastmasters meeting. Gaining proficiency in these
helps build up your skills.
How soon will I be an expert?
People all progress at their own pace. Some move
faster than others but everyone who joins
Toastmasters and participates in the program can be
sure they will become a competent speaker. Your
skills develop gradually. As you proceed you will
find that situations that once terrified you, now
hold no fears for you.
Is it expensive?
No. In fact in comparison to various courses,
seminars, programs, cassette and video kits offered
through the media, Toastmasters is the least
expensive and in our opinion the most effective way
to learn public speaking and to develop confidence
and self esteem. While Clubs charge their fees in
various ways, the ongoing cost to belong to
Toastmasters usually works out at around $2 per
week. The initial joining fee is normally around $50
and clubs will also ask for some months worth of
membership fees to be paid in advance. Venue hire
and/or meal charges may also apply at meetings.
Who can join Toastmasters?
Anyone over the age of 18 years may join
Toastmasters. With over 500 Clubs in Australia,
there is sure to be a club near you! You can find
details of Toastmasters Clubs by clicking the Find a
Club button below.
What do I need to do to join Toastmasters?
You need to visit a Club. Visitors are always
assured of a friendly welcome at every Toastmasters
Club. Visitors may attend one or more Clubs a number
of times to see the Toastmasters program in action
without any obligation. Clubs differ in size,
culture, types of venues, meeting times and lengths
and meal arrangements, so "shopping around" is
sometimes necessary to find a suitable Club..
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