The Why and What of Toastmasters
Just in case you were wondering why people would join an organization like ours, or what happens within our meetings - your questions will be answered here.
Why would someone join Toastmasters?
Get over the fear of speaking
Develop the art of communicating
Self-actualization (self-expression)
Learn to think and communicate more quickly
Foster human understanding
Increase comfort level by giving talks
Improve ability to listen
Decrease ahs, ums, and other space fillers
Increase ability to speak more clearly and concisely
Improve interpersonal relationship skills
Present ideas more understandably
Develop leadership skills
Learn to evaluate constructively and positively
Practice parliamentary procedures and rules of order
Learn to motivate
Learn to be more assertive without being aggressive
Develop a more positive outlook on life
Talk about things that are important to you
Improve your social and networking skills
Develop professional credentials by achieving goals
Improve confidence and poise for interviews
- Toastmasters -
Not Your Typical Educational
Setting
It's been said that "the secret of success is to prepare
oneself for opportunity when it comes". Even though many
people have failed to grasp this concept, there are educational
organizations that can help those who wish to prepare themselves, or
those who desire to continually search for self-improvement.
Toastmaster clubs offer a different environment from the traditional classroom
training that most are familiar. As such, common questions asked of those
who attend a Toastmasters
meeting generally include "How was the training" or "What did you
learn?" These questions are met with confusion because even
though there is a structure, it is not of the "sit down, take
notes" variety. Toastmasters Int. supplies its membership with
manuals that set forth a path allowing the membership to
improve itself. Whether it is speaking, analyzing, leading or
listening, we learn. This process is not a subjective one, but
rather an objective form of education.
We, as individuals and as a group, gain from the talents of the
membership. This incorporated with the instruction and
guidelines put forth by Toastmasters Int. make for a more
fulfilling educational experience allowing for diversity
between groups. Therefore, it is recommended that you find a group whose
personality suits yours to better facilitate your personal
development.
What happens during a Toastmasters meeting?
The goal of each meeting is to give every member an opportunity to speak. A typical Toastmasters meeting is divided into three sessions:
Table Topics:
Toastmasters are given a subject or question upon which they must speak extemporaneously for 2 minutes. Guests are welcome to participate and answer a question. This is a great way to practice answering unexpected questions and impromptu speaking.
Prepared Speeches:
Working from manuals supplied by Toastmasters International, 1-3 members (per meeting) present speeches designed to develop specific skills. These speeches allow our members to gain experience in speaking in front of a group, as well as in preparing a speech.
Evaluations:
Speakers get immediate feedback on how well they accomplished their assigned objectives. Each speech has a specific goal that is emphasized in the evaluation, as well as in the general presentation.
Other Meeting Occurrences:
A General Evaluator offers a critique of the meeting as a whole.
Each of our meetings has a short business session, which gives members a
chance to practice parliamentary procedure. Besides speaking,
each member will also have the opportunity to serve as
Toastmaster, Table Topic Master, Evaluator, General Evaluator,
etc., which are rotated among members to provide a
variety of experiences.
© Business and Professional Toastmasters Club
#1169
Site Designed By William Corey's Ripples In Designs Eclectic
The names "Toastmasters International," "Toastmasters," and the Toastmasters International emblem are trademarks protected in the United States, Canada, and other countries where Toastmasters Clubs exist. Unauthorized use is prohibited.