Toastmasters FAQs

		If so, read below. 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:
	Practice public speaking and enhance their presentation skills Develop the skills to persuade and convince others Learn to put their ideas across clearly and with conviction Improve their self-confidence before a group of people Learn to think quickly and clearly under pressure Learn to listen effectively and critically Learn to supportively evaluate someone else's presentation Train to become a good leader
		What specifically will you learn to do as a Toastmaster? In a Toastmasters Club you will learn, by doing,
	How to give an impromptu speech How to give a prepared speech How to evaluate what you hear How to introduce speakers How to be a more effective leader of people How 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. How do I choose a Club to visit? Go to our Find a Club section to find details of the Clubs in your area. Please use the contact phone number or email address to contact a Club before you visit them. This ensures that you will be expected and enables the Club to explain any special aspects of their next meetings. What do I do if I need more information? Please to our Enquiries Officer or phone 1300 653 876.
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Toastmasters International District 70 Revised: 04 April, 2008

Toastmasters International District 70
Revised: 04 April, 2008