Toastmasters International is a nonprofit
organization which offers its members the opportunity to develop
communication and leadership skills through local club meetings,
education and training opportunities, and speech contests. There
are over 11,000 clubs in 92 countries.
I don't plan on being a public speaker, so how can Toastmasters benefit me?
Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need to
effectively express yourself in any situation. Anyone over 17 is welcome to join Toastmasters. Super Valued Speakers is open both to SUPERVALU employees and members of the public. For 17 and under, contact the Youth Leadership Chair via http://www.d6tm.org/contact.
Men and women of varying ages, education, jobs, races all take advantage of the Toastmasters program. By learning to effectively formulate and express
your ideas, you open an entirely new world of possibilities. You’ll be
more persuasive and confident when giving presentations and you’ll
improve your one-on-one dealings with others. Through active
participation in the Communication and Leadership Program, you will
learn to:
- Effectively present planned speeches
- Conduct a meeting
- Utilize visual aids
- Speak "off the cuff"
- Lead people and processes
- Delegate
- Motivate and persuade
- Effectively listen
As you learn and refine these valuable skills, your self-confidence
will shine through, and recognition will follow. We are all leaders so
these are skills everyone can benefit from. You will learn to be a
better and more effective communicator at home, school, church, or in
just about any other social situation.
What is a typical meeting like?
The best way to learn about Toastmasters is to visit a meeting. Here is a typical meeting at Super Valued Speakers Toastmasters:
First, there will be an
introduction and welcome given by the Toastmaster,
the leadership duties of meeting participants will be explained, prepared speeches (with specific objectives) will be presented, and then there will be a Table Topics session where members (and guests
if they choose) can practice thinking and speaking on their feet.
Following speeches and Table Topics, there is an evaluation
portion of the meeting. The evaluation team will typically consist of a
General Evaluator who monitors and reports on how well the meeting
flows overall, an Evaluator for each prepared speech, a Timer that
keeps speech times on track, and a Grammarian who will report on things
like "ah's" and "um's" as well as point out exemplary word usage. There is also a Word of the Day which members are encouraged to
learn and use as well.
How much does it cost to join?
There is never a cost to visit. You can
join anytime; there is no need to wait for a specific date to join as
dues are pro-rated. New members pay a new member fee of $20 for
materials and membership, and dues are $37 every 6 months.
What do you get for your money? Shortly after joining, you will receive a New Member Kit in the mail from Toastmasters International. This contains the Competent Communicator manual, the Competent Leader manual,
and additional informational materials to help you get acquainted with
the Toastmasters Educational Program. In addition, you will receive a
subscription to the Toastmaster magazine, published monthly. Materials
are not the only thing you will get with your membership. Super Valued Speakers
will make sure you receive all the support you need to be successful,
which includes support and mentoring from your fellow club members.
The Educational Program
The first goal of most Toastmasters is to complete the Competent Communicator Award. To earn the award, one must complete the ten speeches in the manual. In addition to a certificate, Toastmasters will send a letter to your employer outlining your successful completion of the Competent Communicator Award. Here are the first ten projects:
The Ice Breaker
Organize Your Speech
Get to the Point
How to Say It
Your Body Speaks
Vocal Variety
Research Your Topic
Get Comfortable with Visual Aids
Persuade with Power
Inspire Your Audience
Note that while Toastmasters provides the structure YOU decide what topics to speak on. Some Toastmasters give speeches to practice for work, other for hobbies, to inform, or to research and learn something new.
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.
