Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you admire people who can stand in front of an audience and speak with absolute confidence and persuasion, and you wish you could be like them, then Toastmasters can help you.
Our self-paced learning programmes offer you the opportunity to overcome your fears and reservations by actually "doing it", speaking in a friendly and supportive environment where positive feedback is always available.
Our most frequently asked questions are:
What is Toastmasters?
Toastmasters is an international non-profit organisation that is dedicated to helping people improve their public speaking skills.
What do you do at Toastmasters meetings?
In addition to learning, Toastmasters meetings are generally a social affair. An opportunity to meet people just like yourself, who also want to learn the art of "Public Speaking".The structure of the meeting teaches you procedures adopted at formal parliamentary or business meetings. A Chairman conducts the meeting and ensures everything runs smoothly and to time.
Every member and guest is encouraged (not pressured) to "get up and have a go". Prepared speeches are definitely the highlight of the meeting. The Table topics session is very popular, members (and sometimes guests) are call upon to deliver impromptu speeches for one minute on a "Surprise topic".
Evaluations of speeches are given throughout the meeting. These evaluations and aimed at offering supportive praise for each speaker, offering points for improvement and recommendations on how the speaker can improve their performance.
At Ryde District, our meetings commence at 6.30pm SHARP, where the meeting is opened by the Sergeant at Arms. The club President then addresses the meeting and passes control of the meeting on to the Chairman.
The Chairman then calls upon various members to undertake predefined roles, including; Giving a Toast, Read & Recite, Book/Film Review, Bring & Tell (just like at school), and Education Sessions (where everyone learns special techniques).
The Table topics session follows and every participant's performance is evaluated by selected members of the club.
The General Evaluator then assesses and reports on any other performances which have not been reviewed.
After a 40 minute dinner break (not available at all clubs), the meeting resumes. The Toastmaster (Master of Ceremonies) for the evening introduces each of the Speakers who give prepared speeches on any subject of their choosing. Each of these Speaker's performances are then evaluated by other club members. The Timekeeper, Umm & Ahh Counter (the person who counts the number of Umms & Ahhs each members uses) and the Harkmaster (tests your listening skills), each give their report for the meeting.
Awards for Best Prepared Speech, Best Table topics, Most Improved, Best Evaluator and Best Other Assignment are then presented.
Guests are then asked to provide any feedback, and the meeting is closed around 9-9.30pm.
Most members and guests then socialise further in the coffee lounge.
Where can I find some more information?
Toastmasters International is a non-profit organisation with over 3000 clubs worldwide and over 200 clubs throughout New South Wales and the A.C.T.
Over 3,000,000 people have participated in the Toastmaster programme.
In New South Wales a central contact number can help find the club near you; phone (02) 9790-2968.
Or try our Links page for other clubs on the Web.
Where are Toastmasters Clubs located?
Toastmasters clubs are located in most regional centres and suburban locations.
Meeting times vary from club to club, ranging from early morning, lunchtime, through to after-hours meetings.
To find a club near you; phone the central Toastmasters Info number (02) 9790-2968.
Or try our Links page for other clubs on the Web.
How much will it cost me?
Toastmasters is possibly the most cost-effective self-help programme ever devised.
Generally, you are free to attend all Toastmasters meetings as a guest. Most clubs are completely FREE but, prefer you to notify them in advance particularly if catering is involved in the meeting.
Some clubs will also require you to pay a small surcharge, for hire of the venue.
The majority of clubs will permit you to attend several meetings before expecting you to join.
Joining fees also vary slightly from club to club, but as a guide, expect to pay around $A30-40 one-off membership fee (this provides you with a Communication & Leadership Manual and monthly Toastmaster Magazine), and $A30-40 semi-annual fees (this charge pays for club resources, awards, educational material, trophies, etc.)
Once you are a member of a club, you are free to visit any one of the 3,000 Toastmasters clubs throughout the world. You will be warmly welcomed and who knows, you may even learn something.
How long will it take?
Your progress through the Toastmasters programme if entirely dependant upon your own goals and desires. The Communication and Leadership Programme offers 10 speeches, covering all the basic aspects of public speaking.
The rate at which you tackle these speeches, and other club assignments is up to you. If you are nervous or unsure, you are quite free to take your time. If you are confident, you can master the basics in a relatively short time.
The programme offers helpful tips and advice to help you along your chosen path.
In the short-term, you can acquire useful skills quickly and easily. In the long-term, advanced speaking manuals, executive positions and opportunities allow you to expand your speaking skills through to professional level.
What type of people attend Toastmasters?
Toastmasters is appealing to all manner of people from diverse backgrounds and positions, students, professionals, retirees, unemployed, infact anyone.
Like most groups, the composition of members in each club varies, rest assured that you will meet a wide cross-section of warm and friendly people who are all striving to reach their goals too. These people have all been through the same anxiety as you, and they are always ready and to help.
What benefits does Toastmasters have over commercial Public Speaking courses?
There are many benefits. Some of the most obvious are:
- The Toastmasters programme is cost effective. The organisation is a non-profit group aimed at delivering effective speaking, thinking and listening skills to all manner of people from a wide range of backgrounds. The only fees involved in the programme are used to provide equipment, educational materials, awards and venues used to conduct the meetings.
- The programme is run by individuals just like yourself, committed to learning and the helping others to learn, NOT by paid speakers who are out to make money.
- The programme offers you the opportunity to learn and progress at your own pace, and as a long-term experience you gain constant exposure to speaking in front of groups. Skills learned through the programme include not only speaking skills but, the conduct of business meetings, parliamentary procedures, leadership roles, impromptu speaking, speech writing, team building, and a sense self pride as you increase your skills and help others to improve.
What is the Communication & Leadership Programme?
The Communication and Leadership programme is the cornerstone of the Toastmasters package consisting of ten preassigned speeches, these speeches cover a wide range of speech types and involved skills, including:
The Icebreaker
Your first opportunity to speak in front of an audience, primarily about the subject you know the best, YOU.
Speak with Sincerity
An opportunity to express your viewpoint by convincing the audience of your sincerity, on a subject you thoroughly understand.
Organise Your Speech
Learn and apply the essential elements of speech writing, develop the correct techniques for producing a successful speech.
Show What You Mean
Develop timing and expressive gestures to add impact to your speech. Learn facial expressions, gestures and eye contact.
Vocal Variety
Explore the use of volume, pitch, rate to enhance your speech.
Work With Words
Learn to select the correct words for your subject and audience, limiting jargon and applying "word pictures" to achieve your desired goal.
Apply Your Skills
Bring together all the skills you have acquired thus far into your speech, vocals, gestures, organisation, timing, etc. Research the information you need and present it as a complete package. Make a personal evaluation of your progress.
Add Impact To Your Speech
Learn how to use props and visual aids to focus attention on your message.
Persuade With Power
Convince an audience with your ability, use your knowledge, reputation, sincerity, and delivery to appeal to an audience and get your improtant message across.
Inspire Your Audience
Evaluate and understand the mood and feelings of your audience and inspire them using all the techniques you have mastered.
At the completion of your Communication and Leadership programme you receive a certificate and are afforded the title "Competent Toastmaster" (CTM).
Once you reach CTM the real challenge begins with the Advanced Communication programmes. These programmes encompass an even wider range of speaking engagements, including Public Relations, Speeches by Management, Technical Presentations, Communicating and Television, Interpersonal Communications, The Professional Salesperson, Special Occasion Speeches and many more. Advancement is recognised through awards and titles, Advanced Toastmaster Bronze (ATM-B), Silver (ATM-S), Gold (ATM-G) and finally Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM).
Advanced Leadership programmes offer you another opportunity to progress into to the executive level of Toastmasters, Competent Leader (CL), Advanced Leader (AL), through to Distriguished Toastmaster (DTM).
You may undertake either or both tracks of the advanced programme. Each achievement is internationally recognised and the skills you learn upon the way are invaluable.
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Ryde District Toastmasters