Guest Concerns
How often do I have to give speeches?
It's at your own pace, but try for monthly.
Does Toastmasters look good on a resume?
Yes. There are over 345,000 members worldwide today, and many former members who know the program. Many hiring managers recognize Toastmasters.
What is Pathways?
Pathways is the Toastmasters educational curriculum, an online tutorial that features text, interactive activities, and videos.
What does the Toastmaster do?
THE Toastmaster is the person who prepares and runs the meeting. A Toastmaster is a general term we used to describe a member.
What could make a meeting run more smoothly?
Participants are prepared for their roles.
Toastmaster has confirmed speakers.
Evaluators have checked in with speakers on evaluation criteria.
Do I have to attend every week?
No, but you only get out of Toastmasters what you put into it, so try to attend whenever you can.
Will I still learn, even if I don't need to give speeches regularly?
Toastmasters promotes many skills that require thinking on your feet (e.g. Table Topics). Communication skills are always useful.
How many pathways are there?
Toastmasters offers 11 pathways: Dynamic Leadership, Effective Coaching, Engaging Humor, Innovative Planning, Leadership Development, Motivational Strategies, Persuasive Influence, Presentation Mastery, Strategic Relationships, Team Collaboration, and Visionary Communication.
What is an Ah Counter and why are they important?
The Ah Counter counts how many times they hear each person use filler words, e.g. "um," "ah," "so," "and," "uh," and any other superfluous sound that is used to fill silence when a pause would be more effective.
How does Toastmasters push members to learn?
Competition is encouraged.
Achievements are recognized.
VPE & mentors push members to try new things.
What if I can't remember my speech?
A mentor can teach you tricks to remember your speech. Don't try to memorize it word-for-word.
What if I need help?
How do I select a path?
There are many online tools to select a path, but the best tool we have to offer is a mentor. Every new member will be assigned an experienced member to help them choose a pathway.
What is Table Topics?
Table Topics is an exercise in which someone is selected to speak about a topic they haven't prepared for. It trains our brains to be more confident when we communicate outside of prepared speeches.
How does Toastmasters encourage leadership?
Toastmasters has weekly meeting roles.
Officer roles provide long term leadership opportunities and challenges.
District provides executive-level management experience.
Contests, trainings, and events provide short term leadership opportunities.
How much does membership cost?
$60 every 6 months, prorated
DAILY DOUBLE: What's the best way to learn to be a good leader?
Volunteer to be an officer. Officers learn how to promote a non-profit organization, lead committees, run special events, and manage the finances of a business.
Can I choose more than one path?
The first learning path is free. There is a fee to add more learning paths, but you can work on as many learning paths as you want.
The Grammarian in a meeting notes creative use of words and creative phrases to communicate ideas. They may also note opportunities to communicate more clearly.
How does Toastmasters embrace diversity?
Toastmasters constantly recruits people with new, different backgrounds.
We learn to provide, solicit, and embrace feedback.
We provide an environment that is respectful and embraces learning experiences for all.
Is Toastmasters fun?
You tell me, is this fun?
Does Toastmasters offer tools to learn outside of meetings?
Toastmasters has conferences, competitions, a magazine, an online AI-based app to practice speeches, and occasionally special events too. Most clubs also welcome members visiting from other clubs.
If English isn't my first language, are materials available in other languages?
Although Toastmasters competitions are in English, learning materials are also available in Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Tamil, and Traditional Chinese.
A Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) has completed the educational program, including 20+ speeches, and leadership responsibilities and/or programs. DTMs can repeat the program to learn more in other learning paths.
DAILY DOUBLE:
Excellent clubs do more than just meet weekly. What makes clubs excellent?
Toastmasters does not limit clubs to weekly meetings. Clubs are encouraged to run additional events, e.g. club speech contests, speech-a-thons, Speech Craft workshops, Youth Leadership Programs, and High Performance Leadership projects.