Benefits of Toastmasters

Public speaking skills are increasingly necessary. In fact, in a recent survey of 480 companies and public organizations by the National Association of Colleges and Employers in the USA, the ability to communicate ranked first among personal qualities of college graduates sought by employers. "Work experience was second, motivation third, and academic credentials sixth; ethics was 10th", the Wall Street Journal reported in March, 1999.

Toastmasters means effective communication. In this Information Age, many are more at ease with electronic mail and faxes. Face to face communication to an individual or to groups frightens and intimidates many. In Toastmasters, members learn to successfully formulate, express and sell their ideas and themselves. The ability to communicate well builds self-confidence, self-esteem, enhances leadership potential and fosters human understanding.
 

Methods of Toastmasters

The Toastmasters slogan is "Better speaking, thinking and listening". Members are given the opportunity to give prepared speeches, introduce speakers and conduct meetings. While the subject matter of speeches varies, Toastmasters International provides manuals that guide members through their delivery method, offering details on tried and tested presentation styles. Members also build quick-thinking skills as they give one- to two-minute impromptu speeches on general subjects. "Thinking on your feet" is a life skill used during business meetings and social conversation.

Toastmasters International offers a "learn-by-doing" program in which participants hone their skills in a comfortable and supportive club atmosphere. Constructive feedback, or evaluation, is the heart of the Toastmasters program. Whenever members present a prepared speech, an evaluator will point out the presentation's strengths and offer suggestion for improvement. In the beginning, fellow club members will applaud the effort, but later they will applaud visible growing skill.

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Who can be a Toastmaster

Toastmasters come from all walks of life and are rewarded with personal and career growth. This takes practice and life-long learning is the basic principle. Toastmasters can earn speaking as well as leadership awards. Leadership skills are built when members help to organize and conduct meetings and motivate others. Each club has a committee where members are given the opportunity to serve as a Club leader, another important life skill.

Toastmasters do not discriminate. Our members are from a variety of occupations and backgrounds. As an adult organization Toastmasters International is open to anyone of 18 years or older. Scholars are given the opportunity to participate in Youth Leadership Workshops presented by Toastmasters. Those under the age of 18 can form a Gavel Club under the supervision of Toastmaster Club.

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The structure of Toastmasters International
 

INDIVIDUAL CLUB MEMBERS

TOASTMASTERS CLUB

AREA

DIVISION

DISTRICT 74
( Club total = 120 )

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL
( Club total = 10 000+)

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The vision of Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International empowers people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. Through our member clubs, people throughout the world can improve their communication and leadership skills, giving them the courage to change.

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The mission of Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is the leading movement devoted to making effective oral communication a worldwide reality. Through its member clubs, Toastmasters International helps men and women learn the arts of speaking, listening and thinking - vital skills that promote self-actualization, enhance leadership potential, foster human understanding, and contribute to the betterment of mankind. It is basic to this mission that Toastmasters International continually expand its worldwide network of clubs, thereby offering ever-greater numbers of people the opportunity to benefit from its programs.

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The mission of a Toastmasters club

The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

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