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| Learn the art of public speaking |
| Toastmasters meetings are a comfortable environment in which to learn. Everyone who attends is there with the goal of gaining skills in public speaking. These basic skills are provided in the Toastmasters CTM manual: 1. The Ice Breaker 6. Work with Words 2. Speak with Sincerity 7. Apply Your Skills 3. Organize Your Speech 8. Add Impact to Your Speech 4. Show What You Mean 9. Persuade with Power 5. Vocal Variety 10. Inspire Your Audience |
| Improve your self confidence |
| Speaking to a group in an environment where everyone is learning, you become comfortable with the task. All Toastmasters know the feeling of nervousness when called upon to speak. Experienced Toastmasters Know these fears can be overcome by: 1. Practicing your prepared speeches at home 2. Taking a deep breath before speaking 3. Pacing yourself. Use pauses in your speech 4. Taking up the challenge of table topics 5. Serving a position inside a meeting (Chairman, Toastmaster, Evaluator, or Grammarian ect) |
| Improve your listening skills |
| In Toastmaster not only do we learn to speak we learn to listen as well. To fully participate in Toastmasters meetings, you must listen carefully to the other speakers and members. You may be called upon too: 1. Impromptly speak on a subject during table topics 2. Give an oral evaluation of a speech just given 3. Explain your duties during a meeting 4. Give a report during a meeting as meeting grammarian, quizzer, time keeper, or general evaluator ect |
| Develop leadership skills |
| There are many opportunities to be a leader within Toastmasters: 1. Members sign up to chair weekly meetings (many other duties are required to be filled each week) 2. Club officers are elected annually to lead and represent their club 3. Toastmasters are often sought out to offer their expertise within their communities 4. Leadership opportunities grow beyond the club level to include the levels of Area, Division, District, and Region 5. You may even find yourself on the International board of directors for Toastmasters International |
| Thinking of Joining? If you're thinking of joining, there is no better way to help make the decision than to attend one of our meetings as a guest. If you need more information, we hope this page answers all the questions you may have. If it doesn't please feel free to contact us. What is a typical meeting like? A typical Messengers meeting is about 2 hours. The meeting agenda is usually Introductions, Invocation, Humor, Table Topics, Table Topics evaluation, Coffee Break, Speeches, Speech Evaluation, General Evaluation, and closing comments.. What is Table Topics? Table Topics is FUN! Table Topics give everyone an opportunity to think and speak on their toes. Members are chosen at random to deliver short (1-2 minute) speeches on a given topic/question, chosen by the evening's Table Topic's Master. How much does it cost? Messengers Toastmasters annual club fee is $100 and is pro-rated when starting after October. This helps pay for some of the incidental costs of running the club. We operate on a not-for-profit basis. There is also a one-time initiation fee of $30 for new members to cover your registration, first educational manual, namebadge and home delivery of your monthly Toastmasters Magazine. How often do I get to speak? There are many opportunities to practice public speaking with the Messengers. Our two-hour meetings provide us with enough time to allow up to three speakers a night. Aside from your prepared speeches, there are many roles (Chairperson, Invocator, Toastmaster, Grammarian, Timer, Evaluators) to be filled for each meeting. Every member is eligible for each role, and also for Table Topics. When can I start speaking? Whenever is most comfortable. New members generally introduce themselves at their first meeting, and at their second meeting may be called upon to participate in Table Topics. As far as manual speeches, you should schedule your "Ice Breaker" speech relatively soon after you join (within the first month). What credentials can I receive? There are several designations an individual can achieve from Toastmasters International upon completion of certain goals. Imagine how good one of these would look on your resume. i.e. John Smith CTM 1. CTM - Competent Toastmaster 2. ATM - Advanced Toastmaster (Bronze, Silver, Gold) 3. CL - Competent Leader 4. AL - Advanced Leader 5. DTM - Distinguished Toastmaster These designations are described in your Beginner's (CTM) Handbook. How do I get a mentor? After joining, you may select a club member to become your mentor. This person will assist you in becoming a better public speaker by providing support and feedback on your progress and speeches. If you prefer, you may ask our Vice President of Education to choose a mentor for you. |
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| The Messengers Christian Toastmasters Club Meeting Time: Tuesday's 7:30 pm sharp Location: Trinity Luthern Church Conference Room Address: 3845 Gladwin St Abbotsford B.C. |
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