The purpose of Toastmasters is to help members overcome apprehensions about speaking in public and to improve communication skills. This goal is accomplished by providing a self-paced, focused speaking program and a supportive, experienced group of people to assist you. You can become more effective in formal public speaking, individual communications, impromptu situations, meeting management and participation, and also in the exercise of leadership skills.

You are always welcome at our meetings. You may take part if you wish, or just watch and listen. As a guest you will be introduced so that the members of the club know who you are, and we encourage you to join us. The decision to become a better speaker, however, is up to you.

A typical Toastmaster meeting is divided into four segments:

A business portion in which effective meeting management skills quickly and efficiently dispatch the business of our club.

Prepared speeches from the Communication and Leadership program are presented by members to improve particular aspects of their public-speaking capabilities.

Evaluations by club members provides feedback to both prepared speakers and meeting leaders. An evaluator gives an oral evaluation and provides written comments to each speaker.

Table Topics gives members the opportunity to practice impromptu speaking skills by responding to questions or suggestions prepared by the leader of this segment.

Each meeting is supported by members who take turns serving in the various roles necessary to conduct our meetings, including:

Toastmaster prepares and leads the overall program

Table Topics Master leads the impromptu speaking segment

Evaluator evaluates the speakers

General Evaluator evaluates the flow of the entire meeting

Wizard of Ahs/Grammarian checks the uses of pregnancy pauses, verbal and grammatical usage

Timer takes note of the time for each speakers

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© 2002 Toastmasters International
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