Home
An Overview
of Toastmasters
Frequently Asked Questions
GMU-specific Information
Join GMU Toastmasters Now
Member Dues & Club Finances
Electing
GMU Officers
Report on Our First Meeting
Downloadable Documents
Overview of First 10 Speeches
Detailed Description of Speech 1
(The "Ice Breaker")
How to Build a Toastmasters Club
(40 page PDF)
Agendas
5/13/08
5/23/08
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why would I want to join Toastmasters?
Can guests just "visit" a meeting to check out Toastmasters?
What do I need to do, bring, or prepare before visiting a meeting?
What should I wear?
Who is eligible to join GMU Toastmasters?
What does membership cost?
How do I join your club?
Can you describe a typical Toastmasters meeting?
Do I have to get up and speak if I come to a meeting?
Why would I want to join Toastmasters?
Most people join Toastmasters to improve their presentation (public speaking) skills. This can include improving the structure of your presentation, strengthening your opening and closing statements, synching your gestures, movements, and facial expressions to your message, and making a stronger connection with the audience - as well as a variety of other presentation components and techniques.
Once in a club, most people use Toastmasters to improve a variety of additional communication and leadership skills, including "impromptu" speaking, evaluating the speaking of others, running a meeting, and even running a club.
Toastmasters is also an excellent networking opportunity. Professionals in business, government, military, and non-profit organizations join Toastmasters to accelerate their careers. You meet successful, motivated, and interesting people in Toastmasters.
Can guests just "visit" a meeting to check out Toastmasters?
Yes, guests are welcomed at virtually ALL 12,500 Toastmasters clubs world-wide. Toastmasters are typically very friendly and go out of their way to introduce themselves and make guests feel welcome.
There is no obligation to join and you can visit one club multiple times, or visit multiple clubs. In fact, we encourage you to visit more than one club before joining. Every club has a different feel and different energy. Visiting multiple clubs will help you make sure the club you join is a good match for you.
What do I need to do, bring, or prepare before visiting a meeting?
It makes sense to e-mail the club contact person to ensure that the time, day, or place of the meeting has not changed. The vast majority of Toastmasters meetings take place when and where they are scheduled. Occasionally, plans are changed due to room availability or special occasions.
Otherwise, there is nothing you need to do or bring before visiting our club.
What should I wear?
Most Toastmasters dress as they do at work, whether this is business dress or business casual. Occasionally some people wear jeans or are otherwise "dressed down." We don't refuse entry as long as you are, in fact, wearing clothes of some sort, but most people come in business casual dress.
Who is eligible to join GMU Toastmasters?
In a word, anyone. Corporate/organizational clubs (as opposed to community clubs) are typically made up primarily of the people form the host organization. But anyone is allowed to join GMU Toastmasters.
What does membership cost?
It costs $50 for the first six months, and $30 every six months after that. (This is because there is a one-time $20 "Service Charge" when you join. Toastmasters International then charges $27 every six months, and GMU Toastmasters charges $3 every six months.)
How do I join your club?
Come to a meeting as a visitor and check us out. If you know you want to join, you can fill out an application at the meeting. Bring your checkbook; the exact amount due is prorated, based on the number of months left until the April or October renewal period for all members.
Can you describe a typical Toastmasters meeting?
The Toastmaster of the Day (TMOD) runs the meeting, and introduces various members who take specific roles, including those giving the Thought of the Day, the Word of the Day, and the Joke of the Day. People who stand and explain their role to guests include the Grammarian, the Ah Counter, the Timer, and the General Evaluator. The Speech Evaluators and the Sergeant at Arms also have specific roles to fill.
A typical one hour meeting has 1-3 formal speeches, each approximately 5-7 minutes in length. Each speaker is evaluated by a club member for 2-3 minutes, and gets written feedback from everyone else. Table Topics (the impromptu speaking segment) is an opportunity for other members to speak by answering a question from the Table Topics Master, typically related to the theme of the meeting. Finally, there is often a short business meeting segment, where club officers make announcements and discuss decisions that affect club members.
Do I have to get up and speak if I come to a meeting?
No. Guests are allowed to participate in "Table Topics" (impromptu speaking) if they wish, but there is no requirement. Members can ask to be scheduled to present a speech any time, but some people join Toastmasters and wait weeks or even months before giving their first scheduled speech (the "Ice Breaker").
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