Why Toastmasters – District 98

Why Toastmasters?

Click below to discover how the global leader in public speaking can help you and your career grow.

What is Toastmasters?

For nearly 100 years, Toastmasters International has helped millions of people become more confident communicators, public speakers, and leaders. The Toastmasters network of clubs and its learn-by-doing program were created to help you gain the skills needed to achieve your personal and professional goals. Why pay thousands of dollars for a seminar when you can join a Toastmasters club for a fraction of the cost and have fun in the process?

What can I expect in a meeting?

In Toastmasters, everything revolves around the club meeting. With over 15,000 clubs in almost 150 countries, each club is unique in their own way. While clubs all feature the same structure, some are more formal, feature a theme, or have criteria for members to join. We encourage everyone to visit several clubs until they find one that fits their needs. To learn more about the basic structure of a Toastmasters meeting, watch the video below.

What are members saying?

Don’t just take our word for how great being a Toastmaster is. Hear from members from around the world who have used the Toastmasters program to learn new skills, solve problems, and grow as individuals.

How can I start learning now?

What's in it for me?

Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. Whether you are a tenured manager, student, young professional, someone looking to advance their career, or someone hoping to make an impact in your community, Toastmasters is the most efficient, supportive, enjoyable, and affordable way of gaining great communication skills. By learning to effectively formulate and express your ideas, you open an entirely new world of possibilities. You’ll improve your interpersonal communication and be more persuasive and confident when giving speeches.

Joining Toastmasters can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. Is one of your goals listed below? Click on it to see how we can help you accomplish it!

I want to…

Build confidence for public speaking

Toastmasters clubs present speaking opportunities at every meeting. Whether you present a prepared speech, participate in Table Topics®, or fill a meeting role, you can get the valuable practice needed to build confidence for public speaking. And Toastmasters’ safe and supportive club environment means there’s no pressure, so you can work at your own pace.

Become a more effective speaker

An integral part of Toastmasters is giving and receiving feedback. When you speak at a club, a fellow Toastmaster will provide you with feedback to help you grow your public speaking skills. With the Pathways learning experience, you will have access to an education program that will teach you the skills required to become a more effective speaker.

Improve my presentation skills

Toastmasters isn’t only for improving your public speaking or communication skills. By giving speeches and working through a learning path in the Pathways learning experience, you will learn how to structure your presentation and incorporate tone and body language to truly engage with your audience.

Improve my leadership skills

Since Toastmasters clubs are run by members, each club offers volunteer leadership positions. When you combine this with the leadership skills you can learn through the Pathways learning experience, you can not only build skills, but can gain valuable experience leading a team.

Meet my professional goals

By improving your communication, public speaking, and leadership skills, you are building a better version of yourself. Whether you are hoping to land that big promotion or simply want to feel more confident when communicating with coworkers, Toastmasters can help teach the skills you need!

Increase my fluency in a language

Toastmasters clubs can be found in 145 countries across the world. Each club decides which language they support during meetings, meaning you can find a club that allows you to practice that second (or third) language you want to become fluent in!

Network with others or build social connections

Toastmasters come from all walks of life. Over time, attending meetings will allow you to build social connections and network with others that you may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. In a Toastmasters club, you’ll find likeminded people who are working hard to build similar skills as you!

What does the club experience offer?

How do I learn and grow?

In addition to the supportive learning environment in the club, there is a structured education program called Pathways.

What is the Pathways learning experience?
Pathways is Toastmasters’ exciting, interactive, and flexible education program. It focuses on five core competencies: Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Strategic Leadership, Management, and Confidence. With 11 paths to choose from (and more in development), you have the option to pick which skills you want to focus on.

How does Pathways work?
Sign into Pathways and take the online assessment, which will suggest a learning path based on your goals. As a Toastmasters member, you will receive one free path when you join. Progress through your path by completing projects, giving presentations at club meetings, and implementing feedback, all done at your own pace. Each path has five levels and you’ll start by mastering fundamentals before working your way up to demonstrating your expertise. Best of all, Pathways is available online or in print and is translated into eight languages!

I’m ready to join. What’s next?

You can visit a club near you—or one that meets online—for free as a guest, with no obligation to join. Find a club that best fits your schedule and personality. Members pay $60 USD international dues, $20 USD new member fee, plus any potential club dues. Send questions via email to membership@toastmasters.org.

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