What Is Toastmasters?

Thanks for pointing out that not everyone knows what Toastmasters is.

Toastmasters is an international organization set up to simply help and support individuals become better public speakers.   There are chapters/clubs in most cities and 92 countries – many hosted by colleges/universities.  Programs or jobs (like mine) often encourage individuals to become a member, especially if they will have many public speaking opportunities.  However, Toastmasters is beneficial for anyone that simply wants to communicate more effectively.  It is one of those life skills that can only increase in usefulness over time.

Toastmasters clubs are communities of people devoted to improving their speaking abilities, supported by a structured program and resources (like a book that outlines each speech and what it’s intention is -#1 is always The Icebreaker, #2 is “Organize Your Speech”, giving pointers to form a clear argument, etc.).  The chapter that I attend in Boston (at Fisher College) is the Boston Speech Party.  It meets twice a month and I’ve been encouraged to do SOMETHING every time.

There is no pressure to participate, but many opportunities are offered to simply jump in and practice speaking!  This is what I’ve done.  Every time we meet, I have the opportunity to take on a role in the meeting, participate in table topics (1-2 minute impromptu response to a question), or sign up to give a prepared speech.  Below are the different roles and their purposes in the order that they usually happen in a meeting.

Toastmaster:  MC/moderator of the meeting

Cobweb Cleaner: Helps clear minds of extraneous noise and become present at the meeting

Word of the Day: Helps increase vocabulary – speakers are encouraged to use it in their speaking that meeting

Tip of the Day: Provides something that is helpful to members

Speech: 2-4 prepared speeches are given each meeting – the content is up to you, the type of speech is in the book, along with helpful tips to form your speech

Table Topics: Questions asked in the meeting – people give a 1-2 minute impromptu response

Speech Evaluators:  Each speech is given an evaluation by a fellow member in the meeting

Grammarian:  Reporting all the “um”’s and “uh”s so people can continue to decrease their use of filler words

Time Keeper:  Times all the speeches to help keep speeches i hear are short and succinct.

General Evaluator: Comments at the end of the meeting to provide highlights

I have found the structure, resources and people in this group profoundly helpful as I work to become a more effective communicator and continue to define who I am in the field.   I will continue posting my speeches so you can track my progress through the content of my speeches.

~ by Priscilla Goodman on October 26, 2008.