What is Toastmasters?

No, we don't make toasters!

Toastmasters International is a non-profit world wide educational organisation with a mission to improve public speaking and leadership skills of its members. From its humble beginning in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters International has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. It now has nearly 250,000 members in more than 12,500 clubs in 106 countries, offering a proven – and enjoyable! – way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills.

At most Toastmasters clubs, members hold regular meetings (weekly/forthnightly or monthly) for between one and two hours. Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian.

There is no instructor; instead, each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved.

At National Toastmasters, we meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, and meetings usually last for 2 hours.

Why should you look into Toastmasters?

Almost EVERYONE is afraid of speaking. In poll after poll, "public speaking" comes up as more feared than "death". Public speaking is the #1 fear. Even if you think you're really good at speaking, there will come times when your heart stops and your palms sweat and you freeze before an audience. Toastmasters can help you control that fear.

Remember that EVERYONE in a Toastmasters club is there because at some point they realised they needed help communicating and speaking before audiences. Everyone will remember how wretched they felt when they gave their first speech. You may be startled to find out how supportive and effective a Toastmasters club really can be.