Toastmasters International
Speaking, Thinking, & Listening Skills for Leaders and Communicators
Jul 11, 2007
Many people fear public speaking even more than death, according to the Book of Lists. Toastmasters International helps its members overcome this fear by providing a supportive and structured learning environment in which to practice communication and presentation skills as well as leadership skills.
Toastmasters International (TI) is not a class, seminar, course, or workshop. Local clubs consist of 10-40 members who meet on an ongoing basis (weekly, biweekly or monthly) to improve their communication and leadership skills. According to the TI website, This 83-year old non-profit organization "now has approximately 211,000 members in 10,500 clubs in 90 countries."
Here is an overview of the Toastmaster Programs.
Presentations and Public Speaking Skills Development Through Toastmasters International
TI offers basic and advanced speech manuals that break down the sub-skills of public speaking into manageable learning chunks. Members choose what topic to speak on while focusing on the manual assignment (vocal variety, gestures, using props, etc.) which generally lasts 5-7 minutes. Advanced manuals offer assignments for sub-skills of more specialized speaking (i.e. humorous speeches, technical speeches, leadership discussions, special occasion speeches, etc.).
Members do not give a prepared speech at every meeting, but usually speak in some capacity at every meeting. Other speaking opportunities include evaluating speakers using the evaluation form in the manuals, conducting the meeting as Toastmaster of the evening/day, impromptu mini-speeches of 1-2 minutes, and other roles.
Leadership and Business Skills Development in Structured Learning Environments
TI provides a framework of leadership training. Existing and potential leaders can plug in their project to the framework to strengthen and hone their leadership skills and enhance their chances of success.
Members of TI learn how to run effective business meetings by using an agenda and basic Parliamentary Procedure; how to delegate; how to form committees; how to conduct Board Meetings; how to build a team; how to create and communicate a vision, values, and how to write a mission statement; and much more.
Each District offers free training for club officers twice a year. Training is not comprehensive, but officer manuals are provided, mentorship, and resources. Leadership and management training is experiential.
Community Involvement for Toastmasters Members
TI offers learning modules for management skills, leadership skills, evaluation skills, and thinking skills. Members also have access to a module for a leadership and communication program called “Youth Leadership.”
Toastmaster members sponsor many Speaker Bureaus, participate in public debates, volunteer to judge youth debate tournaments, and offer mini-courses on public speaking (usually called a Speechcraft).
Speech Contests and Competitions in Toastmasters Clubs
Annual contests include Evaluation Contest, Table Topics Contest, Humorous Speech Contest, Tall Tales Contest, and the International Speech Contest.
The winner of the International Speech Contest is called the “World Champion of Public Speaking,” a very prestigious title. Many champions have launched public speaking careers after winning this contest.
Toastmaster Club Dues
Dues vary locally, but in the U.S. monthly the dues average ranges between $6-$10/month. Dues include a monthly magazine from TI and membership. Most clubs welcome visitors from other clubs, and reciprocity is encouraged to widen budding speakers’ comfort zone and speaking experience.
Mission Statements of Toastmasters
TI’s mission at the international level reads: “Toastmasters International is the leading movement devoted to making effective oral communication a worldwide reality. Through its member clubs, Toastmasters International helps men and women learn the arts of speaking, listening and thinking – vital skills that promote self-actualization, enhance leadership, foster human understanding and contribute to the betterment of mankind.
It is basic to this mission that Toastmasters International continually expand its worldwide network of clubs, thereby offering ever-greater numbers of people the opportunity to benefit from its programs.”
The mission of a Toastmasters club at the local level is “to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.”
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