For more than 80 years, Toastmasters Clubs across the world have proven to be beneficial to develop leadership skills improve communication skills. Whether it is fear of speaking in front of a large number of people or jitters before a sales presentation, Toastmasters Clubs can help.
Global Presence
From a 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. The nonprofit organization now has nearly 220,000 members in 11,300 clubs in 90 countries, offering a proven and enjoyable way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills. Every member can chose to follow either a Leadership Track or a Communication Track or both during the club sessions.
The Leadership Track
There are various roles that members can take up for the club which will help in developing leadership skills. One can become an Office Bearer of the club by taking up any one of the Vice President roles. All clubs have officers for either Membership or Public Relations or Education. Other officer roles include the Sergeant-At-Arms, the Secretary or the Treasurer.
Apart from these roles, every session needs role players. Member can take up roles such as the Master of Ceremony or Table Topics Master or Speech Evaluator. On completion of a specified number of roles, Toastmasters International acknowledges the member as a Competent Leader or CL.
The Communication Skills Track
Club sessions consist of prepared speeches, impromptu speeches and speech evaluations. Members progress in their communication track by delivering speech projects. Each of these projects has specific objectives. For example Project 1 or P1 is termed as an ice-breaker speech where a new member is required to give an introductory speech between five to seven minutes. Similarly the objective of P10 is to motivate an audience. On completion of all projects Toastmasters International acknowledges a toastmaster as a Competent Communicator.
World Wide Speech Contests
Members can take part in speech contests held at various levels. Contests begin at club levels from where winners move on to the Division level contests. Winners at this level can participate in the Area level contests and then move ahead to the District level contests and finally to the International Speech Contests.
How to Join or Start a Club
Toastmasters Clubs are of two types: Corporate Clubs and Community Clubs. While entry to corporate clubs is usually restricted to employees of the particular organization, community clubs are usually open to all. Anyone above the age of 18 can join a community club. Club locations, meeting times and more information can be found from the Toastmasters website. A minimum of twenty members including six office bearers are required to start a club.
There are enormous benefits of being a part of this non-profit organization which is spread across the world. Clubs generally have great membership diversity with members from various professions and backgrounds learning together in a life changing experience.
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