I’ve been a member of Toastmasters International since 1996. In that time I’ve seen hundreds of speeches, table topics and evaluations. I’ve seen major transformations in people’s speaking ability and leadership skills while I’ve met some of the most interesting and motivated people on the planet.
Toastmasters is a great place to…
- Learn how to speak in public.
- Gain leadership skills
- Train for a job interview
- Find a mentor
- Gain valuable evaluations
When you join a local Toastmasters club, you will receive a competent communicators manual in the mail along with a leadership manual and a subscription to Toastmasters magazine. The Basic CC manual includes 10 speeches, laid out in order to help you gain skills covering the fundamental skills of public speaking. The speeches are
- The Ice Breaker
- Organize Your Speech
- Get to the Point
- How To Say It
- Your Body Speaks
- Vocal Variety
- Research Your Topic
- Get Comfortable with Visual Aids
- Persuade With Power
- Inspire Your Audience
When you have completed the first ten speeches, you receive a competent communicator certificate from Toastmasters, and certainly have gained a substantial knowledge of public speaking. I personally have seen amazing transformations, many from fearful to confident over the series.
Unfortunately, many people complete the basic manual and feel like they have received a good education and then leave the organization. Some people stay on for a while longer, going through some of the advanced manuals. But so many people are unaware of a hidden secret. One that is sometimes mentioned but often ignored.
It’s a powerful secret.
And often a life changing one.
Yet it goes unheeded by the majority of members.
This hidden secret is simple…
There is a whole different Toastmasters organization outside the local club.
There are speech contests
There are leadership Institutes
There are District conferences
There is an International Convention
Once you get outside the club a whole new world of opportunities awaits.
Once I discovered the outside events, I decided to take part. I have participated in speech and evaluation contests, weekend training seminars, and district conference events. Through these I have heard an array of amazing speakers, and learned many things that you wouldn’t hear in a standard club meeting.
If you are in Toastmasters, make sure to check out the district events in your area. If you haven’t discovered Toastmasters yet, now you know there is much more to the organization than just the local meeting.
Question: Have you ever been to a Toastmasters Meeting?
About 
I was 22 when I attended my first Toastmasters meeting. It was a bit intimidating, yet I knew inspirational speaking was in my DNA.
Over the years my Toastmaster experience has helped me inspire individuals, teams, and leaders through my spoken word. What I remember most was the first speech contest I entered. I was wet behind the ear and full of ambition. I had never seen a speech contest. It was a blind opportunity for me. I felt the fear and did it anyway.
When I arrived at the contest ready to go I figured I would get a chance to see others perform before me. This would give me a clue of what to expect. Little did I know I would go first. Wow!! So, I swallowed hard, took some deep breaths, smiled, and delivered my best. As a result I came in second place. That was the beginning of my inspiration on the world.
Thanks John for posting a terrific article related to Toastmasters. They are truly a great organization to be involved with.
I read about Toastmasters memberships from your earlier post. I think I may have to give Toastmasters a whirl. How do you find out about these outside events?
I have been wanting to attend a Toastmasters group but just need to go. Thank you for posting it.
You can find a club near you by using the club finder on the Toastmasters.org website. Great organization!