Did you know that of all the phobias out there, Glossophobia, or fear of public speaking is considered to be highest, affecting 3 out of 4 people, or 75% of the population.
What does it feel like to conquer that fear? Let us show you!
What does it feel like to conquer that fear? Let us show you!
The first step is to visit a few different Toastmaster's clubs in your area.
Each club has its own culture, and there are more options than you'd probably imagine. Some have members who all belong to a certain company, or who are advanced speakers. There's a group for everyone, depending on your preferences, and we encourage you to explore your options.
Here at T-Toasters of Vinings, everyone is welcome! You'll also want to consider your schedule. Do lunchtime meetings suit you, or are evenings better? T-Toasters meets Wednesday nights from 6:00pm - 7:30pm at 2727 Paces Ferry Rd in Atlanta.
Feel free to drop by any time- no notice is required, and you can visit as often as you'd like before joining.
Feel free to drop by any time- no notice is required, and you can visit as often as you'd like before joining.
Some thoughts from our Secretary, Jim Cyganek
Why do I like Toastmasters? I really enjoy the people I’ve met. Our club is a wonderfully diverse cross section of society, comprised of people with different racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. I learn so much from others as they deliver their speeches and tell us their stories. No matter how tired, frustrated, or defeated I may feel when I arrive at each meeting, I am always refreshed, inspired, and excited by each meeting’s end.
How has Toastmasters helped me? I’ve learned so much about myself and how to help others. I’ve acquired confidence in myself and my abilities to present myself and my ideas. I’ve mentored members and helped them work on their challenges and achieve their goals. It is so rewarding to watch members blossom as they acquire new skills and hone their craft.
Why should you join Toastmasters? While I believe the answer is different for every individual, I submit that this is a way to selfishly work on yourself by improving your speaking and leadership skills. You will be surrounded by an enthusiastic and encouraging audience. We all have experienced elements of the challenges you have encountered in your journey. Visit our club and you will see how we do it. I expect you will laugh, you will occasionally cry, and you will be inspired to dream big and do what it takes to achieve goals that you thought were impossible.
Why do I like Toastmasters? I really enjoy the people I’ve met. Our club is a wonderfully diverse cross section of society, comprised of people with different racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. I learn so much from others as they deliver their speeches and tell us their stories. No matter how tired, frustrated, or defeated I may feel when I arrive at each meeting, I am always refreshed, inspired, and excited by each meeting’s end.
How has Toastmasters helped me? I’ve learned so much about myself and how to help others. I’ve acquired confidence in myself and my abilities to present myself and my ideas. I’ve mentored members and helped them work on their challenges and achieve their goals. It is so rewarding to watch members blossom as they acquire new skills and hone their craft.
Why should you join Toastmasters? While I believe the answer is different for every individual, I submit that this is a way to selfishly work on yourself by improving your speaking and leadership skills. You will be surrounded by an enthusiastic and encouraging audience. We all have experienced elements of the challenges you have encountered in your journey. Visit our club and you will see how we do it. I expect you will laugh, you will occasionally cry, and you will be inspired to dream big and do what it takes to achieve goals that you thought were impossible.
What to expect at T-toasters of vinings Meeting
ArrivalAfter finding plenty of free parking in the garage, you'll proceed inside of Building 2. Take the elevator down to the third floor, then walk straight past the Big Apple Cafe. Our conference room is on the left. Look for our banner, and come on in! We start promptly at 6:00, so arriving a few minutes early will allow you time to get settled. You'll be greeted warmly. Sit anywhere you'd like. You'll be friends with whoever your next to before you know it! At your seat, you'll find a meeting agenda and a ballot.
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The meeting beginsThe Sergeant-At-Arms, will call the meeting to order. We go over our club's mission statement, say the Pledge of Allegiance, then introduce the Toastmaster of the day. The Toastmaster will introduce our theme for the evening, go over the agenda, and acknowledge guests. You'll be asked to briefly introduce yourself and tell us how you found us. The General Evaluator is introduced, then they introduce their team, each of whom explains their role. You can read more about these roles below. The Word of the Day will be introduced. Everyone is encouraged to try to use it. When someone does, you'll hear us cheer.
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planned speechesThis portion of the evening is dedicated to those who will be completing one of the projects from their manual. We typically have three or four speakers per evening, and the average speech lasts 5-7 minutes. You can read more details about the manuals and projects below. After each speech, we take a moment to write a few comments for the speaker on the provided ballots. We note what they did well, and give suggestions for their next project. This feedback is handed over to their evaluator who will use it to help form their report. After all of the prepared speeches are given, a vote is taken for the Best Speaker.
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Table topicsThe Table Topics segment is a lot of fun, and gives the group a chance to practice impromptu speaking. The Table Topics Master will give a prompt, and each participant will have 1-2 minutes to respond. Guests are welcome to participate, but are under no pressure to do so. Approximately half choose to jump in on their first visit, while half prefer to wait until they've visited a few times. Either way, you're in good company. At the end of this activity, our club's Secretary, will give a quick recap, then we vote for the Best Table Topics speaker.
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EvaluationsDuring the evaluation portion of the meeting, each of the prepared speakers' evaluators give a 2-3 minute report. This allows the speakers to celebrate what they are doing well, and get concrete suggestions for things they can work on. The rest of the evaluation team gives their reports as well. We hear from the Timer, Grammarian, Ah-Counter and the General Evaluator. A vote is taken for the Best Evaluator.
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conclusionThe Toastmaster then prepares to conclude the meeting. The ballot counter prepares the tallies and awards are given out for the contest winners. Guests are asked to give their thoughts on the meeting, and closing remarks are made. Our President will share any announcements, and then the meeting ends promptly at 7:30.
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You loved it! Now what?
Come againYou are welcome to visit as many clubs as you'd like, and to visit multiple times before deciding which to join. Coming to Toastmasters should be a fun experience and something that you look forward to each week, so finding a good fit is key. Our door is always open!
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JoinIf we're the group for you, we're thrilled to have you join us! Please see our VP of Membership to get a membership application and to arrange for the payment of your dues. Our VP of Education, will be happy to help you choose a mentor to guide you through your first projects.
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Learn moreYou'll find more information in your manuals, here on our website, and on the Toastmasters International website. Scroll down for the basics, then be sure to check out our blog for more in-depth learning.
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where will pathways take you?
Continue your journey of personal and professional development through Pathways, Toastmasters’ new education program! As the foundation of your Toastmasters experience, Pathways is designed to help you build the competencies you need to communicate and lead.
Welcome to the Toastmaster's Pathways learning experience, an exciting, flexible and interactive way to develop your skills and help others in your club develop theirs.
Pathways help you learn communication and leadership skills that you need in order to succeed. It gives you:
Learn more at: https://www.toastmasters.org/pathways-overview
Distinguished Toastmaster
Why stop at one path? Journey beyond being Proficient work towards receiving the Distinguished Toastmaster award (DTM) - the highest individual honor you can achieve in Pathways.
Earn your DTM when you fulfill the following requirements:
In addition to these awards, those who earn multiple educational awards in a set, one-year period may earn the Triple Crown Award (3 educational awards) or a Super Achiever Award (5 educational Awards).
There are also regular speech contests starting at the club level, and then onto other levels locally to progress onto to the international competitions.
At T-Toasters, we encourage our members to reach for the stars, and will support your efforts towards your personal goals.
Pathways help you learn communication and leadership skills that you need in order to succeed. It gives you:
- The opportunity to build up 300 unique competencies
- 11 specialized learning paths to choose from
- Online content, so that you can learn anytime, anywhere
- Content is available in Arbaic, English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese
Learn more at: https://www.toastmasters.org/pathways-overview
Distinguished Toastmaster
Why stop at one path? Journey beyond being Proficient work towards receiving the Distinguished Toastmaster award (DTM) - the highest individual honor you can achieve in Pathways.
Earn your DTM when you fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete two paths
- Serve as a club officer for 12 months and participate in a district-sponsored club officer training program
- Serve a club mentor or coach
- Serve as a club sponsor or conduct Speechcraft or a Youth Leadership Program
- Serve as a district officer for one year
- Complete a DTM project
In addition to these awards, those who earn multiple educational awards in a set, one-year period may earn the Triple Crown Award (3 educational awards) or a Super Achiever Award (5 educational Awards).
There are also regular speech contests starting at the club level, and then onto other levels locally to progress onto to the international competitions.
At T-Toasters, we encourage our members to reach for the stars, and will support your efforts towards your personal goals.
THE TEAM: meeting roles & responsibilities
One of the fantastic parts about Toasmasters is that everyone contributes to the meeting.
Members rotate responsibility for these roles, and in doing so, earn credit towards their own educational goals. You may sign up for meeting roles online or at the meeting. Once you do so, please confirm your intention to serve in that role during the week before the meeting. If you are unable to do so, please inform either the General Evaluator or the VP of Education so that a replacement can be found.
Members rotate responsibility for these roles, and in doing so, earn credit towards their own educational goals. You may sign up for meeting roles online or at the meeting. Once you do so, please confirm your intention to serve in that role during the week before the meeting. If you are unable to do so, please inform either the General Evaluator or the VP of Education so that a replacement can be found.
ToastmasterThe Toastmaster runs the meeting. They choose the meeting's theme, prepare the agenda and keep things flowing smoothly. They also introduce speakers and award the ribbons at the end of the meeting.
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General evaluatorThe General Evaluator coordinates and leads the evaluation team. They introduce their team members and call on them to give their reports. They give their own report towards the end of the meeting.
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Table Topics MasterThe Table Topics Master runs the impromptu speaking portion of the meeting. They prepare questions or prompts ahead of time, then call on members and guests to participate.
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SpeakersAs a prepared speaker, you will work your way through the projects on your particular path of the Pathways program, while working on different objectives for each one. You'll also provide the Toastmaster with an introduction for yourself.
As a Table Topics speaker, you will speak extemporaneously for 1-2 minutes on the topic the Table Topics Master assigns you. You may also choose to pass on the suggested topic and speak on something else. Participating in Table Topics counts towards Project 1 in your CL manual. |
Speech EvaluatorsAs a Speech Evaluator, you provide the prepared speakers with valuable feedback. Evaluators should strive to encourage speakers, as well as to provide suggestions for improvement.
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grammarianThe Grammarian has two main duties: selecting and introducing the Word of the Day (and preparing signs with its definition), and listening for exceptionally good as well as improper usage of the English language. The Grammarian reports on the Word of the Day usage as well as the grammatical errors and standouts.
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Ah-counterThe Ah-Counter takes note of filler words and double clutches. Words such as "Um...", "Er....", and "You know..." are recorded. Toastmasters encourages speakers to pause and collect their thoughts instead of using these language crutches. The Ah-Counter gives a report at the end of the meeting.
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TimerThe Timer is responsible for timing prepared speakers, members of the evaluation team, and Table Topics speakers. They operate our light system to signal when a speaker has met the minimum time (green light), the middle of the time allowed (yellow) and the end of the time (red).
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ballot counterThe Ballot Counter counts the ballots for the contests and announce the winners. This role does not count towards your CL Award, however it is an easy way to participate and get in a little bit of public speaking during the meeting. It is an excellent role with which to begin your journey.
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