Toastmasters Public Speaking Clubs

...to learn.

Toastmasters International is, as the name suggests, an international organisation with countless clubs worldwide. Although the headquarters is US based there are numerous clubs throughout the UK who all have their own individual style and their own individual name. Where I live there are three clubs within easy travelling distance, members are welcome to visit any clubs within the organisation. It is great way to make new ...
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To find a Toastmasters club near you go to the main website at http://www.toastmasters.org/ and down the left hand side you will see 'Find a club' - this will take you to a page where you can do a 'guided' search to the UK and lists all the clubs and their contact details.  ... more

You might wonder why anyone would want to join a speaking club, or you might just think it is something you would never need anyway, but I suggest you read on because you just might find it could be advantageous to you. Also you might find that it is great fun - not necessarily the serious subject you imagine - and that learning whilst having fun is by far the best way to learn.

Toastmasters International is, as the name suggests, an international organisation with countless clubs worldwide. Although the headquarters is US based there are numerous clubs throughout the UK who all have their own individual style and their own individual name. Where I live there are three clubs within easy travelling distance, members are welcome to visit any clubs within the organisation. It is great way to make new friends and, if you job takes you around the country, you can be sure of a warm welcome in any of the clubs.

It was shortly after I got a job in Colchester that I saw an article about the Camulodunum Speakers Club based in Colchester. As I was new to the area, and felt I ought to get out and meet people, I decided to pop along to one of their regular meetings to see what happened and whether it was something I could enjoy. Whilst I had no particular burning desire to do public speaking I was curious, also from time to time in my work I do need to present ideas to people so I thought it just might help me with that.

They meet every couple of weeks in a room at the local private hospital which was ideal as it is easily accessible and there is ample parking just outside the door. The first surprise that I got was the warm welcome from just about everyone there. They all came up and introduced themselves, made me feel 'at home' and invited me to sit with someone who could explain what was going on. I wasn't sure quite what to expect but it certainly got off to a very friendly start.

The meeting began with introductions where each person stood up and said who they were and spoke just a few words. When it got round to me I surprised myself by feeling confident enough to do the same and, although there wasn't really any pressure on me to do so, it would have seemed rude not to reciprocate.

Next they introduced something which was to be called a 'Topics Session' - seemingly a few people would be asked to stand and speak for up to two minutes on a topic they were given. I must say this appeared to be great fun and very amusing. The 'Topics Master' just suggested an idea, which I think from memory was based on recent newspaper headlines, and speakers quickly thought of something relevant (and often amusing) to say about it. I was enjoying myself so much that when they asked me if I felt like having a go I said yes! It was quite a challenge but everyone was so encouraging and applauded warmly when I finished that I felt quite pleased with myself. When the session was finished one of the members stood up and evaluated every 'topic' but in a very constructive way. This was taken in good humour by everyone and it certainly didn't seem like you were being criticised in any way - just helped and encouraged.

We had a short break for coffee and again everyone was very chatty and I felt very much welcome within the group. They were a varied group of individuals of all ages and everyone seemd to be equal within the club - there were no cliques and no apparent hierarchy.

After the break there were 'formal' speeches each of which lasted for less than ten minutes. I found them very entertaining and I was happy to applaud along with everyone else as each speaker finished. Again the speeches were evaluated but this time by individuals who had been allocated to each speaker. The meeting was rounded off by a brief report from the 'general evaluator' who had considered the whole meeting and he even invited me to tell them how the meeting had gone from the perspective of a new visitor.

I have to say, despite what I had expected at the outset, I found the meeting thoroughly enjoyable (I had been concerned it might be a bit 'stuffy' and unwelcoming). The people were just so friendly and the 'speeches' were generally lighthearted and amusing and not too long. Having thought about it afterwards I decided it might be fun to join the club and see 'where it took me'.

The clubs do actually have a 'formal' learning structure in the form of a series of manuals. These guide you through the process of giving speeches and you can obtain a series of qualifications if you wish. The first manual comprises guidance notes for ten speeches which take you through from your 'ice-breaker' to the tenth more inspirational speech. Each time you learn to focus on a different facet of speaking and they gradually build up your skills stage by stage whilst at the same time your confidence grows. Each speech is evaluated and recorded allowing you to have a record of how you are doing as you work your way through.

The system allows you to work completely at your own pace. You aren't pressured to do a certain number of speeches but you are encouraged along the way. Some people go into it very enthusiastically and complete the first manual in under a year others may take longer - the choice is entirely yours. Once you have completed the first manual you become a 'Competent Communicator' and can move on to the more advanced manuals if you wish. The Advanced Manuals are themed and you can choose from a wide range of subjects either business related or pleasure related.

People join the organisation for a variety of reasons - some, like me, for purely social reasons. Others join for a special event - we have had quite a lot of fathers there wanting to hone their skills before their daughter's wedding. Some are sent by employers to improve their presentation skills or build their confidence. The great thing is it works for all of them!

It is such a supportive atmosphere you do end up learning lots and your confidence grows. We have a lifelong stammerer in the group who has used public speaking to overcome his problem - he isn't cured, but to see him standing out in front giving a confident speech you would probably be unaware that he is a stammerer. We have had several fathers come back and tell us just how well the wedding speech went when, barely six months earlier, they were terrified at the prospect.

In my own case I know it has given me increased confidence and more professionalism. Recently I had to speak at a public meeting of over 300 people in a relatively hostile environment. I was one of several speakers on the platform and at the end an elderly lady came up to me, shook my hand, and told me I had been by far the best speaker of the meeting - not much perhaps but it meant a great deal to me.

My guess is that there will be a club somewhere near to you so, if you fancy doing something a little different, which we be fun and at same time helping your personal development why not go along to a meeting to see what you think? There is a joining fee, which at our club is £18, and then a subscription each month of less than £10. It is great way to learn and, for many people, it will really help you to develop. Even if you don't ever do public speaking or presentations it gives you some great techniques you can use at job interviews to increase your confidence - why not give it a try?

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To find a Toastmasters club near you go to the main website at http://www.toastmasters.org/ and down the left hand side you will see 'Find a club' - this will take you to a page where you can do a 'guided' search to the UK and lists all the clubs and their contact details. 

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