I joined Ciao cos I like writing. I use lots of phones and know lots about them, but I like other th...
I joined Ciao cos I like writing. I use lots of phones and know lots about them, but I like other things too. Like the Nintendo Wii, even though it has got a funny name!
Member since:14.10.2005
Reviews:19
Members who trust:6
I've been a member of Toastmasters for around a month now. I want to tell everyone about my experience and how brilliant it has been - you'll notice the welcoming, supportive and enthusiastic environment from the first day you walk through the door.
Although I've only been a member for a month, I've been going to meetings since December 2006. My wife introduced me to Toastmasters and at first I went along to give her support and just to enjoy the fantastic, entertaining speeches that club members were giving. After seeing these people doing their thing up there in front of everyone, and hearing their stories about completing speech manuals, getting awards, etc, I decided to give it a bash myself...
The evenings take place once every two weeks, and last 2 hours. Into that 2 hours is usually packed several impromptu speeches, where people talk 'off the cuff' (usually to great humourous effect), 4 prepared speeches of between 4 and 10 minutes and crucially, evaluations of all the speeches.
What amazed me about Toastmasters is just what a supportive,
friendly and welcoming environment it is. Really, really non-political, non-racial and literally people from all walks of life go there: young, old, from all geographical origins and personalities. They have clubs all over the world, so this is one place that will offer you a worldwide network too, in case you are travelling and want to brush up on your public speaking. We recently had the 'President of Toastmasters Kuwait' to visit our club, and most welcome she was too.
If you would like one, they will also give you a mentor to guide you through to achieve whatever you set out to achieve - be it mastering a wedding speech, overcoming nerves wanting to complete the 10-speech competent communicators course or practise your business presentations. There are also evaluators every evening who will provide constructive feedback on your efforts, with an emphasis on commendations as well as recommendations for improvements. this is especially important for anyone who gives speeches or presentations as part of work, as you rarely get any more feedback than a 'yes, deal' or 'no deal' in business.
There are a number of support roles you can play on any one evening too: timekeeper (times speeches and ensures people keep within guidelines), grammarian (picks a 'word of the day' and encourages the use of it throughout the evening. Also highlights excessive use of 'umming' and 'erring'!), evaluators (mentioned above, they give feedback on speeches), Toastmaster of the evening (a kind of compere for the evening, introducing speakers, the different roles, and keeping things flowing along). There is also the President, who'll generally be a very experienced speaker and responsible person who makes announcements and opens and closes each meeting.
I have been up to speak a couple of times for Table Topics, and it is a bit nerve-wracking at first, but then you get into it and words start to flow. I was speaking about 'What I would do if I could do anything at the weekend', and said I'd go on an amazing diving holiday and visit Liz Hurley's circus of a wedding party. I actually found it very liberating to be able to stand up and give an unprepared speech.
Yesterday's meeting was a Table Topics (impromptu speech) and Humourous speech contest, which happens once a year in each club. All 4 humourous speeches were very funny and my wife won second prize. I was very proud of her. The Table Topics were all very good as well, and were on the subject of 'National ID cards - for or against?' Again, all 4 speeches were very good and everyone enjoyed them.
As a new member of the club, I can't speak highly enough of the people who go to the club, nor of the ethic by which the club is run - I was extremely impressed and I'm a fairly cool customer usually. You can do things at your own pace - no one pushes you or pulls you, but you are given loads of opportunities to speak and take part and contribute as much or as little as you like.
Like I said before, I only just became a member a month ago, and am preparing my first speech - the Ice-breaker - and want to deliver it in the next meeting. I'll let you know how it goes! In the meantime, I thoroughly recommend this club for anyone who enjoys public speaking, wants to try it or simply wants to do something very very useful towards their personal development. Top marks - 5 inspirational speeches out of 5.
www.toastmasters.org
Update: I have since delivered my first speech and it was a great experience. It went without a hitch and all the feedback I got was really supportive, even though I knew my performance was very beginner-level. I also got a nice little rosette which I'm going to pin up on the cork-board in the kitchen!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Good review - it sounds like you are really enjoying it. I have been a member of Toastmasters for over two years and still find the meetings entertaining and challenging and you are right about them being very supportive.
very helpful by (90%):
helpful by (10%):
