I’m thinking about checking out my local Toastmasters tomorrow evening. I was just wondering if anybody was a member or had any good or bad experiences to share.
I did it for a year at work to fill out something new for my IDP. I’m not afraid of public speaking, but it did help polish out some rough spots (umms and ers). You will definitely get out what you put into it.
My father was in it long ago and gives it credit for his excellent public speaking skills. I’ve been to a few meetings and really enjoyed them but just don’t have the time to commit to them properly.
As always, your experience with individual groups will vary according to the individuals in them but in general it seems to be a good thing.
I was in a great breakfast club for about 5 years. It had many long time members that added to the experience. This club not only focused on prepared speeches, but also on extemporaneous speeches. The idea being that on occasion a scheduled speaker may not show and you may have to fill in. Within the club are different offices leading to president. One can also gain experience in conducting meetings. All this happens at your own pace.
Go to a meeting. If there is more than one meeting in your area, give all of them a try. All follow Toastmasters International ideas, but each club is different because of the members.
For me it was a great experience. But this club was rare. It had over 30 active members. And there weren’t many in the district that were this successful.
Thanks all. Turns out I can’t go tomorrow, but I think I’ll go in a few weeks to their next meeting.
A buddy of mine & I joined Toastmasters when we were inside sales reps looking to move to field sales. I found it a good experience, and I encourage my employees looking to make the same transition (or to management) to try them out.
All I know is that they hold meetings near my office and periodically applaud each other. It’s very annoying.
I did the basic course a year ago. I absolutely loved it. I have no problems talking, it is fluency I wanted to improve. I absolutely loved it, it was a great bunch of people. I actually (unbeknownst to me before hand) took it at the same time as a really close friend of mine, so in some ways it enhanced the experience, and in some ways detracted from the experience. Since she is painfully shy it was great to watch her improve over the course. Also it really gives people who don’t have a lot of experience in holding meetings the idea of how things flow, agendas, calling meeting to order, introducing speakers. And yes, we applaud each other’s speeches.
I wanted to join another Toastmasters club here after I moved, but I have been so busy and I work shift work. Maybe next fall I will consider joining up again. Also, it is a good way to network, if you are into that sort of thing. I sold two couches to a Toastmaster fellow memeber. My friend picked up a client for her dad’s landscaping business. (These happened at break, not during the meeting. No one is going to try to sell you anything, but if you are looking for starter apartment furniture and someone gives a speech about “how to declutter for a move” you might have an idea who to ask.)