Meetings

At Toastmasters, members learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. Each meeting gives everyone an opportunity to practice. The primary aim of meetings is to help people improve their confidence, communication and public-speaking skills in a friendly and supportive environment.

The Toastmaster

Each meeting is chaired or led by the Toastmaster. This gives members practice in handling formal situations

Practising public speaking

There are three different kinds of opportunities.

Impromptu speeches

Called Table Topics, members present impromptu speeches for 60-90 secs. The Table Topic Master for the meeting prepares the topics. Guests are invited to take part for the experience, but can decline without any pressure.

Prepared speeches

Two or three members present speeches based on projects from the Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership Program manuals. Projects cover such topics as speech organization, voice, language, gestures, and persuasion. Most are 5-7" long.

Brief interludes

We have some small prepared speeches - an Inspiration of 2" and a Tonic of 1" or 2".

Evaluation

Feedback on the speaker's progress.

Evaluation is a very important part of a speaker's rapid development of confidence and skill. Every prepared speaker is assigned an evaluator who points out speech strengths and offers suggestions for improvement. Evaluations in our Club and other Western Australian Clubs are based on the CRC model, of Commendations and Recommendations and a final Commendation. The Commendations identify strengths the speaker already has, which can be built on and enhanced. The Recommendations are designed to identify areas for improvement, with practical suggestions on how to achieve a better result. There are no criticisms or negative comments in our Evaluations.

There are evaluators assigned for the Table Topics and the prepared speeches.  Unlike most Clubs, we have a separate  Evaluator to evaluate the Evaluators, and a Meeting Evaluator who evaluates the meeting overall, the Toastmaster and anybody else who wasn't evaluated.

Highlights / Phrase of the Night

One member notes down interesting or vivid expressions used by speakers. This report functions as a review of the meeting.

Timing

Speaking to fit the time available is an important skill. All parts of the meeting are assigned a time, which is measured by the Timer. There is a Timing Report towards the end of the meeting.

Pathways

When members join they are invited to choose one of 11 different paths to follow as they develop their interests and skills. All the paths are available online and they are graduated in difficulty leading to a steady increase in public speaking competence.  Awards are issued for every completed in the chosen path.  Every month members receive The Toastmaster, a monthly online magazine that offers the latest insights on speaking and leadership techniques. As well, there are available books, audio cassettes and videos on a full range of relevant issues.

Guests and visitors

Guests and visitors are most welcome. Come along and sample our meetings. You will be invited to participate in Table Topics, but you can decline without any pressure. Since March this year we meet online using Zoom.  We have help available for new members who don't have current online experience.  It's straightforward and simple to attend and take part.   You will find us very friendly and helpful.

Joining Victoria Quay Toastmasters

Joining Victoria Quay Toastmasters is simple. You fill in an Application Form which only requires contact details. You pay the one off Joining Fee of $40 and a current six monthly fee of $40. As soon as you have logged in tdo Toastmasters Internation for the first time who will be able to explore the enormous range of resources available and to begin you jurney along your first Pathway.  You can choose a member to act as your Mentor and give you help in the early stages. As soon as you wish, you will be assigned your first speaking project - the Icebreaker Speech, in which you briefly introduce yourself to the other members.

Sample Meeting Agenda