1. What is a TOASTMASTER?
Created and Presented by Connie Piggott
Monday, December 10, 2012

2. A basement brainstorm
• Began in 1924, in the basement of a YMCA , in Santa Ana CA
• Was created by Director of YMCA Ralph Smedley for you young patrons
that needed “training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over
meetings.
• Toda y with more than 13,000 clubs and more than 270,000 members in
116 countries, Ralph Smedley’s “basement brainstorm” continues to thrive
in the 21st century.

3. What is Toastmasters?
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization
that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a
worldwide network of meeting locations.
Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the
organization has more than 280,000 members in 13,500 clubs in
116 countries.
Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all
backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience.

4. Who is Toastmasters for?
Looking to develop speaking and leadership skills?
Win that job interview? Ignite your career?
• Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication
and leadership development.
• Members improve their speaking and leadership
• Membership in Toastmasters is one of the greatest investments
you can make in yourself.

5. Benefits of Toastmasters
The Toastmasters program offers many benefits that help
people in all walks of life.
As a result of participating in Toastmasters, you will:
• Increase your self-confidence
• Become a better speaker
• Become a better leader
• Communicate more effectively

6. How does it work?
• A Toastmasters meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which
participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a no-
pressure atmosphere.
• Toastmasters membership is about being part of a supportive
group of individuals in your local area who share the common
goal of improving their communication and leadership skills.
• From meeting roles and mentoring to speech contests and
satellite programs, Toastmasters International offers a host of
ways for members to progress and thrive.

7. What happens at a meeting?
Toastmaster – chairs meeting
Table Topics Master – provides impromptu speaking assignments for meeting
Grammarian / um and ah counter – tracks filler words and grammar errors if
recognized and provides report
Timer – times speaking assignments and provides reports
Speaker 1 – speaking assignments
Evaluator 1 – evaluate Speaker 1
General Evaluator- introduce report providers and meeting evaluation
Word Master/ Thought for the Day –provide word with definition and use in
sentence and quote or food for thought

8. Clubs in Chatham - Kent
Chatham-Kent Club
•Open to public- meets Monday Nights
Chatham on the Thames
•Open to public- Friday at lunchtime
Union Gas
•Closed to Union Gas employees

9. How to start a club!
• Find at least twenty people who want to improve their
communication and leadership skills.
• Determine a meeting location to get together for about an hour a
week.
• Fill out the applicable forms
• Schedule your first official meeting.
• Request a New Club Information Kit by submitting this form to get
more information on starting a Toastmasters group. It’s as simple as
that!
• Contact the district leader so they can support your efforts, as
needed. For areas not assigned to a district, contact
infokits@toastmasters.org.

10. How to start a club!
Details:
• $125: One-time chartering fee
• $20: New-member fee per person
• $36: Six months' membership dues per person ($27 for clubs not in
a district)
• Each group can charge supplementary dues to help cover
expenses, if needed

11. Membership Benefits
• $60.00 for six months
• Toastmaster Magazine
• Weekly meetings 1 hour
• First 2 Assignment books
• Second level – 2 assignments books
• Letters of recognition for employers
• Certificates
• Competitions

12. Thank You!!