Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Our organization has more than 332,000 memberships. Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 15,400 clubs in 135 countries that make up our global network of meeting locations.
Every Toastmasters journey begins with a single speech. During their journey, they learn to tell their stories. They listen and answer. They plan and lead. They give feedback—and accept it. Through our community of learners, they find their path to leadership.
I am a recent immigrant from Jamaica to the USA. I found that Americans had difficulty understanding my accent. Toastmaster challenges me to listen to American presenters and develop and make concise presentations. The feedback that I receive from club members has had significant impact on building my confidence as a presenter and leader. This is why I love Toastmasters.
Toastmasters for me provide an intentional way to push and expand myself to be the best me, in a fun, manageable, goal oriented environment filled with incomparable support!
Toastmasters have helped me to better organize my thoughts and speak confidently in high stress situations and in public. I also like having the “safe space” to give and receive feedback as that helps both the giver of the feedback and the receiver of the feedback learn and grow.
I have been with Toastmasters for just over a year now. Since I have been involved, I have learned some extremely useful skills in leadership and communication that I use in my day to day position as a Quality Manager with Wells Fargo. In my role I have to be able to effectively communicate to a wide range of individuals and Toastmasters has helped to further develop this skill.
The reason why I like Toastmasters is because it helps you to be more mindful of your speaking allowing you to become more aware of what is and what is not proper when engaged in a conversation. But most importantly, you develop new relationships.
*Note: Members pay Toastmasters International dues of US $60 every six months. (Some clubs may charge additional fees.) All new members also pay a one-time US $20 fee.
