Q: When and where are the meetings?
A: Our meetings start at 6:30PM and finish around 8:00PM. We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month and sometimes an additional evening if the month has 5 weeks. We meet at The Kenny Retirement Home, located at 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98136. Click here for a map.
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Q: How much does it cost to join Club 832?
A: Toastmaster International and local club dues: $34 paid every 6 months in March and September. In addition there is a one time "New Member Fee" of $20, which covers the costs of the New Member Kit and Toastmaster International processing. Further, there is a one-time "Club New Member Fee" of $5.00 and the Club Dues requirement of $7.00. Memberships established at an interim period are on a prorated basis at $4.50 per month. For Instance, a new member would pay $66 upon joining if they did so in October or April.
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Q: What is the time commitment required for participation?
A: The Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings of every month for 1-1/2 hours per meeting. Some roles, like the speaker role, will require additional time outside the club meetings for writing and preparation. Attendance and participation are the cornerstones of the learning process, yet in our club we are very understanding and flexible about unexpected work and personal conflicts that can occur.
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Q: What are the meetings like?
A: Our meetings are 90 minutes long, twice a month. A typical meeting consist of starting with a Joke, a "Tip Of The Day", then 3-4 speeches. Following the speaking portion there is a "Table Topic" session (impromptu speaking), evaluation of the speakers, and finally an evaluation of the meeting (which includes evaluating the evaluators). All roles are voluntary and performed by club members.
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Q: How can I learn more about Club #832 and what it has to offer?
A: Visit out website at www.westseattletm832.org or email our VP Membership at westseattletm832@yahoo.com. You are encouraged to visit a meeting and feel free to talk with any of our officers and members.
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Q: How do I join West Seattle Club #832 Toastmasters?
A: Club #832 is an open club. All members of the public over 18 years of age are welcome to join us for one of our meetings as a guest. We generally meet twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evening, but watch our website at www.westseattletm832.org. We sometimes have a 3rd meeting during the month.
As a guest you are encouraged, but are not required to participate in the meeting process (but you can if you want). Public speaking is a new skill for many people, so we encourage you to participate in several meetings in order to increase your comfort level.
The beauty of the Toastmasters public speaking program is that all of our members work at their own desired pace. How fast or slow you progress through the program is up to you. We also encourage you to visit other Toastmasters clubs, in order to find a club that suits you. We are confident that you will find Club #832 to be a friendly and supportive place for you to grow.
When you feel ready to join us as a New Member, please contact The VP of Membership. He/she will provide you with all of the information that you will need to start your Toastmasters journey. If you would like more information about our club and joining Toastmasters, please contact the VP of Membership.
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Q: What happens when I join?
A: Once you join Toastmasters, the Club President will induct you into Club #832 and provide you with a "Starter Pack" which consists of your membership certificate, information about Toastmasters, and a copy of the first speech that you will give, the "Ice Breaker". A Mentor will be assigned to assist you in your Toastmaster journey, and you will receive your name tag. The Club Secretary will register you with Toastmasters International and you will be sent the "New Member Kit" which will provide you with the first two manuals and other information from which your journey to improve your public speaking and leadership skills begins. All new Toastmasters follow the some general process to join their club:
1. Complete the application and submit it, along with your dues, to the VP Membership. Your membership includes the Competent Communicator and Competent Leadership manuals and a six-month subscription to the monthly Toastmaster magazine.
2. The Club will have a formal vote to approve your membership.
3. Your application and payment will be sent to Toastmaster International by the Club Secretary and you will be registered as a Toastmaster.
4. You will receive a "New Member Kit". The kit will be mailed to your address, and should arrive in a couple of weeks. The "New Member Kit" includes the 'Communication and Leadership Program' manuals. These manuals will guide you through your first ten speeches. Each speech will teach a new skill that you will need to master to become an effective speaker.
5. You will be assigned a Mentor by the VP Education to assist you to with learning to prepare for meeting roles and your prepared speeches.
6. The VP Education will help you schedule your "Ice Breaker" speech, so you can begin improving your communications skills as soon as possible. The VP Education will also assist you in selecting dates for future speeches, so please talk to him/her about how quickly you would like to progress through your first ten speeches.
Remember, the beauty of the Toastmasters Communications and Leadership program is that all of our members support one-another and work at their own pace to achieve their goals. How fast or slow you progress through the program is entirely up to you.
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Q: What is the mentoring program about?
A: A Mentor is an experienced Toastmaster who has volunteered to help a newer member. It is up to the Mentor and Mentee to decide between themselves what the extent of this help will be. It is common for the Mentor to really be involved with the mentee with his/her first three speeches.
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Q: Do I have to start speaking as soon as I join Club #832?
A: One of the nice things about Toastmasters is that you progress through the educational program at your own pace. Members generally start out by taking meeting roles such as Tip of the Day, Joke of Day, grammarian, or “ah” counter. Some members ask to be on the speaking schedule immediately, however sometimes a member may wait several months before giving their first speech.
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Q: What should I do if I can't get on the speaking schedule?
A: It is the responsibility of the VP Education to make sure all members get speaking opportunities. Club #832 has a goal of encouraging new members and ensuring that they have a chance to speak as often as they would like. If you join at a time when the schedule is already booked-up for the coming months, you should prepare a speech and be ready to speak if there is a cancellation or if the VP Education asks another speaker to defer his or her speech in favor of the new member.
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