Welcome

We are a Toastmasters club that meets regularly to practice being excellent communicators.  

Huh? You want me to talk, in front of all these people?! 

"No thank you! I'm good!" That may work sometimes but it won't always. The fact is that there will be times when you have to speak in front of people, command a room. Maybe it's only a few people or maybe it's hundreds, thousands, even millions of people (gulp!). Public Speaking. Out of all the phobias (spiders, snakes, death), public speaking is the most common phobia. 74% fear speaking in public.! And you know why? Because it sucks. Who wants everyone looking at you when you don't even know what you're going to say? Wait, you just had something you were about to say... it was on the tip of your tongue. Why can't you remember??

Thankfully, this is one of those things you can actually learn to do. Like driving. Most anyone over 16 years old can learn to drive. Public speaking is similar. Anyone can learn to give speeches, even good speeches. Anyone can be that confident, charming, im-the-mo-fo-in-charge kind of speaker. You learn how to give a good speech, then you practice it over and over.  Just like driving. We drive everyday, multiple times per day. You don't need to practice public speaking that much but you get the idea.  

But wait.... where can you practice giving speeches, over and over?? You don't even have a speech written? Let alone people to listen to it and give you feedback!!

Cue dramatic music...... This sounds like a job for ..... TOASTMASTERS.  

Toastwhat?? 

Toast + Master. It's a club for people that want to improve their communication skills.  A place to practice. For the 74%. Not just communication skills, Toastmasters also teaches you leadership skills. People join for the same reason - to learn new skills and improve their social and professional skills. It's a safe space to learn and practice. 

Whats that? Oh, you don't get nervous speaking in front of people? That's great. Though this is hardly the moment to start bragging...  What? The issue is you have trouble finding your voice in your weekly work meetings because Larry in the sales department (aka Mr. know it all) always cuts you off to disagree with you? Larry can be a real jerk sometimes. No worries, Toastmasters can help with this too. The confidence that comes after practicing and giving speeches is invaluable. You will be like a well oiled speaking machine and able to weather any impromptu suprises that come your way, even Larrys. 

Want to get promoted? Want to change careers? Want to date someone [probably] out of your league? Time to work on that communication. Not just the words. The delivery; the timing. When to speak softer, maybe even bat your eyes (is that a thing?). You are "selling" yourself and the goal is to convince the other person(s) why you are competent, qualified, or the best catch ever.  A charismatic, smooth talker can talk his/her/their way into anything - new opportunities, open doors that were closed, schmooze their way to the top.  Excellent communication skills and confidence are really the keys to achieving your dreams. So why are we all just going around and winging it? We don't know. Perhaps fear of failure, inertia...But we do know the answer to the other questions you have. It's Toastmasters. That's right. Whatever you say, Toastmasters.  

Can I go to any Toastmasters?

Sure, any club can help you improve your communication skills. Each club has its own culture and flavor. At Twenty-Five Alive Toastmasters, we aim for fun learning in a supportive environment through hybrid (in-person and virtual) meetings. That said, you should know that there is only one club that feels the same as you do about Larry.  Twenty-Five Alive Toastmasters.  

*Take that Larry!

*If you are Larry from sales reading this, then we would like to formally invite you to join our club. In fact, we insist that you do! We will teach you how to voice your opinions in a non-interrupty way. So you can continue to be the top dawg sales person in your dept. Get em, Larry.