Toastmasters

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What areas does District ONE cover?
2. How many clubs are there in District ONE?
3. How do I find a club in my city?
4. How do I start a club?
5. Can I visit a club before I join?
6. What is a Toastmasters meeting like?
7. How much does it cost to join Toastmasters?
8. Do I have to finish the 10 basic communication manual speeches within a certain time frame?
9. How will I know what to talk about for my speeches?
10. I'm visiting from out of state, but belong to a Toastmasters club back home, would it be possible to be a guest speaker at one of the local clubs?

What areas does District ONE cover?

A: Our District extends from Santa Monica to Long Beach. See the District Map for details

How many clubs are there in District ONE?

A: There are 109 clubs at this time. Refer to the District Map and the District Alignment for specifics. Back to top.

How do I find a club in my city?

A: Refer to our Find a Club link or refer to the District Map to find a club in your area. Back to top.

How do I start a club?

A: You must have at least nineteen other individuals to form a new club, find a suitable meeting place, and pay a new club charter fee of $125 plus tax in addition to the normal dues and fees that you pay if you were to join an existing club. To find out more, fill out the Start a Club Form. Back to top.

Can I visit a club before I join?

A: Yes. All clubs welcome visitors as guests at their meeting. Contact a club you are interested in visiting & let them know of your interest. Refer to Find A Club link. Back to top.

What is a Toastmasters meeting like?

A: At Toastmasters, members learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. A typical Toastmasters club is made up of 20 to 30 people who meet once a week for about an hour. Each meeting gives everyone an opportunity to practice:

• Conducting meetings. Meetings usually begin with a short business session which helps members learn basic meeting procedures. Giving impromptu speeches. Members present one-to two-minute impromptu speeches on assigned topics. Presenting prepared speeches. Three or more 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.
  
• Offering constructive evaluation. Every prepared speaker is assigned an evaluator who points out speech strengths and offers suggestions for improvement.

The best way to find out is to visit a few clubs. Back to top.

How much does it cost to join Toastmasters?

A. A person can join Toastmasters for $4.50 per month, for a six month time frame. Individual club dues may vary.

Do I have to finish the 10 basic communication manual speeches within a certain time frame?

A. No, in Toastmasters, you can move at your own pace. However, the more you practice the better you become at speaking.

How will I know what to talk about for my speeches?

A. Toastmasters has manuals designed to assist with speech concepts. For example - one speech may be for you to "speak with emotion" so of course you would talk about a subject that has emotional content. Another speech objective is to "use vocal variety" so your topic will focus on a subject that causes you to use voice inflections. The advanced manuals have more specialized speeches on specific topics. Once you join Toastmasters, your very first speech is the "ice breaker." That speech is all about you.

I'm visiting from out of state, but belong to a Toastmasters club back home, would it be possible to be a guest speaker at one of the local clubs?

A. Absolutely - just find a club close to you that you'd like to visit and get in touch with either the Club President or VP of Education to arrange to be a guest speaker. Many clubs welcome having visitors in. Advanced notice is what many require.

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