Here is a list of some of our members who have chosen to make their profiles public.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Toastmasters (TM)?

Toastmasters (TM) International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. Local Toastmasters clubs bring together people of all ages and backgrounds looking to improve public speaking, build confidence and leadership skills. Most Toastmasters meetings are comprised of approximately 20 people who meet for an hour or more. Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role.

What do Toastmasters do?

Toastmasters meet regularly to practice speaking and to evaluate each other's skills. At a local club, besides gaining confidence in many aspects of both speaking and leadership, Toastmasters often gain new friends. There are no instructors at a meeting. Instead, each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved.

How does Toastmasters work?

Toastmasters provide guidance in public speaking and leadership. New members receive two manuals: Competent Communication and Competent Leadership. Competent Communication (CC) provides aspiring speakers objectives to focus on in a series of speeches designed to build upon each speaking engagement. Competent Leadership (CL) provides guidance to new leaders who serve in various meeting roles and participate in other club activities, gaining more experience and responsibility with each role.

One of the best values of being a part of Toastmasters is the feedback process. Members seeking to complete their CC and CL manuals will receive feedback from fellow members who identify strengths and areas of improvement.

How do I find a club?

Visit www.toastmasters.org/FindaClub. Do a Zip Code Search and click Find or do a guided search by selecting your country, state/province and city from the drop down menus. Meeting Location Search Results will populate a list of clubs, complete with club names, location, meeting dates/times and contact information.

What will happen when I visit?

You will be warmly greeted and provided with a meeting agenda. All of us remember what it was like attending a meeting for the first time so we will explain what is happening and invite you to relax and enjoy the presentations. You may be asked if you'd like to participate in the meeting (which you may simply decline). You may also be asked at the close of the meeting to share your thoughts (again, you may simply decline). You will be invited to attend the next meeting!

What is a typical meeting like?

Blue Diamonds meets the first and third Tuesday evening at Sundance Vacations every month (see Main Menu). Each meeting keeps to a tight schedule, in which members participate through pre-assigned roles, prepared speeches and short impromptu speaking opportunities. One member, appointed as the Toastmasters, presides over the meeting. Prepared speeches, typically feature 2-3 speakers, are given and evaluated by members. Impromptu speaking skills based on a question and answer format are practiced in the "Table Topics" portion of the meeting. Visitors are invited to participate in the meeting if they want to. Each prepared speech is evaluated along with the meeting itself. A meeting Timer lets everyone who spoke know how long they talked, and a meeting Grammarian gives feedback on how well people used the language. The Toastmaster of the day wraps up the session and adjourns the meeting. The meetings are fun, fast-paced and engaging; our smaller group allows for more participation for individuals.

Do you just make up speeches?

You can customize the Toastmaster program to meet your needs. When you become a member, you receive the "Competent Communicator" manual. (We also call it the "Basic Manual.") It guides you through 10 speech outlines, each of which deals with a set of skills that a speaker should learn. The topic of each speech is up to you. The completion of the manual entitles the member to receive a "Competent Communicator" (CC) award. Beyond this manual, there are many advanced manuals for your ongoing professional and personal development.

Will I be forced to speak?

There is no forcing of anything. As a member you will be making a commitment based at your own pace and you will be expected to participate in club meeting roles (which includes giving speeches). Clubs thrive on member participation for mutual growth, therefore everyone must participate.

How long is a typical speech?

Speeches for the Communication and Leadership Manual are usually between 5-7 minutes in length. Advanced manuals have projects that can run as long as 15-20 minutes.

When I become a member, what will be expected of me?

By joining Toastmasters, you are making a commitment to your own growth. You can give speeches at your own pace. We can provide a mentor to help you get started and successfully complete your goals. We are all here because we believe in the Toastmasters concept and want to learn better speaking and leadership skills by supporting each other.

Do I have to attend every meeting?

No.

What is a good pace to work through the program?

If you were not busy with other activities (primarily work), filling a meeting role every week and delivering a speech every month would be considered a strong pace. A slower pace would be a speech delivery once in two months and less activity filling meeting roles. Completing your first 10 speeches (CC - Competent Communicator manual) and your 10 leadership tasks (CL - Competent Leadership manual) within a year is ideal, but not possible for some people because of very heavy workloads and limited time. A few members move very fast and complete there CC within 6 months.

What do you mean by leadership skills?

Toastmasters is best known for the "learn public speaking" aspect of its program, however, leadership is just as important. Leaders are not the same as managers, so what makes a great leader? Toastmasters teach service leadership. This viewpoint suggests that the role of a leader, no matter what type of authority is involved, is to lead by helping or enabling others, not by forcing them. You can hone your leadership skills in various ways in Toastmasters: by leading meetings, becoming an officer of the club, or taking an active leadership role at higher levels of the organization.

How is Toastmasters more beneficial than other forms of speaking improvement?

College and high school courses in public speaking usually involve the students sitting through dozens of lectures followed by one or two speaking opportunities. When the speeches are over, you get a grade. Often, you get graded on what you did wrong. This isn't a way to build reassurance and motivation. Then too, you rarely get much of a chance to practice by doing. Toastmasters is constant reinforcement and constant improvement. You learn by doing, not by sitting there while someone lectures for hours.

What is expected of me as a member?

To attend all Blue Diamonds Club meetings regularly; prepare all of my speeches to the best of my ability, basing them on projects in the manuals; prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments; provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations; help the Club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all members to learn and grow; serve my Club as an officer when called upon to do so; treat my fellow Club members and our guests with respect and courtesy; bring guests to Club meetings so they can see the benefits Toastmasters membership offers; adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters educational and recognition programs; maintain honest and highly ethical standards during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities.

What is a transfer member? How does a member complete a transfer?

A transfer member is one who has transferred from another club but does not pay club dues in the new club until the following dues-renewal period. A transfer member must fill out a Membership Application. Be sure to check the box next to Transfer from club number /name and fill in the information for the club the member is transferring from. Submit your completed application to a club officer who will mail or fax it to Toastmasters International World Headquarters. Transfer members cannot be added online at this time.

Contact the club(s) you are interested in to let them know you would like to visit as a potential new member. Feel free to visit multiple clubs to find one that best suits your needs and personality. Please note, listings that say, "Membership eligibility criteria required" are usually open only to employees at a specific company.

Can I visit a meeting for free?

Yes. We encourage guests to come for free as often as they like. We are very open and friendly, and are constantly looking to grow our membership. In order to join Blue Diamonds, one must have completed the New Member Application form and submit it to the Treasurer. Please come by and visit!

What is the cost for membership?

Every six months Blue Diamonds members pay $48 in dues which covers membership in Toastmasters International and Blue Diamonds.

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