Join Toastmasters? Watch this before you decide!

Summary

In this insightful speech at Toastmasters, the speaker shares their 13-year journey with the organization, highlighting both the benefits and drawbacks of membership. They emphasize the importance of stage time, a supportive atmosphere, and accessible training while also addressing challenges like overly friendly feedback and a lack of objective assessment. The speaker critiques the conservative branding of Toastmasters and warns of potential volunteer burnout. Ultimately, they encourage viewers to join Toastmasters for personal growth in public speaking and provide valuable tips for prospective members, including exploring different clubs and leveraging opportunities while traveling.

Takeaways

• 😀 Toastmasters International has over 350,000 members worldwide, providing a supportive community for public speaking practice.
• 🎤 Regular stage time is crucial for improving public speaking skills—practice is the only way to get better.
• 🤝 The atmosphere in Toastmasters clubs is friendly and supportive, fostering a sense of belonging and encouragement.
• 💲 Membership is affordable, typically costing under $200 per year, making it accessible for many individuals.
• 🔄 Clubs offer diverse skill levels, allowing members to learn from each other, regardless of their experience.
• 📝 Toastmasters emphasizes training in giving and receiving feedback, an essential skill for growth in communication.
• 😕 Some members may not receive constructive criticism, as the environment can be overly friendly and forgiving.
• ⚖️ There is no formal assessment of skills, meaning members may complete projects without objective evaluations of their progress.
• 👥 The quality of feedback varies, and sometimes insights may come from those lacking expertise, potentially diluting its value.
• 🕰️ Certain club activities, like counting filler words, may not effectively contribute to improving public speaking.
• 👔 The Toastmasters brand is perceived as conservative, with outdated representations that don't reflect modern professional environments.
• 🚨 Administrative responsibilities in regional roles can lead to burnout, highlighting the need for better support for volunteers.

Q & A

What is Toastmasters International?

Toastmasters International is an organization with 350,000 members worldwide, organized into individual clubs that help members practice and improve their public speaking skills.

What are some benefits of joining a Toastmasters club?

Benefits include gaining stage time to improve speaking skills, a friendly and supportive atmosphere, easy access to clubs in various locations, a range of skill levels among members, and training in giving and receiving feedback.

What is one of the main drawbacks of Toastmasters mentioned in the speech?

One drawback is that the environment can sometimes be overly friendly, leading to a lack of constructive criticism that can be beneficial for improvement.

How does Toastmasters ensure feedback is given?

Toastmasters emphasizes the importance of giving and receiving feedback during meetings, with evaluations provided after speeches. However, the quality of feedback can vary depending on the evaluator's expertise.

What is a concern regarding the feedback process in Toastmasters?

A concern is that feedback may sometimes come from individuals lacking knowledge or skills, which could dilute its value.

What is a specific aspect of Toastmasters that the speaker finds unnecessary?

The speaker criticizes the practice of counting filler words like 'um' and 'ah' during speeches, arguing that it doesn't lead to significant improvement and may disrupt natural speaking patterns.

What does the speaker suggest about Toastmasters' branding?

The speaker points out that Toastmasters has a very conservative brand image, which includes titles like 'Distinguished Toastmaster' that may not hold value in the real world and an emphasis on formal attire that feels outdated.

What is a major administrative issue the speaker highlights?

The speaker mentions the risk of 'Toastmasters burnout' due to high workloads in volunteer positions within the organization, suggesting that more attention to the well-being of volunteers is needed.

What advice does the speaker give for those considering joining Toastmasters?

The speaker advises potential members to visit several Toastmasters clubs in their area, as each club has different meeting styles and environments.

How does Toastmasters facilitate networking while traveling?

Toastmasters allows members to visit clubs worldwide, providing an opportunity to connect with local communities and enhance their public speaking skills while traveling.