Toast of the Town Toastmasters

What is Toastmasters?

Toastmasters is a self-paced educational organization that teaches communication, leadership, training, and management skills – fostering personal growth and self-confidence. Toastmasters International is the largest and most successful communication and leadership development organization worldwide. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., the organization's membership exceeds 357,000 in more than 16,600 clubs in 143 countries.

How long has Toastmasters been around?

Toastmasters International was founded in 1924. The Toast of the Town club was chartered in 1988.

Why do people join Toastmasters?

People join Toastmasters in order to:

• Develop the skills to persuade and convince others

• Gain a competitive advantage in the workplace

• Learn to put their ideas across clearly and with conviction

• Improve their self-confidence before a group of people

• Learn to think quickly and clearly under pressure

• Learn to listen effectively and critically

• Train to become a good leader

How do I join Toastmasters?

You are welcome to attend meetings as a guest as many times as you'd like! If you decide to become a member after attending two meetings, please work with the VP Membership to complete a member application and pay dues ($20 new member fee and a prorated portion of the six month membership dues (we pay $100 every 6 months). 

What specifically will I learn to do as a Toastmaster?

In Toastmasters, you learn by doing:

• How to give an impromptu speech

• How to give a prepared speech

• How to evaluate what you hear

• How to introduce speakers

• How to chair and run meetings

• How to communicate and lead

How do I learn these skills?

Once you join Toastmasters, you will enroll in Toastmaster's Pathways education program. This multi-language online learning tool allows you to leverage over 300 practical workplace skills. 

How soon will I be an expert?

Each member will progress at their own pace. Some move faster than others but everyone that joins Toastmasters and participates in the program can be sure they will become a competent speaker and leader. As you proceed, you will find that situations that once terrified you, now hold no fears for you.

Who can join Toastmasters?

Anyone over the age of 18 may join Toastmasters.

How do I get more information about Toast of the Town Toastmasters?

Please contact us using the form above. Or check out our Facebook page. 

“I joined ToT as a way of learning a new skill and doing it together with my husband. We both felt it would be useful to become better public speakers. We really enjoyed the first meeting at Toast of the Town and immediately decided to join. The supportive and encouraging environment at the meetings kept us coming back and really helped us improve. I was nervous with both prepared and impromptu speaking at first but got really comfortable speaking in front of people within a few months and really enjoy it today. This is not to say that I don't have butterflies before speaking publicly, I still do, but once I start speaking, it goes away."

~ Veena P.

"This might sound a little strange, but I was at a friend’s funeral and they asked if anyone wanted to come up to the front of the church and say a little about the guy who had died. No one moved, but I had been in Toastmasters long enough to get over the jitters, and I thought that it was important for someone to say something, so I walked up there and gave a little speech with a good opening, middle and close. As I was walking up to the front I thought of a strong close, so I turned to my friend’s widow and said "and thank you, Patty, for taking good care of my friend." I heard sobs throughout the church, so I knew I had done a good job. Everyone complimented me afterwards."

~ Ed L.

"I started my Toastmasters adventure in California in the fall of 2012 and was very pleased to find Toast of the Town in my new neighborhood when I moved to Seattle a year later. TOT is a very friendly and dynamic club that offers lots of opportunities to grow as a speaker, team player, and leader—every single week. Not only did TOT allow me to speak regularly enough to finish my Competent Communication manual (Toastmasters' first series of prepared speeches) and start Advanced manuals within the first six months, but club members also encouraged me to use my leadership skills and become a club officer. I have gained a lot of confidence in my ability to speak in public (with preparation or on the spot), provide feedback, organize and facilitate meetings, and contribute to my club's success."

~ Estelle B.