Before I attend a meeting

• How do I get started in Toastmasters?
• Where is Gilbert Toastmasters currently meeting?
• Do I need a special invitation to attend a meeting? / What do I have to do before I visit?
• Is there a dress code?
• Is this a networking organization?
• Are there other clubs around?
  
  
  

About the Toastmasters Organization

• Where did Toastmasters come from?
• I heard people referred to as "governor," does it mean Toastmasters are involved in politics?
• What do you mean by Area, Division and District?
• What do the acronyms mean? (Examples: CTM, ATM, DTM, CL, AL, TI, TLI, CC, AC, etc)
• Are children allowed in Toastmasters Clubs?
• I represent _______ company and would like to present a sales pitch/workshop to your club members. Can I do this?

About a meeting

• Why are meetings run the way they are?
• How does everyone know what they're supposed to be doing?
• What's the difference between a functionary and an officer?
• How come you always shake hands and address each other as Mister/Madam functionary?
• What are the awards (Best Tabletopics, Evaluator, Speaker and Vicki Treciak Spirit Award) for?
• Why did a beginning speaker get more votes for Best Speaker than a more experienced, better speaker?
• Why did one speaker receive a standing ovation and not the others?
• What is a Speech-a-Thon and why do you have them?
  
  

About membership

• Do I have to join right away?
• Is there a membership fee?
• What will my membership fee go toward?
• Why should I join Toastmasters? / What's in it for me?
• Why do people have to be taken out of the room and discussed/voted in, before they can officially join?
• What would be expected of me as a member?
• I travel quite a bit and wouldn't be able to make it to meetings each week. Can I still become a member?
• What if I only want to learn to speak and not be involved in the leadership programs?
• Who makes up the schedule every week?
• How will I know what I'm supposed to do?

About speeches and speaking

• If I join, am I "forced" to give a speech right away? / How soon do I have to do a speech?
• How do I know when I will speak? How often?
• How often will I be able to present a formal, prepared speech?
• How will I know what to talk about?
• What are the manuals for and what's in them?
• How long does it usually take to get the manual and other educational materials?
• What equipment will be available to me as a member?

Other

• If you are a potential visitor or new or long-term member and have any other questions (or to report typos or errors) please click here to submit them.