FAQ about Toastmasters



1. What is Toastmasters?

It is a non profit US-head quartered educational organization operating clubs world wide, to promote communication, public speaking and leadership.

2. What is the fee?

20$ is the membership fee(one time) and 45$ is the renewal fee to be paid every 6 months to TMI. New joiners will pay 20$ +45$. However the club might receive an extra amount from the members to account for the expenses like, hall-rent, projector, milestone meeting expenses, zoom expenses, gifts/eatables to members etc.

3. Should I come every week? What if I miss a meeting?

It is recommended to be regular, take up roles, speeches and be active in the club.

4.  If I enroll in Toastmasters will I really become good at communication and leadership? 

Enrolling is only the first step. Coming regularly to meetings, taking up roles, speeches and excom ownerships, participating in contests, interacting actively with mentors and networking with people from various backgrounds are some of the key aspects to look forward after enrolling.

5. Do you get a monetary benefit if I join?

No :) . It is a non-profit organization. In fact, I have to pay my own fees to Toastmasters International every six months.

6. Will my communication and leadership skills be intact even if I discontinue my membership after a few years?

It is just like any other skill including cycling, swimming, playing a musical instrument etc.  As long as you practice, you are there in the game. It might take some time to get back there after a break.

7. Do they teach English grammar?

No. But you can still correct your grammatical errors as there is a grammarian who will report the errors in the language in every meeting.

You will be asked to deliver speeches and take up roles. However there will be a mentor to guide you. 

8. What if I am really bad at public speaking? How can I prove myself in Toastmasters?

Here the focus is more on learning than proving. We may be at different levels, but moving to the next level is the aim. Though we have contests in Toastmasters, the participants learn new things during every contest and become better speakers every year. 

We are allowed and encouraged to make mistakes here so that we can do it without mistakes in our real life.

9. Can I have my kids enrolled?

Toastmasters is meant for people who are aged 18 and above. However we do have Gavels clubs (part of Toastmasters International) for kids less than 18 years. But anybody can visit a Toastmasters club as a guest.

10. Why do Toastmasters market too much if they don't have a monetary benefit? :) (My favourite question)

Toastmasters movement has brought about a change in many people's lives. Any movement for that matter, if it gives you a stage to talk and audience to listen and mentors to guide you consistently every week, you are sure to be a good speaker in a few months or years. We are spreading the word (marketting ;)) because we have benefitted and seen many people transform into better individuals over a period of time.

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