Toastmasters?

UpCork

Apologies if this isn't deemed the correct forum (and mods please feel free to move), but I couldn't find another relevant forum.

It has always been in the back of my mind to try out toastmasters and I find now I am looking for more social interactions, so am thinking of trying it out next September.

Is anyone here a member of toastmasters, or know how it operates - I think it would be challenging and interesting?

Pushtrak

I hear they are breadwinners.

forfuxsake

before toastmaster joining I could stringly bear together a sentence !

chin_grin

Well you just put the bread in, press it down and wait for a bit.

Ghost Buster

forfuxsake wrote: »

before toastmaster joining I could stringly bear together a sentence !

Yoda. That you?

LuckyFinigan

I like toast, especially with nutella on it.

chin_grin

LuckyFinigan wrote: »

I like toast, especially with nutella on it.

Or jam.

Happy Monday

UpCork wrote: »

Apologies if this isn't deemed the correct forum (and mods please feel free to move), but I couldn't find another relevant forum.

It has always been in the back of my mind to try out toastmasters and I find now I am looking for more social interactions, so am thinking of trying it out next September.

Is anyone here a member of toastmasters, or know how it operates - I think it would be challenging and interesting?

Yes - you go along and make a speech.
Should in time help you overcome anxieties that most of us have in this area.
Like Fight Club for talking.

chin_grin

Happy Monday wrote: »

Yes - you go along and make a speech.
Should in time help you overcome anxieties that most of us have in this area.
Like Fight Club for talking.

Rule one of Talk Club!

jazzzzy

Toastmasters is great! The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming. You are encouraged to do an 'ice-breaker' speech, which is where you prepare and give a speech about your life for about 3/4 minutes and then you'll be evaluated on it. Also there are "table topics" which is where you may be called upon to speak impromptu for 2 minutes about a random topic. When you go first, you'll be there as a guest and won't be expected to talk, so it helps settle you in. I would really recommend it! I went to Toastmasters in Cork city and found it great! Good luck

biko

A quick google shows that toastmasters seems to be around most Irish cities.
www.google.ie/search?q=toastmasters+site:boards.ie
The Cork group is www.crusaders.ie

chin_grin

jazzzzy wrote: »

Toastmasters is great! The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming. You are encouraged to do an 'ice-breaker' speech, which is where you prepare and give a speech about your life for about 3/4 minutes and then you'll be evaluated on it. Also there are "table topics" which is where you may be called upon to speak impromptu for 2 minutes about a random topic. When you go first, you'll be there as a guest and won't be expected to talk, so it helps settle you in. I would really recommend it! I went to Toastmasters in Cork city and found it great! Good luck

How can you be evaluated on a speech about your life?

Sounds like my idea of hell to be honest. :pac:

UpCork

jazzzzy wrote: »

Toastmasters is great! The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming. You are encouraged to do an 'ice-breaker' speech, which is where you prepare and give a speech about your life for about 3/4 minutes and then you'll be evaluated on it. Also there are "table topics" which is where you may be called upon to speak impromptu for 2 minutes about a random topic. When you go first, you'll be there as a guest and won't be expected to talk, so it helps settle you in. I would really recommend it! I went to Toastmasters in Cork city and found it great! Good luck

Thanks. Do you have to talk at every meeting or if you decide one week you don't want to can you not.

IMightKnow

My mother goes every 2 weeks and has been going for years. She loves it and there seems to be people of all ages there, id say it would be worth trying

Bipolar Joe

I didn't know these things existed outside of the U.S. Apparently there's one in Limerick and about a million in Dublin. Thinking of heading to the Limerick one.

quickbeam

Would love to be brave enough to join one. Sadly not though.

jazzzzy

UpCork wrote: »

Thanks. Do you have to talk at every meeting or if you decide one week you don't want to can you not.

When giving a speech, you sign up a week or two in advance, so you have lots of time to prepare. You'll also be assigned a mentor who you e-mail your speech to before hand and they'll alter it, if needs be. If you are called upon for a table topic, you are strongly encouraged to speak. They say if you can, just speak about anything that comes to mind, they just want to make you feel more at ease for speaking in public, the content of what you are talking about for the topics isn't the most important part.

jazzzzy

chin_grin wrote: »

How can you be evaluated on a speech about your life?

Sounds like my idea of hell to be honest. :pac:

Haha, as in they evaluate the way you delivered your speech e.g. eye contact, posture. And the way you put it together - a strong opening and conclusion.

HOS 1997

Going to go to my first meeting this week. I always get myself out of public speaking at work and need to change that so hopefully this will help.

christmas2012

I did a toastmaster they are worth doing if you want the confidence to speak publicly

Big Nasty

WTF is Toastmasters?

Also WTF is The Troika?

the keen edge

MCMLXXV wrote: »

WTF is Toastmasters?

Also WTF is The Troika?

They're both a brand of tea bags now available at Aldi.

You should give them a try, you won't be disappointed by the taste; nor the price-par excellence on both counts.

biko

MCMLXXV wrote: »

WTF is Toastmasters?

I believe that I, in my previous post, explained this?
Or at least linked to it.

Big Nasty

biko wrote: »

I believe that I, in my previous post, explained this?
Or at least linked to it.

You may have - I either missed your post or didn't click your link.

I do actually know what The Troika is though! :pac:

dr.bollocko

"I've known some kunts in my time..."

blacklilly

Id actually love to go to this. do a lot of public speaking at work so I would be comfortable enough but could improve

1012594711

There is a network of clubs in Ireland. Some meet monthly or weekly. They are voluntary, and are connected to an organization in America (used to have its office in California, now I think it's Denver) that gives advice. All the activities are relaxed, no pressure. Due to running costs non-members pay a fee to visit a 2-hour meeting. There are about 3 different voluntary roles carried out at the 'top table' at each meeting, the names such as 'Toastmaster' seem old-fashioned but they are in use in every club around the world. Visitors can leave their name at the door to be selected randomly during the meeting to speak for 2 minutes on a topic chosen at random by the 'topics master' at the top table. A visitor doesn't have to do this, can come just to watch how the meeting works and consider giving his or her name the next time to be selected for a 'table topic', ie to speak for 2 minutes on a topic chosen randomly by the 'topics master' at the top table. This improves people's confidence. Many members are from abroad and their original language was not English. Some are planning to be in Ireland for a number of years, or are moving for work reasons to different countries, and join the Toastmasters clubs in whichever country they go to live in. One thing the club I was in used to do, when I was at my first 2 meetings, was to ask all the visitors to stand up briefly, half-way through the meeting and introduce themselves, to an applause, but this hasn't been done for some time. I hope this gives some idea of how the Toastmasters organization works

Duckworth_Luas

Ghost Buster wrote: »

? you Yoda. That

FYP

DanMurphy

Bipolar Joe wrote: »

I didn't know these things existed outside of the U.S. Apparently there's one in Limerick and about a million in Dublin. Thinking of heading to the Limerick one.

'Hi y'all, my name is Dan and I've a horse outside...
Some of ye may wonder why I've a plastic bag over my head?
No sniggering down the back, okay?':D

I'll fetch my own coat

Capt'n Midnight

BBC4 - The Good Old Days - It's worth recording just to see Leonard Sachs introducing the acts.

Hammer89

It really takes the misery out of making toast.

razorblunt

Best thing since sliced bread.

harry Bailey esq

razorblunt wrote: »

Best thing since sliced bread.

I'm sure I read somewhere that The Toastmasters are connected to the masonic movement.

razorblunt

harry Bailey esq wrote: »

I'm sure I read somewhere that The Toastmasters are connected to the masonic movement.

The lads that made Steve Gutenberg a star?

harry Bailey esq

razorblunt wrote: »

The lads that made Steve Gutenberg a star?

The very ones, same crowd that rigs every Oscar Night. Have their bleeding fingers in everything!

benjamin d

harry Bailey esq wrote: »

The very ones, same crowd that rigs every Oscar Night. Have their bleeding fingers in everything!

Something something Harvey Weinstein...

Are Am Eye

Toastmasters is a gateway lifestyle choice.
The afflicted soon progress to joining their local Chamber of Commerce.
They spiral downwards into the Lions Club and attending Fianna Fáil think-ins.

1012594711

The element of surprise, suspense and originality is used by experienced speakers, and the bag on the head is an example

LogicusRex

harry Bailey esq wrote: »

I'm sure I read somewhere that The Toastmasters are connected to the masonic movement.

Absolutely not - no link whatsoever.

For Forks Sake

dr.bollocko wrote: »

"I've known some kunts in my time..."

misstearheus

I'd love some Toast right now! Anyone else?!

O.P. I believe there's a Registration Charge to join Toastmasters. I would like to join myself but that's the only reason I haven't yet. No spare monies available to go joining Clubs... But if ya did want to do something similar for free, - would you have any interest in joining your local Church Team Rotas, Churches are always looking for Volunteers for the various bits involved in a Mass, and perhaps you could do some Readings!