A School of a New Toastmasters Club Member

            Dear Friend

Are you interested in developing your communication and leadership skills?

Well-done!

Toastmasters International is the right place for you.

      What and how should you act now?

You certainly have some thoughts, expectations about Toastmasters and surely have a lot of questions to ask.

To help you with getting a good orientation in this business I have prepared  a set of questions you should answer before making a final decision of joining a club.

As son as you know the right answers to all the questions, making a decision will be‘a piece of cake’ for you.

       From understanding this simple truth, you will be able to make your choice and decision.

       After that, prepare a list of questions you would like to make clear before making the next step. E-mail VPM (vive-president membership of the club) and ask for explanations or invite her for a cup of coffee and ask to give you all necessary explanations.

      You can also come to another meeting and try to find someone in the club to answer your questions.

By the way, try to visit all the toastmasters clubs in the city and find the club you like more.
How to choose a club. A few basic ideas.

These are the questions you have to answer before joining the club. It is a serious step and you should prepare for this step seriously.

      I. Before the meeting.

1.      What is the website of the club like?

2.      How to contact an officer of the club and ask if you can visit a club meeting?

3.      The location: how far from the city centre the club meets?

4.      What is the building like?

5.      What is the meeting room like?

6.      How often do the club members meet?

            II. At the meeting.

1.      Where you introduced as a first time visitor?

2.      How many club members are there in the club?

3.      How many speakers are assigned for each session?

4.      Did you receive a chance to talk on your first visit?

5.      How did you find the atmosphere of the meeting?

6.      Were you invited to share your first impressions of the meeting at the end?

      III. After the meeting

1.      Did Vice-President Membership talked to you after the meeting?

2.      Were the members friendly and eager to answer your questions?

3.      Did any members want to talk to you? Did they show interest?

4.      Did anyone invite you to join them for their usual pub gatherings after the club meeting? To spend some time over a coffee or a beer?

Here are the main questions you should answer before you decide to join a Toastmasters club. Please, don’t hurry to make a decision based on seeing only one meeting of one club. 

And the last:

Do you want to know my answers to all these questions?

Please, go to my website and send a message

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

George Rusky VPPR, CC

www.georgerusky.net