Your First Few Months

As a new Toastmaster, you’ll be asked to get involved right away by answering Table Topics questions. You’ll also quickly be invited to make your first Toastmasters speech – the Ice Breaker. What you say during your first speech, like all speeches, is up to you. Members may introduce themselves, talk about what’s brought them to Toastmasters, describe people who have influenced them, or relate significant events in their lives.

You’ll also receive your first speech manual, which will guide you through your first 10 speech projects. Through a series of speeches that build on each other, you’ll learn the importance of organizing your thoughts, getting to the point, using body language, vocal variety and visual aids, conducting research, and persuading your audience.

The pace of your progress is up to you. We recommend speaking about once every four or six weeks, but you can work through the speech projects at a pace that’s comfortable for you and your needs.

You’ll also be invited to fill a variety of meeting roles that will further improve your communications, leadership and organizational skills.

Overall, the benefits of Toastmaster membership are limited only by your willingness and ability to invest time and effort in speaking and helping your fellow members improve their abilities. We believe strongly in the importance of learning from each other, and suggestions from new members can be just as important as those from experienced Toastmasters.