WHAT TO EXPECT

Toastmasters International – toastmasters.org

Established in California, USA, in October 1924
To help people learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs & work on committees
357000 members in 143 countries spread throughout 16600+ clubs, 21 of which are in Belgium: in Brussels (12), Antwerp (2), Diegem (2), Gent, Hasselt, Waterloo, Mons and Leuven

Bilingual club (Dutch-English), chartered on May 1st 2010
40+ members total, new & experienced, 20+ members per meeting, 15+ nationalities
Meetings are every 2nd, 4th and 5th Thursday of the month, from 19:30-22:00
Meetings are usually at Café Tempo in Kessel-Lo – always check the calendar

Standard meeting structure (2.5 hours):

Welcome & introductions
Speeches : 5 speakers deliver a speech according the curriculum (5-7 minutes each)
15 minute break
Evaluations : 5 evaluators give feedback to the speakers (2-3 minutes each)
Table Topics : ±5 speakers give an impromptu speech (1-2 minutes each)
General evaluation of evening’s proceedings, awards & announcements

Club meeting roles:

Toastmaster of the Evening : the Master of Ceremonies, chooses a theme & hosts the evening, introduces all speakers
Grammarian : helps the speakers improve their grammar and vocabulary
Ah Counter : notes any overused words or filler sounds (so, like, ah, euhm, …)
Timekeeper : responsible for monitoring the time of meeting segments and speakers
Video Director : records speeches, evaluations & Table Topics
Table Topics Master : delivers the Table Topics portion of the meeting, provides the inspiration for the impromptu speeches
General Evaluator : evaluates everything that takes place during the club meeting (except the speeches)

If you want to attend one of our meetings as a guest, register for one of the events in the calendar.

We trust you’ll find that our club is a positive environment with a very welcoming atmosphere. We sincerely hope to see you there!