Any Toastmasters here?

[Erin Pavlina]

My club meets weekly. Different clubs meet at different times. Was there only one club in your area? There are dozens to choose from where I live. See if you can find a club that meets weekly nearby.

[AmandaP]

Even just the thought of speaking TO people I don't know, let alone IN FRONT of people I don't know makes my chest tight and my stomach sick. I have recently decided to work from home instead of returning to shift work after the birth of our 3rd child. I'm finding it slow going due to my fear of speaking with people I don't know. Toastmasters sounds like a great way for me to overcome my fear in a controlled environment. Looked up the site on where to find a meeting (thanks Erin) and have found 2 in my area both are next week, so I'm committing!! I will head along as a guest and if it even comes close to the reviews on this thread than I think I'm sold.

[Lucas]

I went to a meeting last night for the first time. While I am not too afraid of public speaking, I was well out of my comfort zone, but I did some speaking regardless. I am going to check out the other local clubs, but I am pretty sure I am going to join.

[C33]

...I would like to know how much practice time you get, as a new member.

I am the opposite of most people, I want to get up in front of people and just dive in and learn from the experience!

I am very good at listening, almost too good, and it doesn t serve me to be quiet and just seep in other people's knowledge, I need to get up and do things.If I make the sacrifice of time, energy and a bit of money, I want to make sure I get to speak, work on a presentation, be actively involved each time I go. I don't enjoy " not participating" and just sitting and listening to others.

I am not scared of speaking in public, even though it would make me very nervous, but I want to know how to make effective presentations and to expose my thoughts clearly in front of an audience.

[Erin Pavlina]

I speak at every meeting. Not always doing a speech, but there are jobs you perform at each meeting that you volunteer for. In my club, we make time for anyone who wants to give a speech. We usually have 2 speakers per meeting but sometimes we'll have 3. And sometimes we have a meeting of just speakers, so we'll get through 6 or 7.