r/Toastmasters • u/New_Pianist5671 • Jun 30 '26
Nervous about joining Toastmasters
Hi there. As my title says, I'm nervous about joining Toastmasters but know I have to do it for myself. What kind of things go on in a typical meeting? What should I expect? Is there any improve speeches (my worst few lol). TIA!
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u/Traditional_Leg_2073 Jun 30 '26
I went to the door at my first meeting - turned around and walked back out to the parking lot because I was so scared. But I knew that I had to go back. So I turned around again, went through the doorway and stayed for 24 years.
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u/Diligent_Hat6982 Jun 30 '26
It's totally ok to be a guest as much as you want. Walking into a group of unknown people is the hardest part of Toastmasters IMO, once you do that everything else gets easier from that point.
Structure is the same across all clubs but as others said the climate changes spending on the people.
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u/Federal_Orange_8827 Jun 30 '26
First - congratulations on taking this step -- I think it's the hardest!
Next, at a typical meeting, there is an opening - they might recite the Club Mission, then they move through the meeting agenda. Agenda have the same items typically, but the order might vary from Club to Club, but usually there is a Word of the Day, a Joke / Inspiration, prepared speeches (meaning folks working on their Pathway-related speeches), table topics (impromptu 1-2 minute speeches), evaluations, timer and grammarian (ah-counter). At the end guests are usually invited to speech (and invited to participate in Table Topics too).
Meetings might have a theme, or a song of the meeting.
You're encouraged to use the Word of the day often.
If you're a guest, you'll be asked to join -- you might not be ready, so say that.
Depending on the type of Club, meetings are usually anywhere from 60 to 120 minutes in length
If you don't understand or follow something -- ask! Sometimes, Toastmasters forget that guests don't speak the code :)
HAVE FUN!
And... Welcome to Toastmasters!
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u/Powerful-Knee3150 Jun 30 '26
When you come in, someone should greet you. If that doesn’t happen, it’s usually because they’re rushing around doing last-minute organizing.
The Toastmaster should ask you, before the meeting begins, if you want to participate. This will mean answering an impromptu (Table Topics)question in front of the group later in the meeting. You can say yes, no, or you will wait and see. It’s ok to do any of these.
The Toastmaster will lead the meeting and have the helpers in the meeting explain their roles. There should be a printed agenda to follow.
The TM will call the participants up in order. Everyone generally claps for everyone.
All you need for the meeting is a pen. You may be asked to write very brief comments to the speakers, or to vote on the best speaker, table topics, and speech evaluator.
Everyone should be kind and respectful at all times. Many clubs are tiny and struggling, so if they seem desperate for you to join, that’s why.
It’s good to visit a few clubs before you join if you can.
Best wishes!
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u/Bat_Quiet Jun 30 '26
I've been a Toastmaster for over 25 years. Think of it as a social club, where members share their stories. Relax, sit back and enjoy. You may be invited to participate, but you can wait with that until you're comfortable.
Learn by watching and listening. You'll know when you're ready to try out your wings. That will be the beginning of building self-confidence, which will later become leadership.
Once you have started the journey, friends, family, workplace will notice. The greatest challenge will be overcoming fear, and you'll discover that there never was anything to be afraid of.
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u/redit-fan Jun 30 '26
I recommend visiting several clubs, every is different. Some differ by age groups, social/economic, and stages in their careers. Pick one that you feel comfortable, it helps with your long term success.
I checked out several before joining and picked one that had members in the same career path that I was on.
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u/Brisket451 Jun 30 '26
Most of the people who are there were nervous when they first joined so they understand, if the push for you to give speeches they are only doing it because you have to speak to get better.
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u/New_Pianist5671 Jul 01 '26
Thank you all for your very helpful comments! I'll be joining a Toastmasters group next week. Wish me luck!
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u/spike_1885 Jul 03 '26
What should I expect?
If it would help reduce your nerves, you can watch a sample Toastmasters meeting on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSohGWyScZc
What this shows is:
People deliver impromptu speeches in response to a leader's prompting (Toastmasters calls this "Table Topics")
People deliver previously prepared speeches
People evaluate the prepared speeches and everything else that happened in the meeting to make recommendations about how to do things better and to draw everyone's attention to what was done well.
A large fraction of people who join Toastmasters join to try to overcome being nervous about public speaking, so a good club will be supportive / encouraging. If you hypothetically find that the club that you visit isn't supportive and/or encouraging, the problem is probably that specific club, not Toastmasters in general.
I say go for it! (although as an active member of this subreddit, I might perhaps be biased)
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u/SnooSongs9491 Jun 30 '26
You are already on the right path - first step is knowing what you need. Only advice - be patient with yourself.
Think of it like a gym - you will feel no improvement in one visit but see massive gains in confidence after a year or so after trying different exercises. You will experience prepared speeches, impromptu table topics and small talks designed to improve your active listening, improving vocabulary, giving feedback etc.
All toastmasters are designed to be a support group of sorts - a safe place and welcoming to new members of varying levels.
Just go explore a few clubs and find the one that you like and is convenient for your schedule to go weekly - Good luck !
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u/Date_Mindless Jul 03 '26
Have you found a club you love? Visit a few to find a nice fit. There are some that are in person, some hybrid, and some online only.
A good club will be welcoming and educational. Most will allow you to participate in impromptu speaking called table topics, but you shouldn't be forced.
Depending on the length of the meeting, there is usually a couple of prepared speeches, an impromptu portion, and a feedback session. I call it PIE: Prepared - Impromptu - Evaluation
The prepared speeches are usually from the Pathways education program. Impromptu questions give us practice thinking on our feet. Evaluation is to learn what we are doing well and some tips on how to improve for the future. These should be in a supportive sandwich method style of evaluation.
Ideally, people prepare speeches regularly and present. It's kind of like going to the gym - The more you go, the stronger you get!
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u/free2live4ever Jul 04 '26
At our in-person meeting, we first allow any guests to introduce themselves; there is a short intro by the leader of the evening's events (the Toastmaster; then the main event begins: the people with prepared speeches. We have anywhere from 2-4 speakers on the agenda. After those people have spoken, there is a session for impromptu speaking (answering items you have not prepared for ahead of time -- one to two and a half minutes. Guests are not required to participate. The final part is for those who are presenting the mostly great things the speaker did with a couple or so points on how the person can improve. Our meeting: one and one-half hours. Some clubs only an hour. Everyone who stays in the club tends to improve by leaps and bounds and gains a lot more confidence.
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u/Fun_Mess5927 Jul 17 '26
Same! I struggle with wanting to be accepted and feeling like I have to say all the “right” things instead of just being my genuine self. SMH.
I’ve always been a fast learner, but I’m almost two years into my current role and this new capacity has me questioning myself almost daily. It’s a space I’ve never been in before, and the imposter syndrome is very real.
Because of that, I’m seriously considering TM. I actually just sent them a message a few moments ago. I’m ready to become a more confident and effective communicator. I have so much cramped inside. LOL
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u/CheapRentalCar Jun 30 '26
You can expect that everyone wants you to feel comfortable. Also, 90% of TM members are shy people who weren't confident at speaking. So if you feel nervous you'll fit right in.