Toastmasters learn by doing. Members learn by speaking to the group and working with others in a supportive environment. A typical Toastmasters Club is made up of about 20 or more peple who meet regularly for about an hour to an hour and a half. Each meeting gives everyone an opportunity to practice several essential skills, including conducting meetings, giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches, and offering constructive evaluation.The major educational portion of the meeting is the prepared speeches. These speeches are based on projects from Toastmasters manuals and cover specific topics such as speech organization, voice, language, gestures and persuasion. At the completion of 10 projects from the basic manual, a member receives the designation of Competent Toastmaster, or CTM, and can then move on through other manuals, receiving addtional advanced designations as they progress.The impromptu speech segment of the meeting, known as Table Topics, is often the most challenging as members develop their skill to "think on their feet". Members also serve in designated roles during the meeting and strengthen their own self-development progess through actual experience.
