An Invitation

Please feel free to attend one of our meetings to find out what goes on and how Toastmasters can help you. Perhaps you simply need to sharpen your speaking skills, or start out fresh, maybe you'd like to improve your self-confidence or learn how to become a leader. It doesn't matter if your interest is business or personal, Toastmasters education is at your pace and aimed at what you want to achieve.

We're handy to the Hornsby and Kuring-gai local council areas and most parts of the upper North Shore district including Wahroonga, Warrawee, St. Ives, Gordon, Normanhurst and Thornleigh. Some of our members travel from Ryde and the Northern Beaches. We're 2 minutes walk from Turramurra Railway interchange which is very convenient if on your way home from work. There's plenty of free parking.

What should I do next?
Set aside a few hours from 7:30 to 9:30pm on one of our meeting nights. It's best to arrive a little early as our meeting start promptly at 7:30pm. Bring a pen and a smile. Entry is free of charge. Oh, you must be 18 or over.

What can I expect?
You'll be made to feel welcome by all of our members; there's normally about 18 to 25 people at each meeting of varying experience and ages plus one or two other guests like yourself.
The meeting is conducted in two parts similar to business meetings; we have a chairman who runs to an agenda which includes an opening, welcome to guests, official business such as acceptance of minutes etc. What you won't find in your average meeting are several skills-building exercises: a jest, a toast, a review spot, a grammarian address. We also have a "table topics" session aimed at improving "thinking on your feet" skills.
We then break for 15 minutes with refreshments where you'll be able to ask questions and be introduced to other guests and members.
The second half  is the speaking & evaluation session where members present prepared speeches according to the speaking manual programme. It also includes evaluations of speeches given in both halves of the meeting and a report from the grammarian and timer.
You have two opportunities to speak at the meeting, if you wish, there's no pressure to do so. The first is during Table Topics where the table topics master asks a series of questions for us to answer. The second opportunity comes near the end of the meeting when the Chairman asks if you have questions or feedback. Most guests, even if they've never spoken in public before, find it easy to stand up and join in. That's how friendly and easy it is here at Turramurra Toastmasters.

What should I wear?
Some of us come directly from work, others from home so wear smart causal or office work gear. It's very relaxed but thongs and shorts will probably make you feel out of place, so would a tie. Smoking is not permitted in the venue.

What will I come away with?
You'll have a better idea of how Toastmasters teaches public speaking and leadership. You'll also be given a welcome kit which has information about Toastmasters courses, how to join and the benefits of becoming a member.
Most importantly you'll come away with the knowledge of how easy it will be for you to improve your confidence, speaking and leadership skills.

What does it cost?
It costs nothing to visit our club. However, if you choose to join then the club charges $AUD132.00 per annum which is less than $AUD7.00 per meeting.
The first time you join you only pay the balance of the remainder of the year so if you join mid-year you'll only pay half. There is also a once-only Toastmasters International membership fee of $AUD50.00. These fees pay for the hire of the hall, special education events, speech contests, refreshments and club supplies. You also receive the monthly Toastmasters International Magazine delivered to your home.