About us

You have a voice. 

And a message. 

We can help you put them together!

Speaking of Liberty is an Austin-based chapter of Toastmasters International -- one of the foremost grassroots leadership and communications improvement programs in the world!

WHO'S INVITED:

Any and all Austinites interested in improving their speechwriting, presentation, and speaking skills. While most of our members are Republicans, Libertarians, Tea Partiers, Liberty Movement activists, and conservative independents with a profound respect for our founding principles, we're always happy to mix it up with anyone of any political persuasion!

WHAT WE OFFER

Speaking of Liberty teaches all our members and guests how to eloquently present (and defend) their positions on any political issue -- whether spontaneously in a group setting or through a carefully crafted, pre-written speech. 

You membership dues pays for a time-honored, easy-to-understand curriculum from Toastmasters International that can help you become a better communicator of the issues that matter most to you. Over the last five years, we've helped everyone from statewide candidates to grassroots activists to armchair pundits to bring their message to the people.

HISTORY

We chartered with Toastmasters International as an official club on Texas Independence Day 2009 as Speaking of Liberty, founded as the Republican and Libertarian Toastmasters of Austin. We have helped over a hundred Central Texans to hone their speaking edge, lead meetings, inspire crowds, and bring their message of Liberty for all to a larger audience. We have trained numerous candidates and officeholders as they entered public service. Ours is a model that has inspired the creation of similar Liberty Toastmasters clubs across the U.S. We hope to plant other clubs throughout Central Texas and Austin.

The foundational concept was three-fold: 1) train conservatives, libertarians, and independent small-government advocates to boost their leadership skills and better express their positions on current events and political issues of varying kinds, 2) promote good will between Republicans and Libertarians, and 3) give Toastmasters International members in Austin a place to share their political viewpoints without fear of reprisal or silencing. Our scope was soon expanded to promote free speech in general and encourage open dialogue, even with political opponents, hence our name. Supporters of Presidential candidate Ron Paul were instrumental in the success of the club in its first few years.

Speaking of Liberty has hosted campaign leadership trainings, special exercises (such as outdoor meetings at long distances designed to teach vocal projection), and guest speakers to further the goals of the club. Our highest attendance was April 17, 2018, with political consultant and presidential adviser Roger Stone, as over 200 guests overflowed the back room at Big Daddy's. 

Speaking of Liberty draws members from all around the Austin metro area. We had our first meeting in the northwest Austin Mangia's Pizza (at the northeast corner of Parmer Lane and Mopac) in Fall of 2008. We soon moved to Bagpipes (corner of Burnet Road and U.S. 183) which later became Big Daddy's Burgers and Bar, our meeting home for nine years. At Big Daddy's we had many interactions and shared events with Laughing Matters, a club which focused on comedy speaking and which met on Thursday nights in the same space where Speaking of Liberty met on Tuesday nights. We moved back to Mangia's in 2020 after Big Daddy's closed. After economic hardships (largely brought on by governmental overreach to stop a coronavirus outbreak) in 2021, Mangia's closed its doors. After a brief period as an all-online club, we were taken in by the owners of the Hampton Inn & Suites (Pecan Park Boulevard, Austin), where the club continues to meet in a hybrid format in-person and online. 

Speaking of Liberty is listed as a supported club of the Travis County Republican Party. It has previously been recognized by the Libertarian Party of Texas.

Previous club mottos include: "Anything worth saying is worth saying well," "Where liberty transcends politics," and (a play on Laughing Matters' slogan) "Where liberty really matters."

Sound like fun? Does this challenge you? Come visit our next meeting and let us see what we can offer you!

Speaking of Liberty Toastmasters | District 55 | Club No. 1282964 | Austin, Texas