FAQs
(1) What is Toastmasters?
Toastmasters is a non-profit educational organization that teaches members communication and leadership skills in a supportive workshop style environment. As of 2016 there is nearly 16,000 clubs in 135 countries with approximately 330,000 members. Established in 1924 in Santa Ana, California, nearly five million men and women have benefitted from Toastmasters effective and proven communication and leadership program.
Find out more at: www.toastmasters.org
(2) What is Earth Aware Toastmasters?
Earth Aware Toastmasters (Club 8237) belongs to Area 22, Division B of District 96, which contains Toastmasters clubs throughout British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. It is one of thousands of Toastmasters clubs worldwide established to help people develop their public speaking and leadership skills.
Earth Aware Toastmasters was first founded by Victoria Hogan and Don Chauncey in June 1991. The club was chartered for the purpose of training members of "EarthSave Canada" to spread the message of the benefits of switching to a plant based diet. The club has much diversified since then to include topics that pertain both to the planet, its inhabitants and the rich history that binds us all.
(3) What makes Earth Aware Toastmasters special?
We are one of few "themed" clubs within the district. "Earth Aware" brings ideas about the planet, its people and their stories. Each week, the meeting themes range from day-to-day human experiences to our biodiverse planet, local stories to global realities, and can be as specific as environmental sustainability or as broad as traveling. A better understanding of our world helps us to better understand ourselves, realize our true purpose and defend causes in need of our attention. Members are empowered through our sense of community, knowledge, and growth to inspire others in their lives and their communities to make a change, or even be the change. At Earth Aware, we shine our own solar beam on our world and we share the world's many, many stories through our eyes.
(4) What happens at an Earth Aware Toastmasters meeting?
At every Toastmasters meeting, four members are scheduled to give speeches as a means of practicing their public speaking skills. Another four members are scheduled to evaluate them, which is itself a means of practicing public speaking. Many more members are scheduled to take on specific feedback roles which encourage all members to enrich their vocabulary, work on their timing, minimize their use of fillers and ensure that the meeting runs smoothly and ends on time. You can learn more about these roles by clicking on OUR MEETINGS in the menu at the top of the page.
(5) How much does it cost to join Earth Aware Toastmasters and how do I become a member?
Since Toastmasters is a non-profit organization, funds from members who join a Toastmasters club contribute to club maintenance, that is, monthly rental of the club space, and food and beverage accommodation at each meeting.
Our dues are currently CAD$105 for six months (paid in November or April) or CAD$210 for a full year. (Dues are pro-rated according to the month you join.) First-time members of any Toastmasters club also pay a one-time initiation fee of USD$20 (approx CAD$27), which covers the cost of your first speech project series in Pathways and your subscription to the monthly TM magazine.
(6) Why join Earth Aware Toastmasters?
If you’ve ever had to explain, demonstrate, persuade others, inspire an audience, think fast on your feet or simply communicate clearly without shaking, then Toastmasters is where you want to be.
If you want to explore ideas about the world, share stories, stand up for a cause and use your voice to make a difference in your neighbourhood, city or beyond, then Earth Aware Toastmasters is the best place to learn and build the communication and leadership skills you need.
We gladly provide any new member with a mentor who can guide you through the Toastmasters program. This is your opportunity to learn and grow in the company of other like-minded people, where you can build your network and your individual strengths and a speaker and leader!
COME AND SHARE WITH EARTH AWARE!