Our Platform

The filler words and ahs-uhms that we unconsciously use while we speak can be distracting for listeners and also too many such filler words may be interpreted as indicative of our unpreparedness or even nervousness. Becoming aware of our mannerisms and our unconscious detractors increases our overall self-awareness and sets the path for improvement.

"When I first gave my very first speech at the club, the ah-counter said I had 50+ ahs and they stopped counting! - I'm almost free of ahs now"

Toastmasters International's "Pathways", a Public Speaking and Leadership learning program, lays out eleven different tracks that guides members to go from simple icebreaker speech to more advanced project / track specific speeches. Members progress from giving 4 minute prepared speeches to longer formats up to even 10 minutes by themselves. Members also have ample opportunities to speak at club, area, division and district level contests including representing club at World Championship for public speaking, should they be interested.

"Before joining Toastmasters, I used to find speaking about my leadership style or my achievements an impossibility. I would feel embarrassed. Not any more. "

Feedback and evaluations are fundamental to a Toastmaster's growth. By accepting feedback from both experienced and newer members alike, we learn to be open and through this closed-feedback cycle, we follow the path of nature for self improvement. By also learning to give constructive feedback, we become part of that cycle and others growth also along the way learning one of the most critical and challenging leadership skill - to provide timely, well constructed and constructive feedback.

"I'm still trying to master the art of sharing my feedback with others in the most constructive way with finesse - But I've come a long way"

It is through impromptu speaking, by way of Table Topics or through performing meeting functionary roles and club officer roles or by giving last-minute speeches after achieving a level of proficiency, members truly reap the benefits of Toastmasters. They are able to think on their feet, and learn the art of concise and precise speaking. We learn that two minutes is a lot of time!

"My first impromptu speech lasted a mere 10 seconds. I was ashamed and nervous. I'm very glad I stay put and didn't quit"

The baby step into leadership happens here. Someone once had said "Public Speaking = Leadership". You'll see that magical transformation as you make progress by leading club meetings by being the "Toastmaster of the day" or leading the evaluation team of the day by being the "General Evaluator".

"Running the club meeting has as much to do with public speaking as writing has to do with story telling. But mainly performing club office roles increases one's confidence and also provides an arena to try different leadership and communication skills"

We truly have imbibed the spirit "Of the people, for the people and by the people" since the club's officiation in 1971. Through a unique and quirky (read a laughter riot) election process, we elect our club officers for a 6-month term and they take the club forward. And that's how the club's clock ticks. The remuneration here is self-improvement and self-awareness. The club is formed by its members for its members and that's how we rolled 50 long years!

"Becoming Club President was the best thing that ever happened in my journey here. It showed me to myself."