Excellent choice!

After reading about Toastmasters and visiting a few club meetings you're convinced that becoming a Toastmaster is for you and that Grand Terrace Toastmasters is 'Your Club'.

Now what?

Joining is simple: 

1. Either at a meeting ask the President or VP Membership for an application or download and complete a membership application (you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader).
2. Bring your completed membership application to a meeting.
3. Fill out a check for membership dues. Toastmasters International charges a one time new membership fee of $20 (plus tax) which includes the Communication and Leadership manual. Grand Terrace Toastmasters charges a one time new member fee of $8 for a Toastmaster pin and a name badge. We ask new members to pay $8.00 and existing members $8.00 when we renew memberships. If someone comes in the middle of the term, we ask them to pay the same $8.00. The great news is that it is only $35 to renew your semi-annual membership! That is only $70 A YEAR!! You can't get better training, experience, and comradery for many times that bargain price.
4. After turning in your application to the President or VP Membership, your name will be read at two club meetings. After the second reading the members will vote on your acceptance into the club. Note this is a formality and I've never heard of anyone being turned down. Though there were a few tense moments, but they finally even accepted me, so you'll be a 'shoe-in'.
5. Upon your acceptance as a new member of Grand Terrace Toastmasters you will receive your New Member's Welcome Kit and a warm welcome from your fellow Toastmasters!

Each new Toastmaster receives a New Member Kit. The kit features a copy of the basic Communication and Leadership manual, general orientation materials and information regarding skill improvement in areas such as speech evaluation and the use of gestures.

The initial prepared speeches, as outlined in the basic Communication and Leadership program manual, are designed with the new Toastmaster in mind. A variety of assigned speeches help the Toastmaster develop competency in areas such as organization, voice inflection and persuasiveness.

After giving a prepared speech, each Toastmaster receives a constructive speech evaluation. This process recognizes speakers for their strengths and provides valuable insight into areas needing additional work.

Upon completion of the basic Communication and Leadership program, Toastmasters may participate in the Advanced Communication and Leadership program. Participants may choose from specific business oriented topics such as Speeches by Management and Technical Presentations.

Workshop style Success/Leadership programs are also available, offering opportunities for further skill development in areas such as leadership, public speaking and conducting business meetings. These programs are especially effective as in-house training and can be tailored to meet the needs of your company.

During the meeting's Table Topics session, members learn to think on their feet by delivering short impromptu speeches, lasting one to two minutes. This is another opportunity to practice what you've learned.

For more information contact the President, VP of Membership or one of the other club officers.

Now that I am a Toastmaster, what are my responsibilities?

A Toastmaster's Promise succinctly describes a Toastmasters' responsibilites and goes as follows:

• To attend Club meetings regularly;
• To prepare all my speeches to the best of my ability, basing them on projects in the Communication and Leadership Program manual or the Advanced Communication and Leadership Program manuals;
• To prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments;To provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations;
• To help the Club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all members to learn and grow;
• To serve my Club as an officer when called upon to do so;
• To treat my fellow Club members and our guest with respect and courtesy;
• To bring guest so Club meetings so they can see the benefits of Toastmasters membership offers;
• To adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters educational and recognition programs;
• To maintain honest and highly ethical standards during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities.