When do you meet?
Our meetings are held every Wednesday (except for holidays and during the summer) from 6:45 pm until about 8:30 pm.

Please show up about 15 minutes early, so that we can properly brief you on our meeting's format.

What to Expect?
What should you expect if you decide to attend a meeting? Our meetings are very relaxed. One of our main goals is to become better speakers while having fun. When you attend a meeting, you'll be greeted by one of the members, they will take some general information from you so they can introduce you at the beginning of the meeting. For the rest of the meeting, you'll relax and take in the meeting to see what we are all about. At the end of the meeting, you'll be asked if you have any questions or comments for the group at which point you can let us know what's on your mind or you can pass. There is absolutely no pressure to speak at all during your visit.

Why West End Toastmasters, and not another club?
West End Toastmasters meet in a very relaxed, friendly, and supportive environment. Some clubs focus on leadership skills, some on growth, some on hurrying your way up the Toastmasters ladder. Many join our club because we pride ourselves, instead, in being just a little less formal. For others, Wednesday evenings just happens to suit their busy schedules.

I know I can’t attend every meeting, so it’s not worth joining, right?
The road to self-improvement is not an easy one, and the first step, when it comes to public speaking, is to actually attend a Toastmasters meeting. If you have determined that this is the right way for you to achieve that goal of becoming a better speaker, or leader, then joining the club that best matches your needs is Step 2. How fast, or how hard you work, to get there, is then up to you. Members are encouraged to prepare and then present their speeches only as fast as they are comfortable with. In addition, we all have busy lives. If you have to miss a meeting or two, don’t sweat it.

Which club should I join?
Attend as many meetings at as many different clubs as you feel necessary. Guests are always welcome, and we think you’ll find out quickly enough if, and which club, you should join.

Why are the meetings so tightly structured?
Public speaking takes on many aspects, and each role in the weekly meeting addresses one of those aspects, such as presenting a toast, telling a joke, or formally evaluating another’s speech. Having your say, but in a timely manner, is another essential aspect that many of us need to practice.

In addition, leadership skills are practiced, through coordinating, setting up, and running a meeting.

Why Toastmasters and not a Dale Carnegie-type course?
As mentioned above, Toastmasters lets you develop your public speaking skills at your pace. It is, first and foremost, a club. Dale Carnegie and the like are time-limited courses, quite expensive, but worth it for those who have to achieve a particular level in a very short period of time. Different purposes for different people.