First Time Guide & FAQ

Handy information for your first meeting at Speak With Style Toastmasters.

If you are nervous about Toastmasters or public speaking, or you want to know if Toastmasters is right for you, then read Is Toastmasters for Me?.

What happens at Toastmasters?

Toastmasters is dedicated to practicing public speaking and leadership. Every week we host a meeting where our members deliver speeches and facilitate our activities. The meeting is organized as follows:

  • Opening: Opening the meeting with an explanation of Toastmasters and a few short, fun speeches,
  • Prepared Speeches: 1-3 members will deliver speeches that they have prepared and practiced,
  • Break: A 5-10 minute break where you can meet everyone and chat,
  • Improvised Speeches: A few members will deliver off-the-cuff speeches on topics that they are not prepared for. You have the option to participate but we never force anyone to speak,
  • Evaluations: A few key members will evaluate the speakers and meeting facilitators to help them improve,
  • Closing: A few closing remarks before the meeting ends.

Visiting as a guest

If you want to try Toastmasters, you can visit a few times for free as a guest. We will ask you to introduce yourself at the beginning of the meeting, and you can give a few comments at the end. This is not a speech. We ask you to speak for a few seconds and you speak from where you are seated. If you want to challenge yourself, you have the option to volunteer for an improvised speech during the improvised speaking session after the break.

Do I have to give a speech?

No. We don’t force anyone to speak. As a guest, we only ask you to give a few seconds of introduction and a few seconds of comments at the end of the meeting. You don’t need to take the stage. You speak from where you are seated.

Please arrive on-time

We aim to start our meetings precisely at 6:15pm, so please arrive 5 minutes early. This will give you time to find a seat, download the meeting agenda, and get settled in.

Please sign in by email

Please complete the email sign-in form before attending, or when you arrive. We use your email to follow up with you after the meeting, and to keep you up-to-date about our meetings and events. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Please silence your phone

Please put your phone in silent mode when the meeting begins. Some of our members will deliver speeches that they have spent much time and effort preparing, and we don’t want them to be distracted or interrupted.

The meeting agenda

When you attend our meetings, the agenda tells you the evening’s program and the meeting theme. It also tells you the names of everyone who will be performing roles and speeches. The agenda often changes before the meeting so be sure to download a fresh copy when you arrive.

Voting link

During the meeting, we vote for best speaker, best evaluator and best improvised speech using sli.do. You can vote via your smartphone by going to https://sli.do and entering code 91112.

Do I need to bring anything?

No. We provide pens and snacks.

Social outings after the meeting

Once or twice per month we go out for drinks or Post-Toasties after the meeting. Everyone is invited to join, including guests and first-time visitors.

How many times can I visit for free?

You can visit for free as a guest up to three times. After three visits we ask that you join as a paying member if you wish to continue.

How often do you meet?

We meet every Thursday at 6:15pm, and meetings end around 8:15pm.

Do I need to attend meetings every week?

The more often you come to Toastmasters, the more you will benefit, and the faster you will improve. But there is no obligation. You can attend meetings as you wish.

How do I join?

If you are present at our meeting, you can speak to the VP Membership, or ask any member to help you. You can submit your application to join using this form, and you can contact us and by email if you have any questions. Visit our Join Us page for more information on membership fees.

What does it cost to become a member?

Membership costs $120.00 for 6 months or $230.00 for one year. When you join Toastmasters for the first time as a new member, you must pay an additional one-time $35 signup fee. You can get more information about membership fees here.

How do I choose a Toastmasters club?

There are many Toastmasters clubs in Montreal with different values and different vibes. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right club for you:

  • What are your Toastmasters goals? Do you want to be a great motivational speaker or just get over your fear of speaking? Some clubs are more serious and more advanced, while others are more casual.
  • What kind of speaking do you want to learn? Do you want to be inspirational, persuasive, technical, funny, a good storyteller? Find a club where the experienced members match your style.
  • What is the vibe and feel? It’s important that you feel comfortable in the group. Find a club where you feel good about being in the group and attending meetings.

What awesome events do you have coming up?

Here are some of our upcoming events. Check our events page or our Meetup page to stay up-to-date.

What are the benefits of joining Speak With Style?

Speak With Style Toastmasters is a fun, friendly, and welcoming club with many experienced members who can help you overcome the fear of public speaking and become great on-stage!

  • You don’t need to be a skilled speaker to join us. As long as you have the right attitude, we will help you to improve and will accept you as a member regardless of your starting skill level.
  • We like to have fun! Our meetings are smooth, and far less formal than most Toastmasters clubs. We organize many parties and social activities.
  • We organize workshops and events that give you a unique opportunity to learn and practice your leadership.
  • When you join Toastmasters you gain access to Pathways, a guided learning program that helps you to focus on the specific speaking and leadership skills that you want to learn.
  • As soon as you join, we will help you choose a mentor, an experienced member who will introduce you to the club and help you with your first speeches and leadership projects.

What’s great about Speak With Style?

Speak With Style Toastmasters is a fun, friendly, and informal club, made up of experienced speakers, beginners, and ESL (English as a second language) members who come to practice English.

We are made up of students, professionals and entrepreneurs. We are a welcoming, supportive, and tight-knit group that organizes creative meetings and regular social events.

Meet the executive team

Our club has an executive committee with a President and Vice-Presidents who direct the long-term operations of the club. You can find their names on the executive committee page.

Where can I get more info?