What is Toastmasters International?

Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership. The first Toastmasters club was established on October 22, 1924, in Santa Ana, California, by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, who conceived and developed the idea of helping others to speak more effectively. More clubs were formed, and Toastmasters International was incorporated under California law on December 19, 1932. Toastmasters International's business and services are administered by its World Headquarters, located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. It employs no paid promoters or instructors. It has no salaried staff except the Executive Director and World Headquarters staff, who provide services to the clubs and Districts. Learn more about the club's history.

What makes the Foster City club unique?

Every Toastmasters club has its own personality. Some are very formal and others are tailored to very seasoned or even professional speakers. We like to describe ourselves as casual, social, non-competitive, supportive, and very beginner-friendly. Although we conduct our meetings in very structured Toastmasters fashion, we keep a no-pressure, laid-back feel to our meetings and inject humor at every available opportunity.

When and where do you meet?

Drop in and join us at any of our bi-monthly meetings! We meet 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 7:30pm-9:30pm at the Foster City Community Center

1000 E. Hillsdale Blvd, Foster City, California.

The Community Center is above the library. Note that the access is not through the library itself but through doors about 50 yards to the right of the library entrance.

How will you improve your public speaking?

One of the first things we do at Foster City Toastmasters is take new members through an informal new member orientation where we assign mentors to each new member and explain the intricacies and etiquette involved in participating in a meeting. The VP of Education also uses this orientation to take note of special needs and goals of each individual.

Members work through a series of speech assignments each designed to concentrate on certain aspects of public speaking. Most importantly each speech is given an evaluation that provides constructive feedback enabling members to learn where their strengths and weakness lie. The most common obstacle people need to over-come is fear and nervousness. This is achieved by practicing speeches and presentations in the supportive enviroment of the club. Usually by the 4th or 5th presentation those butterflies in the stomach will at least be coming under some sort of control. Table topics provides practice in impromptu speaking. Members will be invited to give short unprepared speeches on surprise subjects. But most importantly we try to have fun!

How much does it cost?

Toastmasters fees apply to new members and cover some one-time fees for manuals. Club fees enable us to pay for the rental of the room where we meet. Both Toastmasters International and Foster City Toastmasters assess fees on a 6 monthly membership period beginning March and September. The complicated fee structure is due to a rolling discount for new members joining after the beginning of the start of each 6 month membership period.

E.g. The fee for joining in December is 69.55. This fee covers the one-time fees and membership dues through the end of March. If you joined in February the fee is 43.55 . This fee covers the one-time fees and membership dues also through the end of March. The difference in fees is because the dues are prorated. See our cost table for details.

What happens at a Foster City Toastmasters meeting?

The main purpose of the meeting is to allow members to deliver prepared speeches and to receive feedback from the other members. There is also a section of the meeting where members and guests can practice impromptu speaking, what we call Table Topics.

Below is a typical meeting agenda.

7.30 pm Call to order by Sergent at Arms
7.35 Business meeting chaired by Club President.
7.50 Introduction of Toastmaster who will run most of the meeting
7.55 Possibly a short opening inspirational piece (Typically 2 minutes)
8.00 3 to 4 prepared speeches ranging from 5 to 15 minutes long
8.30 Break for snacks and chat
8.45 Evaluations of prepared speeches
9.05 Table topics (impromptu speeches)
9.20 Master evaluator gives meeting evaluation
9.25 Awards and closing comments
9.30 pm Meeting ends

Go for social drink at Scores

Why should I join?

Foster City Toastmasters is a warm and supportive environment to develop your communication skills. As your improved communication skills become obvious within the workplace, increased visibility, recognition and promotion will follow. Leadership skills acquired through participation in Toastmasters will increase your management potential. As a Toastmaster you will acquire an increased ability to motivate and persuade, making you more effective as a supervisor or manager.

But that's not all!

The skills you acquire can be leveraged outside of work as well. You'll learn to:

• become a more effective listener
• interview more confidently
• evaluate others effectively
• develop and deliver constructive feedback
• approach networking and social events with greater confidence

Find our why members of the Foster City club joined Toastmasters!

How do I join?

Drop in at any of our meetings as a guest to get an idea of what Toastmasters is about and to speak to some of our club officers. Once you're ready to join, ask one of our members for a new member form which you then fill out and turn into the club treasurer with a check to cover the membership fees.Your new member kit will come in the mail from Toastmasters International. In the meantime, you can borrow a Toastmasters manual from the club to read through and even begin preparing your first speech, the icebreaker. Our VP of Education will schedule a new member orientation with groups of 3-4 new members (usually conducted over happy hour drinks) to better understand your goals, go over Toastmaster programs, roles, etiquette, mentorship and answer any questions.