Apple Polishers Toastmasters Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Apple Polishers Toastmasters Club?
A. The Apple Polishers Toastmaster club is a local chapter of Toastmasters International; a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people develop and improve their public speaking skills.
Q. Why do I want to improve my public speaking skills?
A. The ability to speak in public is a critical part of being a leader in ANY profession. All good managers and leaders have the ability to communicate with confidence to people in group and one-on-one situations. In addition, people have discovered that becoming comfortable with speaking to a group makes their daily interactions much more effective and pleasurable, even if they're not required to speak in public.
Q. How will Toastmasters help improve my speaking skills?
A. Practice, Practice, and Practice! Our meetings are designed so everyone gets to speak during the meetings. Over time, your fears about public speaking disappear, your confidence and self-esteem increases. The value of Toastmasters is that you get to practice speaking in front of a supportive group that won't criticize you, no matter how bad you are. You will notice dramatic improvement with consistent weekly effort.
Q. What kind of talks are given? What kind of speaking will I do?
A. Every meeting has several roles that are filled by members. Each of these roles has some speaking involved. In addition, each meeting has one or more prepared speeches, along with an evaluator for each prepared speech. Another part during each meeting is called Table Topics. In table topics, members are asked to give an impromptu response to a question on a topic for 1 to 2 minutes. Impromptu speaking can be scary, but it is a valuable tool to teach you how to 'think on your feet'. Topics can range from technical subjects to humorous.
The Toastmaster Communication and Leadership workbook is issued to every new member, and the workbook guides you through ten basic speech assignments. Each assignment emphasizes on a particular part of speaking, such as using voice variety, hand and body gestures, and organizing your speech. The subject of your speech is entirely up to you. Subjects that interest you strongly make good speeches.
Q. What kinds of people are in the club? Is it just a bunch of high-ranking managers?
A. Nothing can be farthest from the truth. The Apple Polisher club members are from various backgrounds and their ages range from 30s through 60s. It includes professionals, blue-collar workers, and retirees. The one common trait each club member has is a desire to improve their public speaking. Their reasons vary from wanting to advance their careers that requires good speaking ability and the ability to 'think on their feet', to simply improving their overall communication skills, or perhaps improving their job interviewing skills.
Q. How do I get involved?
A. The first step is to visit one of our meetings, held every Wednesday night from 5:45 pm to 7:15 pm in the National Park Service building, 12795 W. Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80228. Check in with the security guard in the main lobby and follow the posted signs to the meeting room.
Q. Will I be asked to speak if I visit a meeting?
A. At the beginning of our meetings, guests are asked whether or not they would like to participate in the Table Topics session, in which they can decide yes or no to participate. There is no pressure to participate.
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