COMMON QUESTIONS
Table of Contents
What is Toastmasters?
What happens at meetings?
How often does the club meet?
How does a member learn?
What is the cost of membership?
Do I have to join the club at my first meeting?
I can’t join because of my schedule. What can I do?

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WHAT IS TOASTMASTERS?
Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing communication and leadership training in a mutually supportive environment. It is presided over by a board of Directors, which are elected by the membership to lead each member and club into proper speaking procedures and examples.

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WHAT HAPPENS AT MEETINGS?

A typical meeting at Wisconsin Club includes 6 main elements. They are: BUSINESS MEETINGS Business meetings are performed at the beginning of the meeting to discuss the club’s outstanding and new business as it relates to the club and its members. TABLE TOPICS Table topics is a chance for the membership to develop their impromptu speaking skills by answering questions in an “off the cuff” format and in a limited amount of time. DINNER The restaurant usually brings us our food orders at this time. The club will take a recess so the members can enjoy dinner. PREPARED SPEECHES Members of the club have the chance to deliver prepared speeches based on manuals provided by Toastmasters International or for the two contests scheduled per year. EVALUATIONS After each of the speakers have presented their prepared speeches, the speakers are given constructive evaluations to point out their strengths, and some areas that the speaker might want to improve upon. MEETING REPORTS To ensure proper speaking etiquette, and allow for the members to learn some more strengths and things to improve on, reports are given for Timing, Ah’s & Um’s Counter and Quizmaster. The meeting as a whole is also evaluated at this time.

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HOW OFTEN DOES THE CLUB MEET?
Wisconsin Toastmasters Club #3490 normally meets every 2nd & 4th Thursday of every month at the Bavarian Inn in Glendale, Wisconsin. During November and December, holidays may affect this schedule so that there is only one meeting per month. Club officers participate in a committee meetings as scheduled by the president of the club and available to all officers. All members are welcome to attend.

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HOW DOES A MEMBER LEARN?
When a person joins a club for the first time, Toastmasters International will provide the basic Communication and Leadership manual. Members can work through this manual at their own pace. Once the first manual is complete, there are several others that a member can choose from. New members are also assigned a mentor and are encouraged to attend new member orientation, officer training, and other Toastmaster events.
In Toastmasters, acronyms are used to designate the level of education and leadership that a member has achieved. The acronyms are as follows: CTM Competent Toastmaster To be eligible for this award, a member must have: Completed the Communication and Leadership Program manual. ATM-B Advanced Toastmaster – Bronze To be eligible for this award, a member must have: Earned the Competent Toastmaster award. Completed two Advanced Communication and Leadership Program manuals. ATM-S Advanced Toastmaster – Silver To be eligible for this award, a member must have: Earned the Adavnced Toastmaster – Bronze award. Completed two additional advanced manuals. Conducted any two programs from The Better Speaker Series and/or The Successful Club Series. ATM-G Advanced Toastmaster – Gold To be eligible for this award, a member must have: Earned the Advanced Toastmaster – Silver award. Completed two additional advanced manuals. Conducted a Success/Leadership Program, Success/Communication Program or a Youth Leadership Program. Coached a new member with the first three speech projects. CL Competent Leader To be eligible for this award, a member must have: Earned the Competent Toastmaster award. Served at least six months as a club officer (President, Vice-President of Education, Vice-President of Membership, Vice-President of Public Relations, Secretary, Treasurer or Master Host) and helped prepare of a Club Success Plan. Participated in a district-sponsored club officer training program while serving as a club officer. Conducted any two programs from the Successful Club Series. AL Advanced Leader To be eligible for this award, a member must have: Earned the Competent Leader award. Served a complete term as a district officer (District Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Public Relations Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, Division Governor, Area Governor). Completed the High Performance Leadership program. Served successfully as a Club Sponsor, Mentor, or Specialist. DTM Distinguished Toastmaster Earned the Advanced Toastmaster – Gold award. Earned the Advanced Leader award.

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HOW MUCH DOES MEMBERSHIP COST?
There is a one-time joining fee of $16.00 for new members that goes to Toastmasters International. Club dues are $40.00 for a six month period, but are prorated for new members. Dues should be turned in to the club treasurer by April 1st and October 1st.

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DO I HAVE TO JOIN AT MY FIRST MEETING?
No. Guests have the opportunity to visit the club as many times as they like. This gives them a chance to see all of the different events at a meeting and get to know the members.

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I CAN'T JOIN BECAUSE OF MY SCHEDULE. WHAT CAN I DO?
Toastmasters International has many other clubs all over the world. You can visit the Toastmasters International website for a listing of other clubs to find one that will better fit your schedule. Click here to visit the Toastmasters International website.

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