Welcome!

Thank you for your interest in TASC Toastmasters. This sheet covers some of the basic questions that you may have about Toastmasters International and our club.

What is Toastmasters?
Toastmasters International (TI) is the world’s largest non-profit educational organization dedicated to helping people improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills. Since the first Toastmasters club was chartered in California in 1924, the organization has grown to include over 11,300 clubs in 90 countries. Today, more than 220,000 people are proud to be Toastmasters!

How can Toastmasters benefit you?
Toastmasters can benefit you in many ways, including the following:
• Become a confident and persuasive speaker in front of small or large groups.
• Improve your ability to ‘improv’ and think/speak on your feet.
• Develop leadership skills by volunteering for various club roles or officer positions, or by coordinating club events.   

What goes on at each club meeting?
A Toastmasters club is a laboratory for self-development, with a friendly, supportive environment that promotes growth and learning. While the format of each club differs in some ways, every meeting contains speeches, speech evaluations, and “Table Topics” (the opportunity to “speak off the cuff”). Prepared speeches are based on assignments in the Toastmasters Communication and Leadership basic and advanced manuals. Meeting roles are assigned to moderate meeting functions (such as Speech Timer) and to improve speaking styles (such as Grammarian and ‘Ah’ Counter).  These roles are volunteer opportunities and are rotated among the members to provide a variety of experiences.

When and where does TASC Toastmasters meet?

The TASC Toastmasters club meets Wednesdays, from 11:30a.m. to 12:30p.m (bring your lunch!).  Meetings are held at 15036 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly, Virginia, 20151 (USA), in conference room W1213 of the Independence Center building. We follow a similar structure for every meeting: we open with a Humorist and a Word of The Day, have two or three prepared speeches, a round of Table Topics, speech and meeting evaluations, and reports on grammar usage and time limits. We close the meeting with a short business session.

Who may join TASC Toastmasters?
A TI club is open to anyone (18 and over) with an interest in improving their communication and leadership skills.  The person should also be willing to prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments, provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations, and to attend meetings regularly (note: don’t worry if you can’t make every meeting!).  Lastly, although there are Toastmasters clubs all over the world, the sponsor of our club and the provider of our meeting location, Northrop Grumman Corp, requires Independence Center visitors to hold US citizenship.

Are visitors expected to participate during the meeting?
You may be asked to introduce yourself at the beginning of the meeting as well as give us your impression of the club at the end of the meeting. You are most welcome to visit the club as often as you like before deciding to join.

How much does it cost to join?
• A one-time, new member fee of $20 covers the cost of the TI manuals and the monthly Toastmaster magazine.
• Semi-annual membership dues are $39 (pro-rated depending on date of application).  Membership dues are composed of a Toastmasters International monthly fee of $4.50 and a TASC Toastmasters monthly fee of $2.00.

How do I join and what happens after I join TASC Toastmasters?
Joining Toastmasters is easy and takes place through a local club.  Application forms are found on our and the TI website, in our Visitor’s Packet, or can be provided from any club member.  Complete the application and submit it at any of our weekly club meetings or contact us for other options.  You will immediately receive your first speech project (The Ice Breaker) and other club information.  You will receive a member’s package from Toastmasters International within two to three weeks that contains your speech and leadership manuals, education materials, and your first Toastmaster magazine. 

A veteran Toastmaster will be assigned to help you understand your development map and to mentor you through your first few speech projects.  Most people give their first speech project, The Ice Breaker, within the first month.  Volunteer for one of the easier meeting roles when you feel ready, such as the Word of The Day or ‘Ah-Counter’, and increase your participation as you gain confidence.  Also, consider joining the club’s Executive Committee!

Please don’t hesitate to contact TASC Toastmasters or Toastmasters International with any other questions.  We hope to see you at a future meeting!