Club Meetings
Routine Meetings at the Newcastle Toastmasters Club
Members practice communication and leadership skills by presenting speeches and serving in roles for the club. We learn techniques and gain confidence to improve our professional and personal lives.
The Newcastle Toastmasters Club allows walk-in attendance, but we encourage visitors to register so we can prepare space.
Essential Info
Where: Souths Merewether:
When: Thursdays, 7 pm
Who: anyone
Cost: three free visits and see the membership form
Registration: contact us or follow the RSVP links in the calendar.
What to expect at your first visit to a meeting with the Newcastle Toastmasters Club
Greeting
A member, typically the VP of Membership or Education, will greet you at the door. We have a QR code for visitors to sign in so we can support you afterwards. Alternatively, the Visitors’ Book may be available for handwritten sign-in.
Seating
You can choose any seat that is not already occupied. You will receive an agenda program that outlines the speaking assignments and other segments that the members will fulfill.
Welcome
The Club president may officially announce and welcome all visitors at the start of the meeting. This member might also invite you to share your impression of the meeting at the end.
Be in the audience
You can observe the speaking assignments to see how members practice their skills and support each other’s learning journeys.
Optional impromptu speaking
The Table Topics Master could ask if you want to participate in our impromptu speaking session. This is completely optional, voluntary, and enjoyable.
Membership
A membership application form will be available. You can ask for a paper-based or electronic copy of this document to start joining the club.
Newsletter
You will have the option to follow our newsletter and receive updates about themed meetings, events, and courses.
Get started. Contact us or register to attend a meeting.
Newsletter
Get more info about upcoming meetings. Sign up for the newsletter to stay in the loop.
What happens at club meetings?
Table Topics impromptu speaking
Visitors and members are welcome to participate in this segment of the meeting. The Table Topics master will read out a topic or question and then select a participant to respond on the spot for one minute. Table Topics evaluators will then provide encouraging congratulations and suggestions based on the public speaking techniques that can be implemented. This is an opportunity to practice thinking on our feet to prepare for situations such as job interviews, networking conversations, an elevator pitch.
Evaluations of Table Topics
Evaluators will provide brief, constructive feedback on each Table Topics response. Suggestions highlights of strengths will usually focus on the basic public speaking techniques such as body language, vocal variety, structure and relevance to the audience.
Prepared speeches
A member will present a prepared speech on any topic using the public speaking methods outlined in Toastmasters International's Pathways educational program. Speeches often last 5-7 minutes. Their purposes may be to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire. Speakers may use notes and/or visual aids, including PowerPoint. This is optional.
Evaluations of prepared speeches
An evaluator will focus on the objectives the speaker aims towards based on personal goals and the Pathways educational program. An evaluation can have a structure of praising a strength, suggesting two points for improvement or change, and then ending with highlighting another well-presented technique.
Master/General Evaluator
The Master Evaluator provides constructive feedback about the speech evaluators and any other assignments that have not yet been evaluated. This role can also include comments about the overall flow of the meeting.
Grammarian
This is a fun way to take note of participants’ word choices. We usually also have a “Word of the Day” that can support a theme or expand our vocabulary.
Meeting Chairman
The chairman will control the entire meeting, introducing speakers such as the Table Topics Master, MC, and some other speaking roles. The chairman should also guide the Club Business session.
Humour spot or two-minute say
This quick segment allows a member to share a short speech that is either opinionated or comedic.
Toast
Aligned with the word that inspired the Toastmasters name, it is normal to have a toast in the meeting. This could be about a person, celebration or historical occasion.
Time Keeper
A member will time speeches and other speaking assignments so we conclude the meeting at an appropriate time and practice speaking concisely.
Vice President of Education
The VPE will edit the agenda program and support members’ educational assignments.
Club President
The President serves in the role for a year, guiding the Club Executive Committee. This member may support the Meeting Chairman and the overall meeting.
Workshops and Educational Sessions
Particular meetings include workshops and educational sessions to guide communication and leadership skills. Damien Challen, comedian and trainer, taught members about constructing jokes at a meeting in September, 2023.
