New Member FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from New Members
We’re delighted that you’re planning to visit Newport Center Toastmasters Club. Please plan to arrive about ten minutes before the meeting starts at 7:00 a.m. so we can welcome you and help you settle in.
What should I expect when I arrive?
We’ll invite you to sign the Visitors’ Book and take a seat. Please don’t hesitate to ask the welcoming club member any questions.
How will I know what’s going to happen at the meeting?
There will be a printed agenda showing the timing and speakers for each portion of the meeting. Some of the roles such as timer, balloteer etc., will be introduced early in the meeting, so you’ll hear about how each role helps facilitate a successful Toastmasters’ meeting.
Will I be expected to speak?
We do invite all guests to speak during the impromptu speaking portion of the meeting (Table Topics). You have three options. You can:
- respond to a question about the theme of the day
- introduce yourself; or
- decline to speak.
We sincerely hope you won’t decline to speak — Toastmasters is a great place to practice public speaking. The time allocated for Table Topics responses is usually a minimum of 40 seconds and a maximum of one minute.
What happens after the meeting during the Club Business session?
..The Toastmasters meeting finishes by 8:25 a.m. and is followed by a brief club business session (usually five minutes). Occasionally during the club business session, the club members will need to vote on new initiatives and growth strategies.
What if I want to become a member?
We hope you will decide Newport Center Toastmasters is the right place for you to develop your leadership and speaking skills. Because it takes consistency and commitment to get the most out of the opportunities our club offers, we do require that you attend three consecutive meetings as a guest before you are eligible to become a member. Next, you will be asked to fill out a membership form.
If the club membership is below the maximum allowed of 31 members, club members will not vote on your application to join the club. If our club membership is at a maximum we will accept you into the club as soon as an opening becomes available.
If you have additional questions, please contact us at newportcentertoastmasters@gmail.com or ask our Club Secretary when you visit.
Why join Toastmasters?
- Overcome fears and self imposed limitations so you can emerge with confidence!
- Broaden your mind and expand your depth of knowledge on a variety of subjects and disciplines.
- Educate and enliven others by sharing edifying speeches on important topics.
- Gain valuable feedback from experienced club members who are leveraging the proven system offered by Toastmasters International.
- Learn to leverage natural abilities and expand upon critical speaking and presentation skills.
- Network, make new friends, build relationships and bond with other like-minded professionals.
- Balance and enhance your career.
- Compete at varying degrees of difficulty for trophies, awards and recognition.
- Develop and expand upon key leadership skills and disciplines that will benefit you in all areas of your life.
- You will be able to do all this and more and you will enjoy every step of the process because you will have fun!
- Build confidence and present your ideas effectively.
- Master your communication and leadership skills.
- Get comfortable with tech tools – Zoom, Powerpoint, Microphone.
- Our President’s Distinguished Club meets every Monday 7-8:30 AM.
The Members of Newport Centers Toastmasters Club look forward to meeting you and to helping you achieve your goals!
Is Newport Beach Toastmasters Club 231F a President's Distinguished club?
Yes! We are indeed President’s Distinguished, (the highest Toastmasters Club Award) and have been every year since 1999!