Welcome to
West Los Angeles Toastmasters

About West LA Toastmasters

10 tips for public speaking

Links

WHAT IS TOASTMASTERS?
Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people improve their public speaking and leadership skills. The organization has existed for more than 75 years and has chapters in more than 50 countries.

HOW CAN I BENEFIT FROM TOASTMASTERS?
In this day and age there is overwhelming evidence that communication skills are essential to success in the workplace. A Toastmasters club provides a positive, supportive environment in which members have an opportunity to develop more effective speaking and leadership skills which foster self-confidence. Additionally most members would concur that casual day-to-day social communication comes more easily. You will:

Learn and practice the art of effective public speaking
Learn to overcome nervousness when speaking before an audience
Sharpen your listening and thinking skills as you give constructive evaluations to fellow members
Practice thinking on your feet and speaking extemporaneously
Enjoy being part of a constructive and supportive environment

HOW DO YOU CHECK IT OUT?
Feel free to stop by and sit in on any one of our meetings - no reservations or prior arrangements required!

WHEN DO WE MEET?:
Every Wednesday night 7:30p.m. to 9:30p.m, except on major holidays.

WHERE DO WE MEET?
Santa Monica Best Western Gateway Hotel
IHOP restaurant, Carousel Room
1920 Santa Monica Blvd.
(Southwest corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and 20th Street)
Santa Monica, California 90404

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST:
To visit as a guest, absolutely free. To join as a member the cost is low in light of the benefits, $5 per month plus $18 one-time start-up fee. A definite bargain when you consider the impact on work and social life!

PARKING:
Free parking beneath and next to the hotel

WHAT IF I'M NEW TO PUBLIC SPEAKING?
That's what it's all about! Though the composition of club changes, there is always a mix of new members and more experienced speakers. So there are always opportunities to learn from others. We believe Toastmasters provides a 'safe' place where you can take risks as a public speaker. You decide when you are comfortable to assume greater speaking responsibilities.

WHAT IS A MEETING LIKE?
A typical meeting has three different speaking sections. There is an impromptu / extemporaneous speaking section which gives members practice in thinking quickly and coherently on their feet as we must all do at times in real life. A second part of the meeting concerns prepared speeches with topics of the speakers choosing. The third major portion is an evaluation phase to provide constructive feedback to the speakers with prepared speeches. Where they did well and where they can improve.

HOW DO YOU PROGRESS THROUGH TOASTMASTERS?
The foundation of the Toastmasters program is a basic Communications Manual of ten speeches that members work through at their own pace, acquiring the essential 'building blocks' of public speaking. Those that desire to may progress through various advanced speaking manuals of their own choosing. There are 15 advanced manuals in all.

CONTACT US:
For Any Additional Questions You Have, Send E-mail (info@westsidetoastmasters.com) Send Questions Via Email  
.... Or Call Gary at (310) 202-0792