1. Speecom Toastmasters Club, what is it about?
Speecom Toast is a non-profit organization set up for the purpose of
assisting members of the public to improve their communication and
leadership skills, in a positive and mutually supportive environment. 

You will be learning how to develop your self confidence and skills for Speaking, Listening and Thinking; all vital ingredients for delivering 
effective communication.

Speecom was chartered in December 1981. Membership is open to
everyone, above 18 years of age. Speecom is an acronym for Speech 
& Communication. It is a club under the umbrella of Toastmasters
International, USA. Language used during meetings is English.
 

2. How is a typical meeting?
A typical meeting duration approx. 2 hours from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
Coffee, tea and snacks would be served from 7.00 pm to 7.30 pm.

The first half of the meeting will be the impromptu speaking session,
whereby members of the audience is encouraged to speak "on their feet"
on a topic, given by the Table Topics Master.

The second half of the meeting is the prepared speech session, whereby a
few members of the clubs will deliver their prepared speeches, from the
Communication and Leadership manual, given by Toastmasters
International, USA
 

3. Where and when are the meeting held?
Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays at Meeting Room, 
SRI DAMANSARA CLUB
Lot 23304, Persiaran Perdana, Bandar Sri Damansara,
52200 Kuala Lumpur

It is better if you can give a call to any one of the club's exco officers 
before coming for the club meetings.
 

4. What are the support materials given to members?
Upon signing up as a member, Toastmasters International, USA will send
you:
 

*	A book (the Communication & Leadership - C&L manual) which contains useful tips to guide you to do 10 assignment speeches. The duration of each speech to range from 4 minutes to 10 minutes. Example of the type of speeches: 1st. Speech's Objective: Icebreaker - introduce yourself (4 to 6 minutes) 10th. Speech's objective: Inspire the audience (8 to 10 minutes) Upon completion of the 10th speech, you would be given be a certificate from USA, acknowledging that you are now a Competent Toastmaster (CTM).  You will also receive 2 advanced manuals (of your choice) from Toastmasters International, USA, focusing on specific areas of interest, eg storytelling, the entertaining speaker, specialty speeches. If you like, Toastmasters International would send a letter to your employer, stating that you have achieved the CTM award.
*	A monthly magazine, the Toastmaster, which contains many useful articles on communication and leadership.

5. Would there be a mentor to guide me, in my Toastmasters journey?
Yes. Upon signing up, the Club's Vice-President Education would assign an experienced club member, as your mentor, to guide you in your first few speeches, and roles.
 

6. Besides speakers of the prepared speech assignments, what are the other roles in a typical club meeting?
The other roles are: (each role provides the role player with an opportunity to improve his or her communication and leadership skills)
 

(a)	Speech evaluators. After each speech, a speech evaluator would give a written and verbal evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to highlight, in a positive manner, the existing strengths of the speaker, and ways to improve further.
(b)	Toastmaster of the evening (TME): the Master of Ceremonies of the meeting.
(c)	Table topics master (TTM): a person who asks questions during the impromptu speech session.
(d)	Table topics evaluator (TTE): a person who evaluate the impromptu speeches during the impromptu speech session.
(e)	Game Master (GM): a person who designs a game, at the start of each meeting.
(f)	Timekeeper (TK): a person who keeps track of the timing taken by each role player.
(g)	Ah Counter (AC): a person who keeps track of the word clutches, unnecessary words like Ah, You know. .
(h)	Language Evaluator: a person who keeps track of the good and not-so-good English phrases during the meeting.
(i)	General Evaluator: a person who keeps track of the performance of the other role players.

7. How often do I have to speak or do roles?
There is no mandatory schedule. A Toastmasters club is similar to a learning lab - you progress at your own pace, that you are comfortable with. At the same time, it is worthwhile to note that if you take up more speaking assignments or roles, you would improve at a faster pace.
 

8. Who organize the club events?
The events are organized by the club's executive committee team (exco).
Exco members are elected by the club members at the Annual General Meeting in May, to serve for 1 year, from 1 July to 30 June.

There are 7 elected exco members:
a) President
b) Vice-President Education
c) Vice-President Membership
d) Vice-President Public Relations
e) Secretary
f) Treasury
g) Sergeant-at-arms

The Immediate Past President will be co-opted into the exco team.
 

9. Does the club organize any speech contests?
There are 4 types of speech contests each year
a) International Speech contest
b) Table Topics contest
c) Humorous Speech contest
d) Evaluation contest
 

10. What are the meeting/ membership fees?
Meeting fees for each meeting is RM 15.00 per person.
Being a non-profit organization, this is basically to cover the costs of rental of venue, food and drinks.

To sign up as a member, the membership fees are:
a) A one-off entrance fees of RM 80.00
b) A half-yearly subscription of RM 120.00