Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I’ve never been to a Toastmasters meeting before – can I just turn up?
Yes! You can come and visit us as a guest (for free) as many times as you like. Check out the “Join a meeting” page to find out more.

Do I have to speak? 
Nobody is forced to speak at Toastmasters. During each meeting, there is an opportunity for guests to introduce themselves, and we encourage all guests to do this. As a guest, you can also take part in a “table topic”, which is a 1 – 2 minute improvised speech.

What does a meeting look like? 
Each meeting is around 2 hours long, and it’s packed full of speaking opportunities. After a short introduction by the club president and the “Toastmaster” (the host for the meeting), we move on to table topics. These are short improvised speeches that anyone can take part in. The second part of the meeting is 3 or 4 prepared presentations from our members. These are followed by detailed evaluations from our experienced members. The best way to learn more about our meetings is to attend as a guest – find out how on the “Join a meeting” page.

When do you meet?
We meet on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th (if there is one) Tuesday of each month; you can see our next meeting in the calendar.

Where do you meet?
We meet in St Botolph’s Church on Aldgate High Street, next to Aldgate Tube Station.  Check out our “Join a meeting” page for more information.

What do I get if I become a member?
You can join our meetings as a guest as many times as you like. You can even participate in improvised “table topic” speeches. But you get much more from Toastmasters by becoming a member. By becoming a member, you will benefit from a structured programme, supported by a wealth of material, to improve all aspects of your public speaking. You can deliver prepared speeches, and receive tailored evaluations from experienced speakers. One of our experienced Toastmasters will become your mentor. And much more! 

Who runs the meetings?
The meetings are run by members. There are a variety of roles for members to take at each meeting, for example: evaluators, timekeeper, Toastmaster and many more.Members are supported by a hard-working committee of volunteers. Find out more on “The Committee” page.

How much does a membership cost?
There’s a small one-off joining fee for all your training materials, and then it’s only £12 a month. Membership is collected once a year, or done on a pro-rata basis if you join part-way through.  Here’s our Membership Application that lists all the costs, and tells you how to join.

I have more questions, who should I ask?
Any of our members are happy to chat! Come along at a meeting to talk to us. Or see the “Contact us” page for more options. 

What are the different meeting roles?
Learn more about the roles available to members of the club on the Toastmasters International website.