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Toastmasters and Rotary This page will be updated regularly with ideas as to how various Rotary programs can best work with Toastmaster Speaking Programs last updated August 7, 2008 How can Rotary programs best work with Toastmasters public speaking programs? Next step: Join us on Wednesday, August 20 from 7:00-8:30PM in the Rockville, MD library (2nd floor conference room)  21 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850 Directions Light refreshments.  RSVP (not necessary but helpful) include your questions - steven.naron@jhu.edu Agenda: Intro to Toastmasters -- programs, features, costs, finding club Which Toastmasters programs make sense for which Rotary programs How to start taking working with Toastmaster programs Background: Toastmasters International (http://www.toastmasters.org) provides public speaking and leadership training through its club meetings and structured training programs.  Toastmasters is an effective and very low cost self-improvement organization run by volunteers.  Toastmasters programs could support many Rotary programs: Youth - school programs including Interact For young professionals - Rotaract, Foundation Alumni Speech programs Scholarship programs, including Ambassadorial Scholars Literacy programs Skills of Rotarians for leadership training. I am a long-time Rotarian (former club president) and Toastmaster, and now am in charge of coordinating incoming Ambassadorial Scholars for District 7620.  I started coordinating public speaking training for the Scholars with local Toastmaster clubs.  Because this seemed to be going so well, I sent out an e-mail to Rotarians in District 7620    From this one e-mail we received almost 50 expressions of interest!  (8 Interact and 3 Rotaract programs, one elementary school program,  Ambassadorial Scholars and alumni, and several Rotarians)  If you have any questions please contact me. We had a panel discussion about the possibilities of Toastmasters and Rotary working together at our regular Rotary meeting.  The details of the presentation are included in the August 7, 2008 Newsletter. --- Steven.Naron@JHU.EDU Some possible approaches: A concentrated "Speechcraft" program - 4-5 sessions with lessons and practice over that many weeks.  For anyone who wants a quick start in public speaking training, such as Ambassadorial Scholars or Rotarians. A Gavel club - a young person's version of Toastmasters -- with structured speech practice, perhaps meeting once or twice a month. Each Rotary club to have an active "sister" Toastmaster club (open club that fits geographically and time-wise that is sufficiently active in appropriate programs) Education periodically to members about respective programs.   Find a club (or clubs) at http://www.toastmasters.org Education at appropriate Toastmaster/Rotary District conferences and Leadership programs (respectively TLIs and PETs) about other organizations As a resource to the Rotary District 7620 clubs, develop a list of public speaking mentors who are local Rotarians and also Toastmasters.