Take the leap, come to one of our meetings!
Take the leap, come to one of our meetings!
Our Meetings
Do you want a little self-confidence boost?
What is Young Guns?
The Young Guns Toastmasters Club was established in April 2007. We hold fortnightly meetings run as a 'learn-by-doing' workshop where you practice in various roles aimed at improving your public speaking and leadership skills.
Young Guns is part of Toastmasters International which is global organisation that aims to empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.
Guests are always welcome to attend a few meetings, without charge, while they get a feel for what happens and how everything works.
What is Toastmasters?
No, we don’t make toasters!
From humble beginnings in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters International has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. Find out more about Toastmasters International here.
But I’m busy and don’t have much time
We meet once a fortnight so even if you miss one meeting in a month, there is another one you tag along to. Our meetings start after ordinary business hours at 6:00 pm and we’re conveniently located on Beaufort street in Highgate. Still not sure? Visit us as a guest, absolutely free, no strings attached.
I have always been bad at public speaking.
Does that mean there is no point to practice?
Public speaking is a skill that you can learn now through practice.
At Young Guns, we help you find your style and work with you to bring out the best in you while making you aware of the things you didn't even know you could do better.
It's not about perfection, it's about becoming a better listener, better thinker and better speaker.
How much does it cost to join Young Guns?
What do I get if I become a member?
When you join the Young Guns Toastmasters club, you get to benefit right away.
As a member, you get access to the meeting agenda where you can add yourself to participate in the club roles. Your first prepared speech is going to be your icebreaker. You will receive immediate feedback on your speech in a constructive and supportive environment. This means you start getting better straight away!
Members have the opportunity to buddy-up with experienced speakers who can give helpful hints and tips as well as act as a sounding board for those speeches that you need to give outside of the club.
Once you join Young Guns, you are a member of the Toastmasters organisation. This means that you will have the opportunity to participate in district and international speech competitions and take your public speaking skills to the next level!
Experience all of these things in a great atmosphere surrounded by motivated and like minded people who share your interest in public speaking.
What actually happens at a Young Guns meeting?
The first thing you will notice is that there is no instructor. But don’t worry, there will always be an MC (aka the Toastmaster of the meeting) who guides the meeting and lets us all know what’s about to happen. You’ll also get immediate feedback about your performance which will focus on what was done right and what can be improved.
A typical meeting will look something like this:
18:00 Welcome (by the Toastmaster of the evening)
18:10 Table Topics (members of the Audience are called on and they each have 1-2mins to answer a question)
18:25 Evaluation of the impromptu speakers
18:30 Three or four prepared speeches
18:55 Feedback about the prepared speeches
19:10 General Evaluation (feedback about the other speeches/roles)
19:15 Closing remarks
19:20 Finish!
While we aim to stick to the agenda, there's always a chance that things don't go to plan but don't worry, we love to improvise!
Meetings are very social and we often stay back for a drink and a chat.
So if there’s no instructor then who makes sure that the meeting runs the way it should?
The Young Guns Committee are here every step of the way to keep things running smoothly and for you to get the most out of your experience while at the meeting. Our aim is to allow each and every member to participate, organise and become confident enough to facilitate these meetings. We believe that by guiding and empowering members, they will not only get become confident public speakers but also thrive as leaders inside and outside of the club!
What is the Toastmasters educational program?
Education is an important part of every Toastmaster’s journey, and it is a critical aspect of all club meetings around the world. Participating in Toastmasters’ education program allows you to gain the valuable practice needed to develop your public speaking, communication, and leadership skills.
The safe and supportive environment clubs provide allows you to learn at your own pace in a curriculum that has helped millions meet their personal and professional goals. Since Toastmasters was founded in 1924, our education programs have been driven by four guiding principles:
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Experiential Learning–we learn by doing; by giving speeches and fulfilling leadership roles, we practice and improve
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Self-paced Program–we learn best at our own pace and comfort level
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Peer Feedback–through honest and supportive peer evaluation, we grow and improve
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Mentoring–experienced members encourage, guide and support us in our goals and help us to achieve more than we thought possible
The Toastmasters Pathways Program is an exciting, flexible and interactive way to develop your skills and help others in your club develop theirs. Pathways helps you learn communication and leadership skills that you need to succeed. It gives you:
- The opportunity to build up to 300 unique competencies
- 11 specialized learning paths to choose from
- Online content, so that you can learn anytime, anywhere
- Real-world, transferable skills
What are the membership fees used for?
Toastmasters is a non-profit organisation and most your fees go to Toastmasters International where you can check out the benefits you get on their website. The rest goes towards making each meeting a reality which means paying rent, and keeping this great site up and running.
Useful Forms
Here are some frequently used forms that will come in handy while you're a Toastmasters member.