Frequently Asked Questions
General
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What is Toastmasters?
Do we make toast? NO! What we do in Toastmasters instead is to make a toast. We are a part of Toastmasters International, a world renowned public speaking club that aims to facilitate a conducive environment for communication and leadership development. The program is not a formal course in public speaking, where one's speeches are graded. Rather, we provide a safe platform, where members are able to improve by studying the manuals, practicing and helping each other out.
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What's in it for me at Toastmasters?
Do you want to ace your presentations? Do you want to overcome your fear of public speaking? Do you want to gain leadership skills? If your heart says YES, then Toastmasters is the perfect match for you! Your Toastmasters journey shall begin by coming down to our chapter meetings. It is then that you can give your speeches. During your journey, you will learn to tell, listen and evaluate stories. With patience and determination, you will soon shine to become an outstanding Toastmaster, in leading and communicating.
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How are the chapter meetings like?
Each chapter meeting is divided into three different sections, namely - prepared speeches, evaluation of speeches, table topics (impromptu speaking section). The club also provides a mentorship system where the seniors will provide guidance to new members to help them along their Toastmasters journey.
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What are the roles I can take up during the meeting?
Sergeant-At-Arms - Kickstart the chapter meeting with an icebreaker(s) Toastmaster of the Evening - host of the meeting and introduces the next speaker/activity Ah-Counter - note any overused words or fillers Timer - monitoring the time of each segment and prompt speakers at certain intervals Table Topics Master - creates questions to engage members to participate and hone their impromptu speaking skills Project Evaluator - evaluates the prepared speeches, and gives verbal and written feedback to them Language Evaluator - introduces a word of the day to encourage members to use that word, expanding their vocabulary and creativity. - helps club members improve their grammar by noting any grammatical mistakes General Evaluator - evaluates everything that takes place during the meeting
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As a member, how do I sign up for roles or speeches?
We open the sign up form every Thursday, 12 noon. Sign up here.
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How can I join Toastmasters?
➤ Attend any of our chapter meetings and approach our Vice-President of Membership or our President to find out more; or ➤ Leave a comment on our facebook page; or ➤ Drop us an email at [email protected]
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Who can join NTU Toastmasters Club?
As long as you have the passion to speak and learn, and is a member of NTU, you are welcomed to join NTU Toastmasters Club!
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When are the chapter meetings? How frequently do you meet?
Chapter meetings are held every Wednesday, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. They are held weekly during the semester and biweekly during the semester breaks.
Membership
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When does my membership start and end?
You will be officially a toastmaster member from 1st October to 30th September next year.
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What are the membership costs?
➤ For new members: - We collect an annual fee of $160* and a one time joining fee of $20. As a form of goodwill, we will be offering an exclusive $10 early-bird discount off your membership fee, if you sign up before 6th September 2022! * The remaining $160 must be paid in 3 weeks time. - Membership fees are renewed per annum. - Do contact us to enquire for more information. ➤ For current members: - Annual fee of $160
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Why do we have to pay membership fees?
We are part of Toastmasters International and we pay an annual fee to them. All Toastmasters clubs have to sign up their members under Toastmasters International. - New member sign up: 20 USD - Subsequent semester: 45 USD - Total fee (USD): 20 + 45 + 45 = 110 USD - Total fee (SGD): 110 X 1.4 = S$154 This amount is given to the Toastmasters International and is not kept by NTU Toastmasters Club. In return, Toastmasters International will provide each and every member with Toastmaster International membership, manual, mentorship and guidance, international contests, etc. The membership also grants you one free path for the Pathways Projects, with the speech resources exclusively available to members only
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I am an exchange student and I will only be here for one semester, can I just pay half the fee?
Starting from September 2019, we wil offer a prorated membership fee to exchange students who are here for 1 semester. They will have to submit documents to proof that they are exchange students. The rate is $20 one time registration fee and a $80 membership fee.
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Why is there a one time registration fee of $20?
This registration fee grants you access to the global network of Toastmasters International speakers and resources.
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Is the one time registration fee refundable?
No. Not everyone brings cash or can do bank transfer immediately for our first meeting so a one time registration fee is offered instead. So if you are still contemplating on joining, you can get your membership at a discounted price. Besides, with this registration fee, we wish to provide you with refreshments which would incur costs but also to allow you to have an experience as an “almost” member before you pay the full amount and gain access to all that Toastmasters International can offer to you.
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Where did the excess of $26 go when I paid $180?
The excess goes mainly to our food, i.e. the weekly refreshments with themed chapter meetings. In every meeting, we have snacks and drinks that is enough for everyone. And fret not, if the refreshments are running out, we have a friendly EXCO team that will literally run to the Mac Donald’s at North Spine to buy and make sure no member goes home hungry. We have done that a few times before. We also have welfare packs and pizzas once in a while when we have Halloween night, Inspyre night, contests, workshops to host and we usually order pizzas for these. Also, for BBQ cohesion, we have BBQ as a club. So yes, you are paying $26 for all these food for 1 whole year with us.
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So you are saying we eat pizza, BBQ and other snacks and drinks for $26 only? How is that possible?
Yes, because aside from the $26 budget from each of you, the school provides us grants. We receive about 4 to 5 grants a year from NTU. NTU SAO will give grants to CCA clubs that belong to non-profit organisations. We are required to return the excess money back to school with regards to these grants. Also, as we are a school club, we are audited by NTU Audit Team every year. For school grants, we write proposals to request for a budget and hand in a post-event report back to school together with the unused funds after the event.
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Why is the payment deadline at the end of September and not any other date?
The EXCO needs to sign everyone up by 30 September which is the deadline set by Toastmasters International, hence some buffer for administration matters.
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Do I have to pay for refreshments if I am not an official member yet?
No, you do not have to pay. While you will be an official member starting 1st October, our club will absorb your expenses for free while we hold on to your membership fees.
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Subsequently, if I intend to renew my yearly membership afterwards, how much is it?
The rate is the same for every senior, who are members of Toastmasters International – i.e. everyone pays $160 for 1 year period.
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Alternatively, can I join other clubs outside NTU Toastmasters?
Yes, with your membership, you can visit clubs or attend talks either for free in most cases or for a highly discounted fee as compared to external talks conducted outside of Toastmasters.
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What if I am already a member of a Toastmasters Club but not under NTU?
You can attend our meetings as a member of Toastmasters International, we warmly welcome you. Your membership can also be transferred from the previous club to the club and you do not have to pay any. However, if your membership is expiring soon, we will have to renew the membership for you.