Frequently Asked Questions
Need to Know
What is Aggie Toastmasters?
Aggie Toastmasters is Texas A&M's campus chapter of Toastmasters International, which has a total membership base of nearly 400,000 in 143 countries worldwide. We are an organization that brings together a diverse and vibrant membership base to focus on building public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. For more information on what we do, please explore our website and FAQs.
How will Aggie Toastmasters benefit me?
Aggie Toastmasters aims to be a safe, inclusive, and fun environment for our members to practice and grow their public speaking skills. But that's not all! Here's a list of a few other ways in which Aggie Toastmasters can benefit you:
-Improve your public speaking skills
-Develop your leadership skills
-Expand your social and professional network in a small group environment
-Practice writing and presenting speeches in a group environment
-Get detailed feedback from others
-Gain a competitive advantage professionally
-Build self-awareness and boost self-confidence
What can I expect from a Toastmasters meeting?
Toastmasters meetings generally consist of three main sections: Prepared Speeches, Table Topics, and Evaluations. During the first section, up to three members will give a prepared speech that they signed up for in advance. These speeches normally last 5-7 minutes each. The next section of the meeting, Table Topics, consists of volunteers giving 1-2 minute impromptu speeches about a topic chosen by the Table Topics Master. Finally, the Evaluation section of the meeting is when the speech evaluators and all other designated meeting evaluators give their reports from the meeting.
Please watch the video below for more information on what to expect from a Toastmasters meeting.
What is the membership fee?
Aggie Toastmasters offers two different membership options. For $5 per semester, you can join as a "local member." This means that you become a member of Aggie Toastmasters but not our parent organization, Toastmasters International. Local members are unfortunately not able to give prepared speeches at our meetings, as those slots are reserved for our international members. Additionally, local members do not have access to the Pathways Program and are not able to take full advantage of the professional resources offered through Toastmasters International. However, local members can still participate in all other roles in our weekly meetings and attend our socials.
As an "international member," your fees also include membership to our parent organization, Toastmasters International. This gives you the option to take part in all meeting roles, access the Pathways Program, and also participate in any other Toastmasters club worldwide-from Texas, to India, to Japan. We encourage all of our active members to become international members because of all the added professional benefits that it provides, including the ability to include it on your resume/CV. Fees for international membership are $60 for the first 6 months, and then $45 for each six-month period thereafter with an additional 5$ that will go to aggie toastmasters!
I'm not a Texas A&M University student, can I still attend Aggie Toastmasters?
Yes! Although the majority of our members are part of the Texas A&M undergraduate and graduate student bodies, Aggie Toastmasters is open to all students, faculty, staff and community members- whether you are part of Texas A&M or not. Everyone is welcome!
When and where does Aggie Toastmasters meet?
We meet every Wednesday of the Spring and Fall semesters from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Please refer to our 'Calendar' page for meeting venue. Our meetings are scheduled to be held in either Rudder Tower or the Memorial Student Center (MSC) on Texas A&M's main campus. To find out the meeting location, please contact us through our email (aggie.toastmasters@gmail.com).
I'm scared of public speaking, how can I start without feeling terrified?
Many (if not all) of our members came into Aggie Toastmasters with at least some level of fear or anxiety about public speaking. There are no requirements that members must get up and speak at every meeting. Feel free to simply attend a few meetings as a spectator and participate whenever you feel ready! Aggie Toastmasters aims to be a safe and comfortable place for all, regardless of your experience level.
I'm an experienced speaker, does Aggie Toastmasters provide advanced training?
Aggie Toastmasters is proud to have a diverse membership base of a wide range of experience levels. If you are a more experienced speaker seeking advanced training, then we encourage you to enroll in the Pathways Program through Toastmasters International if you haven't already. Additionally, feel free to email us and/or speak to an officer for one-on-one guidance and information about potential leadership opportunities.