Gilbert Toastmasters

Our club meets weekly for 90-minute sessions that begin promptly at 7 PM. Each meeting is structured to provide a balanced mix of prepared speeches, impromptu speaking opportunities through Table Topics, and constructive evaluations. This format is designed to help members enhance their public speaking, communication, and leadership skills in a supportive and positive learning environment.

Our club is vibrant and active, with an average membership of 40 to 50.

Membership fees cover venue costs, Toastmasters International dues and minor expenses like prints and badges, ensuring a quality experience. Fees are billed bi-annually for convenience. For up-to-date details and benefits, contact our Vice President Membership at vpm-499@toastmastersclubs.org. We're committed to transparency and are here to guide you through your Toastmasters journey.

Besides the membership fees, there are no mandatory additional costs such as conferences in our club. However, we do host an annual fundraiser to support our activities and initiatives, and participation is entirely voluntary. Additionally, after every meeting, we often gather socially in fun places like in Gilbert downtown. These social gatherings are also voluntary, and members can choose to participate based on their interest and availability. All additional activities outside the regular meetings are 100% voluntary, ensuring members can engage at a level that suits their preferences and budget.

No, there are no prerequisites or specific skill levels required to join our club. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and levels of experience, from complete beginners to seasoned speakers. Our club is designed to be a supportive space where everyone can grow and improve at their own pace.

Absolutely! You are welcome to attend as many meetings as you'd like as a guest, completely free of charge. This gives you the opportunity to experience our club's atmosphere, observe the meeting structure, and see firsthand how we support each other's growth in public speaking and leadership skills. Feel free to visit and take your time deciding if our club is the right fit for you

In our club, the educational and progression system follows the structured Toastmasters Pathways learning experience, which is designed to help members build competencies in communication and leadership. However, due to our club's success and a vibrant membership averaging more than 40 members, speaking opportunities for prepared speeches are shared among all members. As a result, you can expect to have 3 to 4 opportunities per year to deliver a prepared speech.

While this setup fosters a diverse and enriching learning environment, it may mean a slower progression through the Toastmasters' paths for those looking to advance quickly. Our club offers a wealth of other learning opportunities, including roles in meetings, impromptu speaking, and leadership roles, which all contribute to your growth within Toastmasters. If your primary goal is rapid advancement through prepared speeches, our club might not be the best fit. However, if you value a rich community learning experience, our club offers a supportive and dynamic environment for personal and professional development.

To join our club, you need to be 18 years or older. Whether you're a student keen on creating engaging reels, a professional gearing up for presentations, or a senior looking to stay active and engaged, we welcome everyone. There's no upper age limit; our community is diverse, vibrant, and inclusive, embracing members from all walks of life.

Leadership development is a cornerstone of our club, where we focus on fostering leadership skills alongside public speaking. Our structured approach involves assigning various functionary roles to members, such as Timer, Evaluator, or Toastmaster of the Day, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfill these roles over time. This method ensures a well-rounded experience, allowing members to practice and enhance leadership abilities through diverse real-world scenarios. From communication and team management to problem-solving and project planning, each role is designed to challenge members and cultivate essential leadership qualities. Our supportive club environment encourages members to embrace these opportunities, guiding them on their path to becoming confident and effective leaders.

Our club prides itself on a diverse and inclusive culture that spans several generations of Americans as well as individuals from various countries, including India, Mexico, China, France, Brazil, Bahrain, among others. This rich tapestry of backgrounds contributes to a vibrant club atmosphere where members can not only improve their public speaking and leadership skills but also gain unique perspectives and insights from around the world. We celebrate this diversity, believing it strengthens our club and enhances the experience for all members, fostering an environment of mutual respect, learning, and global awareness.

Our club takes a comprehensive approach to support and mentorship for new members. While we have a dedicated Vice President of Mentoring whose primary role is to facilitate the pairing of new members with suitable mentors, our club culture emphasizes that all members can be mentors. This means that, in addition to the formal mentorship you receive, you'll also benefit from the collective wisdom, experience, and support of the entire club membership. Everyone is encouraged to share knowledge and provide guidance, creating a rich, supportive environment where learning and growth are mutual.

Our club remains committed to offering a 100% live meeting experience, maintaining the traditional in-person format. We believe in the value of face-to-face interactions for building strong connections among members and enhancing the learning experience. In response to global events, we prioritize the health and safety of our members by adhering to recommended guidelines and best practices to ensure our live meetings are conducted safely and responsibly.

Simply visit one of our meetings to get a feel for the club. While there, ask any member to introduce you to our Membership Officer, who will guide you through the joining process.