New Member Kit

As a new member, you will receive the New Member Kit from Toastmasters International. Included in the kit is a Basic Communication & Leadership (Basic C & L) Manual plus three pamphlets entitled "Your Speaking Voice", "Gestures: Your Body Speaks", and "Effective Speech Evaluation".

The Basic C & L Manual describes ten speech projects within the "Communication and Leadership Program". Each project is designed to develop your speaking skills one step at a time. Every project builds upon what you have learned in the preceding project. Each project begins with a unique set of objectives. The objectives for the first speech, "The Ice Breaker", are simply to begin speaking before an audience, to introduce yourself to your fellow Toastmasters, and to help you understand what areas require particular emphasis in your speaking development. The Ice Breaker is a four to six minute speech.

As you progress from one speech to the next, you will be challenged with new goals and objectives. Once you have completed the ten speech projects outlined in the Basic C & L Manual, you will receive a Competent Toastmaster (CTM) award, identifying you as a Competent Toastmaster. You will then have the opportunity to pursue some of the more advanced programs.

Also included in the kit are three pamphlets entitled "Your Speaking Voice", "Gestures: Your Body Speaks", and "Effective Speech Evaluation".

"Your Speaking Voice" provides tips for adding strength, dimension, vitality, and authority to your voice. An effective voice isn't necessary just for public speaking. A good controlled voice is an asset in everyday communication with others.

"Gestures: Your Body Speaks" helps you to understand how to become skilled in non-verbal communication. Research shows that more than half of all human communication takes place non-verbally. In public speaking, your body can be an effective tool for adding emphasis and clarity to your words.

"Effective Speech Evaluation" provides tips and techniques for giving helpful evaluations. Members prepare and present speeches based on projects in the "Communication and Leadership Program" manual to their fellow members. These fellow Club members evaluate the speeches, enabling the speakers to develop their speaking skills. By reading this manual carefully and applying the tips and techniques to your evaluations, you will quickly be able to give helpful, positive, constructive evaluations that will motivate and genuinely help the receiver.