District 18 Toastmasters Meetup - West

The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

Everyone is welcome...simply visit and be open to learning!

Improving your public speaking skills at a Toastmasters meeting involves active participation and consistent practice.
Attend Regularly:

• Consistent attendance is crucial. Attend meetings regularly to immerse yourself in the Toastmasters environment and gain confidence.

Participate Actively:

• Roles: Take on different roles (such as Timer, Grammarian, or Ah-Counter) to develop diverse skills.

Prepare and Deliver Speeches:

• Project Speeches: Work through the Toastmasters educational program by delivering prepared speeches. Each project focuses on specific skills.

• Feedback: Accept constructive feedback from evaluators and implement it in your next speech.

Learn from Others:

• Observation: Pay attention to experienced speakers. Observe their body language, vocal variety, and use of visual aids.

• Mentorship: Seek guidance from seasoned members. They can provide valuable insights and tips.

Practice Impromptu Speaking:

• Outside Meetings: Practice impromptu speaking in everyday situations (business meetings, social events, etc.).

Eliminate Filler Words:

• Avoid using “umms” and “ahhs.” Briefly pause to gather your thoughts instead.

Ditch Distracting Mannerisms:

• Minimize nervous fidgeting or distracting gestures. Use purposeful gestures to enhance your message.

Visualize Success:

• Imagine yourself giving a successful speech—loud, clear, and confident. Visualize the audience applauding.

Enjoy Yourself:

• Choose topics you’re passionate about. Your commitment will engage the audience.

Remember, joining a Toastmasters club provides a safe and encouraging environment to practice and improve. So, embrace the journey, learn from each experience, and keep growing!

The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

Everyone is welcome...simply visit and be open to learning!

Toastmasters currently has more than 332,000 members in 135 countries. Our club is just one of the more than 15,400 clubs located around the world.

You join a community of learners, and in Toastmasters meetings we learn by doing. Whether you're an executive or a stay-at-home parent, a college student or a retiree, you will improve yourself; building skills to express yourself in a variety of situations. You'll open up a world of new possibilities: giving better work presentations; leading meetings - and participating in them - more confidently; speaking more smoothly off the cuff; even handling one-on-one interactions with family, friends and colleagues more positively.

The environment in a Toastmasters club is friendly and supportive. Everyone at a Toastmasters meeting feels welcome and valued - from complete beginners to advanced speakers. Become the speaker and leader you want to be. Confident, charismatic leaders weren't born that way. Toastmasters members learn to tell their story. They listen and answer. Through our community of learners, they find their path to leadership.

Why Kritikos?

Distinguished award winner club.

51 years history serving Odenton and the surrounding area.

Broad professional background of members.

Friendly environment to encourage new skill growth.

Monday night meeting time with dinner break to fit your busy schedules.

Easy access from MD-32 and I-97.

Meeting time: 6:15 pm on 1st, 2nd and 3rd Monday of each month.

Call us at 410.305.9190 for more information.