New Members

Congratulations! Now that you have joined SmoothTalkers, we have some proven tips to help you make your membership a success.

Have your email account ready. SmoothTalkers uses email for 99% of club communications. Without an active account, you'll be at a disadvantage.

Select a club mentor. We can't stress this enough. Even if you are a returning Toastmaster or you are transferring from another club -- get a mentor. Your mentor will answer questions about club procedures and how we get things done. For new members, your mentor can also provide tips and ideas as you prepare your first speech.

Start learning names. Make it a goal to introduce yourself to existing members each meeting. It's much easier to give a speech to friends than strangers and it's much more polite to refer to someone by name.

Step right up. As a member of SmoothTalkers, start volunteering for roles at club meetings. Work closely with your mentor and Education Chair to learn which roles are appropriate for you given your familiarity with Toastmasters. Note that some roles require preparation in advance of the meeting.

Pathways. As a new member, go to Toastmasters International to create an account. You'll use this resource quite a bit, so explore and familiarize yourself with the site. In particular, go to Pathways and choose a path. ​

Schedule your first speech. The path you select will explain the focus and goals of your first speech, the ice breaker. We recommend you coordinate with the Education Chair and schedule that speech sooner rather than later.

Welcome guests. As a member of SmoothTalkers, this is your home and guests should be treated in a friendly, inviting manner. Hospitality is everyone's responsibility, and it's an important aspect in building confidence within a group or in public settings. Besides, it's just plain good manners.

Our Mission is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment, in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.