If you are looking to meet others that have a goal of improving their public speaking skills, Grace Church Toastmasters is the place to go! Our next meeting is on May 11,2008.

Feel free to drop in Room C120 and enjoy yourself. We love guests! Congratulations to our own John Barry for having the lead in new members recruited into Toastmasters.

John has introduced 14 members this year! Woo Hoo! We are so happy you have chosen to check out the benefits of a membership at Grace Church Club.

In October 1924, a group of men assembled by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley met in the basement of the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, U.S.A., forming a club “to afford practice and training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings, and to promote sociability and good fellowship among its members.” The group took the name “Toastmasters.” We are a local chapter of Toastmasters International. Our club chartered in 2003. Our club has seasoned as well as new speakers and we value insights from all of our members. Everyone brings with them their own level of experience and insightfulness to our club.

Today, Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization which gives its members the opportunity to develop and improve their public speaking abilities through local club meetings, training seminars and speech contests. Toastmasters International includes more than 199,000 men and women in more than 9,300 clubs in more than 70 countries. Our club has between 20-25 members and we hope to grow our club by at least 3 members a month. Due to natural attrition rates, clubs will experience a loss of members due to schedule conflicts, moves that require relocation and other significant reasons. It is our hope that should this be your reason for not attending meetings, that you will join a club that meets your needs and continue to grow in your speaking and communication skills.

Experienced professionals and beginning speakers alike can benefit from our practical, face-to-face learning program. Whether you're speaking to the board of directors, your customers, your co-workers or your kids, Toastmasters can help you do it better. You'll learn and practice in a friendly, comfortable environment with people who are there for the same reason you are—to become better communicators. Our club at Grace Church is a fun filled, and relaxed atmosphere where members feel very comfortable sharing with the other members and guests in our club. Because we meet at 11:00, members of Grace Church St. Louis still have an opportunity to attend church services before attending our club meeting. We are fortunate that there are also Sat evening services available to church members that would like to attend our meetings and not miss the valuable message from the service.

At Toastmasters, members learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. A typical Toastmasters club is made up of 20 to 30 people who meet once a week for about an hour. Each meeting gives everyone an opportunity to practice conducting meetings, giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches, and offering constructive evaluation. We hope to see you at our next meeting on December 30, 2007. Bring a friend and enjoy making new friends.

Maryland Heights, MO, 63043

11:00-12:15 on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sunday of each Month
(arrive at 10:45 to exchange pre-meeting info)