What can I expect?
Firstly, you can expect a warm welcome. All of our club members were visitors once, and so we know what it's like to enter a room and meet new people. Many of us had a terrible fear if public speaking too, so if you're anxious about that, don't worry - we know what it's like!
The aim of the club is to help our members develop their confidence, communication and leadership skills in a supportive environment. We do this by following the Toastmasters International education programme that has been helping people for over 90 years and benefited over 4 million people.
See the club in action at our videos page
What happens at the meeting?
A typical agenda includes:
- Welcome from our club president
- Introduction to the meeting by the Toastmaster of the evening
- Prepared speeches. Our members prepare speeches which allow them to practice their skills in specific areas, such as speaking persuasively, using visual aids, storytelling, humorous speeches or speaking on special occasions
- Networking break. An opportunity to catch up with old friends, and make some new ones
- Evaluations and feedback.
Members get supportive and helpful feedback on their speeches so that they can recognise what they did well and how they can make their speeches even better - Impromptu speaking.
To get practice at speaking off the cuff and to have a little fun, we include a session on impromptu speaking where members are invited to speak for a minute or two - Reports.
Throughout the meeting our members practice their skills in listening, critical thinking and motivating others - and this is achieved by providing short reports on how well we all achieved the purpose of the meeting
The meetings typically last around 2 hours, including the break. Many of us then move to the bar for an enjoyable chat.
Do I have to speak?
No, not if you don't want to.
Our club is a friendly environment and there's no pressure to speak if you don't feel comfortable doing it. Many people find that coming along to our meetings inspires them to want to say something though!
Where and when?
We meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month, in the St. Andrew's Centre, St Andrew St, Hertford, SG14 1HZ. Please arrive at 7:30pm so that we can welcome you before the club meeting starts.
Hybrid Meetings & Online Meetings
Most of our meetings are hybrid, with laptop & projector we bring the zoom room into our venue, in order for members and guests to join online, should they wish to. Contact us for the link to join.
Some meetings are online only, if you plan to join a guest, please contact us beforehand to find out where the meeting is held.
By car
St Andrew Street Car Park is very close to St Andrew's Centre, the first half hour is free of charge, and it's free after 20:00, which means if you park at 19:30 it's free of charge for the evening.
By public transport
St Andrew's Centre is a 10 mins walk from both Hertford East and Hertford North. Walking directions from the Hertford North station are available here. Walkind directions from Hertford East are available here. The bus stop St Andrews Church is is closest for several local buses (395, 324) and right in front of the centre.
