Question 1

How do I become a member of Paris Speech Masters?

Accepted Answer

Check out this video to learn more.
1. Attend at least two meetings as a guest and give two impromptu speeches during our Table Topics session
2. Contact our VP of Membership, to apply
3. Pay your annual membership fee (approx. €120 for new members)
 
Don't hesitate to contact any of the club officers or members if you have questions!

Question 2

Can I attend a meeting as a guest?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Just find a meeting on the calendar and register as a guest.

Question 3

When are your meetings and how long do they last?

Accepted Answer

Meetings are generally held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. 
We open our doors at 7:00pm, start at 7:14pm and finish around 9:30pm.
Sign up for an upcoming meeting, no membership required!

Question 4

Where are Paris Speech Masters meetings held?

Accepted Answer

Currently we are meeting online. We look forward to resuming our face-to-face meetings soon at our usual location:
 
Café Bords de Seine
1 place Châtelet, 75001 Paris.

Question 5

What happens at a typical meeting?

Accepted Answer

The President gavels the meeting to order and greets the guests.
The Toastmaster of the Evening introduces the evening's program.
A Toast of the Evening is delivered.
The Wordmaster chooses a "word of the evening" and challenges the speakers to use it during the meeting.
The Toastmaster of the Evening introduces each speaker before they deliver their prepared speeches.
The Table Topics Master announces a theme and calls on volunteers to give short impromptu talks. 
There is a break for dinner between the speeches and the evaluation session. This is a good time to get to know club members.
Evaluators provide feedback for each speech, followed by reports from the Wordmaster and Timer.
The General Evaluator comments on the entire evening's meeting.
The President asks the guests to share their thoughts on the evening, reports on any events or club business and closes the meeting.

Question 6

What level of English do I need to join Paris Speech Masters?

Accepted Answer

There is no specific level required. Some of our members are native English-speakers; others are not. Members should have a good command of English. Paris Speech Masters offers an encouraging environment to improve your pubic speaking skills in English.

Question 7

How much is the membership fee?

Accepted Answer

The annual membership fee is set by Toastmaster International and is currently €120.

Question 8

What are the benefits of Toastmasters International?

Accepted Answer

We encourage you to visit the membership page of the Toastmasters International Website – a trove of helpful resources for newbies.  
Our top picks include: 
Why Toastmasters? Learn more about our organization and how we can help you grow! 
Facts for first-timers

Question 9

How is Toastmasters International organized?

Accepted Answer

There are many resources on the Web to tell you about how Toastmasters International is organized.
 
Here is a glimpse into the organization and how Paris Speech Masters fits within it. 
 
Member
The MEMBER is the most important person in the Toastmasters International organization. Join-us  Become a member. 
 
Club
The CLUB is built upon the foundation of its members. It takes 20 members to charter a new club. Paris Speech Masters was chartered in 2010. Under the direction and leadership of the Club's Executive Committee, members work together to meet specific goals within the Distinguished Club Program (DCP). For more information, please see this Overview of DCP. 
 
The Club Executive Committee Officers include: 
President 
Immediate Past President
Vice President Education
Vice President Membership
Vice President Public Relations
Treasurer
Secretary
Sergeant-at-arms 
Area
CLUBS are grouped into AREAS consisting of 3 to 6 Clubs. An Area Director is appointed as a resource person and the Club’s principal contact with the District Director and with Toastmasters International. Paris Speech Masters is in Area 4 of Division A along with three other clubs: Toastmasters La Défense, Toastmasters of Paris, and Toastmasters 75. These are all English-speaking clubs.
 
Division
AREAS are organized into DIVISIONS with 4 to 6 Areas per Division.
A Division Director is elected or assigned to help coordinate the activities of the Area Directors and to provide educational opportunities that benefit all Clubs in the Division.
 
District
DIVISIONS are grouped together to form DISTRICTS. There are 13 Divisions in District 59. A District Director, Program Quality Director, and Club Growth Director are elected by the Clubs to coordinate the Toastmasters International Program in the Divisions that comprise the District.
 
Region
DISTRICTS are organized into groups called REGIONS, the largest administrative grouping. Two people from a Region are elected to sit on the Board of Toastmasters International. Region 11 is one of 14 Regions and is composed of 8 Districts.
 
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of Toastmasters International are voluntary, elected positions, headed up by a President, President-Elect, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Directors from the Regions and a Program Director. They work together to provide an educational program which is then administered by the other levels of the Toastmasters International organization.
Toastmasters International World Headquarters
World Headquarters has more than 140 professionals headed by the Chief Executive Officer. They oversee the daily operation of the organization, providing materials and assistance to Clubs and Districts.

Frequently asked questions