A Typical Meeting
Our weekly meeting is one hour and 30 minutes long, and it consists of three basic parts:
Evaluations
A fellow club member gives a 2-3 minute oral evaluation of each prepared speech. Oral evaluations highlight the speaker’s strengths as well as areas for improvement. The rest of the club members provide brief feedback in writing or in Zoom chat. The goal of our evaluations is to inspire the speaker to give their next speech while giving concrete suggestions to advance speaking skills.
Table Topics
In this impromptu speaking segment, members who are not presenting speeches or evaluations have an opportunity to think quickly and speak for 1-2 minutes on a wide variety of topics.
Mentoring Program
New members to CCTM are immediately paired with an experienced mentor, who will work with them on the first three speeches and often beyond. Advanced speakers also link up with individuals in the club who can help them acquire particular skills. Nearly every member of the club is a mentor, a mentee – or both.
Public Speaking
More than a million people have utilized Toastmasters International’s highly successful speaking program worldwide. Since 1958, CCTM has continued to hone its practices to allow each member to work at their own pace, and to provide maximum support as each member grows in ability and confidence. Leadership training offers additional value.
Constructive Evaluations
Every prepared speech is orally evaluated in a way that leaves the speaker motivated and ready to try the next speech. In addition, speakers get written notes of affirmation. CCTM prides itself on its club culture of fine evaluations and regularly wins contests for “best evaluator.” Generally, members who speak one week will be evaluators the next week.
Impromptu Speaking
Fifteen minutes of each meeting is devoted to a round of “Table Topics” — short, extemporaneous talks on a topic chosen by a group leader. This lively session gives members an opportunity to think on their feet and be prepared for almost any question, and gives everyone in attendance a chance to practice their skills.