FAQ

The Munich Business Speakers meet:

• every first thursday of the month at 8 pm
• every thrid thursday of the month at 7 pm
• holidays are NOT an exception. If the above criteria are met, we meet.

For further information check out the Next Meeting and our Event Calendar.

We meet at Bayrische Krebsgesellschaft, Nymphenburger Str. 21a, 80335 Munich. Read here for detailed informations on how to find us.

Everyone who want to become a better public speaker, improve their leadership skills or simply want to become a better communicator.

No. No one has to speak unless they want to. But if you do want to check it out, the “Table Topics” is usually open for members as well as for guests.

No. Whether you wear a suit or a casual outfit does not matter.

A typical meeting has three different speaking sections. There is a warmup with impromptu / extemporaneous speaking section which gives members practice in thinking quickly and coherently on their feet as we must all do at times in real life. A second part of the meeting concerns prepared speeches with topics of the speaker’s choosing. The third major portion is an evaluation phase to provide constructive feedback to the speakers with prepared speeches. Where they did well and where they can improve.

Yes. You can take a quick look at the agenda or print it. If you want to know more about the roles, given times and the general structure of a meeting, read here.

That’s what it’s all about! Though the composition of club changes, there is always a mix of new members and more experienced speakers. So there are always opportunities to learn from others. We believe Toastmasters provides a ‘safe’ place where you can take risks as a public speaker. You decide when you are comfortable to assume greater speaking responsibilities.

Yes and no. No because the Munich Business Speakers only meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. BUT we are lucky that Munich has over 10 clubs and is one of the largest Toastmaster cities in Europe. So please check out all Munich Toastmaster Clubs, we are sure you will find one that suits your schedule.

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations.
Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the organization has more than 260,000 members in over 12,500 clubs in 113 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience.
Learn more about Toastmasters International by checking out About Us – Toastmaster International or the official website.

In this day and age there is overwhelming evidence that communication skills are essential to success in the workplace. A Toastmasters club provides a positive, supportive environment in which members have an opportunity to develop more effective speaking and leadership skills which foster self-confidence. Additionally most members would concur that casual day-to-day social communication comes more easily. You will:

• Learn and practice the art of effective public speaking
• Learn to overcome anxiety and speak confidently before an audience
• Learn how to structure the flow of your message; including speech openings, closings, and transitions
• Evolve your physical delivery (e.g. body language; and voice volume, tone, tempo, and pitch) to enhance your message
• Adapt your communications style to the composition of the audience and master unexpected challenges that arise
• Sharpen your listening and analytical skills as you give constructive feedback to fellow members
• Practice thinking on your feet while speaking extemporaneously (impromptu, on the spur of the moment)
• Refine your skills selling or persuading others of the value of your ideas, visions, services, or products
• Practice leadership skills and managing meetings
• Enjoy developing yourself in a constructive and supportive environment

Toastmasters gives you an encouraging and supportive environment to become a better Public Speaker, Leader and Communicator. The self paced Educational Program is the heart of your development. It provides members with a proven curriculum that develops communication and leadership skills. Therefore it is divided into two tracks, the Communication Track and the Leadership Track. They are not mutually exclusive and you can work on both at the same time.

Communication Track
The foundation is the basic Competent Communication manual of ten prepared speeches that members work through at their own pace, acquiring the essential ‘building blocks’ of public speaking. After that members can further hone their speaking techniques in more focused specialized areas, where you can choose between 15 different Advanced Communication manuals.

Leadership Track
Beginning with projects from the Competent Leadership manual, this track focuses on developing a member’s leadership skills through a variety of Club and District activities. After that members can further develop their leadership skills by the Advanced Leadership manuals. Members learn and develop leadership skills as they deliver presentations in a variety of topics and take advantage of the many leadership opportunities Toastmasters has to offer.

You can find all the informations in our section about the Educational Program.

Toastmasters International currently has members in 113 countries. This is the worldwide membership distribution:

Geographical Region	Percentage
United States	59.6%
North America	72%
South America	Less than 1%
Africa	1.25%
Asia	15.5%
Europe	4.5%
Australia (includes Oceania)	6.5%

A profile of Toastmasters members (from toastmasters.org):

• 52% of members are female and 48% are male.
• Average annual household income: $85,000-$99,000.
• 30% earn $100,000+ annually.
• 69% of members are between the ages of 35 and 49.
• 82% have a college degree.
• 36% have an advanced degree.

What industries employ Toastmasters?

• 20% Sales, Consulting, Self Employed
• 18% Management
• 15% Finance & Insurance
• 15% Government
• 12% Education
• 20% Other

Feel free to stop by and sit in on any one of our meetings – no reservations or prior arrangements required! If our meeting date doesn’t fit your schedule, check out the other Munich Toastmaster Clubs.

Step 1 Be a guest – no reservation, no prior arrangements and for free.
Step 2 Fill out the membership application. You can ask our VP Membership to help you with the application at the club meeting or via email.
Step 3 Give your application and dues to the VP Membership at the club.

To join as an ongoing member the club dues are 7,00 € per month, collected semi-annually. There is also a 20,00 € one-time fee for speaking manuals and getting setup within the Toastmaster system:

• Basic Competent Communication manual, including educationals & guidelines for the first 10 speech projects
• Basic Competent Leadership manual, including projects for time management, motivating people, giving feedback etc.
• Mini-Handbooks Your Speaking Voice, Effective Evaluation and Gestures: Your Body Speaks
• The Toastmasters Magazine