MC Jo Community (K.D.) Toastmasters ClubWhat is Toastmasters?
Toastmasters is a friendly club where you practise speaking and leading, together with other people who want to do the same. You do not need to be a good speaker or have any experience. You come to learn.
People join to feel more confident at work, in meetings, with friends, or simply when they have something to say. Each club is run by its own members, and you learn by doing: you speak, you get kind feedback, and you try again. Compared with a one-off seminar, a club costs a fraction as much and gives you regular practice.
MC Jo is our own Toastmasters club, and you are very welcome to join us.
- 100+years
- 13,000+clubs
- 140+countries
- 260,000+members
Our aim
We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.
That is the mission of Toastmasters International, a non-profit educational organisation. In simple terms, it exists to help you speak clearly, think on your feet and lead others with confidence, in a supportive place where it is safe to get things wrong.
What could you gain?
Most people come with one of these in mind.
- Build confidence for public speaking
- Become a more effective speaker
- Improve my presentation skills
- Improve my leadership skills
- Meet my professional goals
- Increase my fluency in a language
- Network with others or build social connections
What does a club give you?
- Practice with prepared speeches and surprise questions
- Kind, useful feedback after you speak
- A turn at the roles that run each meeting
- A chance to help lead the club
- A friendly place to learn alongside others
- Access to a mentor
What you learn: five pillars
Toastmasters has a learning program called Pathways. Everything in it builds five core skills.
- Public SpeakingOrganise your ideas and share them clearly.
- Interpersonal CommunicationListen well and connect with other people.
- Strategic LeadershipSet a direction and help others move towards it.
- ManagementPlan, organise and get things done with a team.
- ConfidenceSpeak up, and stay calm when things are unexpected.
How it works once you join
You take a short online assessment, which suggests a learning path to match your goals. New members receive one path free. You then work through your path at your own pace, by giving speeches at club meetings and acting on the feedback. Each path has five levels, from the basics up to showing your expertise.
What we stand for
Four core values guide every Toastmasters club and everything members do.
IntegrityWe do what we say, and we are honest and trustworthy. We speak sincerely, own up to our mistakes and try to do the right thing.
ServiceWe aim to give high-value support by being responsive, attentive and passionate about helping, as individuals and as a club.
RespectWe treat everyone with dignity, welcome different views and value every contribution. We assume good intentions, hold each other accountable, and give feedback without putting anyone down.
ExcellenceWe aim to meet or beat expectations by keeping to the Toastmasters Promise, building a team spirit, finding creative solutions and improving quality.
The story of Toastmasters
- Ralph C. Smedley, an educator at the YMCA in Bloomington, Illinois, starts a club to train young men in public speaking. The YMCA's general secretary calls it "a Toastmasters Club". It stops when Smedley moves away.
- Smedley, now in Santa Ana, California, starts a new club at the YMCA there. This is the club Toastmasters International grew from. It still exists today as Club No. 1.
- Toastmasters marks 100 years.
- More than 13,000 clubs and over 260,000 members around the world, learning the same way: by doing.
The story of MC Jo
Our full name is MC JO Community (K.D.) Toastmasters Club.
- The club is chartered, which means it becomes an official club of Toastmasters International.
- Mentor Jo is the founder of MCEO Group, which helps women entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
- Festive-themed meetings, a mentoring program, speech contests, and gatherings such as our Chinese New Year get-together.
- Recognised by Toastmasters International as a President's Distinguished Club, a top achievement level for clubs.
Your most memorable night could be the night you step up and speak with confidence.
Start learning today
The Toastmaster magazine publishes practical tips on speaking and leadership, with new articles every month. You can also follow Toastmasters on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and listen to The Toastmasters Podcast.
Visit toastmasters.orgFacts from toastmasters.org (history, mission and 2026 fact figures, rounded down) and our own club slides.
My First Meeting
Every journey has a destination, but it also has a beginning. For millions, that journey started at their first Toastmasters meeting.
A Toastmasters meeting gives you a supportive place to improve your public speaking, communication and leadership skills. Meetings are self-run, and members work through Toastmasters' education programme.
There is no pressure to take part in your first meeting. You can simply watch, and ask any questions to one of the club officers when the meeting ends. If you are not sure who an officer is, just ask.
Each club has its own culture and meetings look a little different, so take your time and find a club that fits you. When you do, ask a club officer about becoming a member.
Your first Toastmasters meeting is only the start of the journey. Your destination is up to you.
Words you will hear
- Guest
- A visitor, like you — and very welcome here. Watch and enjoy the evening if that suits you, or join in when something appeals. Every member in the room started exactly where you are sitting.
- Table Topics
- Speaking on the spot — someone asks a surprise question and you answer for a minute or two. Guests are very welcome to have a go, and just as welcome to pass. Either is a good night.
- Evaluation
- Friendly feedback on a speech, to help the speaker improve.
- Ice Breaker
- A member’s first prepared speech — usually about something they’d like us to know about them.
- Pathways
- The Toastmasters learning program, with six paths to choose from. See the paths →
- Mentor
- An experienced member who helps a newer member.
- Exco
- The Executive Committee, made up of the club officers. Meet them →
Some wording adapted from the "My First Meeting" page on toastmasters.org.
Tonight
Welcome. Here is what is happening this evening, and what each part means if it is your first time.
How the evening works
The evening runs in a few parts and takes about two hours. It moves quickly. Nobody expects you to take part tonight, so you are welcome to just watch.
Welcome and housekeeping
The Toastmaster of the evening is the host. They welcome everyone, explain how the night will run and introduce the people helping.
For you: Settle in, make yourself at home and enjoy. There is nothing at all you need to do.
Role players and Word of the Day
A few members have small jobs. The Timer tracks time, the Ah-Counter counts filler sounds such as "um" and "ah", and the Grammarian listens to the language used. The General Evaluator looks at the whole meeting. They report back later. The Grammarian also shares a Word of the Day, and members try to use it during the evening.
For you: Listen out for the word — and if you fancy slipping it into a sentence tonight, we would love that. Entirely up to you.
Table Topics
A short warm-up in speaking on the spot. The Topicsmaster asks a question, and someone answers it for one to two minutes with no preparation. The Timer signals at 1 minute, 1 minute 30 and 2 minutes, so the speaker knows how long they have. It trains you to think on your feet.
For you: You may be offered a question. If you feel like trying, do — the room is very much on your side, and it is a lovely way to start. And if you would rather pass, just say so with a smile. Nobody will think twice, and plenty of us did exactly that first time.
Voting
Everyone votes using Slido on their phone. The Voting tab has the code to copy and a button that opens Slido.
For you: Join in with the voting if you like — guests are very welcome to. Open the Voting tab, copy the code, then paste it into Slido.
Break
A short pause to stretch, get a drink and chat.
For you: A lovely moment to say hello and ask anything at all. No question is too small, and we genuinely enjoy answering them.
Prepared speeches
This is the heart of the evening. Members give speeches they have prepared in advance, usually working through a project in their Pathways learning path. Each speaker has a time limit, and the Timer shows how much is left.
For you: Sit back and enjoy them. Watching is the best way to picture yourself up there one day — and everyone speaking tonight started exactly where you are.
Evaluations
Each prepared speaker has an Evaluator. Straight after the speeches, the Evaluator gives short, friendly feedback: what went well, and one or two things to try next time. Feedback is there to help, never to criticise. The General Evaluator then comments on the whole meeting.
For you: Notice how kindly the feedback is given. It is encouraging first and always meant to help — it is one of the biggest reasons members grow here.
Reports, awards and close
The Timer, Ah-Counter and Grammarian share their reports. Awards are announced, and the Toastmaster closes the evening.
For you: Do stay and chat — we would love to get to know you. And if you are thinking about joining, say hello to any club officer. There is no rush, and no pressure either way.
Voting
Cast your vote for tonight.
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Copy the Slido code
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Open Slido and paste the code Open Slido
Voting has not been set up yet. Ask a club officer.
Club meeting roles
The success of a club meeting depends on the people in the room. Each meeting has many roles to fill, and each one helps make the evening enjoyable.
Roles explained
Hosting and running the meeting
- Toastmaster of the Day (Toastmaster of the Evening)The host for the night. They introduce each speaker, guide the evening from one part to the next, keep everything on schedule and often set the meeting’s theme.
- Table TopicsmasterLeads the impromptu speaking part of the evening, offering short themed questions for members — and any willing guests — to answer for a minute or two.
- Sergeant at ArmsSets up the room and welcomes everyone at the door. Often the first friendly face you meet, and a good person to ask anything.
Speaking and evaluating
- Prepared SpeakerDelivers a rehearsed speech, usually five to seven minutes, from a project in the Toastmasters Pathways learning programme.
- Speech EvaluatorGives one speaker warm, constructive feedback — spoken and written — naming what worked well and offering a tip or two to build on next time.
- General EvaluatorEvaluates the meeting as a whole, looks after the evaluation team below, and shares overall thoughts on how the evening ran.
Keeping track — the “T-Team”
- TimerTimes every segment — speeches, Table Topics and evaluations — showing green, amber and red cards so each speaker knows where they are.
- GrammarianListens for good use of language, introduces a Word of the Day to stretch everyone’s vocabulary, and reports back on how well it was used.
- Ah-CounterGently tallies filler sounds and crutch words — “um”, “ah”, “you know” — and repeated words. Everyone has them; that’s rather the point.
Roles and responsibilities can vary slightly from club to club, so check with a club officer when you are given a role.
Guides for taking on a role
- A Toastmaster Wears Many HatsA manual with tips and advice for taking on club meeting roles.
- How Club Meeting Roles Build Real-World SkillsOutlines each role and shows how taking part builds valuable skills outside the club.
Both guides come from Toastmasters International. Send me the files or links if you want them to open from here.
Wording adapted from toastmasters.org.
Welcome to Pathways
The Pathways learning experience is an interactive and flexible education program. It will strengthen your communication and leadership skills, support your personal and professional success, and help you have fun and connect with others along the way. You get:
- The chance to build more than 300 unique competencies
- 6 specialized learning paths, plus additional learning options
- Online content, so you can learn anytime, anywhere
- Real-world, transferable skills
- Content in Arabic, English, French, German, Simplified Chinese and Spanish
Paths and projects
Based on the Pathways pages on toastmasters.org.
Our club officers
Our club is run by members who volunteer as officers. Together they are called the Executive Committee, or Exco. Ask any of them if you are unsure about anything.
- PresidentLeads the club and keeps it friendly and supportive for everyone.
- Vice President Education (VPE)Plans who speaks and when, and helps members with speeches, awards, contests and mentors.
- Vice President Membership (VPM)Welcomes guests and helps them become members.
- Vice President Public Relations (VPPR)Tells the community and social media about the club, and looks after its image.
- SecretaryKeeps the club's records, meeting notes and member list.
- TreasurerLooks after the club's money, including the bank account and membership fees.
- Sergeant at ArmsSets up and packs away the meeting room, and looks after club equipment such as the banner, lectern and timer.
- Immediate Past President (IPP)The previous president, who advises the current president and the other officers.
Join MC Jo TMC
We would love to have you as a member. Talk to the person who brought you, or message one of our officers. They will answer your questions and explain how to join.
Why MC Jo?
- A club with a track record. We were chartered in 2018 and named a President's Distinguished Club for 2024 to 2025.
- A mentoring program, so you are not learning alone.
- Festive-themed meetings and get-togethers, including our Chinese New Year gathering.
- Speech contests, when you feel ready for a challenge.
- Meeting roles and club leadership positions, so you can practise real leadership.
Talk to us
Pick whoever is easiest. You can also simply ask the person who brought you tonight.
Joining details
Come as a guest as often as you like first. There is no rush and no obligation.