From Guest to Member



What You Need To Know:


Toastmasters is a worldwide organization and, as such, each club has rules and guidelines set forth by Toastmasters International.

However, not all clubs operate the same way, as there is latitude within the guidelines. The way the club operates is primarily dependent upon the membership itself. As such, Toastmaster clubs are as varied as their membership. If you wish to join a Toastmasters club, we recommend that you attend as a guest, once or twice, in order to discover if the club's personality fits with your own. Afterwards, you can better decide if the club will be of assistance with meeting your personal objectives.


Since Toastmasters is not a classroom environment and members progress at their own pace, those seeking membership within Business & Professional (again, after attending as a guest) are free to submit an application to join at any time. The only requirement for eligibility to join a Toastmaster club is that a person seeking such is at least eighteen years of age, as set by Toastmasters International.


Note: members of a Toastmasters club must become or be a member of Toastmasters International (the one membership application form used encompasses both).




Be Our Guest:


We are an open club, and guests are always welcome at our regular meetings! As such, if you are interested in our club, just showing up is fine.

If you are new to Toastmasters, there is no need to worry about doing anything special prior to attendance, or making any sort of presentation, when attending a B&P club#1169 meeting. You will never be forced to "stand up and speak", although don't be surprised if you are:


arrow invited to introduce yourself and perhaps tell us how you found out about our club


arrow invited to participate during the Table Topic portion (after seeing others give responses)


arrow invited to give your thoughts on the meeting at its close


Again, it's your choice to accept or decline these invitations, when they are offered.

If you arrive early enough, you'll have a chance meet some of our members, sign our guestbook, and sit by a member who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about what is going on (if the need arises).

Unfortunately, much to the dismay of some, out of respect for the members of Toastmasters and our club; non-Toastmasters are not permitted to give formal or elongated speaking presentations or be evaluated during our meetings.

Occasionally, there are "special" or "theme" meetings, generally selected and planned by the Toastmaster of the evening or the Vice President of Education (VPE), often to the surprise of the membership. If you should decide to show up while one of these meetings is taking place, don't get thrown off by what's happening - all will be explained during the proceedings.

We have found that sporadic meeting variations, that do not compromise the Toastmasters program or the ability of our member's desires for improvement, keep our meetings interesting.

Visiting members of other Toastmaster clubs are welcomed to participate during our meeting, if the agenda allows and if / or arrangements have been made beforehand.



Meeting Information


Meeting Time:

check new B&P site - click here

Meeting Days:

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Location:

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E-mail:

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Interested In Becoming A Member:


We know the only way our club can continue to grow and thrive is via a membership that desires improvement. Thus, by attending as a guest, you will not be forced, nor coerced, into joining. If, after visiting us, you can see our club being beneficial to achieving your personal communication / leadership goals, simply let one of our officers know and they will either direct you through the process, or point you to someone who can.




B&P Members' Privacy and the Web


A simple tour through many Toastmaster club websites, blogs, social networking sites, and the like will provide any passer-by with a wide range of information about a club's membership (including names, photos, club officer positions held and one's role in up-coming meetings). With all of this information on display, it seems that many clubs do not give a second thought to their member's privacy. Our club is different!

At Business & Professional Club#1169, we value the privacy of our members and guests! When our club chose to be a part of the World Wide Web - we decided, by vote, not to have anything displayed within our pubic online endeavors that would compromise our member's personal privacy (including their names or clearly identifiable images). The exceptions being if the member submits an article for the site and desires credit, or if they desire a link to their website, blog, etc., in which their name may be present, is approved by our webmaster.


Please note: although our club values the privacy of our membership, we cannot guarantee how others, and sites directly or indirectly connected to us, including Toastmasters International and the District in which our club resides, who, by their nature have access to all members supplied information, will use, keep or maintain such data.



New Members Information:


What A New Member / Member Receives:


New members to the Toastmasters organization will receive from Toastmasters Int. (T.I.) a membership packet with the necessary tools to get one started on improving their communication and leadership potential. Yet, this packet may take some time to arrive, so, if desired, our club can provide our members that are new to Toastmasters with the basic information to get started immediately.

All Toastmaster members receive a copy of the "Toastmaster" (a monthly magazine published and sent by T.I.) filled with articles and news which reflect the ideas and goals of Toastmasters, as well as access to the member section of the toastmaster.org web site. Business & Professional Toastmasters club#1169's members receive, via mail, our own award-winning newsletter "The Golden Oracle".

Since B & P club#1169 is officially the second oldest club in District 68, our members have access to all of the knowledge kept and passed on in our long history, as well as new information that allows us to continually grow and better ourselves.



Meeting Attendance:


B & P members are encouraged to make all meetings, yet, we understand that things will come up from time to time which makes it difficult to do so. As such, attendance is not mandatory. Nevertheless, members who could not make our meetings for an extended duration, and those who returned after dropping their membership, contend that by attending meetings on a regular basis, whether or not on the agenda, does assist in positive reinforcement of techniques gathered and provides the ability for one to maintain skills developed.

If you find yourself on the road, then being a member of a Toastmaster club will allow you to visit others clubs open to the public, and may provide you with the ability to get on their agenda, if the club you are visiting allows for such. Granted, it's best to make arrangements beforehand to confirm meeting date and location. Don't be surprised if the club representative you are speaking with desires to confirm your membership status before being allowed on their meeting agenda.



Work At Your Own Pace:


There is no timeframe in which one must accomplish their communication / leadership goals. In fact, some of our members have completed and received their certificate of accomplishment for their first speaking manual in less than six months after joining, while others have taken up to three years to do so. However, don't be surprised if you are encouraged to continue your progress, no matter how many presentations you have given or accomplishments achieved.



Awards & Accomplishments:


After each manual project is completed and the manual is presented to the club's Vice President of Education (VPE) to initial, you are well on your way to receiving your award. Once all award objectives are met and formalized by the VPE, members will be able to submit this information to T.I. in order to officially receive their new designation and certificate. B & P club #1169 members are further noted for their accomplishments in our newsletter, at our meetings, and during our annual awards banquet.

Just like members have goals, so does each club in the Toastmasters community. This is known as the "Distinguished Club Program" (DCP). The recognitions currently presented include that of "Distinguished Club", "Select Distinguished Club" and "Presidents Distinguished Club". At Business & Professional Club #1169 we know that if we continue to provide a productive and supportive atmosphere, if each officer does what is expected, and the general membership submits their accomplishments when completed, then the goals will be met without any prodding.





Attention! -- Important Site Information - Please Read! -- Attention!

Be it known...
as of October, 2011, due to changes within the club and the organization, the information contained within this site may no longer be completely accurate (including, but not limited to - meeting location, what it is that we offer our members, possible changes to disclaimers used, and compliance with newly-imposed guidelines). As such "This Is Not A Toastmaster Int. Approved Club Website!" Yet, it will remain in this current form to honor our past, as long as possible, and to serve as a reminder of the uniqueness, individuality, standards, professionalism, regards for others' privacy, and knowledge that this club's long line of members once enjoyed, shared and promoted during our history. To see the new site featuring Toastmasters Int.'s created/designed/approved web template and information - click here !
Thank you for your consideration.


Toastmasters International would like you to know the following about its' name,
logo, trademarks and copyrights...

"All rights reserved. Toastmasters International, the Toastmasters International logo and all other Toastmasters International trademarks and copyrights are the sole property of Toastmasters International and may be used only by permission."

They also desire us to inform you of the following in regards to "member information"...

"The information on this Web site is for the sole use of Toastmasters' members, for Toastmasters business only. It is not to be used for solicitation and distribution of non-Toastmasters material or information."

Business & Professional Toastmasters Club#1169 would like you to be aware of this...

This club website is intended for use by members as well thoes who wish to learn about us!
We value the privacy of our members and guests, and do not send un-solicited e-mails.
The information and links contained on this site have been submitted and voted upon by our membership before inclusion. However, it should be noted that what is offered and /or linked to is not necessarily recommended or endorsed by all B&P Club#1169 members / the Toastmasters organization, or Toastmasters International.



© Business and Professional Toastmasters Club#1169 Website Committee 1999 through Oct. 1, 2011
(unless otherwise noted)

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