1 - People who join Toastmasters are already good speakers.

This is rubbish. Everyone starts at basically the same level. Most new members are quite nervous talking to an audience, whether they know them or not. Only a very small minority already have good public speaking skills when they join and, even then, they have a lot to learn.

2 - Toastmasters is generally for older people.

It's for all ages, 18 years plus. Age or gender does not matter. Clubs will vary but Kaiapoi Toastmasters has members from their mid-twenties to late sixties. Many members wished they had joined earlier.

3 - Toastmasters is only for professional people.

Not at Kaiapoi Toastmasters. We have small-business owners, retired people, students, school teachers, engineers, real-estate agents, nurses, home-makers - you name their background, they're here.

4 - Speeches at Toastmasters are just the 'Master of Ceremonies' types, like at weddings.

This is absolutely incorrect. You will learn how to give all sorts of speeches, including technical presentations, humorous speeches, public relations, story telling, management speeches, entertaining speeches, and many others speciality topics.

5 - Toastmasters costs a lot of money.

At Kaiapoi Toastmasters, there is a start-up fee of around $100, then only $15 per month. This covers manuals, badges, certificates, and almost anything else you you need. We are strictly non-profit.

6 - Toastmasters is just about speeches.

Yes, you will learn how to give speeches but that's only the beginning. You will gain confidence and your self-esteem will grow and expand. You will also learn how to listen to other speeches and evaluate them. Your thinking skills will be sharper and you will probably even start to write better. You'll get involved in running the meetings, so others will soon start learning from you.

7 - Toastmasters is formal and you have to wear a suit.

Kaiapoi Toastmasters is casual and we also have a lot of fun. Whether you wear a suit or a t-shirt you won't feel out of place. However, some clubs focus on the formal business side, which just shows how diversified Toastmasters is.

8 - Toastmasters takes a lot of time.

Our meetings are 1h 30mins each. You may do a speech every two months or so, where you may spend a few hours preparation. How long really depends on the person. On the grand scale, it's not much time for the rewards you get.

9 - The shorter, two-to-three day courses that other organisations offer would be a lot better.

These courses don't usually give as much personal attention as a few evenings in Toastmasters can give; you'll also probably spend quite a lot more money. If you are limited in time you can try a Speechcraft course sometimes run by Toastmasters clubs.

10 - I don't need Toastmasters.

Joining Toastmasters is one of the best things you could ever do in your life.

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