Toastmasters International Paper

Danielle Dupuis

Professor Raschilla

Logistics Management

09 April 2017

Association Paper

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Toastmasters International has 1,500 clubs in 149 countries and has approximately 345,000 members. I feel that this association would be beneficial to a Management career in the discipline for this course in any area of business, such as business, marketing, logistics, production-operations, leadership, entrepreneurship, etc. because being a good leader can always make someone an even better manager than they were to begin with and helping people improve their leadership skills is one of Toastmasters’ primary aspects. Having good communication skills also helps someone be a better manager, and helping people become better, more effective communicators is Toastmasters’ other primary aspects. Being a good manager and having good leadership and communication skills can help anyone succeed in a management position in any field or position.

The cost to become a member of Toastmasters International is a one-time fee of 20 USD. Once you become a member you must pay your dues every six months. If you become a member to a club within the Toastmasters’ district then the dues are 45 USD and if you become a member to an international club outside of the Toastmasters’ district then the dues are 33.75 USD. The benefits of joining this association are the Toastmasters Education Program, awards for achievements and improvements, the Distinguished Toastmasters, the public speaking events and competitions, and the annual intervention. The education program has two paths; the Communication Track and the Leadership track. The curriculum they use enables people to develop and improve their communication and leadership skills one step at a time. For both tracks, they have two levels each, the “competent” and the “advanced”. Members can either participate in one or the other separately, or both of the tracks simultaneously. Going through these programs is where you have opportunities to win awards and recognition. Once you are at a superior level of achievement in both communication and leadership, you can qualify to become a Distinguished Toastmaster, which is the highest recognition. Members also have opportunities to simply receive or to write for the Toastmasters Magazine. All of this information was listed right on their official website and it very easy for anybody to look up and find.