Experiencing Multiple Toastmasters Clubs: A Path to Personal and Professional Growth

Have you ever considered joining multiple Toastmasters clubs? Many individuals have sought the benefits of this approach, and I am one of them. In this article, I will share my journey and recommendations based on my experiences. Joining a second club can be a valuable step in your personal and professional development, if it aligns with your goals and you can handle the time commitment effectively.

Reasons for Joining Multiple Toastmasters Clubs

There are several compelling reasons why joining multiple Toastmasters clubs can be beneficial:

Diverse Experiences: Different clubs may have unique focuses, such as public speaking, leadership, or specific themes like corporate or community service. Each club offers a different setting and audience, providing a rich tapestry of experiences. Networking: Being part of multiple clubs expands your network, allowing you to meet a diverse group of people, share experiences, and gain different perspectives. Increased Speaking Opportunities: More clubs mean more opportunities to practice speaking and leadership skills, which can help accelerate your personal growth. Flexibility: If one club has a schedule that doesn’t fit well with your availability, another club can provide more options for participation.

My Journey in Multiple Toastmasters Clubs

I had the opportunity to join more than one Toastmasters club, and I would wholeheartedly recommend that you consider doing so if possible. The first club I was part of was an amazing club with 17 years of history and some fine speakers. It was an incredible space to develop my skills and network. After about a year, everything was going well, and I was comfortable with the whole experience. During a network break, a seasoned member suggested that I join another club to expose myself to new venues, different audiences, and get out of my comfort zone.

Things That Went Well

Here are the positives of joining a second club:

New Experiences and Networking: In the 3-4 weeks I visited multiple clubs in central London, where most clubs met around 7 pm, after work hours, I met many new people and gained exposure to different venues and speaking opportunities. This helped in building my confidence and expanding my network. Diverse Environment: My second club offered a different environment, which exposed me to professionals working in various fields, broadening my world view and ideas. Frequent Opportunities: My second club met every alternate Wednesday, providing more frequent opportunities to practice and explore new speaking roles and feedback. This continuous practice helped me identify what works and what doesn’t. Incredible Mentorship: At my second club, I found a great mentor who helped me participate in various contests, including speech contests, impromptu speaking, table topic, and evaluation contests. I even won some club-level awards, which significantly boosted my confidence. Community and Learning: The community I was exposed to was immense, and I attended many additional workshops and found valuable resources. This accelerated my learning pace and improved my overall skills.

Challenges Faced

Joining a second club also came with its challenges:

Time Management: It demanded a significant amount of time and attention. As a full-time professional, it was challenging to find time for meetings and preparation, and I am grateful for my wife’s support during this demanding period. Quality over Quantity: Sometimes, it was difficult to internalize feedback and improve within the two-week timeframe. In this sense, the quality of the speech or role was better than the mere quantity of attendance.

Recommendations

Before considering joining a second club, assess your goals and ensure you can manage the time commitment effectively. Here are some steps to follow:

Assess Your Goals: Determine what you want to achieve. Multiple club memberships can be beneficial if they align with your growth objectives. Time Commitment: Make sure you can commit the necessary time to participate actively in more than one club. Balancing responsibilities can be challenging. Quality Over Quantity: Ensure that joining multiple clubs doesn’t dilute your engagement. Being active and contributing meaningfully in each club is crucial.

Overall, my journey in multiple Toastmasters clubs added immense value to my personal and professional development. It developed my confidence, exposed me to new venues and audiences, and increased my network and knowledge. Joining a second club can be a good choice with minimal risk, as it allows you to discontinue if it doesn’t work for you. Check your personal situation and what exactly you want by joining a second club, then decide accordingly. Good luck on your Toastmasters journey!