Gates to Excellence Toastmasters Clubgatestoexcellence.org/GuestPacket.pdf · To accomplish this, the meeting is divided into three parts: prepared speeches, table topics, and evaluations:

Gates to Excellence

Toastmasters Club

Dear Guest,

Today, you’ve taken an important step by visiting our club. If you decide to become a part of our group, or join another club, you can be sure that step is in the right direction.

Gates to Excellence is part of Toastmasters International, a non-profit organization that promotes self-confidence and personal growth by helping members improve their communication and leadership skills. Our club gives you the freedom to practice speaking in a fun, friendly, and safe environment.

We provide a supportive and positive learning experience that encourages and assists our members to achieve their goals. We are all dedicated to helping each other and to nurturing skill development by giving positive, thoughtful feedback. We support the club by doing our jobs to the best of our ability and are happy to share our knowledge and experience to help you become a better speaker and leader.

To put it simply, our club is an excellent environment to learn how to get your thoughts across to other people and turn those thoughts into effective action. That’s the essence of effective communication and leadership.

So sit back, watch us in action, and have fun. Participate if you want to. I think you’ll see why attending Gates to Excellence is an important step that could help change your life and improve your career.

Sincerely,

Judy Dennis

President

Gates to Excellence Toastmasters

A t Gates to Excellence our mission is to provide a friendly, supportive, and positive

environment that encourages and assists every member to learn and develop

communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and

personal growth, and we do it with enthusiasm.

How It Works. At each meeting our members have the opportunity to practice:

Conducting meetings. Meetings usually include a short

business session, which helps members learn basic

meeting procedures.

Giving impromptu speeches. Members present one-to

two-minute speeches on topics they are given just

before they speak.

Presenting prepared speeches. Assigned members

present speeches from their chosen paths in the

Toastmasters International Pathways learning

experience.

Offering constructive feedback. Every prepared speaker

is assigned an evaluator who points out speech

strengths and offers observations where they see means to improve.

Our meetings are divided into three main parts: prepared speeches, table topics, and

evaluations:

1. Prepared speeches. At each meeting assigned members present prepared speeches

based on set objectives, including time, from their selected paths in the Pathways

program. There are eleven individual paths leading to development in specific

leadership and communication areas.

2. Table Topics. We practice impromptu speaking and develop our abilities to think on our

feet. A member who has been assigned the function of Table Topicsmaster for the

meeting leads this session. The Table Topicsmaster presents the topics/subjects for

discussion and calls on individual participants to discuss them. As a guest you are

welcome to participate but are not required to do so.

3. Evaluations. The Chief Evaluator leads the third segment of the meeting. He or she calls

on assigned evaluators to evaluate the prepared speeches. The evaluators discuss the

presentation of the speech in terms of meeting the objectives: they highlight the areas

where the speaker did well and provide helpful suggestions for areas that could be

improved. The audience, the speaker, and the evaluator all learn from the process. The

Chief Evaluator concludes by evaluating the meeting as a whole.

Welcome to Welcome to Gates to Excellence ToastmastersGates to Excellence Toastmasters

2

To assist in the flow of the meeting other members of the club are assigned duties which

are rotated among the membership each meeting. In addition to the functions assigned

above we also have the following duties:

Sergeant-at-Arms. Welcomes members and guests to the meeting as they join in with

Zoom. Provides the link to use to join the meeting.

Toastmaster. Serves as the host of the meeting. Introduces the functionaries and the

speakers. Keeps the meeting moving.

Ah/Grammarian. Monitors all presenters for proper use of grammar and the

pronunciation of words. Reports on the use of verbal pauses such as “Ah”.

Invocator. Sets the tone of the meeting with a joke or inspirational thought.

Timer. Monitors and signals the time taken by speakers, evaluators, and table topics

participants.

Vote Teller. Counts the votes for best evaluator, table topics, and speaker.

The Tools. Toastmasters has a new learning experience called Pathways. It’s an interactive

way to develop your communication and leadership skills. When you start, you take a brief

assessment and Pathways uses it to recommend specialized learning

paths. You can select one of the recommendations or any other path.

The first path is paid for with your initiation fee, but you may buy

additional paths. Once you are enrolled, you’ll be guided through the

training, which includes tutorials, speeches, other projects relevant to

the path, and evaluations to lock in your learning.

Toastmasters and Leadership. Leadership cannot be learned in a day. It

takes practice. In Toastmasters members build leadership skills by organizing and

conducting meetings and motivating others to help them. Club leadership roles and a

leadership development program also offer opportunities to learn and practice. Just as

Toastmasters members learn to speak simply by speaking, they learn leadership by

leading.

Company Benefits. Communication – not just presenting but listening and interpersonal

communication – is becoming more and more important to the success of any company. It

is also one of the areas in which companies suffer their biggest failures. Employees face an

endless exchange of ideas, messages, and information as they deal with one another and

with customers day after day. How well they communicate can determine whether a

company quickly grows into an industry leader or joins thousands of other businesses

mired in mediocrity.

Individual Benefits. Participating in Toastmasters is an effective way for individuals to

become better communicators and leaders, all at a very low cost. Whether for you or your

employees, Toastmasters provides training that helps individuals:

3

give better sales presentations

hone their management and leadership skills

work better with fellow employees

effectively develop and present ideas

offer constructive feedback

accept criticism more objectively

Toastmasters produces results. Around the world more than three million men and women

of all ages and occupations have benefited from Toastmasters training, and more than one

thousand corporations, community groups, universities, associations, and government

agencies now use Toastmasters training.

About Toastmasters International. Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization

governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership. The first Toastmasters club

was established on October 22, 1924, in Santa Ana, California, by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley,

who conceived and developed the idea of helping others to speak more effectively. More

clubs were formed, and Toastmasters International was incorporated under California law

on December 19, 1932.

Toastmasters International's business and services are administered by its World

Headquarters located in Englewood, Colorado. It employs no paid promoters or instructors.

It has no salaried staff except the Executive Director and World Headquarters staff who

provide services to the clubs and Districts.

Where Do You Come in? As an individual you can take advantage of the opportunity to

participate in Toastmasters to improve yourself and become more productive. As a

supervisor you can encourage your employees to check out a club to see what it can do for

them. You can encourage company supervisors to do the same. What you

and your employees learn in Toastmasters makes you more effective and

can save the company training costs.

Meetings

Due to Corona Virus Gates Toastmasters currently conducts virtual meetings

on Zoom. Meetings are held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the 2nd and

4th Thursday of each month except in November on 1st and 3rd Thursdays

and in December on 2nd Thursday only. When Corona Virus is resolved in

person meetings will be at Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, 1995 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver,

Colorado.

For more information contact

President Judy Dennis 303-601-3378(c)

Vice President Education Gordon Savage 303-646-0547(h)

Or visit our website: https://GatesToExcellence.org

October 25, 2016

Gates to Excellence, Club #3413

Explanation of Dues

New Toastmaster – One Time Fee

International New Member Fee (New Toastmaster Only)

Club New Member Fee (New to Gates to Excellence)

New Member – Semiannual Dues, Prorated Combined

Pro-Rated Dues

$20.00

$3.00

New Toastmaster

Month Officially Joined International Dues*

Club Dues Dues Total Total†

October or April $45.00 $9.00 $54.00 $77.00

November or May $37.50 $7.50 $45.00 $68.00

December or June $30.00 $6.00 $36.00 $59.00

January or July $22.50 $4.50 $27.00 $50.00

February or August $15.00 $3.00 $18.00 $41.00

March or September $7.50 $1.50 $9.00 $32.00

Note – We recommend that members who join in March or September pay an additional six months’ dues for a

total of $86.00 for new Toastmasters or $66.00 for reinstated, dual, or transfer members ($63.00 for returning

Gates to Excellence members) because the next semiannual dues will become due by the end of the month.

Reinstated – Members who are returning to Toastmasters after allowing their membership to elapse pay only

the combined prorated dues (plus the club new member fee if applicable).

Dual – Members who belong to another club and are maintaining their membership in the other club pay only

the combined prorated dues (plus the club new member fee if applicable).

Transfer – Members who transfer as members in good standing from another club pay only the prorated club

dues (plus the club new member fee if applicable).

Thereafter – All members just pay semi-annual dues. $54.00 ($45.00 International plus $9.00 club) is due

from each member each October 1 and April 1. However, to allow the treasurer to get the total dues to Inter-

national by the deadline, members need to pay no later than the second meeting in September and March.

† New member. *International dues are effective as of October 1, 2016.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION & PAYMENT INFORMATIONTo become a club member, please

1. Completely fill out and sign the Membership Application.

2. Completely fill out and sign the Payment Information document (page 3).

3. Submit both completed and signed documents to the club officer.

4. Please check here if you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) to view your educational materials.

For questions, please contact [email protected].

Club Information This section is completed by a club officer.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Club number Club name Club city

Applicant InformationThis section is completed by the applicant.

_________________________________________________________________________________________Last name/Surname First name Middle name

The monthly Toastmaster magazine will be sent to the following address:

_________________________________________________________________________________________Organization/In care of

_________________________________________________________________________________________Address line 1 (limit 35 characters)

_________________________________________________________________________________________Address line 2 (limit 35 characters)

_________________________________________________________________________________________City State or province

_________________________________________________________________________________________Country Postal code

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Home phone number Mobile phone number Email address

Male Female Other Membership Type This section is completed by a club officer.

New

Dual

Transfer (If applicant is transferring from another club, please fill in the three lines below.)

Reinstated (break in membership)

Renewing (no break in membership)

_______________________________________Previous club name

_______________________________________Previous club number

_______________________________________Member number

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

I want my membership to begin: ______________________________________Month/Year

Page 1

Club Dues and Fees WorksheetClub dues must be paid directly to the club. World Headquarters cannot process credit card payments for club dues.International Fees and Dues $ ______________(from line 3 above)Club new member fee ______________

Club dues ______________

Total payment to club ______________

Toastmasters International Dues and FeesThis section is completed by the applicant with the help of a club officer. Dues and fees are payable in advance and are not refundable or transferable from one member to another.

1. New member fee (US$20) US$ ________

Paid only by new members, this fee covers the cost of the first education path, online copy of The Navigator and processing

2. Membership dues US$ ________Paid twice a year by all members, membership dues are pro-rated from the member’s start month:

3. Total payment to Toastmasters International US$ ________Total of 1 and 2.

October November December January February March

or Aprilor Mayor Juneor Julyor Augustor September

DISTRICTED

US$45.00 $_________37.50 _________30.00 _________22.50 _________15.00 _________

7.50 _________

Sponsor of New, Reinstated or Dual Member This section is completed by a club officer.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Sponsor’s last name/surname Sponsor’s first name Sponsor’s member number Sponsor’s club number

Member’s Agreement and ReleaseConsistent with my desire to take personal responsibility for my conduct, individually and as a member of a Toastmasters club, I agree to abide by the principles contained in A Toastmaster’s Promise and the Toastmasters International Governing Documents and my club. I will refrain from any form of discrimination, harassment, bullying, derogatory, illegal, or unethical conduct, and I understand that if I engage in such conduct, I agree to reimburse Toastmasters International, my club or other clubs, or other individuals involved with Toastmasters, for any damages, losses or costs resulting from my conduct. Understanding that Toastmasters programs are conducted by volunteers who cannot be effectively screened or supervised by Toastmasters International or its clubs, I release and discharge Toastmasters International, its clubs, governing bodies, officers, employees, agents, and representatives from any liability for the intentional or negligent acts or omissions of any member or officer of my club or other clubs, or any officer of Toastmasters International. Should a dispute of some nature arise, I expressly agree to resolve all disputes, claims, and charges relating to Toastmasters, districts, clubs and Toastmasters members in accordance with Protocol 3.0: Ethics and Conduct.

By submitting this application, I expressly agree to the following:

■ The collection, use and processing of the personal information I provide to Toastmasters in this membership application for the purposes of organization administration, payment of my dues, and inclusion of my contact information in a members’ directory that will be distributed to members and employees of Toastmasters. In addition, the collection, use and processing of my personal information collected by Toastmasters International through Toastmasters’ website and by electronic communications.

■ That my information may be accessed and used by Toastmasters, its employees and agents, district officers and club officers.

■ Maintain changes to my personal contact information to ensure it is accurate and current by updating my personal profile page located on the Toastmasters International website: www.toastmasters.org\login. I understand that the majority of the data requested in this application is necessary for administrative and planning purposes.

A Toastmaster’s PromiseAs a member of Toastmasters International and my club, I promise

�To attend club meetings regularly

�To prepare all of my projects to the best of my ability, basing them on the Toastmasters education program

�To prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments

�To provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations

�To help the club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all members to learn and grow

�To serve my club as an officer when called upon to do so

�To treat my fellow club members and our guests with respect and courtesy

�To bring guests to club meetings so they can see the benefits Toastmasters membership offers

�To adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters education and recognition programs

� To act within Toastmasters’ core values of integrity, respect, service and excellence during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities

Verification of ApplicantBy my signature below, I agree to the terms of A Toastmaster’s Promise and the Member’s Agreement and Release stated above, and certify that I am 18 years of age or older (in compliance with the Toastmasters Club Constitution for Clubs of Toastmasters International).

I acknowledge that my electronic signature on this document is legally equiva-lent to my handwritten signature.

Verification of Club OfficerI confirm that a complete membership application, including the signatures of the new member and a club officer, is on file with the club and will be retained by the club.

By my signature below, I certify that this individual has joined the Toastmasters club identified. As a club, we will ensure that this member receives proper orientation and mentoring.

I acknowledge that my electronic signature on this document is legally equivalent to my handwritten signature.

_________________________________________________________________Club officer’s signature Date

In order for this application to be valid, both signatures are required.

Item 800 Rev. 8/2018 Page 2

_________________________________________________________________Applicant’s signature Date

Occasionally we would like to contact you with details of services, educational updates, and organizational updates. If you consent to us contacting you for this purpose, please check the box below corresponding to acceptable contact methods: Mail Email Phone

If you would rather not receive non-essential communications from us, please check here

For our full privacy policy, you may visit www.toastmasters.org/footer/privacy-policy.

Page 3

PAYMENT INFORMATION

MasterCard

Visa

AMEX

Discover

US$ ___________________________________________________________Amount

______________________________________________________________Card number

______________________________________________________________Expiration date

______________________________________________________________Name on card

______________________________________________________________Signature

Check or money order

Check or money order must be for U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank.

US$ ___________________________________________________Amount

______________________________________________________Check or money order number

Other

______________________________________________________Other

The club officer must follow the instructions below once the Membership Application and Payment Information documents are received.

1. Sign and date the applicant’s Membership Application.

2. Submit the Membership Application and Payment Information documents online by logging in to www.toastmasters.org/clubcentral.You can also mail the documents to Membership, Toastmasters International, 9127 S. Jamaica St., Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112, U.S.A., or fax to +1 303-799-7753. Please use only one of these methods to avoid duplication.

3. After receiving confirmation that Toastmasters International has received and processed the Membership Application and Payment Information, the club officer must:

a. Retain the applicant’s Membership Application with other club documentation; and

b. Immediately destroy the applicant’s Payment Information document (page 3) and any copies in the club officer’s or club’s possession,including all electronic copies.

Payment Method to Toastmasters InternationalThis section is completed by the applicant and is for payment to World Headquarters only (the amount listed in line 3 on page 1). World Headquarters does not collect club dues.