What is Toastmasters International?
Toastmasters International, founded in 1924 by Ralph Smedley in California, is a nonprofit organization that has as its mission to provide its members with a positive and open learning environment enabling them to develop their communication and leadership skills.

What is a Toastmasters Club?
A Toastmasters club is a group of people who want to improve their communication and leadership skills. Club members follow the Toastmasters program at their own pace. The program focuses on practice and the meeting schedule is designed to give members maximum opportunities to speak in front of an audience, either by preparing a speech or presentation or by taking a role in the meeting. Members help each other by evaluating other members, providing feedback and participating in the mentorship program.

When was your club founded?
CN Collaborators Toastmasters club was founded in 1988.

Can I visit your club to see if Toastmasters is for me?
Yes! Visitors are welcome to attend up to three complimentary meetings at the CN Collaborators club. You may come at your leisure or fill-up the contact form ahead of time so we know in advance. Meetings start at 18:00, please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the meeting.

Do members or participants need to be a CN employee?
CN Collaborators is a public club and we welcome visitors and members from all employment sectors and affiliations.

What is the cost to join CN Collaborators club?
The membership cost is 90$ for 6 months. A new member must also pay a one time 30$ processing fee to Toastmaster International. Snacks and beverages are included at each meeting at no additional charge.

What is the language spoken at CN Collaborators club?
We are a bilingual club – English and French, members are free to use either language. In most of the meetings both French and English will be used.

What do I need to prepare for my first meeting?
Welcome! You may come at your leisure or fill-up the contact form ahead of time so we know in advance. Meetings start at 18:00, please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the meeting.

What is the format of a meeting?
Most meetings follow the same format. You can see an example schedule here.

What is expected of me at my first meeting?
Arrive 10 minutes before the start of the meeting (6pm). We will greet you and ask you to fill out a form with basic information. We will use this information to introduce you at the meeting. If you wish, you can participate in the Table Topics (improvisations) session.

Once I become a member, do I have to attend all meetings?
You don’t have to attend all meetings, but to get the most value out of your membership, you should attend and participate in as much meetings as possible.

Can we have a receipt for expense purposes?
Upon payment of membership (cheque or cash), the Treasurer will provide you with a receipt. You may use this for your accounting purposes.

What is the new Pathways program?
Pathways is the new education program introduced by Toastmasters International. It will gradually replace the current speaker and leadership manuals. Read more here.

How does CN Collaborators club perform in competitions?
Our members have been successful, ranking in the top 3 places, at the district levels in the evaluation, table topics, humourous and international speech contests. Our success is found in the English and French competitions and many of the club members participate in the different contests.