Updated August 28, 2008

The St. Petersburg Toastmasters

Meets Tuesday s from 6:15 PM to 8:30 PM

at the Piccadilly Cafeteria (meeting room in the back)

1900 34th St. North St. Petersburg, Florida

(727) 320-0107

click here for map

Brief History of The St. Petersburg Toastmasters

Toastmasters International is the leading movement devoted to making effective oral communication a worldwide reality

The St. Petersburg Toastmasters began meeting Tuesday, January 22^nd 1957 and have continued to meet every Tuesday evening since.

Our mission is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

Our meeting includes a short business meeting followed by an education program.  The education program provides an opportunity for all members attending the meeting to practice their speaking skills.  Normally we have four to six prepared presentations given by members.  Each presentation receives an oral evaluation by another member as well as written comments from the remaining members.

It is our policy that all members at a meeting have an opportunity to speak during the meeting.  Those members without a major speaking role in the meeting participate in table topics.  Table topics are designed to help improve our listening, thinking, and speaking skills.  A member states the topic.  Other members listen to the topic and think about it.  If their name is called they stand and speak extemporaneously about the topic for two minutes.  Following table topics everyone votes for the person they feel gave the best presentation on their topic.

Following table topics some members give prepared presentations.  These presentations are based on projects from the communication and leadership manuals developed by Toastmasters International.  Each project is designed to help the speaker develop certain skills by meeting the project’s objectives.

To become a member you must attend three meetings before requesting membership.  You can do this by telling any member that you would like to join the club.  Once the club has received your application and initial dues payment of $57, you and other non-Toastmaster guests will be asked to leave the room while the club votes on your membership.  After  you become a member you will be able to participate in the weekly program.

As a guest, you don't have to be invited.  Just show up.  Dress is business casual except for those giving presentations.  At the end of the meeting you will be given an opportunity to comment if you choose.  We don’t embarrass anyone by forcing them to stand and speak, but since you’ve been sitting in the meeting for two hours you may have something you’d like to say.  

The St. Petersburg Toastmasters is a community club with adult members of all ages, ethnic background and occupations. The club's first meeting was January 22, 1957.  Currently the club has approximately 50 members.

Those who wish to become a member must attend three meetings before requesting membership and being voted on by the club.  Our new member fee is $57. This includes a one-time fee of $20, which enrolls you with Toastmasters International and provides you with your initial speech manuals and supplies.  Afterwards, membership dues are an affordable $22 per quarter. "For instance, a person who joins during the month of January would pay $57 at the time he/she submits their application. Then would begin paying club dues each quarter starting in April and at the beginning of each quarter thereafter."

 Club Officers

President:    Joy Ingram, CC

Vice President of Education: Joshua Haines

Vice President of Membership: Andrew Blikken

Vice President of Public Relations: Tony Duda

Secretary: Mel Finehout

Treasurer: Will Cooper, ACB

Sergeant at Arms: York Somerville, ATMS

Immediate Past President  Cindi Crisci, ATMB/CL