Most of us have experienced the uncomfortable feeling of being asked to speak in public. Toastmasters is a place where you can learn techniques and practice speaking so that, when these opportunities arise, you can approach them with confidence and deliver an exceptional performance. It is a great way to meet new people, have fun and learn!

Our meetings take place on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, starting at 6.30 pm and finishing at 8.00 pm. Please be sure to arrive 10 - 15 minutes early. We meet in the Lyttelton Community Board Room (25 Canterbury Street, Lyttelton).

Each meeting is divided into three parts - prepared speeches, impromptu speeches and evaluations. Prepared speeches are scheduled in advance and are typically 5 - 7 minutes in length. These speeches allow members to practice a more formal style of speaking and are always interesting to the audience. We practice impromptu speaking through a method called table topics. This is where participants are given random questions and try to speak on them for 1 - 2 minutes. This may sound daunting, but it is actually lots of fun and is a valuable skill for everyday life. Finally, everyone who speaks is evaluated. We do this in an encouraging way so that you quickly understand your strengths and identify the next steps.For more information, please visit our website: bit.ly/bayharbourclub