Blog
Notes from the club.
Speech reflections, meeting highlights, member spotlights, and the occasional opinion on what makes public speaking actually work.
- by Marie F.
Gilbert Toastmasters at the Phoenix Summer TLI
District 3's Summer TLI broke attendance records in Phoenix, and Gilbert put three members on stage — from a marketing keynote to a leadership session.
clubmember-stories - by Marie F.
A Practical Guide to Toastmasters Evaluations with Insights from Gilbert Toastmasters
A good Toastmasters evaluation is a gift, not a performance review. How to give feedback that builds confidence: one specific reward, then two options to improve.
evaluations - by Marie F.
Mastering Vocal Variety
Pitch, pace, pauses, projection. Four tools most speakers ignore. How to use all four — and why your delivery matters as much as your words.
speaking-tips - by Marie F.
How Eliminating Filler Words Transforms Your Presentations
Filler words make you sound uncertain. Here's why they matter, why you don't notice them, and three concrete ways to cut them.
speaking-tips - by Joy O.
Why Join Toastmasters?
A new member shares her experience — what it felt like the first time, what changed after five months, and why she's thankful she walked in the door.
member-stories - by Marie F.
How to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking
Fear of public speaking is common and beatable. Shift your focus to your audience, then practice in a supportive space, and watch nerves become confidence.
speaking-tips - by Vince D.
Sponsoring Youth Groups: The Gilbert Gaveliers for God
For 40 years, Gilbert Toastmasters has sponsored the Gaveliers for God, a youth gavel club that gives home-schooled students an early start in public speaking.
club - by Rob F.
You are Toastmaster this week, and this may help
How to prep speakers and functionaries, introduce the meeting, manage the lectern, and keep the meeting moving. A Toastmaster playbook.
meeting-roles - by Rob F.
OMG! I have to evaluate a speaker this week.
How to prep, what to write down, and how to deliver feedback the speaker can actually use. For first-time evaluators (and anyone who thinks they have nothing valuable to say).
evaluations - by Rob F.
If you are scheduled to speak this week, please do this.
A checklist for scheduled speakers: what to send before the meeting, what to bring, and what to do after.
speaking-tips - by Rob F.
How to be a Great Table Topics Master
How to prep great questions, manage the room, time the segment, and run the voting. A Table Topics Master playbook.
meeting-roles - by Rob F.
General Evaluator Best Practices
How to prep the functionaries, run the second half, present the awards, and finish on time. A General Evaluator playbook.
meeting-roles - by Rajeev D.
Topic Master Hints
A practical checklist for the Table Topics Master: how to prep, how to run the segment without eating into participants' time, and what to do once voting closes.
meeting-roles