Demo Meeting & Open House
Demo Meeting
A Toastmasters Demo Meeting is a meeting held to showcase the typical structure and format of a Toastmasters meeting, intended for prospective members or organizations interested in starting a new Club.
The purpose of the demo meeting is to give attendees a firsthand experience of how Toastmasters works, including key activities like prepared speeches, impromptu speaking (Table Topics), and evaluations.
Experienced Toastmasters members usually conduct the meeting, highlighting roles such as the Toastmaster (meeting facilitator), speech evaluators, and other leadership roles.
By attending a demo meeting, potential members gain insight into the educational benefits of the Toastmasters program and how it can help improve communication and leadership skills.
Demo meetings are typically used as a recruitment tool to generate interest and help launch new Clubs.
- Demonstration meetings are run by volunteers
from nearby Toastmasters clubs. - Sample meeting – 60 to 90 Minutes at Corporate/University Premises or a venue agreed by the sponsors.
- Explain the features and benefits of Toastmasters
- Model the structure of a standard meeting with a speaker, evaluation, and Table Topics.
- Involve attendees as much as possible (max 3-4 participants from the current TM community)
- Allow Q&A from attendees unfamiliar with Toastmasters.
- Share next steps for how to join Toastmasters and charter the new club officially.
Open House
A Toastmasters Open House is a special event hosted by an existing Club to attract guests and potential new members.
The goal of an Open House is to showcase the benefits of the Toastmasters program, such as improving public speaking, leadership, and communication skills, in a welcoming and informative environment.
During an Open House, the Club often conducts a condensed version of a regular meeting, featuring prepared speeches, impromptu Table Topics, and evaluations to demonstrate how meetings operate. Additionally, there may be special presentations or guest speakers, as well as opportunities for visitors to ask questions, network with members, and learn more about the Toastmasters experience.
The Open House provides a friendly, no-pressure way for attendees to see the Club in action and decide if they’d like to join.
Recommended steps to organize an Open House:
- Set up a team of committed Toastmasters to help you run the event. Share the documentation with them. Consider using this event to complete a Level 5 project in Pathways or as a High Performance Leadership Project.
- With your team, read and share the “Open House Meeting Organization” manual for guidance and suggestions on how to organize your event effectively.
- With your team, read and share the “From Prospect to Guest to Member” manual and “Success 101” (electronic version).
- Hold a meeting with your team to start planning your event. During or before this meeting, watch the Youtube videos on the Rick Furbush method for running Demo Meetings:
– Rick Furbush – New Club Kick-Off Meeting
– Toastmasters Kick-Off Made Simple! Part 1 of 2
– Toastmasters Kick-Off Made Simple! Part 2 of 2
- Prepare the agenda for your event, using the Word or Excel versions of the “Open House Meeting Agenda.”
Demonstration meetings are run by volunteers from nearby Toastmasters Clubs
The Club Coach, an experienced Toastmaster from outside a struggling club, provides guidance in rebuilding membership, restoring enthusiasm, and earning credit in the Distinguished Club Program (DCP).
With the Coach’s support, the Club undertakes active revitalization work,
utilizing a variety of Toastmasters resources.
Sample meeting: 60 to 90 minutes at the Corporate/University
premises or a venue agreed with the Club Sponsors
- Explain the features and benefits of Toastmasters
- Model the structure of a standard meeting with a speaker, evaluation, and Table Topics
- Get attendees involved (max 3-4 participants from the existing TM community)
- Allow Q&A from attendees unfamiliar with Toastmasters
- Share next steps for how to join Toastmasters and officially charter the new Club
