Toastmasters International is a worldwide organisation which has existed for 80 years and has more than 175,000 members in some 70 countries. It is not a college or training establishment in the formal sense but a network of clubs whose aim is to help its members improve their public speaking skills. Members are encouraged to make presentations and receive constructive feedback from fellow members in a mutually supportive environment.

Toastmasters International empowers people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. Through our member clubs, people throughout the world can improve their communication and leadership skills, and find the courage to change.

<B>Speechcraft programme</B>

The Speechcraft programme is a course offered by Toastmasters International and it will be run for the third time in Mauritius by members of The Plateau Toastmasters Club. The Toastmasters programme is well-established. Those who wish to practise public speaking usually join a local Toastmasters Club where they work through a manual of 10 projects leading to the achievement of the Competent Toastmaster Award. There are two clubs in Mauritius, one in Phoenix (Plateau Toastmasters Clubs), which meets at IVTB House on the second, third and fourth Mondays of each month and one in Port-Louis which meets at City Club on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

The Speechcraft programme is designed for people who wish to learn and practise the basics of public speaking in a condensed period of time. On starting the programme, they receive a specially designed manual produced by Toastmasters International, which you may visit on the website (www.toastmasters.org) for further information.

The third Speechcraft programme will take place in October/November/December 2006. Each participant will receive one-to-one mentoring and feedback from experienced Toastmasters. They will find the atmosphere encouraging and supportive. But participants must be aware that it is an intensive programme. They will be expected to prepare presentations almost every week and, if they miss more than one session of the programme, they will find it very difficult to derive full benefit from the course. Commitment to the whole 8-week programme is a pre-requisite. The course covers all the basic principles of public speaking, including creating and delivering powerful presentations. The programme is intensive and participative with one-to-one monitoring. Therefore the programme will be conducted for the first 10 participants who register.

The cost of the course is Rs 5,500 (of which Rs 3,000 will be payable on commencement of the course in October and a further Rs 2,500 at the second/third meeting in November).This includes course materials, refreshments and (where applicable) venue fees. Individual Toastmasters will provide their own time and advice free of charge and derive no financial benefit from this programme.

Any Speechcrafters who wish to join the Plateau Toastmasters Club after the Speechcraft programme to continue their Toastmasters experience will also be offered a discount on their first 3 month’s fees.

Venue: </B>The course will be conducted on Saturdays from 9 to 12 at IVTB House, Pont Fer, Phoenix.