Toastmasters Club

Next meeting: Friday, February 3rd, noon to 1:30

1526 New Hampshire Avenue, NW,

$10 guest fee, includes yummy lunch & much laughter

Capital Toastmasters II, which meets a block from Dupont Circle in Washington, DC, is a very strong and congenial club of over 20 members representing a wide variety of professions and life experience. In 2012 the club is celebrating its 26th anniversary.

Members have traditionally been a group of gregarious and articulate individuals of all ages who delight in the spoken word, especially their own! Some of our members have been with the club since its start, and look forward eagerly to each and every meeting. Two of our members have gone all the way to finish in first place in District 36 contests, representing Toastmasters clubs from all over the DC Metro are. The club is most welcoming and supportive to visitors and new members.

The club was recognized by Toastmasters International as a Distinguished Club for the 2009-10 program year for excellence in programming.

Within Toastmasters International, the club exists as Club #4977, in Area 22, Division B, in District 36.

Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped millions of men and women become more confident in front of an audience. Our network of clubs and their learn-by-doing program are sure to help you become a better speaker and leader. Why pay thousands of dollars for a seminar when you can join a Toastmasters club for a fraction of the cost and have fun in the process?

Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. Whether you are a professional, student, stay-at-home parent or retiree, Toastmasters is the most efficient, enjoyable and affordable way of gaining great communication skills. By learning to effectively formulate and express your ideas, you open an entirely new world of possibilities. You’ll be more persuasive and confident when giving presentations, and you’ll improve your one-on-one dealings with others.

Don’t worry! Everyone in a Toastmasters club was once at the level you are now. The environment is friendly and supportive, and the self-paced program allows you to build confidence with each speaking assignment. And you’ll love the applause!

Constructive evaluation is the heart of the Toastmasters program. Each time you give a prepared speech, an evaluator will point out strengths and suggest improvements. At first you’ll be applauded for your effort; later you’ll be applauded for your skill.

Capital Toastmasters II meets the first and third Friday of each month from noon to 1:30 PM. Our meetings include a delicious buffet lunch . The club meets at an historic mansion off Dupont Circle which houses the Woman's National Democratic Club, 1526 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, 2nd floor, Washington DC, 20036.

Our next meetings are:
All on Fridays
February 3rd and 17th
March 2nd and 16th

If you want to get emails announcing future meetings, send an email to
membership (at) capital2 (dot) freetoasthost (dot) com
[To send email, replace (at) with @, and (dot) with periods.]

The meeting site is one block from Dupont Circle, past the Dupont Hotel. If using Metro, take the Red Line to Dupont Circle, exit Q (Que) Street. Go East on Q Street, crossing Connecticut Avenue, and crossing 19th Street, to the corner of Q Street and New Hampshire Avenue. The Woman's National Democratic Club is the reddish brown brick building on the near corner, on the right. There's a large painted Democratic donkey in the front yard. He can provide further directions (just kidding).

Street parking may be available at meters in the neighborhood, but bring a big bag of quarters. There may be parking at the Dupont Hotel (formerly Jury Hotel). The hotel has an underground lot off of Q close to 19th, but it's an unmarked ramp. There is also an underground lot across from the Dupont Hotel, on New Hampshire Ave, at the back of the Books-A-Million building.

Come and serve yourself from our lunch tray, and bring your food to the Library where the meeting starts promptly at noon. Guest visits are $10. (whether lunch consumed or not). Reservations are required, by contacting the email above. Meetings are adjourned no later than 1:30 p.m.

Guests visiting are invited to join Capital Toastmasters II, upon submitting an application to the Vice President of Membership. Quarterly dues are $90, payable at the beginning of each quarter, and are pro-rated for interim periods.

For more information about the club's most interesting and historic venue, please go to www. democraticwoman.org.

If you relish the opportunity to acquire or to refine your public speaking skills in the company of interesting people while enjoying a delicious lunch in a pleasant setting twice a month, then you belong in Capital Toastmasters II.

Although club membership is culturally and professionally diverse, all members share a common goal of taking purposeful action to improve their public speaking skills, Capital Toastmasters II meetings have been praised for their helpful feedback, humor, professionalism and camaraderie.

Members credit their Toastmasters involvement with advancing their career and expanding their public speaking comfort zone. Toastmasters currently has more than 200,000 members in 80 countries. Our club is just one of the more than 10,000 clubs located around the world.

The names "Toastmasters International," "Toastmasters," and the Toastmasters International emblem are trademarks protected in the United States, Canada, and other countries where Toastmasters Clubs exist. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

last updated 1/22/12