We are the Blue Danube Speakers
a Toastmasters Club in Linz
Next meeting
Our meetings are generally held in English; you can contribute with English or German speeches!
Further meetings this term (2020/2021):
February 22nd
(more dates published soon)
What is our goal?
We practice public speaking. We have regular meetings where we practice in order to improve our speaking skills.
When do we meet?
We have regular meetings every second Monday. We meet at 18:45 at Wissensturm, Kärntnerstraße 26, 4020 Linz (attention: during school holidays we meet at Gasthaus Alte Welt, Adlergasse 4, 4020 Linz. Find the location of the next meeting above).
Can I try it?
Yes, visitors are always welcome! You can visit us three times for free. Afterwards we will invite you to join our club.
How much is it?
We are a non-profit organisation with a membership-fee of 120 Euros per year.
Toastmasters is the world’s leading organization dedicated to helping its members learn to speak effectively, both in professional and personal situations. Toastmasters is a club where interesting people like you help each other and learn together in a friendly and supportive environment.
Since 1924, more than 4 million people around the world have become more confident speakers and leaders because of their participation in Toastmasters.
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Today, our membership is 292,000 strong. These members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 14,350 clubs in 122 countries that make up our global network of meeting locations.
Read more about the Features, Benefits and Value of a Toastmasters International membership.
The meeting is structured in such a way that it encourages participation from many of those attending.
A typical meeting is divided into the following segments:
Introduction
The Toastmaster of the Evening conducts the meeting and explains the program for the evening (Introduction, transitional comments, etc.)
Speeches
This is the core section. Every meeting 3 to 4 speakers present self-chosen topics but following the structured program in the training manual. Every speech has a different objective such as focusing on body language, correct use of the voice, speech structuring, etc.
Evaluations
All speeches are evaluated afterwards by another toastmaster. Apart from these oral evaluations the speaker also receives written feedback from all the meeting participants.
Table Topics
The Table Topics Master presents one topic or theme with several questions or situations and invites individual members of the club to speak spontaneously about it for 1-2 minutes. This helps the speaker to develop impromptu speaking skills. And it’s always very funny…
General Evaluation
The General Evaluator points out the DOs and DON’Ts of the night. They ask their evaluation team to present their reports. For example, the Ah-counter checks all speakers for any filler words and sounds they may have used like and, so, ahm, etc. The Timer, records the exact time each speaker takes as there are specific limits for each role.
Matthias – You need to figure it out
Organise your speech – Matthias’ task for this speech was to organise his speech well. Good speech organisation is essential if your audience is to follow and understand your presentation.
Your body speaks – Ruta’s task was to focus on body language. Body language is an important part of speaking because it enhances your message and gives you more credibility.
Research your topic – Christian’s task was to present a challenging topic where he needed to do some research first. Your speech will be more effective if you can support your main points with statistics testimony, stories, anecdotes, examples, visual aids, and facts.
Membership is affordable
A great value that can change your life. Your initial investment:
- €20 New member fee (includes the first educational path subscription of your choice)
- €60 per semester (used for meeting space and club supplies, includes memebership at Toastmasters International)
You are welcome to come as our guest three times before committing to be a Toastmaster. You can join anytime during the year.
I can proudly announce that our first Blue Danube Speakers newsletter is finally finished! Thanks to all the people, who helped making it happen. If you are interested and want to read it, just write an E-mail and we will send it as a .pdf......
16 February, 2017 /
Ladies and gentleman, we just had our second meeting in 2017 and four guests joined our gathering of “practitioners of the rhetorical arts”. Guys, if you are reading this, all of you would be great additions to our club, so I hope we will......
24 January, 2017 /
We had four speeches last time! The whole last year we were not able to have a gathering with more than three speeches, but right in our first encounter in 2017 we were able to get over this benchmark! The evening was hosted by Christian......
18 January, 2017 /
We meet at (every 2nd Monday)
Wissensturm, Kärntnerstraße 26, 4020 Linz
We are looking forward to seeing you.
ZVR: 207408589
Blue Danube Speakers
Sitz: Leonding
Zustelladresse: Christian Wirth, Im Blumengrund 9, 4060 Leonding
E-Mail: contact@blue-danube-speakers.at
Verantwortlich für Inhalt: Christian Wirth (Mitglied des Vereinsvorstands)