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Guest Information

Club 3496, District 36, Area 42

Guest Information for Goddard Toastmasters

Visiting Goddard Toastmasters

Welcome to Our Club

We are delighted to have you as a guest at our meeting today. You are joining with a group of people who are dedicated to the goal of more effective communication through effective speaking, careful listening, and critical thinking. We get together regularly to practice new communication skills and polish already established skills. We’re serious about our goal but believe the best way to get there is to learn by doing and to enjoy ourselves along the way.

Meeting Information

Meeting Schedule: We meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: Meetings are held virtually. See our main page for current meeting connection details.

We occasionally hold blended meetings that are both virtual and on-site. Please check Dateline Goddard (internal to GSFC employees) for the current location, or contact our VP Education or VP Membership for details.

Guests: Guests are always welcome!

What Happens at Our Meetings

To give you a brief overview, there are four main parts to our meeting:

  1. Business Session - The meeting begins with a business session during which the business of the club is transacted. This section helps us focus on leadership skills and meeting management.

  2. Prepared Speaking - Second on the program is prepared speaking. Members develop their speaking ability and self-confidence as they progress through Pathways projects, typically 5 to 7 minute speeches, each of which focuses on specific communication skills.

  3. Table Topics - The third part of the meeting is Table Topics during which we practice impromptu speaking. Since most of our everyday communications are informal rather than prepared (consider meetings or telephone conversations), Table Topics provides an important opportunity to improve our ability to think on our feet, organize our thoughts, and express ourselves clearly and concisely.

  4. Evaluation - The program concludes with evaluation. This is an important part of our meeting because it affords the speakers a chance to receive constructive feedback and other members a chance to practice giving immediate, helpful feedback in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

During the Meeting We Invite You To:

  • APPLAUD after the introduction of a speaker and at the conclusion of each speech
  • PARTICIPATE in Table Topics (let one of the members know before the meeting starts if you’d like to participate)
  • VOTE along with members and other guests for Best Speaker, Best Evaluator, and Best Table Topics Respondent (you will be given ballots at the beginning of the meeting)
  • TELL us your reaction to the meeting at its conclusion (but don’t feel obligated to do so). Maybe you would rather speak to one of the members afterward.

We hope you enjoy today’s meeting, and that we will see you again.

Contact Information

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact our club officers:

Center Access Requirements

Note to guests: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center has enhanced security policies for on-center access.

Goddard Space Flight Center is a secure federal facility. Visitors who are not NASA employees or contractors will need to arrange access in advance.

For visitors who are not GSFC-badged:

  • Arrangements must be made at least two business days in advance
  • A club member must apply for visitor badges on your behalf
  • On the day of the visit, a Goddard Toastmasters member will meet you at the front gate, sign you in, and escort you on and off the facility

For questions about center access or to arrange a visit, please contact one of our club officers:

Alternatives for Visitors

If you are unable to visit our club in person, we encourage you to:

  • Visit other Toastmasters clubs in your area. Toastmasters International maintains a club finder to help you locate clubs near you.
  • Attend virtually. Our meetings are primarily virtual, so you may be able to join online even if you can’t visit in person. Contact our VP Membership for connection details.
  • Contact Toastmasters International directly for information about clubs in your area:

Benefits of Toastmasters Membership

Your Toastmasters membership provides these benefits:

  • A unique means of learning and improving your communicative abilities within an atmosphere of fellowship and fun with your fellow Toastmasters Club members.

  • Unlimited opportunities for personal and occupational advancement based on improved abilities and expanded experience.

  • Experience in leadership development through training and club involvement.

  • Professionally prepared educational materials and resources through the Pathways learning experience, covering speaking, listening, evaluation, and leadership skills.

  • The Toastmaster magazine - every month The Toastmaster provides new insights on communication techniques, ideas, and opinions.

  • Continuing practice and exposure to sound communication techniques.

  • Increased confidence, ability to organize logical thought and present it self-assuredly, and a better understanding of human relations.

  • Affiliation with an internationally renowned educational organization with over 300,000 members worldwide.

We Ask You To Share and Increase the Benefits You Gain Through Toastmasters By:

  • Assisting fellow members in developing their communication and leadership abilities as you develop your own.

  • Helping your club maintain the Toastmasters standard of excellence in programming and administration.

  • Providing leadership in the club at every opportunity.

  • Utilizing your Toastmasters experience to take an involved role in community affairs.

  • Sharing your Toastmasters experience by telling others about the program and inviting them to join.

  • Making Toastmasters an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for yourself and others by projecting the Toastmasters image in everyday business, social, and community situations.

Interested in Joining?

If you are interested in joining our club, please:

For the most current information, please contact our club officers or visit the Toastmasters International website.

Source: Updated December 2025 for NASA Communities site.