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Tongues (a founding “mother” for these to lead in a number of club-and District-level
two clubs) offices.
NOTE: Throughout my Toastmasters “career,” I
have held each of the seven club officer positions multiple One of the blessings, more priceless than gold,
times in multiple clubs. has been the privilege of mentoring and helping
others in Toastmasters. Again, if Toastmasters
Awards had not offered this opportunity, I might have
• Toastmaster of the Year, 2001 shrunk from this task, blaming it on my shyness
• Rookie of the Year, 2000 and shirking the experience. Instead, I grew along
• Best Division Governor, 2011 with my mentees and am a better person for it.
• Miscellaneous club awards for service
• Won third place in the District Table Why would you encourage people to join
Topics Contest in 2014
Toastmasters?
How has Toastmasters helped you in your I would encourage anyone who wants to
OTHER life (work, communicate well and has any interest in
being a leader to join Toastmasters. Whether
presentations,
your goal is career
hobbies, etc.) related, becoming
As I said earlier, an activist for some
cause, or simply
Toastmasters got wishing to commu-
me through the nicate your views,
Masters of Public you will learn how
Administration to prepare speeches,
program and led how to speak “off the
me to receive an cuff,” learn how to
unexpected promo- perform the various
tion. As a matter of meeting roles at
fact, Toastmasters a Toastmasters
speaking skills helped me complete a Masters of meeting, gaining “Emcee” skills as the
Library Science in 2013 at age 70. Other areas Toastmaster of a meeting, mastering the art of
of Toastmaster benefits: the ability to strike up impromptu speaking, or competing in semi-
conversations with strangers, which I could never annual contests, not only in one’s club, but also
do before; delivering presentations as part of my at progressive levels inside the District.
job, acing several job interviews; the confidence In short, Toastmasters offers a plethora of
to pursue difficult subjects, such as Latin, Ancient learning opportunities and personal growth.
Greek, Egyptian Hieroglyphs, statistics, piano Members will experience personal growth,
and art lessons. enhance skills as they experiment with speaking
and leading. These skills allow them to become
Somehow those weekly Toastmasters meet- more self-confident, fulfilled people – all in a
ings always send me on my way back to a better supportive and safe environment – with a group
day, instilled with something new and refreshing that becomes a “family,” providing life-long
every time. Along my Toastmasters journey, I friendships.
found that I had leadership skills, something an
introverted person such as me would never have 29
considered, had I not been given the opportunity
Volume 3 Issue 4 - OCTOBER 2016
