Page 43 - October 2020 Voices
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PERSONAL NARRATIVES
My Toastmasters Journey
Jennifer Schmidt, EH1
VPPR New Horizons Toastmasters
to swim and do it well. I was warmly welcomed
During our regular company town hall meeting, but I still didn’t know what to expect. People
my boss asked that I speak in front of all my were friendly and I had fun during the meeting.
co-workers. Not having the option to decline his The speeches were interesting and Table Topics
request, I remember gripping the microphone, was entertaining. I decided to join and received
glancing around the room and speaking as fast a speech manual that explained exactly how to
I could. My goal was to finish as quickly and prepare a speech.
painlessly as possible. Inside, I was a nervous When it was time for my Ice Breaker speech,
wreck, feeling like I was thrown into a lake, I wasn’t sure how I would feel taking this plunge
hoping not to drown of embarrassment. After into public speaking. I hung on to the lectern
finishing my auctioneer impersonation, I handed like a life preserver and nervously explained my
back the microphone and retreated to my chair. struggle with talking to groups. After I finished,
As I got more involved with planning company the audience enthusiastically applauded me. It
events, this situation happened repeatedly. I felt great and for once I didn’t sprint back to my
realized my boss wasn’t trying to torture me, he chair. It was refreshing to accomplish something
would call on me because I had the information. I had never done before.
He also didn’t want to speak to the group the That was the beginning of my Toastmasters
entire time. Each time I spoke, it got a little journey. I would go on to do more speeches and
easier, but it never felt smooth, and I admired become an officer. Eventually, I competed in
those who could easily do impromptu speaking. contests and wrote a humorous speech where
At the time, I had heard about Toastmasters, but the audience actually laughed! In that moment,
it wasn’t until the job ended, that I was able to I knew anything was possible because I had
find out more about it. a proven program and a supportive club to
I picked my Toastmasters club based on when encourage my continued success.
I wanted to meet. One Tuesday night I decided to
If you would like to contribute your Toastmasters
show up because I was tired of public speaking story to this column, please contact me at phyllis.
being a miserable dunk tank experience. I wanted harmon@d7toastmasters.org for more info.
VOICES! | OCTOBER 2020 43
