DISTRICT 8 TOASTMASTERS WEEK
Are you one of those people who get nervous when it comes to speaking in
front of others, no matter what the size of the crowd? If so, you would be a perfect
fit in Toastmasters.
The week of May 4-10 is District 8 Toastmasters Week in recognition of the critical importance of communication and leadership skills in all aspects of life. District 8 Toastmasterscovers the eastern half of Missouri and the southern half of Illinois. During the week of May 4-10, many of the 80-plus Clubs throughout District 8 are holding open houses to which the public is cordially invited.
The Toastmasters program includes impromptu speaking, prepared speeches and evaluations. Impromptu speaking skills are a must for anyone who interviews for employment or needs to answer a question posed during a meeting. All the topics for the prepared speeches are based upon objectives provided in manuals published by Toastmasters International. The evaluation skills gained from Toastmasters enable its members to provide concise feedback in a constructive manner—a must for managers and aspiring managers. And all of this occurs in a very non-threatening environment.
Immediate Past District 8 Governor Dan Darnall recalls one particular member in his Toastmasters Club. “Several years ago a visitor came to one of the meetings. She knew that she needed to improve her communication skills, but was fearful of public speaking. When the meeting progressed to the portion of the agenda involving impromptu speaking, it was obvious that she was extremely nervous. After the meeting, some of the members discovered that she was so nervous about being asked to speak that she had returned to her office and cried. Several members talked with her and convinced her to attend another meeting. She joined the Club and used the skills that she gained from Toastmasters to become a spokesperson for a charity. She actually conquered her fear of public speaking and was able to stand before strangers to solicit donations—all because of Toastmasters.”
Toastmaster skills are also beneficial in the workplace. In today's business world, people need to do all they can to make themselves more marketable. Many businesses have had to "downsize," "right size," or "lay-off" employees. Darnall’s employer has two Toastmasters Clubs on-site. He observed that “over the last 10 years, employees who are members of a Toastmasters Club are statistically less likely to be subject to a lay-off than people who are not members. And those members who do lose their jobs as a result of a lay-off find new jobs more quickly. The communication and leadership skills that we learn in Toastmasters increase our value to our employers and our marketability to potential employers.”
Several companies have recognized the value of Toastmasters, including Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Boeing, Caterpillar, RubinBrown, and State Farm Insurance, all of which sponsor on-site Toastmasters Clubs to further the development of their employees at a very reasonable cost.
To find a Club near you, please visit d8tm.org or call 1-800-569-0595 or 314-726-9834.
