This month is the 40th Anniversary of the charter of our Speakeasy 5340 Toastmaster Club. It was a wonderful gathering of members and a hybrid meeting so people could join where ever they were located. Nora joined from Florida and Cody joined from Canada. My speech was about using Toastmasters as a platform to ignite your career and your life. Below are my notes and points that I made throughout the speech, but engaging the audience and thinking about all the ways that Toastmasters has supported me these past 5 and a half years truly gives me joy!
The Toastmaster Platform
“Picture a journey of transformation, a voyage that transcends mere words and takes you through a profound evolution. Ladies and gentlemen, imagine a platform where speaking isn’t just an art but a catalyst for professional metamorphosis. That platform, for me, has been Toastmasters International.” I joined to be a better public speaker, but gained so much more than that as a speaker, trainer, leader, author and coach.
Speaker:
Joined Toastmasters in August 2018
Describing Toastmasters as a platform for professional transformation
Improved public speaking skills through regular speeches and contest participation.
Gained confidence and fluency in delivering presentations, essential for a professional role involving communication.
Trainer:
Developed structured and engaging training sessions as Contest Master and VP Public Relations
Utilized Toastmasters’ evaluation skills to train Major Gift officers in enhancing their presentation capabilities.
Developing and refining my ability to deliver structured and engaging training sessions through roles like Contest Master and as a VP Public Relations.
Leader:
Served as an Area Director for Area 45 in District 53, overseeing and supporting multiple clubs, which honed leadership skills.
Completed paths in Dynamic Leadership and Effective Coaching, acquiring strategies and techniques applicable to leadership roles. Each path finishing up a High Performance Leadership project is key.
Author:
Speech content “Skiing is Believing” evolved into a successful children’s book, showcasing the creativity fostered through Toastmasters’ storytelling and communication skills.
Coach:
Engaged in coaching and providing constructive feedback to Toastmasters members, essential skills transferable to coaching professionals or teams in various settings.
Completed the Effective Coaching Path, gaining insights and methodologies to become an effective coach within or outside of Toastmasters.
Toastmasters isn’t just about improving public speaking; it’s about developing leaders. The organization offers a diverse array of opportunities to enhance skills that transcend the podium. Whether it’s fostering effective communication, refining leadership acumen, or cultivating the art of constructive feedback, Toastmasters serves as a dynamic platform for continual growth.
I urge each of you to explore Toastmasters, whether to overcome the fear of public speaking, refine leadership qualities, or even discover hidden talents. It’s a place where you’ll find encouragement, mentorship, and a community dedicated to supporting your aspirations.
My journey with Toastmasters has been an enriching odyssey of self-discovery, growth, and empowerment. It’s an honor to be part of an organization that nurtures individuals to become confident speakers, capable leaders, and champions of their own success.
“As I conclude, let me leave you with this: Toastmasters isn’t just about refining speeches; it’s about refining lives. It’s about stepping onto a path that leads not only to mastery in speaking but also to leadership, coaching, training, and a world of endless possibilities.
Embrace this journey. Embrace Toastmasters. Transform yourself.
Thank you.”
