Toastmasters provides a very supportive atmosphere for the growth of its members. It is this aspect of my club that allows me to freely experiment with my skills and raise my goals higher in my speech preparation. I don't have to feel embarrassed about making mistakes, but am encouraged to try new things. This helps to increase my confidence in general as well as providing a sense of comfort when it comes to public speaking. The manuals provide a sense of direction and focus with each speech while encouraging me to develop specific skill sets. They also assist me in learning about the various leadership roles that I can participate in during Toastmasters meetings.
I have found that within just a few months of membership, I am more comfortable speaking in all types of situations, including interpersonal relationships, business acquaintances, and before public groups. Toastmasters has helped me develop more as an individual than I had expected. I highly recommend membership, or at least a visit, for everyone, regardless of your occupation or goals in life.
Karen
Launched Speaking Career...
Toastmasters was the platform that launched my professional speaking career in 1986. It also taught me important leadership skills that have helped me in a wide variety of professional roles both at the state and national levels. I continue to stay actively involved in Toastmaster because it is a terrific resource for learning and development.
Jerry