“What in the world is Toastmasters?” my niece asked when I mentioned I’d recently shared a special story about her mother in my Toastmasters club. “Is it some kind of dinner club where people give toasts?”
While my sister is deserving of a toast, I explained to her daughter that Toastmasters is an organization where people practice giving and listening to speeches on a wide range of topics in clubs that meet in office buildings, churches, and other locations worldwide.
Of course, it’s actually much more than that. The Toastmasters’ mission statement is “empowering individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.” I won’t go into all the details here; you can easily find them on the Toastmasters site.
Give Me an Audience
Way back in 1980, I was a member of my high school’s speech and debate team. In fact, I keep one of my favorite first-place speech trophies in my home office today. It symbolizes what I can accomplish if I keep moving forward. Interestingly, my winning speech was titled “Never Give Up.” Seventeen-year-old me had it right.
So here I am decades later, joining Toastmasters because I have always enjoyed speaking in front of an audience, and I had heard that this organization provided a place for that.
Overcoming My Fear of Dinner Guests
While I have no trouble speaking on stage or into a camera — I worked as a TV reporter and anchor before transitioning to a marketing career — I would clam up in small gatherings, such as dinner events. I was the silent smiler at the table, politely nodding as the Type A diners exchanged stories.
If someone tried to bring me into the conversation, my responses were as brief as possible: “Yes, I agree,” or “MmmHmm, I understand.” I hoped no one would notice the perspiration stains forming under my arms, the loud thumping of my heart, or my shaky voice.
Put me on a stage in front of these same dinner guests, and I could climb out of my shell, speaking clearly for multiple minutes without hesitation. No sweat. So, in addition to getting the opportunity to speak in front of an audience, I knew I needed to work on being confident when there wasn’t a podium in the room.
Finding a Club That Fits
I searched for a club on the Toastmasters website in the spring of 2022 and found one that meets twice monthly in an office complex near my house. I knew on my first visit to the club that I’d found my place. The members were friendly and encouraging to guests and to one another. Our club typically has around 15 active members, ranging from recent college graduates to retirees. Some participate for a season or two to prepare for a new job or promotion, building confidence and leadership skills along the way. Others have been with the club for two, five, ten years or more, mentoring new members while continuing to learn and practice communication skills.
Our club offers a safe space for practicing speaking and provides support to help members improve. However, it’s not just about speaking; I’ve also become quite proficient at creating PowerPoint presentations, using Zoom, and serving as a club officer. My freelance work is also benefiting. As I prepare for a speech on creating and maintaining a blog, my personal website is getting long-overdue updates, including posting this story.
To Toastmasters!
I recently attended a district Toastmasters conference, where I barely knew anyone; I left not only with a wealth of information to help me grow as a speaker, but I also made a few new friends. Oh, and I purchased and wore a fabulous pair of earrings with the Toastmasters logo, specially crafted by a member of another club for the silent auction. Not one for wearing dangling earrings, it took some boldness on my part to do so.
What you probably want to know at this point is how I’m doing when it comes to talking without a podium to lean on. Glad you asked. I can now participate in dinner conversations and other small gatherings while maintaining a normal heart rate, steady voice, and a dry blouse. That’s definitely something worth toasting.
Perhaps there’s some truth to what my niece thought after all. Here’s to Toastmasters. Cheers!