Have you ever been caught speechless? I certainly have. Even though I taught elementary school, college classes, and conducted business seminars, I was comfortable only as long as I had a lesson plan. But impromptu or socially? My fear of unplanned speaking was limiting my life! I could have saved myself a lot of grief by joining Toastmasters International decades ago.
Many people misunderstand what happens in Toastmasters, simply picturing someone holding a glass of champagne while toasting the bride and groom. That’s a little piece of it, but doesn’t begin to tell the whole story. The various roles in a meeting include: Toastmaster (who manages the meeting, like an emcee), inspirational thought, joke, and speeches, of course. During Table Topics, members respond on the spot to a question or situation. A “Wizard” counts everyone’s “ums, ahs, you knows” and other words that detract from their message.
In the evaluation phase, speeches and the meeting are evaluated. Feedback is essential for building skills, so evaluators focus on what the speaker did well, with a suggestion for improvement. This also helps everyone become better, more focused listeners, too.
One of our recent members joined because she had been asked to officiate at a wedding and was terrified at the prospect. She joined our club, participating in every way. After several months, she was ready to practice the wedding ceremony with me as the bride and another man as the groom. Then she felt confident about handling the real wedding. When she came back, she shared her success with us and we were all proud of her!
A good Toastmasters’ club provides a supportive environment in which to stretch and grow and learn. Obviously, all of the skills learned there enhance members’ personal and professional lives. You, too, can be an effective speaker by joining a Toastmasters club. Don’t be caught speechless again!
by Kathleen Vestal Logan, MS, MA October 2, 2017
