October 5, 2022 - Do you shy away from speaking in public? Would you like to improve your public speaking ability? Do you tremble in fear because your new job may require you to speak in public? Then you are a perfect candidate for Toastmasters training.

Learn how to become a better communicator and leader tomorrow by attending a Toastmasters Open House scheduled at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022, in Raley’s Community Room, 40041, Hwy. 41, Oakhurst.

“We are inviting the public to our Open House so they can see firsthand what Toastmasters is all about and, hopefully, recruit new members,” said Michael Montgomery, president of the Oakhurst club. The event is free to the public and refreshments will be available.

“At Toastmasters’ meetings, members will learn to speak with confidence, improve communication skills, give and receive constructive feedback and thrive in a supportive learning environment,” said Montgomery.

Montgomery said Toastmasters’ proven education programs also give members powerful leadership tools to guide successful teams, enhance their ability to inspire others, sharpen presentation skills and give and get constructive feedback.

The local Toastmasters group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:15 p.m. in Raley’s Community Room in Oakhurst. Membership is open to people 18 years and older. Membership dues of $55.00 are collected every six months, $10 of which is used for local club expenses. There is also a one-time fee of $20 for new Toastmaster members.

Annual dues allow members access to the Toastmasters International website, all the information needed to write and deliver speeches and 11 specialized pathways of learning to help members make oral presentations, Montgomery added.

Some of these pathways include Dynamic Leadership where members learn to negotiate and manage change and leadership skills for any situation; Engaging Humor to improve any speech and deliver a message with laughter, and Persuasive Influence which involves conflict resolution and high-level leadership and developing skills for every situation.

Toastmasters began as a series of speaking clubs organized by Ralph C. Smedley during his time working for the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) in Bloomington, IL. Smedley saw a need for the men in the community to learn how to speak, conduct meetings and plan programs and work on committees and he wanted to help them.

Smedley decided to organize a club where they could learn these skills in a social environment and he named the group the Toastmasters Club. “Toastmaster” was a popular term at that time that referred to a person who gave toasts at banquets and other occasions. The first unofficial Toastmasters meeting was held on March 24, 1905.

For more information about Toastmasters, log on to www.toastmasters.org.

To learn more visit Oakhurst Toastmasters website and Facebook page.

Source: Oakhurst Toastmasters