Is Toastmasters for You?

by

David W. Richardson, CSP

As readers of my monthly column in the Airpark News you may recall my having mentioned that I once had an intense fear of public speaking and, because I knew that my career advancement hinged on my ability to communicate professionally, I joined Toastmasters International.  I went on to win 2^nd place in the World Championship of Public Speaking, an honor that I'm more proud of than any keynote address, any sales training program or speech coaching workshop I have ever delivered!  Why?  Because speaking in public was something I thought I could never do well, but I worked at it anyway -- and I became very good at it.  I make my living at it!

Do I sound like I'm bragging?  Well, maybe I am a little, but my point is that you can read my articles about presentation skills, call me and get my advice on how to improve your presentations (or simply how to get your knees to stop knocking!), but until you get up there and practice your skills over and over again, the improvement you seek may not come as quickly as you wish.

What do Toastmasters do?  Well, here's a brief synopsis of a meeting:  You're met at the door by that evening's "greeter" who makes you feel welcome and comfortable.  The other members gather around you to introduce themselves and make you feel at home.  The meeting is called to order and the evening's Toastmaster is introduced.   Everyone in the organization gets involved.  There's the "Ah" Counter, the Timer, the Joke Master, the General Evaluator, individual speakers, and impromptu speaking orchestrated by the Table Topics Master.  My assistant, Jean, says she likes it so much because she gets to be "master" of something once in awhile!

You start out slow and easy in Toastmasters -- they're kind and gentle so don't worry.  Once you've joined, you begin taking on some of the simpler functions of the meeting. You may be the person who listens for and notes grammatical errors, or rings a little bell each time the person speaking goes "Um" or "Ah", or you may be the person who leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the meeting.  As you become more comfortable within the club you'll be asked to take on other functions such as General Evaluator or, most fun of all, Toastmaster.

When you give your first speech, your Ice Breaker, you will simply introduce yourself to your fellow members and tell them a little bit about who you are and what your interests are.  This will be the true beginning of your speaking education.  You will have an evaluator assigned to you and that person will tell you everything you did well in your presentation and then make some suggestions for ways you can improve on your own natural speaking abilities.  It may be that you have wonderful eye contact when you DO make it so be sure to look at people more often. Or, it may be that you seem comfortable in front of a group but that, perhaps, leaning on the lectern is TOO comfortable!  See what I mean?  It's pretty painless but constructive at the same time. 

As you progress toward completing your first ten speeches and the award of Certified Toastmaster, you refine your skills by focusing on organization, gesturing, connecting with your audience, and using visual aids -- sound familiar?  These are all topics I have covered with you over the past two years and I'm always pleased to hear that so many of you have found the information helpful.  Now, go out and use it because that really is the best way for you to improve.

Throughout the Valley there are Toastmasters organizations that meet at all hours of the day -- early morning clubs, lunch clubs, evening clubs -- and I strongly encourage you to check them out.  Go to www.toastmasters.org and there you will find a list of clubs that you can choose from.  There are 11 clubs listed in Scottsdale alone, and over 50 in Phoenix!

I commend you for anything you do to improve your presentation skills.  For most people it's not easy to get up in front of a group and express yourself.  Our phone line is always open for those of you who have questions or are looking for advice.

You can reach me at my Scottsdale office at 480-451-8808 or e-mail me at daver@richspeaking.com.  Fax me a copy of your business card with the word "guide" written on it and we'll help you get started putting together a dynamic presentation by sending you our "Presentation Planning Guide".  The fax number is 480-452-9372.