Toastmasters
The 2000-2001 theme for Toastmasters International is "Friends Helping Friends
Succeed". Toastmasters are friends from all walks of life, learning from
doing and encouraging each other to succeed. Some might think Toastmasters is
solely for professional speakers. It is not. Toastmasters come from a variety of
occupations and backgrounds. We are doctors, attorneys, business executives,
small business owners, supervisors, professors and teachers, accountants,
salespersons, artists and homemakers.
Toastmasters helps improve speaking, listening, thinking and leadership skills.
It is a self-propelled program - you decide how quickly you progress and in what
direction you go using manuals that emphasize different aspects of speaking and
different types of presentations. You will find local Toastmaster clubs not only
diverse but also very supportive and focused. Toastmasters set goals and
encourage each other to succeed - to reach those goals.
At each meeting, two or three members will give prepared speeches based on
manual projects. Then they will receive an immediate evaluation from another
member. This is not a hatchet job, or a time to put someone down or ridicule
them. Neither is it a white wash. We try to give effective evaluations that
underscore the things done well in the presentation while offering a suggestion
or two of ways to improve. It is this part of our meetings that sets
Toastmasters above all other speech training programs.
What kind of investment will it take you to reap the many benefits of
Toastmasters? It will take time. Time to attend meetings and the time to prepare
your speeches. Attendance is not mandatory. It is not a requirement that you
attend so many meetings or you are out. However, to get the most out of your
Toastmasters membership it is best to attend regularly and as frequently as your
schedule will allow and to participate in every meeting role.
The Portland Toastmasters club meets the first and third Monday of each month at
7:30 am at Tennessee Christian Medical Center. The meeting lasts an hour. What a
great way to start your week! Toastmasters is not a country club. We are not a
bunch of arrogant know-it-alls who think we are better than everyone else. We
are students learning, growing, improving - Friends Helping Friends to Succeed.
For more information on the Portland Toastmasters Club, please call Darlene Durham at 325-5080.