Toastmasters is the original self-help organization.
Why did you join Toastmasters? Hold that thought.
In 1905, at the YMCA in Bloomington, Illinois, Ralph Smedley, the Educational Director, felt that young men needed training to develop their leadership.
He created an organization to teach young men to speak confidently in front of groups, manage meetings, and plan and execute events. Some local businessmen were also interested, so they came along to participate. They ultimately called this group Toastmasters.
Toastmasters was officially chartered in Santa Ana, California, in 1924, but 102 years later, it stands as an example of someone who saw a need and stepped in to fill it.
What was your need? To build confidence? Overcome fear of public speaking? Improve communication and leadership skills? Be more effective in impromptu situations?
In 1985, Helen Blanchard, the first woman International President of Toastmasters International, shared, “If you get out of Toastmasters all you can get out of Toastmasters, you will never get out of Toastmasters.”
When you joined, you had a need. Have you filled that need? Does it still need to be filled, or have your needs changed?
In 1997, Toastmasters International introduced a series of manuals in sets, intended to encourage Toastmasters’ skill development.
The sets were built around central themes, with each manual providing training on a specific aspect of that theme.
The Better Speaker Series is a set of presentations offering instruction on basic speaking skills.
The Successful Club Series is a set of presentations on the skills to produce quality club meetings that help clubs succeed.
The Leadership Excellence Series is a set of presentations on leadership skills that can be used inside and outside Toastmasters.
These sessions offer guidelines for conducting the presentation, introducing your topic to the audience, and developing the presentation.
Each session includes a set of PowerPoint slides that serve as a sample of the presentation. You can use the outline to develop your presentation on the topic.
Any club member can present one of these sessions. Ensure you coordinate with the Vice President of Education (VPE) not only to schedule the session, but also to schedule the extended time. Each session requires 10-15 minutes to present.
You gain multiple skills with these sessions: 1. Learning to do a longer presentation and making it your own; 2. Learning to use audiovisual support; 3. Learning a specific Toastmasters skill in more depth.
Don’t delay. Download these free sets from toastmasters.org. Look over the material, choose the session you want to do, and schedule it with your club VPE.
Are you ready to get more out of Toastmasters?
About the Author:
Solarzar is a 31-year Toastmaster with multiple Distinguished Toastmaster awards having served from the club to the District level; he has been a Toastmaster of the Year for District 4 and District 101; he is a certified Master Trainer; he is a member of the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians; and he is definitely a perennial child.
From living on the streets of New York as a teenager; to a 21-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps; to serving as a Subject Matter Expert for the Department of Defense; to creating his business Magic-4-Life, LLC, Solarzar has lived many lives in one.
Drawing from his life experience and his book, “Leadership Magic, the Journey from Trickster to Sage,” Solarzar will share, “Step Up! Speak Up! Lead.’