A lot of people join Toastmasters to get over a paralyzing fear of public speaking.
The mere thought of standing up in front of a crowd can make their palms sweat, heartbeats thunder and voices crack and rise. And so they step through the doors to a meeting, trembling fear held tightly in check, to overcome the challenge of oration.
And while Toastmasters is a spectacular and supportive venue to overcome that fear, itB次元官网网址檚 also an effective tool and training ground for the next step. Once the fear is conquered, Toastmasters helps its members hone the craft and art of speaking.
ItB次元官网网址檚 that practice that has kept Victor Lindal coming back for 40 years.
B次元官网网址淚 was CanadaB次元官网网址檚 national womenB次元官网网址檚 volleyball coach and a high school teacher, so I didnB次元官网网址檛 have trouble with public speaking,B次元官网网址� says Lindal, currently a member of the Royal Roads Toastmasters. B次元官网网址淚 wanted to learn how to organize a speech.B次元官网网址�
The 77-year-old learned how to write an intriguing introduction, how to structure his talking points and how to wrap everything up with an impassioned call to action.
The Toastmasters family helped him continually strengthen his skills, and in 1980, Lindal made it to the worldwide public speaking competition as one of the top nine speakers globally.
On a less international, but no less influential scale, Goldstream Toastmasters member Fred Jones, a computer software salesman, says itB次元官网网址檚 entirely because of the group that heB次元官网网址檚 so involved with his community.
B次元官网网址淚 knew no one here, not one person, when I first arrived,B次元官网网址� says Jones, who moved from Toronto in 2008. B次元官网网址淚 now know hundreds of people in Victoria and IB次元官网网址檓 also involved in other activities in the community, and itB次元官网网址檚 all because of Toastmasters.B次元官网网址�
Not only did he find his business communication and professionalism improved, JonesB次元官网网址� relationships with family and friends also benefitted, as did his willingness to step outside his comfort zone.
B次元官网网址淚t helps you in many ways. It helps you help other people,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淎nd it gives you a lot of self-confidence to do things you would probably never do.B次元官网网址�
With members often sharing a lot about themselves and their lives, thereB次元官网网址檚 a deep connection forged and members often know each other better than anyone else in their lives, says Jones.
Lindal, whoB次元官网网址檚 worked as a personal coach for more than 20 years, says the key is to attend a meeting as a guest first. B次元官网网址淥bserve what goes on, see how you enjoy the people and what happens there,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淎s you get more comfortable with whatB次元官网网址檚 going on, you gradually say, B次元官网网址業 could join this club.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
There are three Toastmasters groups on the West Shore: Goldstream, Royal Roads and the B次元官网网址楥hosin ChattersB次元官网网址� in Metchosin.
Debby Volk has lived in Metchosin for years, but when she joined the B次元官网网址楥hatters,B次元官网网址� she met a whole new group of people, she says.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a good group. Everyone is very friendly and supportive.B次元官网网址� Volk joined just last year to finally put a long-held fear of public speaking to rest, and says sheB次元官网网址檚 definitely making progress. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 still getting my feet wet.B次元官网网址�
The Goldstream group meets Mondays at 7 p.m. in the second-floor boardroom of Westhills Arena, 1097 Langford Pkwy. Metchosin meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the Metchosin Community House, 4430 Happy Valley Rd. Royal Roads meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Hatley Castle. Guests are asked to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to all meetings.
Membership and dues vary between the clubs.
For more information visit toastmasters.org.
acowan@goldstreamgazette.com
