Improve Communication Skills With Toastmasters International
December 13, 2009
By: Stephen Kent
Last Weeks Meeting - December 8, 2009
Angie Price
Angie Price is a CPA with Weinlander Fitzhugh. Since 2008 she has also been a member of the local Toastmasters International organization.
Price opened with two facts: "Communication with other people is the single most important way we attract people around us." and "Nearly all of the greatest people that have ever lived have had one thing in common: Leadership".
Although there is no magic pill to help people improve their communication and leadership skills, there is an organization that can. Toastmasters is an international non-profit organization that provides a proven and enjoyable way to do so. Toastmasters is a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience.
Around the world more than 4 million people have benefited from Toastmasters training. Government, business and individuals use Toastmasters, which claims to be the most cost effective way to obtain this type of training.
Toastmasters meeting weekly for an hour or two. Usually there are 15 to 20 people at a meeting. Members practice and learn skills by giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one or working as timer, evaluator or grammarian.
Studies have shown that people make their first impression in two seconds. Posture, voice inflection, eye contact, hands, clothing all send a strong message to people you meet. Toastmasters help members make the best first impression.
The mission of a Toastmasters club is "to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communications and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth".
There is no instructor at a Toastmasters meeting. Instead, each member's presentation is evaluated by other members in a positive way. They focus on what was done right and what could be improved.
Members are given two books when joining. Each book outlines ten projects. These provide the framework for the member's advancement in the ranks of the club.
Toastmasters started at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California in 1924. Today there are 12,500 clubs in 106 countries serving nearly 250,000 members.
The Bay City Toastmasters meet the first and third Fridays at COPOCO Community Credit Union, 4265 E. Wilder Road
For more information visit
www.toastmasters.org or
baycity.freetoasthost.info
CLUB NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
The board voted to fund 3 computers and a supply of seeds for our school partners in Guatemala.
Chuck Cusick is exploring the idea of a training session he will call Rotary 101. This will be presented to clubs members from the district who want to learn more about the workings and mission of Rotary.
Part of the Club's major project funding is for Bay City's "Way finding Signage" project. The group working on that have asked that the unveiling and presentation of the working design me presented at an upcoming club meeting.
The club is now an official member of the Chamber of Commerce. One of the many benefits is a trial membership at the Yacht Club. The club has received permission to auction this membership at International Night.
The club is looking for a member to take over the GSE Team chair.
Vocational Days are coming up. Griff, Ralph and Dee Dee ask that, if you plan to host students, please fill out a form as soon as possible and turn it in to one of them. Bay Med will host students on March 2, and Delta College will do March 16. Since Delta takes such a large group, the committee prefers that Rotarians who host students take the March 2 date.
Meeting Times:
Lunch is now on the table at noon allowing members to start the meal earlier. The meeting starts by 12:30 and the speaker starting by 12:50. The meeting typically adjourns around 1:15!
Make-up On-Line at
www.RotaryEclubOne.org
DATES TO REMEMBER
The next New Member Orientation will be held January 13.
The Lee Newton Concert committee has scheduled to meet the third Tuesday each month at 11:15.
Upcoming Programs
(See the official schedule at
RotaryBayCity.org )
December 15:
Vocational Talks Two of your Rotary Colleagues will talk about their chosen vocations.
December 22:
Annual Holiday program with members of the club helping to celebrate the season in song, verse and prose.
December 29:
10 Minute Rotarians
Visit
RotaryBayCity.org