Toastmaster's Club
Posted by Bill Molesworth
Laurie introduced Jacques Brunet, a professional speaker and trainer who can show people how to improve their ability to speak in public by coaching one on one or working with groups. He and his wife have three girls, the oldest of which is going to Brazil as the exchange student from the Penetang Club. He has been with Toastmasters for 7 years.
Jacques mentioned that more people profess to be afraid of public speaking than they are of dying. He quoted Frost, who said that half the people have something to say and can't and the other half have nothing to say and won't stop talking.
Fear of public speaking is called Glossophobia and, though some suggest trying to imagine your audience in their underwear, Jacques finds preparation and practice more effective.
Toastmasters Int'l was founded by Dr. Ralph Smedlley in 1924, following the example of Dale Carnegie, with the intention of helping people improve their speaking skills. Currently, a Dale Carnegie course can cost up to $2,000.00. Toastmasters is non profit.
The first club in Canada was formed in 1958 and the first in this area, Echoes of the Bay, was established in 2000. There had been a Toastmistress organization, but it was phased out and everybody goes to the one meeting now.
Building speaking skills seems to build self confidence, gives people a better ability to make themselves heard and understood and usually leads to improvement in the organization and promotion.
Meetings are a series of spontaneous and rehearsed speeches which are critiqued, which helps people improve. Those who want to can take their speeches to competitions. About 20,000 people enter at the first level of the International Speech Contest, so the winner is clearly a good speaker.
Anybody can join a club, but if there isn't one around, you can found a private club from your work place, if 20 or more are interested.
Jacques suggests that if you want to improve your skills, you can hire a coach, like himself, or you can join a Toastmaters Club.
Fear of public speaking is called Glossophobia and, though some suggest trying to imagine your audience in their underwear, Jacques finds preparation and practice more effective.
Toastmasters Int'l was founded by Dr. Ralph Smedlley in 1924, following the example of Dale Carnegie, with the intention of helping people improve their speaking skills. Currently, a Dale Carnegie course can cost up to $2,000.00. Toastmasters is non profit.
The first club in Canada was formed in 1958 and the first in this area, Echoes of the Bay, was established in 2000. There had been a Toastmistress organization, but it was phased out and everybody goes to the one meeting now.
Building speaking skills seems to build self confidence, gives people a better ability to make themselves heard and understood and usually leads to improvement in the organization and promotion.
Meetings are a series of spontaneous and rehearsed speeches which are critiqued, which helps people improve. Those who want to can take their speeches to competitions. About 20,000 people enter at the first level of the International Speech Contest, so the winner is clearly a good speaker.
Anybody can join a club, but if there isn't one around, you can found a private club from your work place, if 20 or more are interested.
Jacques suggests that if you want to improve your skills, you can hire a coach, like himself, or you can join a Toastmaters Club.