What Is Toastmasters?
Tonight I attended my first Toastmaster’s meeting. For those who don’t know, Toastmasters is an international organization whose purpose it is to provide a medium for those who want to improve their public speaking abilities. Since we all address groups at some point or another and communicate verbally daily, I think it is a worthwhile undertaking. Having good public speaking skills sets you apart from the crowd because most people are scared to death at the prospect. Indeed, a person quipped at the meeting tonight that most would rather be the one in the pine box rather than the one giving the oration before it.
The meeting consisted of people delivering prepared 5-7 minute speeches, with the audience providing critical feedback on delivery and the number of filler “ums”. Then, we practiced delivering impromptu 1-2 minute speeches in response to random questions. My question was “What do you do to handle stress?” I talked about exercise and running, explaining my philosophy about the challenge of running being a metaphor for other, more complicated undertakings. I think it went pretty well. It was scary and exhilarating standing before a room of 20 people delivering a topic off the cuff.
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