Toastmasters

Toastmasters

Are you looking for ways to build your platform? You’re writing, blogging, twittering… have you thought about speaking? Toastmasters International is an educational organisation that specialises in public speaking. Here are some reasons to check it out:
  • Build your confidence.
  • Boost your self esteem.
  • Network.
  • Develop leadership skills.
  • Meet awesome people.
  • Get qualifications.
  • Practice public
  • speaking*!

(*Just in time for your book signings!)

Face your fears or hone your skills in a friendly and supportive environment.


Keen? Find a club near you.

Would public speaking skills help you in your quest for world domination?

Keep kicking ass!

Jolene

The Neurodiversity Toastmasters Club

“Even though we love to scare ourselves,” says autistic Toastmaster Lauren Stull, “fear of the unknown is one of the most natural fears.” Lauren, a member of Spectrum Speakers Gavel Club in Irvine, California, is improving her speaking skills along with her confidence, “The world is just easier to engage in when things make sense.”

That certainly includes many Toastmasters. For example, Thomas Iland, DTM, is autistic, as well as a Toastmasters International Accredited Speaker, a TEDx speaker, and a member of Neurodiverse Leadership Toastmasters, a global online club chartered in New York City.
In 2014, he was at a crossroads, deciding whether or not to leave his accounting career and become a full-time consultant. Joining Toastmasters not only made his career decision easy, but also became key to his personal growth. “I really enjoy the structure of meetings and the community created by the Toastmasters experience. I’ve found it to be a very enlightening and uplifting place to get me through the thick and thin times in my life, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic” he says.

As President and Sponsor at the Neurodiverse Leadership Toastmasters Club, Jenny Liu DTM is proud to be co-creating a neuroinclusive environment. “We’re using human-centered design and parliamentary procedure with a mix of neurotypical and neurodivergent professionals to grow more effective leaders who enable the neurominority voice to be heard using different, but equally valid, social languages. We celebrate what we can achieve collectively when we complement each other’s talents.”

 

8 Responses

  1. @Gail – Ooh, it sounds like you had a blast! I totally understand the whole finding time thing, and I so hope that this is a kick start for you!

    @Hanna – 54 and 137: my new favorite numbers 😛 I really love that Toastmasters is an international organisation 🙂 It means you can pop into a club anywhere in the world and meet people who understand completely where you’re coming from!

    @MISH – Ooh, it sounds like you’d be able to hone your impromptu skills and inspire people at the same time! (That’s what is so cool – everyone brings their own skills and challenges :))

    @Steph – Yay, maybe we’ve planted a seed??

    @Read my books – Me, too! 🙂

  2. Hey Jolene ~~ I’ve heard of Toastmasters but haven’t really checked it out .
    I have a phobia when it comes to public speaking which is inexplicable because I’m in the entertainment /educational fields , so I’m always in front of crowds/learners . Ask me to stand up and sing , or teach a class and I’ll do it with ease ! But I can’t stand in front of an audience and deliver an impromptu speech ~ I freeze !!
    Strange but true !!

    ~MICHELLE~
    http://writer-in-transit.co.za/category/other/rambles-rants-and-raves/

  3. Last year I joined a Toastmasters Club and enjoyed the meetings, hearing the speeches, and joining in the extra events. I just wish there was more time in the week to continue. Maybe your blog post today will get me kick-started.

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