I've always considered myself a pretty confident person. That is, except for one area -- public speaking.
I was never a particularly bad public speaker, but I wasn't a great one, either. And I certainly couldn't speak in front of people without being nervous.
I took a speech class my freshman year of college, and that helped a little bit, but I never continued practicing the skill. And the nervousness got worse.
I'll never forget the day that I realized I had a problem that needed to be addressed. I was sitting in a class my senior year of college at OU, and the professor did the "go around the class and introduce yourself" thing. That was always something I didn't like, and always something that made me nervous. But this particular day it felt worse. As the professor went around the room and got closer to me, my stomach hurt worse and worse. Then, when it was my turn, I felt like I sounded really stupid and nervous.
I called my dad after that class and told him what had happened. He suggested Toastmasters. I had never heard of the club before, but I checked it out. I found the one that was the closest to where I lived (The Governor's Club) and visited. Everyone was so nice, and so encouraging. I knew this was a place I needed to be. Shortly after that, I joined and I haven't looked back.
In a little less than a year in the Governor's Club, I have given six prepared speeches and spoken in some capacity in just about every meeting.
Simply put -- there is no better way to learn public speaking skills. But it isn't just public speaking skills you'll learn through a Toastmasters membership. Leadership skills are also learned, through serving as a meeting's Toastmaster, General Evaluator or Evaluator. You can learn through being a club officer or through chairing events.
I'm not all the way there yet. I still get that sick feeling in my stomach when I get started on a speech. But it's getting better.
In addition to learning all those wonderful skills, I've developed some wonderful relationships and friendships along the way. The people in the Governor's Club are some of the absolute best people I've ever met, and I continue to learn from and be inspired by them every Thursday at noon.
Please feel free to contact any of our club officers and ask us questions. We're here to help, and we'd love to have you come visit a meeting.
Communication isn't optional in life, and even the world's greatest public speakers could benefit from what Toastmasters has to offer.
-- Jason Kersey, Vice President-Public Relations