Governor's Toastmasters Club #3031

To say that Meghan Padgett's life has been changed by her involvement with the Governor's Toastmasters Club would be an enormous understatement.

Padgett, the new president of the Governor's Club, has been a member for about two years. In that time, her communication and leadership skills have increased dramatically.

"Toastmasters has given me confidence," Padgett said. "I had never willingly stepped up to be in a leadership role unless there was no one else to do it but I've started doing just that."

Padgett's growth because of Toastmasters has extended beyond just speaking. She and those she performs for are now able to enjoy her musical talents to their full capacity.

"I've been able to share my musical abilities in performing at my church," she said. "To be able to get up in front of at least 150 people and sing, or play my cello or guitar without turning red, feeling faint, or not even performing because I'm too scared is a huge deal. I've always been too scared but now I know there's nothing to be afraid of."

She knows, though, that as a result of these new skills she has a responsibility to help others realize their potential as well. Acknowledging that will surely help her during her presidency.

"I might have something to share that will help someone else," Padgett said. "I have to be willing to share.

"I plan to be the best President I can be and continue with the excellent leadership that has been in this position before me. I want our club to continue to be as successful as possible. We have done well in the past with the goals set forth by the District and I hope for the same during my time in this office."

Padgett wants help from the club members, because she knows that part of being a leader is reaching out to those that you lead.

"I want to ask for everyone's help and their ideas for anything they would like to see in the upcoming months," Padgett said. "I'm open to suggestions for improvements. I'd also like to know if there's anything that they really love about our club. Knowing what works, what doesn't, and making changes is how we will be able to grow as a club."

-- Jason Kersey, Vice President-Public Relations

Alexis Thompson's life has already changed dramatically because of Toastmasters.

Just one year after she joined the Governor's Club, she received a promotion at work.

"I received a promotion and now I have more responsibilities," Thompson said. "I've learned how to organize my work load to get more done in a day. I've also learned how to speak properly to others, because you never know who's evaluating you when you speak."

Thompson previously served as Vice President-Public Relations. In her short time in this new role, which is often described as the most difficult club office, she has already assigned every member in the club a mentor. Mentors can be crucial in a member's development and advancement in Toastmasters, and many members didn't have one.

Thompson has described her plans for her new role as follows:

"My plans for the club are, first, to make sure every member has the opportunity to fulfill the goals, second, to keep the members motivated and encouraged to continue their Toastmaster journey, and third, to keep members on track with their manuals so that one day they may be a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)."

-- Jason Kersey, Vice President-Public Relations

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