Toastmasters, Anyone? 😃

Hello World

2017 Has so far, probably been the busiest year of my life yet. Saw myself trying to do things a little bit differently, as well as trying out new things. in the quest for self development and realization, I had to unlearn, learn and relearn some of the axioms in the society.. I had to test for truths, I had to adjust or tighten some values. One thing had always been constant throughout the years, and like a supposed flame, I'd always tried to avoid it at best; "I HATED PUBLIC SPEAKING" in whatever form it came. as a Child, I never felt comfortable doing stuff with most of the kids my age Whether 'twas choreography, debates, quizzes and so on. Anything that attracted stares and lots of gazes, I simply hated it. I remember crying when I was given a character in a play I didn't sign up for at school. Mom simply set me up with my School teachers. I did find it to be fun along the way though, but maybe it wasn't compelling enough for me to come out of my shell. So I shut that part of me, unexplored.

Not sure how i got up here!

Growing up a few years later, I got to interact with a lot of people in various settings. I found it to be quite dissatisfying about myself. "I couldn't speak up" -of course I could write it down if it were down to writing- but my knees would lack the capacity to support my frame each time I get called upon to say something.. Even if it was a brusque hello. I found this rather disturbing and so not cool. quite relatable. Right? 😃

Enter Toastmasters...

everyone is welcome

Stumbled upon this organization just about 5 months ago while surfing the internet. I thought to myself "hmm, that's interesting" I knew I needed to belong there because I was in a quest to find my voice, but I didn't take the call to action. I didn't sign up. just not yet. I was pretty much convinced I wouldn't find a local club, and even if it did exist, "what if it was too late" fitting in would be hard, or so I thought, I WAS WRONG.

Just a month ago, in the early days of September, I came across a post on the internet about a toastmasters club meeting scheduled to hold the next day, in a conference hall just a few blocks away from my location. I couldn't believe my luck! i knew right away I had to be there. so I called the number on the ad to make enquiries. that was the best decision I've ever made yet... I got hooked to this club the first day I stepped my foot in that meeting. so far I've attended two meetings and I feel right at home. the warmth and welcome and support was overwhelming. turns out that, toastmasters wasn't limited to finding your voice or being just a competent communicator... no, it also imbibes leadership skills and top-of-the-chain lifestyles and etiquettes that can see you breakthrough mediocrity and get to the top of your ladder of success in your chosen career!

source

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"intriguing, what is Toastmasters?"

wonder no more, here are some few things you need to know about this organization;

Toastmasters International is a non profit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills..

founded by Ralph C. Smedley on October 22 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, USA. the name "toastmasters" was suggested by Mr George Sutton. since then, the club has Grown into more than 142 countries with over 352,000 registered members in 16,400 clubs worldwide.
read more...

Motto: "Where leaders are Made"

Mission: to empower individuals become more effective communicators and leaders.

Core Values include;

•Integrity
•Respect
•Service and;
•Excellence

toastmasters offer programs such as;

•Traditional education program
•Pathways learning experience
•interpersonal communication program
•Speechcraft
•Youth leadership program
•Distinguished toastmaster.

To read further on these programs, please go here

"since 1924, Toastmasters international has been recognized as the leading organization dedicated to communication and leadership skill development. through its worldwide network of clubs, each week Toastmasters helps more than a quarter million men and women of every ethnicity, education level and profession build their competence in communication so they can gain the confidence to lead others. toastmasters magazine, (pg 2, September 2016 edition)."

Benefits of Toastmasters international to a Member?

•more sensitive and sensible communication skills, as well as Increase in emotional intelligence and organization of thoughts.

•overall increase in self esteem and Confidence.

•Boost ones ability to focus and evaluate

•develop a style of speaking.

•improve research, leadership and mentoring skills.

•Advance more quickly in your chosen Field.

•opportunity to Network with fellow members as well as Leaders in the society.

•effective writing and presentation skills...

•Fun! etc..

...that's a pretty exhaustive list.

by joining Toastmasters, you can gain access to a vast library of online help as well as real time mentorship to develop in these areas.
believe me, it's nothing like this...

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so far, I've found it to be thrilling. I'm particularly fascinated by the table topics segment of our meetings where people are chosen at random to speak on Various aspects of real life issues. such aplomb! there's enough positive energy to go around.

yesterday's meeting was a Blast! We had a full house as the whole Area 23 (which comprises of 4 clubs from various states) converged. Felt great networking with a lot of smart minds, I just couldn't get enough.


yesterday's meeting held in portharcourt

I'm poised to give my first speech as a club member in a few weeks. it's called "the ice-breaker". It's an opportunity for existing toastmasters to get to know the new member quite satisfactorily.
Freeze!

suggestions on a good title would be appreciated guys.. i also feel this is an opportunity to Disclose Steemit to the club members (Steemit being a part of me now, Obviously) and I'm super excited!

Do you want to be an effective leader?

So you wanna impress the board over the next appraisal Meeting?

Public Speaking causes Indigestion, How do you spell Relief?

Relief
T-O-A-S-T-M-A-S-T-E-R-S

Find a club near you

shout-outs to some toastmasters I've discovered on here already. your posts inspired me to put this together.

@wadepaterson your blog Is fantastic. following already. 😃

@sterlinluxan, Sir, you're the real Deal!

@siragrays
@jars
@milsol
@blazing
@rieki
@cityslicker
#steemit
#life
#publicspeaking
#Mentoring

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