Some people thrive on public speaking, but to many the very idea of speaking in front of a crowd is a fate worse than death. For more than 90 years Toastmasters International, a nonprofit organization, has been providing tips and tools to help its members gain confidence in their personal and business lives by improving their communication skills.
Indian River County boasts three clubs: The Beachsiders, Vero Beach and Sebastian/Fellsmere Toastmasters. And while the meeting dates, locations and members may differ, each follows the same principal rules and curriculum which encourage excellence in public speaking.
A recent Beachsiders gathering is typical of their club’s weekly meetings, with the agenda set that day by 28-year Toastmasters member Jan Thomas acting as Toastmaster of the Day. Other rotating positions include an “ah” counter, grammarian/word master, speech timer, and table topics master. Members also take turns as speakers and evaluators, two each per meeting.
Thomas explained that new members receive a manual outlining 10 timed, assigned speeches that focus on breaking the ice, organizing a speech, getting to the point, using creative words, body language, vocals, researching a topic, using visual aids, persuasion and inspiring the audience. As members advance, subsequent manuals build on those skills.
“Each speaker will have an evaluator who will note how the speaker did with their assignment,” said Thomas. “We use what we call the sandwich method. We start out with nice things, then some suggestions for improvement, and then finish out with some more positive comments.”
Evaluators listen for such common conversational errors as “er,” “ah,” “um,” “you know” and “like,” as well as general grammatical errors, and later critique the talks. After the prepared speeches, the designated table topics master calls on random members as a way for them to practice impromptu speaking skills.
“I wanted to achieve the highest excellence I could achieve for myself,” said Lydia Silvestry, creator of the “Infinite Dress” and founder of the Beachsiders club. She had previously been affiliated with other clubs and, comfortable with public speaking, wanted to mentor others.
“I wanted to continue a gathering of people with a single mindset of being the best they could be. We have been a Distinguished Toastmasters Club and Distinguished President Club for over a decade; we keep achieving the highest levels of success,” said Silvestry. “What I think is most important is the compassionate understanding that we have of what it is that each person needs in order to feel safe and relaxed when speaking in public. We’re masters of being caring enough to help each and every one. That’s the way you transfer your knowledge to always be the best you can be.”
Vero Beach Boys and Girls Club member Raliyah Dawson, an invited guest at the meeting, was one of those asked to answer a table topic question. Poised and confident, Dawson impressed the group with her inspirational response, leaving no doubt as to why she had been chosen as Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year at the state competition.
“Before she heads to Atlanta [to compete for the title of Southeast Regional Youth of the Year], we’re trying to increase the community’s awareness of her success while also trying to get her prepared for the many interviews and speeches she will complete at the competition,” said Jessica Schmitt, B&GC director of donor relations.
“Mentoring is an important aspect of the Toastmasters program, not only within our club,” said John Pate, who, with fellow member Doug Borrie, also twice visited Dawson at the B&GC to give her some one-on-one mentoring sessions. “It is a service that we are delighted to provide for very deserving people, both young and old, outside our weekly club meetings.”
A week later, Schmitt announced that Dawson won the regional title and in September will vie for National Youth of the Year, competing against five finalists in Washington, D.C.
“Coming into Toastmasters was quite an experience for me,” said Angela Pate, a Realtor and interior designer, who remembers fainting dead away as a child in an elementary school program.
“When I was very young, I was fairly quiet and introverted,” said Pate. “All I can remember is that we were standing up there to do our parts, and the next thing I knew I was on the ground. It set a tone for speaking in front of other people. That kind of feeling was with me over the years.”
Husband John Pate was the first to join Toastmasters and she attended as a guest for about six months before deciding to join.
“I was nervous about getting up; I wasn’t sure if I would be comfortable and I thought about and chewed on it for a while. I give credit to Toastmasters for making me feel really confident. It is something you work on for years; it’s hard to overcome that sort of thing,” said Angela Pate, who has since completed several of the advanced “degrees” in the program. She now feels perfectly comfortable giving book reviews for the Junior League Sustainers Book Club or piano recitals as a member of the Vero Beach Duet Club.
“Toastmasters truly is an amazing organization,” said Amy Gullikson, an assistant branch manager at Harbor Community Bank, who froze when speaking in public. Although she had to drop out due to time constraints she hopes to rejoin. “I’d like to be able to finish my speeches. I can do that now; I couldn’t before.”
