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Smoky River Sweet Talkers Toastmasters Club starting
Emily Plihal
for Smoky River Express
Are you interested in kick-starting your public speaking skills, or yearning to improve your leadership skills?
Then get ready for this year’s toastmasters club starting again on every Wednesday morning.
The Smoky River Sweet Talkers Toastmasters Club wants you to join them every Wednesday at 7 a.m.
“Yes, 7 a.m. is early, but a Toastmasters meeting is a great way to kick start your day,” says Toastmasters member Normand Boulet. “It also leaves your evenings open for your other important commitments.”
Toastmasters helps prepare individuals for a multitude of public speaking engagements, including (but not limited to)presentations at work or a wedding toast.
Toastmasters can also make you more confident in your public speaking skills to complete a job interview with less reservation.
After being part of a toastmasters club, you will be more prepared to answer questions with confidence and ease.
According to an article written by Chris Eakin, your leadership skills can also be improved by being part of a toastmasters club.
A bonus of being part of a toastmasters club includes being involved with a club that you don’t have to leave town to meet.
You’ll receive automatic feedback from your fellow toastmasters crew, and be able to increase your credibility when speaking.
The Smoky River Sweet Talkers Toastmasters meetings will take place at the MD of Smoky River council chambers every Wednesday morning.
The group first met on Oct. 14, but Boulet says there is always more room for new individuals.
“Besides public speaking and impromptu speaking, you can also learn listening skills by evaluating other people’s speeches,” says Boulet. “You can progress at whatever speed you are comfortable with, although members will encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone once in a while.”
Boulet explains the toastmasters program consists of meetings with prepared speeches aimed at practising certain speaking skills and meeting certain criteria. He says every speech is evaluated by another member to help you learn and improve, building on your strengths.
Another main focus of the group is impromptu speaking. A topic is assigned at random, and individuals have the opportunity to develop ideas or answer questions in two minutes.
“It gets people used to answering questions they weren’t expecting and also helps them to be concise in their answers as they only have two minutes to talk,” says Boulet.
He says listening to others talk will also help develop your listening skills. You’ll have to concentrate not only on the delivery of the speech, but also the quality of what is being said.
“There are opportunities for participation at every meeting, as well as club officer positions to learn and practice your leadership skills,” says Boulet. “Check out toastmasters, you can’t lose.”
For more information please contact Normand Boulet at 780-925-3779 or Rita Therriault at 780-837-0209.
Boulet says to remember, if you can’t make it to every meeting that’s okay. Take on duties as you feel ready for them and grow at your own pace.
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