Member-only story
Toastmasters is for Self-Improvers
So many benefits!
After a 23-year absence, I have re-joined Toastmasters (TM). My sister’s online group — Ag-Lib TM Club #6434 — asked me to join. I am a bit of a shut-in these days, so I knew I needed the talking practice. I had no reason to say “no.”
With a more mature outlook on life, I am more able to see this organization’s ability to shape individuals and society.
I first joined TM in 1988. My motivation was to be a politician, and I needed more skills with public speaking. I got something more valuable.
“Tongue-tied” would have been a good adjective for me. I just could not easily find the words I was looking for. And I didn’t realize I had this disability. After six months, I realized that I was much more fluent in everyday speech.
The formal TM meetings were making my brain-to-mouth muscle/nerve systems work a lot better. In other words, my articulation improved. Friends were commenting that I was not taking so long to say whatever I was trying to say. And I was saying things more clearly. I became more socially enjoyable to be around.
Structure of a Toastmasters Meeting
TM meetings have four parts.
