Joining Toastmasters has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. The organization and its members have not only helped me to enhance my communication and leadership skills, but have opened me to new and exciting opportunities, a renewed appreciation of what we all have to offer this world and, above all, lasting friendships. And I owe special thanks to the Moderator Club for their support, guidance and encouragement over the years. It was because of this marvellous group of people that I acquired the confidence to form a new Toastmasters club, the courage to incorporate humour into my presentations and, most especially, the passion to start my own business.
Leona Hamel, ATM-S, CL
Division D Governor, District 61 (2006-2007)
So many fond memories of Moderator Toastmasters – where to begin? I knew I was onto something when the first night featured a wine tasting: these folks were not only serious about their speeches but also serious about their fun. This attitude was key to learning. Moderator Toastmasters provided a relaxed atmosphere where I was never afraid to take risks – even once speaking in a wig and costume! Making mistakes was ok too, because you learned from them. I definitely credit Toastmasters with improving my speaking ability and encouraging the creativity which helps to engage an audience.
-Tasha Kheiriddin,.
Communication Consultant
Moderator’s member 1996-1997
Le club Modérateur s'est
révélé être pour
moi un formidable laboratoire
d'art oratoire. Au fil de mes huit années comme
membre active du club, j'ai
pu explorer différentes formes d'expression orale, me
permettant ainsi de
développer à la fois ma
créativité, mes outils de communication et mes
habiletés de leadership. Toastmasters m'a appris
à devenir non seulement une
meilleure oratrice mais aussi une auditrice plus attentive. Je
considère le
club Modérateur comme ma deuxième famille
où règne l'entraide, le respect de
l'autre, l'ouverture, le plaisir d'apprendre et d'être
ensemble. C'est une
grande richesse pour le cœur et pour l'esprit.
Louise-Véronique Sicotte DTM
A club to help you talk your way to the top
PETER DIEKMEYER, from the Gazette
Freelance
Monday, September 23, 2002
When a human-relations officer told Danielle Goulet that boosting her communications skills might help advance her career prospects, Goulet didn't hesitate.
She decided to join the local chapter of Toastmasters, an international organization that helps people develop public-speaking and leadership abilities.
"My job in client services involves contact with many people and departments. So communications are an important part," Goulet said. "Toastmasters training has really improved my ability to talk and listen to people."
The chapter Goulet decided to join is called the Moderators Club. Members include engineers and finance, insurance and communications professionals.
They meet most Tuesdays after work in one of the boardrooms of the Standard Life building and take turns performing various public-speaking roles.
The meetings have a strictly predetermined agenda that simulates that of a board of directors or political organization.
The idea is that all participants speak at least once during the evening.
They can partake by delivering a toast at the beginning, telling a joke, giving a two-to-three-minute impromptu answer to a "table topic" question or delivering a five-to-seven-minute prepared speech.
All speakers are publicly evaluated, with evaluations designed to be constructive and not to scare off participants.
Goulet recently finished her MBA while working full time, so she has never been shy about putting extra hours into professional development.
As a result, she fit in well with the Toastmasters format.
In six months, she completed seven full-length speeches, each of which helped develop a specific skill, like overcoming fear or using hand gestures and voice variation to highlight a point.
Goulet expects to complete her 10th speech this spring, which will make her eligible to receive a "Competent Toastmaster" certification.
After this training, recipients can follow advanced courses that focus on specific skills like persuasion, entertainment and providing informative content.
According to Goulet, the Toastmasters training provided almost immediate benefits.
"I feel much more confident in my communications, especially with senior managers and vice-presidents," Goulet said.
"I also have learned to listen better to people by identifying both the text and sometimes the subtext of what they are saying."
One immediate positive effect of the Toastmasters training is that Goulet is being considered for a job in project management, which would be a big step up for her.
Goulet's story is typical.
You could argue that good communications skills are the most important attribute an effective manager needs. Managers are, by definition, not doers themselves. They delegate.
Managers accomplish things by finding out what needs to be done, often by contacting senior mangers or customers, and then getting employees or contractors to do the work. The entire process is characterized by a series of communications.
According to Nick Waldteufel, governor of Toastmasters District 61 - which is made up of 125 clubs and close to 2,500 members, including all of those in the Montreal area - the link between effective communication and leadership is undeniable.
"Self-expression is the beginning of leadership," Waldteufel sai
. "The person who can address an audience with confidence and intelligence becomes that group's natural leader."
According to Waldteufel, one of the reasons Toastmasters, a non-profit organization, has expanded into 70 countries is that the organization's public-speaking and leadership-building programs bring exceptional value to the business community.
"We get all kinds of members ranging from students to academics to government officials," Waldteufel said.
"But most of the members of Moderators and other Toastmasters clubs are those looking to use their skills to further their business careers."
Waldteufel said one of the most difficult public-speaking challenges people need to overcome is fear. The key, Waldteufel said, is preparation.
"If you sit down beforehand and decide what you want to say and then practice your speech, you've won half the battle."
There is even an old Toastmasters saying that "those who don't prepare have a right to be nervous."
Beyond public speaking, Toastmasters training also builds leadership abilities by encouraging each member to get actively involved in the organization and take a small role in club and meeting administration.
The roles to be filled include club president, secretary, sergeant-at-arms and so on.
Splitting the workload into small tasks gives members the opportunity to get involved with a minimum of time commitment.
At the same time, they learn how formal meetings and organizations are set up.
For a list of Toastmasters clubs in the Montreal area, including the Moderators Club, check out their Web site: www.toastmastersdistrict61.org/eng/clubs/clb-mtl-s.htm, or call (877) 918-6278.
Source: Montreal Gazette