Do Something About Public Speaking Fears

When you poll the average person about common fears, public speaking is usually among the top 3. Pictured above from left to right are James Traywick and Michael Marietti. Both are members of Lincoln-Way Toastmasters (LW TM). They joined Toastmasters to get better at public speaking. They later discovered other benefits to joining Toastmasters other than overcoming public speaking apprehension.

Toastmasters is a non-profit organization, with over 270,000 members with more than 14,200 clubs in 148 countries. In 2024, Toastmasters is celebrating its 100th anniversary. LW TM is a local chapter of Toastmasters that meets in Frankfort, IL. LW TM has been around for over 20 years and has helped hundreds overcome their fear of public speaking.

This past spring, James and Michael entered annual speech competitions that Toastmasters promote. Members are not required to enter these contests. In fact, most members do not enter. The members who decide to enter the competitions do so to push themselves to become even more effective communicators.

James entered the International Speech Contest where one gives a 5-to-7 minute motivational speech on any subject matter. Very often, the speech is about one’s life experience(s) and the lesson(s) that he/she learned from the experience. Hearing the speaker’s experience tends to motivate the audience.

Michael entered the Table Topics Contest, where one is asked a question and must give a 1-to-2 minute response. The contestant does not know what question will be asked. The contestant demonstrates how to answer an impromptu question. Speaking in front of people is scary enough, not knowing what question you will have to answer can be even scarier.

In both contests, the speech competitors go through several rounds of competition. Where one competes against club members, the club winner then advances to compete against other club winners in the same area. The speaker that wins in the area contests, then competes against other area winners. James and Micheal kept advancing through these rounds, until they both advanced to District 54 Finals which was held April 27, 2024. District 54 includes Toastmasters clubs in the northern half of Illinois, excluding Chicago and its immediate suburbs.

In the International Speech Contest, James finished in 4th Place. In the Table Topics Contest, Michael finished in 3rd Place. Both finished well ahead of the hundred plus contestants that entered the competition starting at the club level. James and Michael are everyday individuals who decided to push themselves.

James is married to his wife of over 40 plus years. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. James is a retired Biology College Professor. He encourages all members to enter a contest because the preparation alone will make you a better speaker. He describes Toastmasters as the best organization that he has ever been affiliated with.

Michael is also married. He has 3 sons, a daughter-in-law, a future daughter-in-law, and a blind dog who helps him appreciate life to a greater extent. Michael is a Financial Advisor and enjoys assisting his clients in navigating difficult financial decisions. He credits Toastmasters not only helping him give better business presentations, but also aided him at his son’s wedding rehearsal dinner.

Both attest that Toastmasters not only helped them become better speakers, but also improved their listening skills and effectiveness in working with others. Both relished the encouragement, instruction, and camaraderie that they received from their club members.

If you think Toastmasters can help you, check out a LW TM meeting. Your network of friends will expand and, you will develop both as a speaker and a leader. We are open to all individuals 18 years or older. You can attend our meetings without any obligation. We meet both in-person and virtually. Because we are non-profit, club fees are very nominal.

We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, 7:30 PM, at Frankfort Village Hall, located: 432 W Nebraska Street, in Frankfort, IL. To attend a meeting or get more information, please email Thad Gray at mail4thad@yahoo.com.

Do something about any public speaking fears or your desire to be a better speaker, check out a Toastmasters meeting. James and Michael would love to make your journey like theirs.