The Sam’s Club of Public Speaking

Do you get a bit nervous when you have to speak in front of others? Do you hate interviewing? If so, this article is for you.

Pictured above is Sam Giordano. He lives in Frankfort and is a member of Lincoln-Way Toastmasters (LWTM), which is a local chapter of Toastmasters International. Toastmasters is a non-profit organization with over 260,000 members across more than 13,800 clubs in 148 countries. Toastmasters’ mission is to help everyday people overcome the fear of public speaking, interviewing, and leading a group. Many members describe their Toastmasters experience as life-changing.

Sam got involved with Toastmasters in 2002. He is a charter member of LWTM. Toastmasters helped him wear many hats. By profession, Sam has served as a paramedic, firefighter, fire inspector (add other positions), and college professor. He was active with LWTM from 2002 to 2013 (?). Then he returned in 2022 (?).

This past year, Sam served as LWTM President for a second time. In his first meeting as President, he announced that LWTM would fulfill all club objectives set forth by Toastmasters. These objectives include membership size, members' educational achievement, and the club's administrative management. Very few clubs fulfill all objectives. Sam set the vision, and LWTM received the highest recognition possible for a club by achieving all objectives.

At the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year, LWTM was the highest club in our district and the only one to achieve all club objectives. It was quite a year.

Sam is confident that Toastmasters can continue to grow in the Frankfort/Lincoln-Way area. Hence, he is starting a second club, named:

Speak Like A Leader (also known as Sam’s Club),

Meetings on 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month,

9:00 AM to 10:30 AM,

Frankfort Fire Station,

333 W Nebraska St,

Frankfort, IL

These meetings are free; guests are always welcome. Toastmasters is non-profit, and its members are very friendly. You can just show up and feel welcome. There is no pressure or obligation to simply attend.

If you need more information, please email Sam at: sammyg5781@gmail.com .

Besides being an outstanding Toastmaster, Sam is married to his wife, Debi. They have 3 children: Nicholas, Angela, and Michael. Sam has been active with numerous organizations in the Lincoln-Way Area.

Lastly, if Saturday morning meetings do not work with your schedule, there is always LWTM, which meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, at Frankfort Village Hall, located at 432 W Nebraska St. Sam also attends these meetings.

Sam is looking forward to seeing you at a meeting.