Boston West Toastmasters Club Open House February 27

Did you make any resolutions for 2017 that will help you gain confidence, learn new skills, or help you advance your career? You wouldn’t be alone. Are you worried about the difficult schedule requirements, heavy time commitments, financial costs involved? Here is a local professional development group you should consider. Toastmasters International has an award winning club in Needham and will be hosting an Open House on Monday, February 27 from 7:30pm – 9pm.

Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., the organization's membership exceeds 345,000 in more than 15,900 clubs in 142 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators and leaders. "Toastmasters will change your fear and stress of public speaking to confidence and comfort in front of group of people as you speak." said Gatis Stintmanis – Club President)

On the second and fourth Monday of each month, the Boston West Toastmasters Club meets at the Christ Episcopal Church in Needham. The Club brings together members who assume roles for the meeting. Some members give speeches they have prepared, while others fill roles leading the meeting, evaluating the speeches, reviewing grammar used, and timing each meeting segment. The roles alternate each meeting. “Toastmasters is not only about giving speeches. A person can improve their leadership and interpersonal skills by embracing any of the other roles that evening” said Paul Kruk, Club Vice President of Public Relations.

The world needs leaders. Leaders head families, coach teams, run businesses and mentor others. These leaders must not only accomplish, they must communicate. By regularly giving speeches, gaining feedback, leading teams and guiding others to achieve their goals in a supportive atmosphere, leaders emerge from the Toastmasters program. Every Toastmasters journey begins with a single speech. During their journey, they learn to tell their stories. They listen and answer. They plan and lead. They give feedback—and accept it. Through our community of learners, they find their path to leadership.

The first unofficial Toastmasters meeting was held on March 24, 1905. Toastmasters began as a series of speaking clubs organized by Ralph C. Smedley during his time working for the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) in Bloomington, Illinois, United States. As director of education at the YMCA, Smedley saw a need for the men in the community to learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees, and he wanted to help them.

Smedley decided to organize a club where they could learn these skills in a social environment, and the men responded well to the concept. He named the group the Toastmasters Club; "toastmaster" was a popular term that referred to a person who gave toasts at banquets and other occasions.

Today, we provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. "I initially came to Toastmasters to become a better speaker, and I succeeded. But Toastmasters is much more than a speaking course. I keep coming back to meet achievement-oriented people, have fun, and become a better member of society." Said David Crabill – Club Vice President of Education.

For information about the Boston West Toastmasters club – contact us at vpm@bwtoastmasters.com.