Speaking Easy Toastmasters Club Helps Beat The Fear Of Public Speaking

It’s time for your company’s annual sales presentation, and the boss is counting on you to deliver an award-winning speech. You haven’t given a speech since high school; your nerves are beginning to kick in. Your hands shake. Your heart pounds. You feel like you’re going to pass out.

Sound familiar? Fear of public speaking is widespread. And, while most of us manage to fudge our way through those anxious moments, an organization called Toastmasters International would like to help you conquer your fear of public speaking forever.

Dr. Ralph C. Smedley founded the first Toastmasters group back in 1924. Today, there are more than 8,000 Toastmasters clubs, with over 180,000 members worldwide. Right here in the Inland Northwest are 20 clubs with more than 150 members.

The Toastmasters alumni list boasts some pretty impressive names. Actor Tim Allen from the television series “Home Improvement,” James Brady, former press secretary for President Ronald Reagan, and former tennis pro Billie Jean King are all rumored to have been members of Toastmasters.

Despite my communications background, I’ve never felt comfortable speaking in front of an audience. It’s a problem that has limited my career options. So, on the advice of my father (an ex-Toastmaster himself), I decided to find out what Toastmasters could do for me.

I recently caught up with the Speaking Singles Toastmasters club in downtown Spokane. President Craig Madsen was eager to talk about this unique communications club. “It’s more of a personal development group than anything else,” said Madsen. “It’s a real positive atmosphere that builds self-esteem.”

It was a small group, with about 12 members. Those who gave speeches during the 45 minute meeting were evaluated on a wide range of criteria, including composure, enunciation and the use of hand gestures. Somebody was even assigned to count the number of “ums” and “ahs” in each speech.

Toastmasters don’t believe in criticism, but constructive suggestions for improvement were offered, and certificates were awarded for the best speeches.

After watching these Toastmasters in action, it was difficult to believe that any of them had ever suffered from a fear of speaking. Still, many were eager to share their unique success stories. Jim Hills, for instance, nearly passed out during his first club speech.

“It was just like I had predicted to myself it would be … sweaty palms, knocking knees. Now I’m able to recognize that it was just energy I had not been able to direct in a positive way. I still have the symptoms, but now I’m able to give a reasonable presentation to a group of people,” said the Spokane man.

“For me it was a choking sensation…I couldn’t breathe,” said Wanda Howie, who credits the skills she learned in Toastmasters to her success as a skin care consultant.

“If you can communicate effectively, people are impressed. They want to know you. They have confidence in you. You have confidence in yourself,” the South Spokane woman said.

But the biggest Toastmasters success story comes from Bob Dellwo. The former Spokane City Council member still vividly recalls a moment nearly 50 years ago, when a law enforcement speech earned him the title of Toastmasters International Speech Champion, the highest honor a Toastmaster can achieve.

“It was kind of like winning the World Boxing Championship,” said Dellwo, who went on to become a professional speech teacher.

“I believe that everybody has the ability to be a public speaker, but they need orientation and training to be effective,” said the Spokane man.

The Toastmasters I visited with were enthusiastic and inspirational. As a result, I decided to join the Speaking Singles after my third visit. I’m excited to see what Toastmasters can do for me in a year’s time.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Becoming A Toastmaster Toastmasters membership fees vary from club to club. The average cost is $50 per year, includes all written club materials, plus a subscription to the Toastmasters monthly magazine.Each Toastmasters club has its own personality. You may need to visit several different clubs before you find the one that’s right for you. You can locate clubs in your area by calling the Toastmasters Information Line (509) 455-7920; E-Mail Address: sfrey@toastmasters.orgWorld Wide Web: http://www.toastmasters.org

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Cynthia Prentiss Special to Choices