Finding the True Value of Toastmasters

Hello! Don't worry..the SCTMC report on 14 July is on its way!

In the meantime, I have an article with me here that I'll like to share with you. This article can be found in the Toastmasters magazine July 2009 issue.

It provides one of the best PROOFS of the TRUE VALUE OF TOASTMASTERS.

Yes, go on and read if you're still skeptical about joining a Toastmasters community.


WHERE'S THE PROOF?

When joining Toastmasters, we were told we would learn communication and leadership skills that would enrich our lives. Now we tell new members the same thing. But what proof do we have? What can we hold up as evidence that Toastmasters is actully of true value? (LSY: the questions are very relevant AND true! Where's the proof, you may ask? hmm.. =)

Recently, I hit a home run in my career, and Toastmasters played a huge role in that success. (LSY: How??) My experience with Table Topics, speech manual,contests and other Toastmasters activities all helped me qualify for a new job.

But before I fill you in, let me tell you a bit about my journey with Toastmasters. Eight years ago a co-worker invited me to join her at a Toastmasters meeting. My response? No! (Haha..which reminds me, how many of you out there had the same response, huh? XD) She invited me again. No! And again.. (Determination...) until I realized she recognized the fear in me and would not let me succumb to it. So, reluctantly, I went to a meeting of our local club, Tuesdays with Toastmasters in Austin, Minnesota. The members were so welcoming, I DECIDED TO JOIN. (Point to take note of, club officers!! XD)

For my first six speeches, I struggled mightily. I could not eat the day before a speech. (Gosh, so serious ah??) I could not stay within time limits. (LOL..same problem here) I was red-faced, sweating and trembling. (Totally understand...haha) Yup, I was A PERFECT MESS.

Then the seventh speech came. I trembled less. I was not red-faced. My evaluator was elated at my progress. (Progress..a word so common and powerful, yet we often overlooked it, don't you agree? Excuses on why I cannot do this triumphs over..sorry my friend, the truth is..excuses lead you to nowhere..plase, don't even think of success when you can't even think of progressing yourself..) Maybe there was something to be said for this Toastmasters thing. (Hmmm...)

Soon after, I entered a speech contest and stood in front of my largest audience yet, speaking about hunting and putting on layers of duck-hunting and clothing. I had officially lost my mind...and my terror! (Yup! If you're wondering, you will have the opportunity to contest in a speech, table topics or evaluation and perhaps, a taste of glory? XD)

My story is not unique. Like all of you, I had speeches that were successes and others that flopped. (Well, no one is perfect, isn't it?) But LIKE YOU, I KEPT TRYING. And my confidence grew. As did my leadership and communication skills.

Hunting for a New Job
Then, recently, Toastmasters ran smack dab into the rest of my life. I have worked for Hormel Foods Corporation for more than 10 years. One day, I saw a posting on the company job board for a brand-new position: e-Learning Coordinator. One of the requirements was being able to speak in front of large groups.

After reviewing my job application, Human Resources scheduled me for four interviews, (I repeat, FOUR interviews..gosh..) each with a different person. This was like going into a Table Topics contest circuit - club to area division to district. (Hahah...well put!) I would need to answer questions for a variety of audiences. I prepared for the interviews by devising practice questions and then developing answers based on Toastmasters' basic speech plan of creating an opening, body and conclusion: I would set up a situation, tell the interviewers how I dealt with it, and then explain what the outcome was. (Psst, fellow Toastmasters..useful tip here!!)

Practicing my answers, I incorporated lessons I learned both from Table Topics and the Storytelling manual.

When I interviewed with the job supervisor, she was extremely interested in Toastmasters and noted that I had listed it twice on my resume: once under "skills" and once under "organizations." Her astute questions showed me that people in management know about Toastmasters and look to it as valuable training for the skills and experiences they require in employees.

Persuasive Speaking
My final interview was with the person leaving the position I was applying for. (Interesting...) She was clearly unconvinced about Toastmasters. She noted that I would need to speak to much larger groups than 10 to 20 people. (Just for the record, occasionally in SCTMC, we will have audience numbers exceeding 20. How's that? =P) Happily and confidently, (and expectedly from a Toastmaster's point of view...) I told her my story about a speech evaluation contest that took me as far as the district level, where I spoke to more than 200 people. (to make this clear, imagine speaking to a packed room equivalent to 2 halls of the normal sized cinema room..can you picture it?)

I left this interview with the impression that without my experiences in Toastmasters' speech contests, I may have been eliminated from the job. (I'll say...don't even think about applying for it at the first place! Haha..)

Instead, I waited nervously for a call... and then learned I was awarded the position. My Toastmasters experience had paid off!

I recently received my job review. In it, my boss (and perhaps one day, YOUR boss will..) wrote the following: "Ability to present in front of a large audience - Ann's experience in Toastmasters is invaluable. As we develop this new job role, it is very apparent that the ability to speak in front of a large group is an integral part of the position..."

So, now, in my hand, in my life and even in my job review, is the proof that the skills learned in Toastmasters truly do enrich life.

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Ann Maxfield, ATMB is president of Tuesdays with Toasmasters in Austin, Minnesota. Reach hear at annmaxfield@hormel.com
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Yup! There you go.. Thanks to this wonderful experience shared by Ann Maxfield, we are able to grasp the true value of Toastmasters. Fellow SCTMC and Toastmasters across the globe, let us continue progressing and enriching our lives. What are you waiting for? Join in the fun & exciting learning path with the Toastmasters community!!

By the way, hehe.. SCTMC meets on every 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 6.15 p.m. Students of all courses in Stamford College are welcomed. Take action now!
Contact us. Drop by to meet Samuel Fo, our friendly VPE or Muthu Kumar, the muscular VPPR or Allan Ma, the handsome VPM or Maya, the lovely SAA or Gina, the superb Secretary.

Note: Phrases in brackets are my own personal comments or remarks. Otherwise, the texts are originally extracted from the article in Toasmasters magazine, July 2009 issue, with slight amendments to further "intensify" your reading experience. Hope this light reading helps to enlighten you all!! Have an Ebullient day ahead!! XD XD


Cheers!!


LIM SZE YUE