by Ren La Porte
The challenges we faced yesterday, today and that generations will face in the future, is every reason why Toastmasters is incredibly popular. Sweaty palms ring a bell? Today, there are over 270,000 members in 14,200 clubs spread across 150 countries. But what, specifically, is it that Toastmasters benefit from?
LIFELONG SUCCESS
For 100 years, and through many generational changes, the goals of toastmasters have remained consistent. The demand toastmasters meets boils down to wanting to help yourself master the art of self-expression; learning how to express who you are and your ideas. Self-Expression is integral to human connection and belonging.
Another strong reason for Toastmaster growth, is the demand for businesses to operate well. Quality leadership boils down to quality communication. Toastmasters is achievement focused and nearly everyone knows that we are always growing and learning; It feels good to master something new, even if it’s something small. Members of toastmasters find strengths within themselves. Strengths they sometimes didn’t know existed. As well as this, they find support networks that set them up for lifelong success.
OVERCOMING FEAR
Strengths are derived from overcoming fears. Several studies throughout time, list public speaking as the more dominant fear than a fear of heights, snakes, bugs, the dark, or even dying. Overcoming fears triggers a dopamine boost in the brain. It simply makes you more confident and ‘feel good’. Many toastmasters get a kick from overcoming something they didn’t know was achievable. Toastmasters is the supportive room that acts like rehearsal before taking skills to the outside world. People derive long lasting confidence from overcoming fears in this supportive environment.
THE STRUCTURE OF TOASTMASTERS
Toastmasters began as a club. It was founded on the 22 October 1924 by Ralph C. Smedly. Even at its inception, it used a collaborative approach to learning as opposed to a formal classroom. Every person was considered equal. Members practiced by doing and evaluated each other with a sense of positive comradery.
This format has changed little. Members get a chance to practice impromptu speeches as well as prepared speeches. The major difference compared to 100 years ago, is the integration of technology. Now there are 11 pathways of learning to choose from. This means you can choose which pathway is more relevant to your goals. The learning is online. Modules are easy to navigate. The platform allows you to go forwards and backwards, if you wish to refresh your memory or you want to address the learning in more than one sitting. This is fantastic if you are juggling a busy schedule but still want to pursue career.
Many toastmaster clubs are online and you can visit them even if you are travelling or you simply are unable to travel. The new technology has made Toastmasters flexible and fun. Tropic City Toastmasters has embraced hybrid style meetings to cater for:
- busy due to time constraints
- busy due to raising children
- travelling and unable to attend in-house meetings
- unable to travel to in-house meetings
DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT! CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO!
The challenges we faced yesterday, today and generations will face in the future is every reason why Toastmasters is incredibly popular. If you love history, the following video is a brief trip through the Toastmasters timeline. It demonstrates how Toastmasters has helped thousands of people of all demographics.
SO MANY REASONS!
Every person who has been to toastmasters has a unique reason why it is beneficial. In our club, a round-robin was held to identify the main reason for coming to Toastmasters. The reasons were almost as many as there were people!
- To have fun.
- To meet other people, particularly people who come here for the same reason.
- For a social outing.
- To learn new skills.
- To learn new information listening to speeches and through researching our own speeches.
- To learn how to construct a speech.
- For personal development – to develop self-confidence when speaking in front of people but also overall as a person.
- To develop the ability to listen and respond to others.
- To learn to deal with nerves.
- To reduce the amount of filler words I use – ums and ahs etc..
- To learn how to deal with difficult or angry people.
- To have a creative outlet.
- For professional development – transferable skills that I can use at work.
- For the real-world benefits – develop confidence in dealing with difficult situations, for having difficult conversations with management, to help gain employment/confidence in job interviews.
- To learn how to run a business meeting/business session.
- To develop the ability to speak off the cuff/impromptu
- To hear the stories of other people
- To share my knowledge and certain topics with others
- To help my sanity
- To learn in a safe and supportive environment
- To challenge myself in a safe and supportive learning environment
- To develop leadership skills and take on leadership roles in a safe environment – in club, area and division
- Because I like the people at Tropic City – fee companionship, feel welcomed
- To learn new things through the educational program
- Because of the flexibility – through Tropic City, I can attend online via zoom
From stories of the past, to the present day list above, Toastmasters has expansive appeal. It has proven timeless and a program that is in demand. If you are keen to experience Toastmasters, you are welcome to join a meeting as a guest. Simply reach out and say hi!
REFERENCES
- Toastmasters International (2024). What is Toastmasters? https://www.toastmasters.org/About.
- Toastmasters International (2024). From the Toastmasters Vault – Archival Videos Showcase [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_7QEwPaMQY
Interesting Read – Happy 96th Anniversary Toastmasters
