Gaining confidence in yourself can have a positive effect in every area of your life.
, which has eight clubs in the 91大黄鸭 area, can take credit for creating its fair share of confident people, through its programs teaching public speaking, communication and leadership skills, says Michael Bown, a District Director in B.C. for the organization.
鈥淲e support people with a number of things, but communications and leadership are the bread and butter, all resulting in greater confidence,鈥� he says.
Nervous? Don鈥檛 worry, you鈥檙e supported
If you鈥檙e feeling uneasy about being in a space where speaking to others is a central element, you鈥檒l be glad to learn guests are not required to speak at their first meeting. 鈥淲e want people to sit back, listen, observe and enjoy the meeting,鈥� Bown says. 鈥淭hey can speak when they鈥檙e ready as it鈥檚 a self-paced program. The clubs provide a supportive and positive learning experience, and everyone is trying to improve each other.鈥�
Modern education tools available online
If you haven鈥檛 investigated Toastmasters in a while or are just starting to get curious, its may be new to you. Its 11 project-based categories range from dynamic leadership and effective coaching to innovative planning and visionary communication. Using an online assessment tool that helps determine a Path, you pick the area you鈥檇 like to improve on and follow the steps. 鈥淧athways uses modern methods to cater to people鈥檚 specific needs and learning styles,鈥� Bown says. 鈥淚f someone wants to grow in public speaking, there鈥檚 a focus on that, or communication, management skills and more.鈥�
Plenty of experience to draw from
Not only has ToastmastersInternational been around, the organization today has nearly 300 clubs in British Columbia alone. Within them you鈥檒l find a mix of in-house corporate programs and community clubs, and a lot of wisdom and expertise from longtime members who have helped others achieve their public speaking, communication and leadership goals.
Get your message across in a big way
One of the exciting things happening right now within Toastmasters, Bown says, is the International Speech Contest. Individual clubs are in the process of holding in-house competitions, and winners advance through various local, District and International levels, ultimately competing in the World Championship of Public Speaking in Paris this August! Not everyone is expected to compete, but Bown says the competitions offer a good opportunity for members and their guests to hear some inspirational speaking.
Find a club near you
Interested in checking Toastmasters out? You can use this handy to look up contact information for a club near you in 91大黄鸭. You can find other valuable information at and learn more .