Become a Toastmaster Like Me

I have not chatted for a while but quite a lot of experiences lately has made this necessary. I have a reason to share. Do you remember when I talked about being a Toastmaster? One of the interesting things I learned is knowing about the founder Ralph Smedley, the founder of Toastmasters International. What does it mean to you when you hear someone say he is a Toastmaster? The tendency is to look at the person as a smooth talker right? If you are a Nigerian and about my age, you would have heard the comment: I am black and proud. We have a tendency to be defensive and suspicious of good talkers. I have come across professionals who become tongue-tied when asked to talk on a subject they are proficient in. It is attributed to a shyness that comes over them when making speeches.
On the other side of this observation are the ones who have mastered the art of persuasion to fine art of finesse and aplomb that you are left wondering if they learned the gift of the gab someplace deliberately? I used to be that kind of person, hesitant to talk and suspicious of those who can sway with a fine delivery. I used to imagine they were politicians. I hesitated being labelled as one and was not sure until this fine evening when a Toastmaster invited me to become one. I have told you that story before.
I became a Toastmaster and through my Pathways programme learned a whole lot about how to be a public speaker. I have not joined any political party, but I have been imbued with an enthusiasm to reach out to you to become a Toastmaster.
The human word is a gift, a gift to know how to speak and reach your listener. The ability to learn how to speak in public, understand the nuances in your vocal variety, learn the points of learning how to listen as distinct and different from hearing became pivotal in my learning capabilities as a potential team leader.
There is beauty in communication, the beauty of learning the right words, right atmosphere and appropriate topics that will create a desired effect and response is the mark of a natural leader. You learn that at Toastmasters international.
It is a self-improvement class of honing your natural skills to communicate, impact and help your fellow human being. As a Toastmaster, you earn finesses, courtesy, dignity and you find you listen better and understand the power of the word. The beauty of the gift of the human word that the Creator handed over to us and your art of persuasion.
I find this educational NGO so worthy of my attention that I sincerely wish to invite you into a world of love, guide and enthusiasm to achieve a better you.
I know I can speak like Obama, one of these days and why don’t you learn how to be better than your favorite public speaker?
It is simple, visit http://www.toastmasters.org and be swayed. Learn and imbibe. You can also reach me here with your comments.