I want to share a bit of myself. Some time ago, I attended an event and one of the officials asked me if I was a Toastmaster. I hid my inner irritation wondering if I looked like one. First mistake. Our comprehension of words and meaning could lead to a lot of misinterpretations. I just did one. I assumed that a Toastmaster was one who made toasts at parties. However, I stuck a smile on my face and looked appropriately innocent. She smiled and said, her husband felt I would make a good Toastmaster. So she invited me to check for the nearest club in my area. I smiled and was moving away when she added innocently,’ start one if there is none, you could also help in spreading that awareness’.
I stared at her, she was not seriously thinking I was going to be looking for a wine drinking club, was she?
In that mood, I expressed my dismay to my husband. He smiled and pointed out that the lady who talked to me is known as being very quiet and rarely said much. My performance had been to read a poem of mine. Mollified by that reasoning, I held my peace.
When we got back to my home, I was curious. Toastmasters? Might be good business for my master of ceremonies repertoire I said to myself.
I asked around for a Toastmasters club. People either smiled wondering if I wanted a drink or simply said they never heard of such a name. That got me really curious. So I googled it.
Stunned, I stared and stared. A body that helped you with communicating and leadership skills?
A self-improvement club, where you learn communicating skills. I stared at the byline or motto or whatever…Where leaders are made….
I apologized silently to the lady and continued my reading. A strong resolve flowered in me. I wanted to learn how to use the power of the word in communicating effectively. I might become a leader, but I am definite that I wanted to be a Toastmaster. It was that simple.
I am a Toastmaster, currently the president of Sunshine Toastmaster club in my town. I am having a very beautiful time learning about communication and leadership skills.
I am a leader in the making