I’ve been thinking about my time in Toastmasters - why I joined, what it has done for me, how I have benefited, and what it can do for you.

I’ve been a member of Toastmasters now for all of sixteen years now, joining in October 1998. Originally I joined Toastmasters as it had been recommended to me when I was attending a course to help me deal with my stammer. This was to be my next step in pushing out my comfort zones.

Together with three friends from my course I went along to Dublin Toastmasters in Buswells Hotel, not really knowing what to expect. We each entered the meeting giving our names as we went in. Then sitting down at the back of the room from where we observed the proceedings.

Toastmasters is a global network of speaking clubs offering people a supportive, encouraging and inclusive environment where you can work on and develop your communication and leadership skills. The clubs are open to all regardless of what you want to achieve. Everyone has their own reasons for attending Toastmasters. Some people may have an important speech or event coming up for which they may want to practice their public speaking. Others join because of work or college needs. Some may join mainly for the social outlet that it gives and then there may be others like myself who join out of a wish to improve my speaking in general.

So back to my first night in Toastmasters: There I was sitting down at the back of a well attended room – with over thirty chatty friendly souls. I was a little nervous, not really knowing what to expect. Suddenly there were a couple of bangs of a gavel at the top table and the room fell silent. Up stood a distinguished looking gentleman who after a short pause he began to speak, welcoming everyone to the meeting. He then introduced a man next to him who was the chairman or ‘Toastmaster’ of the meeting. We were given a brief overview of the nights proceedings before being passed over to the ‘Topics Master’ who took charge of the first half of the two hour meeting.

Now this part of the meeting I found particularly interesting. The Topics Master would call out topics of interest and then invite people to speak them. I was a bit scared of this. I thought I could never do this. Anyway around fifteen people spoke on a variety of topics – totally unprepared.

Then after a short break the second half of the meeting got under way. This was totally different to what had gone on before. Three people each got up and gave speeches that they had prepared beforehand. I was amazed at the quality of the speeches and their delivery. Then these speeches were evaluated with each speaker being given positive feedback and suggestions for improvement.

There seemed to be a lot going on. I later learned that between the various meeting roles and participants, that it takes around fifteen people to run a successful Toastmasters meeting.

I didn’t speak that first night. But I did make the commitment to go again the following week. I have been going ever since. I first went with the intention of working on overcoming my stammer, but it quickly became a hobby of mine. Now I just love public speaking. I love getting up and speaking to an audience. I know I have gained so many skills and made so many wonderful friends over the years.

And yes... I really enjoy public speaking, something that so many people dread.

I would thoroughly recommend Toastmasters as a fun and educational night out. Not only can you learn communication and leadership skills, but you meet some truly inspiration people and have a great laugh along the way.

Why not pop in any Thursday evening and see for yourself? You will not be disappointed.