Mary Wilson tells us how Toastmasters has helped her.

If we are going to take the time to speak, it makes sense the other person understands. Otherwise there is no communication, only noise.

To communicate well – we need to be able to listen, think and speak effectively.

Over the years, I have received an enormous amount of encouragement from my fellow members to overcome my feelings of inadequacy and a deep reluctance to speak before large numbers of people.

Waterloo Bay Club has always been a supportive learning environment whereby I could learn to relax, plan and present speeches, whether I had 10 weeks to prepare or just 10 seconds.

It definitely helps to learn and practice in a friendly environment with other people who are there for the same reasons. Our meetings are a sort of “learn-by-doing” workshop.

Robert Schuller says “Goal setting is important, but goal doing is more important.” In line with this truth Toastmasters eases us into oral communication.

Our first Communication Manual is structured to allow the development of speaking skills over the course of 10 prepared speeches.

Have I received any benefit from Toastmasters outside of club meetings?

Most definitely – YES!

I was at the funeral of my friend’s mother. The minister announced the floor was open to anyone to come forward and say a few words about Hazel. No one moved!

I saw my friend turn around with such a broken look on her face. I decided I had to say a few words about Hazel.

I went out front and shared my thoughts about this sweet old lady. The look of gratitude on Thelma’s face is something I will always cherish.

Thank you Toastmasters Table Topics training!!

Another time I was at a Thanksgiving Dinner in honour of an amazing couple. I was delighted when my friend Sharon who is a quiet, shy and very insecure person went forward to share her appreciation of them.

Later that evening an upset Sharon said to me that she forgot the main things she wanted to share. I told her that her sincerity showed through and that was what mattered most.

Once I might have said, ‘yea I forget what I want to say as well.’

Which of these two responses gave the better encouragement?

Thank you Toastmasters Evaluation training.

Every day we are called upon to:-

Listen give our undivided attention to the speaker

Think process the information we hear

Speak voice an opinion or share our thoughts

The Toastmasters Program has helped me Listen, Think and Speak more effectively.

Remember talking is still the most effective means of communication.

The skills I have learnt in Toastmasters I take with me everywhere.

Mary Wilson has been a member of Waterloo Bay Toastmasters for several years. Mary is the Club President for 2011-12 and has also acted as Club Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President Membership and Vice President Education. She achieved her Competent Communicator Award in 2010 and is now working towards her Competent Leader and Advanced Communicator Bronze.

Improved communication skills can not only help you when speaking to groups, small or large, but will also help in your day to day conversations, with family, friends and colleagues.

The course is held over six weeks, starting on 17th April and ending on 22nd May. The venue is Wynnum Manly Leagues Club, Wondall Road, Wynnum West.

Your investment: $165. This gives you eight weeks of training, participation and fun, all course material, dinner at the final “Graduation” session.

And, if you choose to join Waterloo Bay Toastmasters after you have completed the course we will waive the joining fee of $45.

To find out more about what Speechcraft can do for you, download an information sheet and call Mary Wilson on 07 3396 1694.

Bonnie Black and Karina Taylor share their recollections of the Speechcraft course in the videos below.

President – Mary Wilson CTM
Vice President Education – Marie Catlow ACB, CL
Vice President Membership – Marco Meyer
Vice President Public Relations – Liz Osborne
Treasurer – Bruce Collins
Secretary – Ruth Holliday
Segeant at Arms – Chris Graham

The executive will be assisted by Immediate Past President Andrew Hansen CTM, CL.

If friends, famliy or workmates haven’t seen the show direct them to http://www.abc.net.au/tv/strictlyspeaking/ to view it online.

Whether it’s to present your case at the school P & F committee, propose a toast at a wedding or to run for political office, Toastmasters can teach you all the skills you need to be a polished public speaker.

The conference is an opportunity to catch up with Toastmasters from Redlands, Capalaba, Logan Morning Stars, Riverside (Bulimba), Waterloo Bay (Wynnum/Manly) and the newly formed advance club, Speak N Jest (Rochedale).

The main agenda items are the speech contests. Representatives from each club will vie for the honour of representing Area 20 at the Eastern Division Conference to be held in February/March of 2011.  The winner of the International Speech Contest at this conference has the potential to travel to the International conference to represent District 69 in the World Championship of Public Speaking. This prestigious annual event was won last year by Mark Hunter, a Toastmaster from District 69.

Bookings are essential, confirm your place with your club or contact the Area 20 Governor, Alana Beale, directly on 0409 150 948.

Now that my next leadership award requires me to complete this program, I decided to find out more about it. The Toastmasters International website doesn’t provide any information, (at least none that I could find) but a Google search on “What is the high performance leadership program in Toastmasters” took me to this helpful explanation on the Toastmasters District 70 website.

L-R: Mary Wilson, Chris Graham, Andrew Hansen, Robyn Hargreaves, Diarmuid Deans, Marie Catlow

We are now in the new Toastmasters year and with the changeover we welcome a new club executive. The President for this year is Andrew Hansen CTM CL. Andrew has been a member of Waterloo Bay Toastmasters since 2001 and brings a wealth of experience to the job.

Assisting Andrew in the role of Vice President Education is Marie Catlow ACB CL. Marie, a retired schoolteacher and now a part time educator for the Australian Heart Foundation, has plenty of new and interesting ideas to keep the club programs interesting while helping members achieve their educational and leadership goals.

Also on the executive this year are:

Robyn Hargreaves CC – Vice President Membership
Diarmuid Deans ACB CL – Vice President Public Relations & Treasurer
Mary Wilson CC – Secretary
Chris Graham – Sergeant at Arms