By Judy Stepp, member

Toastmasters International is an organization founded in 1924 to help men during the Great Depression to develop speaking and leadership skills that would enable them to secure employment and opportunities in those dire times. Since that time, men and women all over the world have been learning better communication and leadership skills through Toastmasters membership.

I joined the Gem City Forum Toastmasters Club to do just that, enhance my communication and leadership skills. We have a weekly meeting on Tuesday evening beginning at 5:30 PM SHARP. Members alternate weekly, to fill several active roles during each meeting. These roles provide a learn-by-doing way to enhance skills. In this way, each member has the opportunity to participate and learn each meeting role. Our meetings usually last about one hour fifteen minutes, so we are done around 6:45 PM.

I find the members of Gem City Forum Toastmasters to be friendly, helpful, supportive and genuinely interested in my personal development within the club. This club is open and welcoming to guests and new members in the same manner, each person fostering both their own and others growth and development. We celebrate each member and each success as if it were our own personal achievement.

I have been elected as Vice President, Education, and as such, my job is to help members achieve the goals they have set for themselves. There are various manual guides to help members work through the progressive achievements within Toastmasters International. We work with each member, assigning a mentor to help, tracking progression and providing opportunities for reaching the personal goals each member has set.

I have held many various positions with other organizations, including serving as a member of Organization Board of Directors. I learned and developed skills in each position. I see Toastmasters as a way to grow further, learn more and practice in an atmosphere that is non-judgmental, supportive, providing positive feedback to help me on my way to mastering a skill. It makes sense that the more members in a club, the better the club and the better for each of the members. I am sure that the small investment of time and money that I make as a Toastmaster member reaps rewards for me more than double its value. I develop better speaking, listening, and communication skills; I make more friendships; I feel more confident; I give back to others which also helps me feel good about myself. Being a member of Gem City Toastmasters Club is a ‘no brainer’ for me.

I invite you to come try a meeting or two. I invite you to become / remain a member and participate more often. I invite you to experience the friendship, growth, support and learning for yourself. Come join us on Tuesday night at 5:30 PM in the meeting room at the Fun Factory, Franklin, NC.

Judy Stepp

VP Education
Gem City Forum Toastmasters Club # 296