Toastmasters Around the World

by Diane Cooley

Toastmasters International states that the mission of any Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

There are many ways to reach this goal and Toastmasters has more flavors than Baskin & Robbins. A diligent Toastmaster club in Japan, Atsugi-Zama, has compiled a list of 1,062 Toastmaster web sites all working in March 2004. To get to the list site, go to Google Advanced Search and under exact phrase enter "toastmaster web sites around the world" or click here.

Visit Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Guam, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, European Continent, Canada, Mexico, Middle East and South Africa. Learn about the clubs and read the agendas. And consider attending a meeting on your vacation. As you'll read at their web sites, they'd be glad to have you.

You could attend Washington University's District 8 WUTFOR group. Or go to the popular University Club affiliated with the Australian University. Test your high school German at the Stuttgart International Toastmasters Club or the Heidelberg Toastmasters Club, both founded by Dr. Robert Larsen, an officer in the U.S. Military. But for a touch of the offbeat, visit the UPE International Cricket Academy which prepares the cricketer for the rigorous demands of playing cricket at the highest levels ... and offers a course in public speaking presented by Toastmasters International.

If you’re not planning any trips that would provide you with the opportunity to visit one of these clubs, why not visit our own? The Financial Management Toastmasters club is entering its second year. We meet every Tuesday, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., in room 170 Schmitz Hall. New members and guests are always welcome.

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