A Toast to Toastmasters

by Cathy Billings

The Financial Management Toastmasters club is celebrating its first six months of existence and we want to share with FM some of our accomplishments and some of our thoughts about what the club means to us.

We all know that public speaking skills are important and that being able to express ourselves makes us more confident and empowers us in the workplace, but for most people speaking in front of a group is the last thing on earth they want to do! Public speaking scares us and makes us anxious; I think that most of the current members would agree that they felt that way six months ago, but we’ve come a long way since then! Just look at some of the things members have to say about their Toastmasters experience:

“Joining the club was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have gone from someone who would totally avoid speaking in public to someone who is a lot more confident and has given three speeches. I now am not worried about being called on in meetings or on teams to give my opinion.” – Teresa Crisostomo, Travel

“I have rediscovered myself in terms of expressing myself freely. I have become a better listener. Of all the self-improvement opportunit[ies] given to Financial Management employees, nothing superce[des] Toastmasters.” – Agnes Acholonu, Payables Administration

“The experience has met and even exceeded my expectations. The most important thing I learned is how to say just the significant things given a certain period of time [and] to convey to the audience the main idea that you want them to understand. Toastmasters has boosted my self-confidence over the last six months. – Mai Lin Chua, SFS

What is it that really makes our club special? I think everyone would agree that it is the people! Whether speeches are humorous or serious, we always learn something new about each other, and every week we look forward to hearing what our co-workers have to say. One member sums it up by saying, “Everyone is so sincere when delivering speeches, [it] has made me feel that Toastmasters is my second home.” The friendship and trust that has grown between members is what makes the FM Toastmasters Club an ideal environment in which to practice speaking in front of a group. Members have many good things to say about the support and encouragement that they receive from their peers:

“The best part is the support you get from the members during the meeting, and to see that we’re all at very different levels and we all have our struggles.” – Susie Rodriguez, Travel

“The atmosphere is great for practicing the skills; the group is so fun, friendly, and diverse.” – Amy Liu, GCA

Toastmasters has really made a difference in our lives. Some of us have given just one speech; some have given seven, but we are all on our way to becoming confident public speakers. If you want to improve your speaking skills and think Toastmasters might be just the thing for you, or if you are just curious, please drop in to a meeting to see what the club is like—we guarantee that you will enjoy hearing your co-workers’ speeches!

Meeting Day/Time: Every Tuesday, 12-1 p.m.
Place: Room 170, Schmitz Hall

Questions? Interested in becoming a member? Contact membership officer Cathy Billings at 6-2578 or cathyb@u.washington.edu, or speak to one of your FM Toastmaster Club member co-workers:

Financial Services: Karem Martinez
GCA: Gwendolyn Darden, Amy Liu
Payables: Agnes Acholonu, Ashley Chambers, Pramilla Chand (Secretary), Shawn Williams (Sergeant at Arms)
Payroll: Denise Murillo
SFS: Diane Cooley (Vice President for Public Relations), Norm Englund, Kyra Worrell, Mai Lin Chua, Nancy Hurja
Travel Office: Susie Rodriguez, Teresa Crisostomo (Treasurer)
Treasury: Cathy Billings, Laura Lai, Ping Tan

You can also visit the Toastmasters International Website for more information about the organization: http://www.toastmasters.org/

STAY TUNED!
Look for “Toastmasters Tips” and club updates starting in the spring issue of New Directions. “Toastmasters Tips” will provide helpful suggestions on how to be a better and more confident speaker.

.

.