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Click here for a short video (windows media file
format only) created as a Public Service Announcement (PSA) running on
Burlington Cable Access TV.
We asked several members the following question:
What did you expect to get out of Toastmasters when you joined and what
have you gotten out of Toastmasters?
Here's what they said:
"I expected to gain confidence in speaking in front of people. I have improved
and I have made a lot of new friends."
"I joined TM to help get rid of my fear of public speaking. I am encouraged by
others who had the courage to face their fear."
"I expected to improve my public speaking skills. I feel I have improved my
speaking skills but it also helped me grow in my leadership skills. I improved
upon my evaluation skills utilizing the Toastmasters way of evaluating and also
worked with some of my fellow managers to put time allotments on agenda items
presented at meetings. These are just a few of the ways it has helped."
"I needed a night out and I needed to meet people. No one would listen to me
when I talked so I thought if I learned to speak well they would. We have such a
good time at our meetings that I find it lightens your attitude toward life."
"I expected to get over my nervousness in front of groups. I have achieved this
and have gained increased self confidence."
"I joined Toastmasters, with hope I could overcome 2 things: 1) "Freezing"
during my speech or presentation, rehearsed or impromptu. 2) Perpetual nerves
and full flush/blush. The 1st I am learning is much easier than the 2nd, which I
may never overcome. So far I've learned that I do just fine when I'm having fun.
And what's not fun about speaking to and with The Last Word Toastmasters?"
"When I joined Toastmasters my goal was to be able to improve my public speaking
abilities but what I found that I got from Toastmasters was "SELF CONFIDENCE"
and a "CAN DO" attitude. This attitude helped me get better paying jobs, start
my own business and try other things such as run three marathons."
"I expected by joining Toastmasters that I would gain invaluable experience and
advice about public speaking in order to allow me to progress to a new level of
professionalism in this arena. So far I have "gotten" out of Toastmasters
exactly what I have "put" into it... Let me explain: In the short time that I
have been a member of Toastmasters, I have noticed the level of speaking in our
club has gone up! When I gave my first speech several members asked me why I
bothered to join (apparently they thought that I was already proficient with
public speaking), however, since then I have noticed (not only in myself, but in
others) a new "level" of proficiency. The "bar has been raised" (as the saying
goes). I am excited about the possibilities of achieving even "loftier heights"
for all of our members. The better each one us gets, the harder each person
tries to reach that new level, the better our club gets. It is a win-win for
everyone! I try to "put" on a good performance whenever I speak, and I have
"gotten" much satisfaction (and have learned a lot) in listening to our other
members when they perform. That's my (story) short answer and I'm sticking to
it!"
"I wanted to be able to speak in front of a relatively large audience without
intense fear, and so far, even though I haven't been in Toastmasters for very
long, I have at least gotten friendship and support in my very challenging
endeavor."
"I'm trying to make a go of it as an independent consultant and I see speaking
at seminars and conferences as important marketing tools. I'm looking for
toastmasters to give me greater stage presence, a higher level of comfort and
the stage time to home my skills. Also, given the bent of the Last Word, I hope
that I can become more comfortable with the use of humor. I'm not funny when I'm
nervous. Since I am new to Toastmasters, I haven't yet achieved any of the
above. But I have found a comfortable place and some nice people to practice
with."
"I hoped to improve my public speaking skills. What I have gotten out
Toastmasters so far is an awareness of the areas I need to improve while gaining
a whole lot of very nice friends."
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