Making the list

Christine Carrillo

In an attempt to enter a local Toastmasters meeting as an observer

Wednesday, I ended up becoming an unexpected part of the story.

Following the Costa Mesa Communicators’ meeting invocation, club

President Frank Troiano insisted that I be introduced as one of their

honored guests.

But with that introduction came a required speech. So, having no

other option than to comply, I stood up before the group of 15 people

and explained the reason for my attendance (this article). Satisfied

with the job I had done, I sat back down and successfully made it

through the meeting as intended, an observer -- or so I thought.

After the introductions, the core of the meeting began.

Members took turns giving timed prepared and impromptu speeches

before their fellow club members before being evaluated by one

another.

The purpose of Toastmasters “is to further one’s speaking skills

in general and to broaden one’s organizational skills,” said Craig

Batley, vice president of public relations for the Harborlite

Toastmasters Club in Corona del Mar. “This is probably the best

self-help speaking organization in the world.”

Headquartered in Orange County, Toastmasters International, which

was established in 1924, aims to help people from all backgrounds

learn to speak effectively, conduct meetings, manage a department or

business, lead, delegate and motivate.

The organization has 19 clubs in Newport-Mesa, and a number of

others across the United States and around the world. Its members

follow a communication and leadership manual that provides general

information on skill improvement in such areas as speech evaluation

and the use of gestures.

“Toastmasters is not just about public speaking,” said Doug

Albert, a seven-year Toastmasters member. “I think self-confidence is

probably its biggest contribution to those participating.”

And many Toastmasters members would agree.

“I have become a lot more assertive and it makes me feel a lot

taller,” said Jan Yokota, who has been a Toastmasters member for

three years. “I was very timid and culturally handicapped and I

wanted to be an individual. It really has helped me in reaching out

to people.”

By focusing on the different components involved in giving a

speech, like length, gestures, voice control and eye contact, members

can use their weekly meetings as a chance to move past their

communication fears and strengthen their abilities.

“It opens up your whole life to a whole new world,” said Vincent

Mann, a seven-month Toastmasters member. “The magic is every time you

go up there you overcome this anxiety.”

While members join Toastmasters for a variety of reasons, their

overall goal is usually growth.

“The beauty of this club is there’s so many different things that

you do to work on your communication skills,” Troiano said. “It’s a

personal development program.”

And a program that even its visitors can’t escape.

Just as I thought I had successfully dodged any further

involvement in the meeting, imagine my surprise when the ums and ahs

that slipped into my brief speech as the meeting commenced were

regurgitated back to me as the meeting’s concluding counts were

revealed.

But I was not alone. In an effort to be thorough, I feel I must

point out that Don Leach, the photographer assigned to the story,

also made the same list.

For the Toastmasters Club nearest you, check out

www.toastmasters.org.