Contributed by Marilyn Bennett
The “Who” is a fun group of people from the area who love to give speeches, want to love getting over being afraid of giving speeches, or just want to improve their communication skills.
The “Why” is that meeting once a week and giving speeches or evaluating others tends to improve one’s speaking skills while having a good time.
What is a Toastmaster? Traditionally, it is “one who presides at a dinner, introduces the after-dinner speaker and proposes the toasts”. It is also any member of an international educational organization of over 16,000 local clubs, all dedicated to helping their members improve communication and leadership skills. Palmer Toastmasters Club is the local group in the Matanuska- Susitna Valley.
The first Toastmaster meeting was set up to help the person presiding over the dinner to gain confidence in speaking before an audience. The organization has grown into a worldwide network of clubs with a formal do-at-your-own-pace education program. Members work together to develop our communication and leadership skills.
Our educational program, called “Pathways” is made up of several paths which are designed to fit into the varied needs of members. This program brings Toastmasters into the modern age. People want to improve public speaking for different reasons. Some come to learn new leadership skills. Some want time in front of the camera in a non-threatening atmosphere. There are excellent speakers and hesitant speakers, and all can improve with practice in this welcoming environment.
There are currently 11 pathways:
Dynamic Leadership
Effective Coaching
Engaging Humor
Innovative Planning
Leadership Development
Motivational Strategies
Persuasive Influence
Presentation Mastery
Strategic Relationships
Team Collaborations
Visionary Communication
Each person picks which path seems to suit his or her needs the best. As you can see, there are a variety of different paths to better reflect our dynamic society
Discover more about Palmer Toastmasters at our website: www.palmer.toastmastersclubs.org. Join one of our meetings in person on the 1st and/or 2nd Tuesday of each month in the conference room at Turkey Red (550 S. Alaska Street in Palmer) at 6PM or online via Zoom every Tuesday night at 6PM. We start on time.
For the Zoom link, visit the meeting directions tab at our club website: www.palmer.toastmastersclubs.org.
We are a friendly group of positive Valley people who meet to help each other grow and have fun together in the process. We invite you to get to know us better by joining one or more meetings as a guest.