August 2010

Welcome guests and fellow Toastmasters!

Thank you for visiting the Chamber Club web site! We are a fun and lively group, supportive of each other as we grow in speaking skill and confidence. One of my favorite things about Toastmasters is that there's something for everyone; whether you feel uncomfortable speaking in front of a group, have trouble speaking off the cuff, or want to improve speaking skills you already have, Toastmasters can help. It's an excellent opportunity to build your leadership skills through leading meetings and taking on club officer roles. In addition, it's a great environment for networking and building new friendships.

In Toastmasters, you can work at your own pace to present speeches and achieve your personal communication goals. I would encourage you to participate as much as possible, because the more you step out of your comfort zone, the more you grow. When I first joined Toastmasters, I often felt paralyzed by shyness and fear of speaking. Walking into my first Toastmasters meeting was a huge step for me, but it was a huge step in the right direction. Gradually, as I practiced speaking and took on more advanced meeting roles, my discomfort began to fade. Today, people sometimes express surprise when I say I used to be shy. I didn't achieve this growth on my own, however. The support and camaraderie I found in Chamber Club, combined with the invaluable feedback on my speeches, helped me build my skills and confidence.

Chamber Club stands by the Toastmasters mission statement, which you'll hear read at the beginning of every meeting: "The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth." I invite you to join us in helping each other achieve our communication and leadership goals. Welcome!

Lani Dearmin
President of Chamber Club 540