Public speaking made easy

Standing up in front of a room full of people is enough to make anyone nervous. Throw in the fact crowds are expecting an articulate, detailed and probably funny presentation - it's a wonder anyone has the guts to try it.

Six-year Toastmaster participant and current Squamish group president Dennis Smith said Jerry Seinfeld put it best: "According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy."

For any local who feels this way, becoming involved in Toastmasters could be the answer.

Toastmasters club welcomes anyone who would like to improve their public speaking or leadership skills. No previous experience is necessary and according to Smith, everyone progresses in their own time and comfort level.

The group is part of Toastmasters International's network of more than 11,500 clubs that meet in 92 countries around the world.

"A lot of people hear about Toastmasters and what they know is we have to get up and speak," said Smith. "But it's more than that. It's an educational program. In addition to practice, there are books you use for structure and learning how to give presentations."

Members are given a manual when they first join that outlines the first ten speeches, which are the building blocks for giving specialized speeches down the road.

They address fundamental skills such as using words effectively, using hands and voice effectively and how to speak without notes.

When you move onto the next level, the manuals start to address more specific topics such as conducting an interview, giving an interview, speaking on the radio, giving a toast, presenting an award and outlining how to be an entertaining speaker.

Toastmasters was founded in 1924 in Santa Ana, California by Ralph Smedley. Its original concept was to work with young men on how to give effective after dinner toasts.

"It's obviously evolved a lot since then," said Smith. "Now it's open to everybody.

"We have parents with kids' weddings coming up and they want to say something in front of 50 people without getting completely nervous, we have business people looking to increase their skills so they have better communication and better leadership to increase their sales."

Smith said he joined to become a better leader and learn skills to apply to his workplace.

"It's not just about talking, it's about leadership," said Smith. "To be successful as a leader you need to know how to communicate effectively, work as a team and vary your approach to suit the needs of different people. And Toastmasters has helped me in all those ways."

Smith, who works for Sea to Sky Community Services, was asked to MC their biggest fundraiser of the year because of his involvement in Toastmasters.

It's also possible to compete in speech competitions against other clubs in the area and even go on to international competitions. As a young club with only 10 consistent members, Squamish doesn't have many competitors yet.

On an average night there would be one to three prepared speeches, and often members will be asked to give impromptu speeches on different topics.

"You don't learn unless you get feedback so every evening, every single person will be evaluated," said Smith. "We'll tell you what you've done extremely well and what are your areas of improvement."

For potential members who aren't sure Toastmasters is for them, Smith invites them to visit the club two or three times as a guest to see if they're interested.

Meetings are held every second and fourth Tuesday from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. If interested, please contact Dennis Smith at [email protected] or go to their website at www.toastmasters.bc.ca/clubs/viewclub.php?club=737202.