It was almost a year ago that I attended a Toastmasters meeting here in Williams Lake as a guest of a dear friend. I’m the type of person who is willing to explore and check out anything new. Besides, I also carried a deeply-rooted fear of speaking in front of others. It may sound strange, but I would rather sing in front of people than speak.

My speaking voice is quite soft, so there is the eternal frustration of people asking me to repeat what I have said. Everyone, myself included, has areas that could use improvement.

Bit by bit I got into the groove of tackling some of the tasks outlined in the weekly meetings. I started initially with the simplest things, such as telling a joke or a “thought of the day.” I survived the perils of my first speech, what Toastmaster’s deems the “Icebreaker,” and even added an additional two more speeches over the year. The deep-seated fear that used to grip my being at the prospect of speaking in front of others has diminished considerably. I have found that learning the material and practicing help to increase confidence. What I like about the meetings is that the learning does not just take place with the preparation and presentation of the speeches, but with those opportunities to be spontaneous and think on one’s feet with table topics and in giving introductions based upon weekly themes. Each of us has a wealth of material in our life experiences to draw upon in these situations. That is the major thing I enjoy about Toastmaster membership. Each of us has ample opportunity to draw upon our experiences and shape and refine our communication skills over time. I have always been a firm believer in applied learning. Toastmasters has also helped me to build confidence. I see this not only for myself but for each new member who has stayed the course over the last year. I also learn from those who have become seasoned veterans.

I marvel at their ability to gather their thoughts and speak their stories and inner truths. Sometimes this is done with great humour. Other times I hear the wisdom of lives well-lived.

I have even been surprised by many of the younger people as they projected sensitivity and caring hearts to our membership mix.

Speaking effectively is an art that involves a good mix of thinking, listening and speaking. In these days where individuals seem to have been swallowed up by vast systems, Toastmaster clubs bring small groups of people together with the end in mind to fostering understanding amongst that small group. Just the other night I watched the media reporting on the Dalai Lama’s visit with thousands of young people in attendance.

This was precisely what this very wise Tibetan leader spoke about. He said that in order to achieve world peace, the peace of each person and the understanding generated amongst small groups of people was where this peace was cultivated. We do not need to look beyond our own community for the solutions to each of us achieving self-actualization. As each of us learns how to be more effective, not only as communicators, but as leaders, everything around us changes for the better.

Williams Lake Toastmasters is a small club, but that, perhaps, is its charm. As Stewart Maclean has said about his infamous Vinyl Cafe: “We’re not big but we’re small.” I think the time for pride in embracing the means to self-empowerment in small but meaningful steps has come. I for one am very happy I made the choice to commit to improving my communication and leadership skills. I don’t guarantee that you won’t ever feel terror while speaking in front of others. I will guarantee that eventually you will feel great pride in the personal strides that you make in being courageous enough to make positive changes for yourself.

Toastmasters International empowers people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. Through member clubs, people throughout the world can improve their communication and leadership skills, and find the courage to change.

The Williams Lake Toastmasters Club meets September to June every Wednesday night, 7-8 p.m., at the back alley entrance to the Central Interior Services Cooperative Building, 51 South Fourth Ave. in Williams Lake. Please enter off of the entrance in the back lane (between Fourth Ave. South and Third Ave. South). A sign will be posted on the door. For more information go to the web site at www.williamsla ketoastmasters.com or call Suzanne at 250-392-1008.