News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By Suzanne Whittingham 

The fear that the average person carries with regards to public speaking is well documented. Many surveys and research results show that most people would rather die than talk in front of a live audience. This fear is called Glossophobia. Toastmasters International is well acquainted with these very real fears that grip the average person. If you are looking for a way of overcoming your fear of public speaking, your local Toastmasters Club has a place for you. 

(Photo: Deb Radollah speaks about her Olympic Torch experience.)

Williams Lake Toastmasters is affiliated with Toastmasters International, a non profit educational organization of clubs throughout the world. Under the tutelage of the parent organization, clubs are dedicated to teaching public speaking and leadership skills. At first glance, it would seem that it is a forum for the oratorically gifted members of society. As with everything in life, the truth is not necessarily obvious. 

The strength in the Toastmaster program lies in its ability to discipline its members in all things communicated. These are times when the art of oratory and eloquent speech has, for the most part, taken a back burner to our mad dash lives. We are so busy we often don't have time to think things through. This is the beauty of applying a focused amount of time to Toastmasters. We are forced to slow down and think before we put our foot into it. 

(Photo: John Youds, meeting Toastmaster, addresses members.)

Rest assured: not all members in the Williams Lake Toastmasters are seasoned veterans of many years. There are many relative ‘newbies’ who have only one or two speeches under their belts. These new members do not lack for enthusiasm with the learning, though. What is remarkable is the obvious progress that is witnessed on a week to week and month to month basis. Phil Vetter, the current President of the Williams Lake Toastmasters club in Williams Lake emphasized that each member, past and present, has unique reasons for coming to Toastmasters. “It can be a time that lasts for a very short period with clearly defined goals, or a much longer exploration of the Toastmaster experience,” he said. “Davee Palmantier came to Toastmasters in 2008 to gain confidence and skill in the Stampede Queen competition. She fast-tracked the experience and we all took great pride in seeing the progress she made in the short time she was there. Davee came in an impressive second in that competition and is the current Williams Lake Stampede Princess. She very much did the more seasoned Toastmasters proud for applying what she learned so quickly.” 

(Photo: Dorothy Ingalls, long-time Toastmaster, addresses the group.)

Judy Orosz originally joined Toastmasters to be a better speaker and educator in her work.  Before Toastmasters, she would find herself with all of the information at her fingertips, but when she came to the actual event, the information would evaporate and she would freeze. “Toastmasters helped me to structure my thoughts so I would know what to say when. I wouldn't freeze up because it gave me confidence,“ Judy said. “It also made me practice before-hand, and that was crucial to improving my speaking skills. I still need a lot of work on my spontaneity but I am feeling more relaxed now when speaking. I am currently working on learning how to not rely so heavily on my notes when I give a speech.” 

Then there was Deb Radollah's very unique experience. Williams Lake will not soon forget her exuberance while carrying the Olympic Torch into the Williams Lake Stadium in February. Deb was quick to admit at her next Toastmaster's meeting that those years of preparation certainly helped her give the short speech in front of the over 5,000 screaming and enthusiastic supporters. When she returned to Toastmasters after that experience, the introductory topic was about the Olympics. “Speaking in front of 5,000 people was a little scarier than speaking in front of this small group. It was an overwhelming experience. It was a vicissitude moment when I got the torch in my hand. I was not prepared for what that would do to me,” she said. “I thought I had sort of figured out---OK, if I have to speak, this is what I'm going to say. I had it in my head that I would talk to my Dad. But I was not prepared for the emotion that went WAM- the emotion that hit me when I got that torch, that lit torch in my hand. It was an unbelievable feeling! I forgot everything when I got up on stage. I really had to dig deep to get any words out of my mouth. I'm really grateful to Toastmasters for preparing me for what I was up against there.” The emotion of Deb's experience was palpable to all of the members present during this particular meeting. Deb continued. “I'm thankful for your kind words of support that I've had from you and the kind words from many many other people as well. I believe this is what the Olympic spirit is. It's all been kind and good. It's warmed me so much, and helped me realize what a great place Williams Lake is and what a great country Canada is.” 

(Photo: Scott Klingman gives Speech)

It is important to remember that each person's relationship to the Toastmaster experience is unique. Phil Vetter said, “Each person will achieve different things out of his/her membership, be it the need to talk at a daughter's wedding, make a crucial business presentation or simply address school mates at graduation. That is the beauty of the whole program.” Phil has also been excited throughout his year as president to hear all of the positive and consistent feedback from guests. He has heard comments like, “The meeting was fun and exciting,” as well as, “The people were warm, inviting and friendly.” He wants to make certain that you know you are very welcome to come and check their club out. He believes that Toastmasters has something for everyone, no matter who you are or what your personal goals are. 

Each week the meeting will always have a Toastmaster, a Table Topics Master, a Jokemaster, a Timer, an 'Ah' Counter and most likely a speech. It is the interweaving of each member to this whole that defines the experience. As they say, what you put into it is precisely what you get out of it. Inch by inch it allows each member to make that crucial change at the grass roots level. After all, it is about each of us doing our small part to expand community and share in this grand exploration of strengthening the effectiveness of our personal and collective voices. 

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, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., at the back alley entrance to the Central Interior Services Cooperative Building, 51 South 4th Ave. in Williams Lake. Please enter off of the entrance in the back lane (between 4th Ave. South and 3rd Ave. South). A sign will be posted on the door. For more information go to the web site at www.williamslaketoastmasters.com or you can call 250-392-1008 for more information.

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