What’s with Toastmasters International?

A friend of mine, Elvina asked me something over Christmas dinner, “Robin, does Toastmasters have any form of certification and if yes, what is the value of it to the working world?”

My dear friend, Toastmasters International does issue certificates for achievements in communication and leadership. However, to the working world, the certification doesn’t carry any more weight than the paper it is printed on. Therefore, the employer would not pay you any higher than your peers when applying for the same position.

She was flabbergasted. “Then, why are you still with Toastmasters?” she queried.

So, what’s with Toastmasters?

My dear friend, Toastmasters International was founded with the mission to empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Since the common perception of Toastmasters is about public speaking, I’m going to share with you about the journey in the Toastmasters communications track.

During the usual course of the regular meetings, there will be table topics, which is impromptu speaking. This session requires us to speak for at least one minute on any given topic and this trains us to think quickly. First timers will experience cold feet, butterflies in the stomach and palpitations. With regular practice, you will notice the enhanced confidence within yourself and better communication with your loved ones, employer and customers.

Toastmasters is a self-paced programme. It offers flexibility to the members. You could be a spectator throughout the meeting and nobody will censure you. However, if you happen to know any member of Toastmasters, they would tell you that stage time is the most valuable avenue to hone their speaking skills to perfection.

Following table topics, in the heart of the movement, is speech writing and presenting. Members will be given a manual called the Competent Communication. Here, members will be exposed critical thinking skills and effective presentation delivery through to the following projects:

Project 1	:	The Ice Breaker
Project 2	:	Organize Your Speech
Project 3	:	Get to the Point
Project 4	:	How to Say It
Project 5	:	Your Body Speaks
Well done. You are about to reach your first milestone in Toastmasters.
Project 6	:	Vocal Variety
Project 7	:	Research Your Topic
Project 8	:	Visual Aids
Project 9	:	Persuade with Power
Project 10	:	Inspire Your Audience
Congratulations! You’re now a Competent Communicator.

“Wow, the training is so comprehensive. I didn’t know there are so many parts in speech presentation,” said Elvina in amazement. “So, you must be well versed in public speaking now?” she added.

I just know the basics in public speaking. With these knowledge, I can constantly remind myself, together with the help of a group of evaluators, to minimize common mistakes in public speaking. After all, it is an ongoing experience to overcome our fears and enforce skills. Hence, the regular meetings. Practice makes perfect.

“Did you say evaluators? What’s that?” she questioned.

Oh, evaluators are also fellow members who are there to listen to your project speeches attentively and give constructive feedback. They say, feedback is the breakfast for champions. It is like a mentor-mentee relationship. Through this positive mentoring, the exercise increases our self-awareness and enhance our performance in the next project speech. We usually take turns to become a project speaker and an evaluator. To become a great speaker, one has to be a great listener too.

“I see. My uncle has been a Toastmaster for umpteenth years. He’s getting better and better in different speeches for different occasions. He’s always the ‘go to’ person whenever the community needs an emcee for various occasions like weddings, sports carnival and my, he even did standup comedy at his company’s annual dinner. How does he do that?” she said curiously.

After the initial basic ten speeches, the programme offers up to 15 different speech manuals to be embarked on.

“Wait, there’s more?” She was bewildered.

What’s after Competent Communicator?

Toastmasters will look to upgrade and advance themselves through experimenting in various types of speech making. Here is the list of the advanced manuals:

1	:	The Entertaining Speaker
2	:	Speaking to Inform
3	:	Public Relations
4	:	Facilitating Discussion
5	:	Specialty Speeches
6	:	Speeches by Management
7	:	The Professional Speaker
8	:	Technical Presentation
9	:	Persuasive Speaking
10	:	Communicating on Video
11	:	Storytelling
12	:	Interpretive Reading
13	:	Interpersonal Communication
14	:	Special Occasion Speeches
15	:	Humorously Speaking

“That’s a lot of practice and it covers a wide range of situations where we can utilize the speaking skills, whether in the corporate world or personal life. Employers will value such employees as they will develop the essential know-how on handling a team, customers and be more productive. Therefore, there will be more doors of opportunity opened for them. On the personal level, it will make one a better communicator. No wonder my uncle has always been loved in his workplace and at home. I suppose he has done a combination of a few advanced manuals. I think I understand the intrinsic value of Toastmasters now,” she said.

Now you know the reason I’m still with Toastmasters. I have not finished yet. There’s still a Leadership track.

Just then, the waiter came over with my favourite grilled steak served with a generous amount of whipped potato while hers, the classic chicken chop. We put on our napkin, clanked glasses and started our dinner. The evening went on with chatter about our daily lives, bouts of laughter on silly encounters and some shy glances of each other.

I guess the Leadership track can wait.

To all Toastmasters, cheers to a great 2017 wherever you are!

Robin Yap

District 51

Division P Area 4 Director 2016/2017