A Toastmaster’s Journey
Storytelling lessons from Karen's more than 30 years in Toastmasters
I’d threatened to dip my toes in for years but failed to commit. I knew it would be good for me and I genuinely liked the people involved, but always found an excuse. “Need to get the kids to school at that time,” or whatever. Kids can find their own way to school.
My kids did not find their own way to school and I didn’t join the Toastmasters club at APS.
I did, however, have the chance to see some of the Toastmasters in action and was impressed. So much so that I’ve asked Karen (a celebrated Toastmaster and leader of Toastmasters) if she could share some insights into how Toastmasters made her a better storyteller. As if she wasn’t already busy enough, she agreed to and I am happy to share it now.
-Zane
My Toastmasters Journey
Most people would rather die than speak in front of a group of people! Are you one of these people? I was. The thought of speaking in front of a group was one of the most frightening things I could think of.
I was very shy growing up. When I got my first corporate job at APS, I knew I needed to do something to overcome my shyness. If I wanted to be successful, I needed to figure out how to break out of my shell.
I struggled with talking in a group – you know those meetings when you are asked to stand up, tell everyone your name and something interesting about yourself. My heart would begin to pound, my hands would sweat, and I thought – there’s nothing interesting about me.
That’s when I found Toastmasters. Toastmasters is an international organization designed to help members become better speakers. But that’s not all – Toastmasters members learn how to write speeches, how to manage time, prepare for impromptu and extemporaneous presentations, as well as how to listen and evaluate a speech.
Tabletopics is the scariest and one of the best parts of Toastmasters – this is where you learn to think on your feet, and answer questions you are not prepared to answer. It develops the ability to talk with anyone at any time about almost anything! Leadership opportunities abound in Toastmasters at the club level and beyond.
The best part of Toastmasters, in my opinion, is the caring, encouraging, supportive environment. I love watching new members develop their confidence, find their voice and deliver amazing speeches.
I have been in Toastmasters for over 30 years. I have served as President of my club twice, and have served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President of Membership, and Vice President of Education. I also served in the District as an Area Directory, Division Director and Treasurer. I was the first Distinguished Toastmaster in the history of our club, which is over 60 years old.
I did not join Toastmasters because I thought I would be speaking to groups of people. I joined so I could speak up with my fellow co-workers, so I could talk with my boss without nervousness and so I could be successful in my career. However, it turned out that I did speak to groups, big and small.
Without Toastmasters I would not have been able to speak to groups, and to have accomplished all that I have in my career. I have been involved in our employee giving campaign for many years and led the companywide campaign twice. I was a Loaned Executive for Valley of the Sun United Way and talked in front of large groups of employees about the importance of giving back to our communities. I helped to form two employee network groups. I have helped develop several programs in these groups. I have spoken in front of our executives.
I became a leader and now a manager.
I have gained much respect in many areas of my career – the confidence I have gained, the ability to talk in front of groups, being able to voice my opinions, speak up when I need to is because I made the decision to join Toastmasters.
Being part of Toastmasters allows you to not only learn to speak, but to write – to take a topic, a thought, a part of your life and shape it into a story. I have cried, laughed, been moved, and learned so much about my fellow Toastmasters. I have also learned that I was able to do something I only thought about when I watched other speakers.
Through the encouragement and support you receive in Toastmasters, you learn how to tell a story, how to engage an audience, how to bring humor, happiness, sadness, and other emotions into your speech.
I have shared stories of almost losing my daughter while I was pregnant, losing my mom and what that meant to me, the plight of our planet and what we can do to help, giving back to our communities and many other topics.
Without the support of my fellow Toastmasters, the structure of the program and the desire to improve myself, I would not be the Toastmaster and speaker I am today. Toastmasters has truly changed my life.
-Karen
I love that so much of the power Karen has discovered within herself has come through sharing of herself and the stories who have made her into the person she is. To be able to have a safe, non-judgmental and uplifting space to do that regularly is empowering. And I’m certain in lifting herself up, she lifted up those who were there with her, listening
.