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Toastmasters welcomes new, interested members

  • Published
  • By Airman Rebekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. --  Toastmasters International McGuire Achievers III is currently seeking new members. 

"In Toastmasters, members build leadership skills by organizing and conducting meetings and motivating others to help them," said Steve Henry, 305th Mission Support Squadron manpower management analysis and vice president of McGuire Toastmasters membership. "Members of Toastmasters learn to speak with conviction, listen with empathy and think creatively. Bottom line, Toastmasters helps members build self confidence and the power to overcome the fear of public speaking." 

Another McGuire Toastmasters member seems to agree. 

"Toastmasters provides an opportunity to develop self confidence in public speaking through experience," said Dave Horswell, 305th Maintenance Operations Squadron chief of maintenance analysis and six-year Toastmasters member. "The club also provides a speaker immediate feedback and that immediate feedback is an immediate opportunity to improve (based on the evaluations that take place)." 

Mr. Henry said Toastmasters can also benefit members in their military career. 

"As an Air Force member, it is important not only to have leadership skills, but to continuously sharpen those skills," he said. "Remember, managers need leadership skills too. Toastmasters club challenges these skills by providing everyone a role at each meeting. We incorporate each person's individual goals into our club goals and focus these efforts toward meeting the standards set by Toastmasters International Headquarters. In the last two years, McGuire Achievers achieved the highest standard set by TI, the Presidential Distinguished Club. 

The Toastmaster meetings allow members opportunities to speak and listen. 

"Toastmasters is as much a listening organization as it is a speaking one," said Mr. Henry. "The agenda includes a Toastmaster of the day, this individual chairs the activities, like a master of ceremonies does; a general evaluator, this individual leads the evaluation team, which is comprised of a timer, a grammarian and evaluators. When time permits, we vary the meeting with 'Table Topics,' which give members impromptu speaking opportunities. While some members get leadership roles during a meeting, everyone gets speaking opportunities." 

Mr. Henry said Toastmasters has helped him grow personally and professionally. 

"Toastmasters has helped me improve as a speaker, a listener and a writer. My abilities as a leader and manager (planning, organizing, directing and controlling) have improved tremendously. I can prepare and give a presentation, whether I have 20 days, 20 hours or 20 minutes to prepare for it. I am better prepared, and I plan on becoming more active in the Air Force and civilian communities." 

Toastmasters International McGuire Achievers III meetings are held the first and third Wednesdays of each month. For more information or to join, call Steve Henry at (609) 754-3192.