Toast-a-monials

I joined Simply Speaking 10 years ago to become a better speaker and to have more confidence in myself, and it's happened! This club has become my second family. It's full of friends who I love to grow with and help. I've really enjoyed the roles I've filled, like club secretary and VP of Membership. That's helped become a better leader at work. I really look forward to being here every Thursday at 7 pm.

The best idea I received from Toastmasters is the "sandwich" method where by using praise first then constructive ideas for improvements and then finishing up with something positive. It has helped me improve communication with adults as well as kids. Using this method helps see individuals more holistically. Instead of focusing on what's wrong allows me to paint a bigger picture about what' is right with others.

"Toastmasters helped me gain the confidence I had lost after a toxic job I held. I left that job dreading to speak up in a meeting. Within a year of joining Simply Speaking I was at a new job as a Marketing Manager, speaking confidently before a crowd of a hundred! I am now on the Toastmaster Leadership track and can’t wait to see where that takes me."

After I sold my business five years ago, I joined Simply Speaking. I finally had time to spend increasing my confidence in talking to people in different situations. I also wanted to be a better leader at home and at church. I push myself to do better each time I speak. I know I get a lot out of it, and I like to think I'm helping others grow, too.

I love it when visitors come and ask a lot of questions. That way they know what we're trying to accomplish. Our club keeps growing because we make it easy to understand.

Although I have been a member of Simply Speaking for just a short time, I can testify to the power of connection the group has with one another. This is seen in the genuine support that is offered in helping newcomers develop their speaking skills. I have developed an increased skill base in public speaking. This group has helped me to express myself in ways that have been locked in a treasure box, just waiting to be discovered and acknowledged by others. Additionally, I have become more comfortable with making mistakes and being okay with it. It is because of the loving support of everyone, and knowing and accepting that we are all learning on this stage of life. But, it does not stop there. The group truly functions as an extended family in supporting one another in ways that are very individualized and personal. I am grateful for the opportunity of being a part of this life changing group of people.

“I joined the Toastmasters organization to polish my skills as a Public Affairs Officer and Human Resources Recruiter for the Denver Sheriff's Department. It prepared me with the communication skills and leadership development to become an effective communicator. What I love the most about my Toastmasters experience is the ongoing training to keep my skills sharp. My most notable benefit came when I unexpectedly got laid off from the City of County of Denver after 15 years. As a result of my experience with Toastmasters, it gave me the competitive edge I needed to be hired on with the federal government immediately after my layoff, in the midst of a tough job market. The most rewarding experience for me as a Toastmaster is mentoring new members, helping them discover their potential and empowering them to emerge as the communicators and leaders the world is calling for today.”