The Rotary Club was delighted to welcome three members of Toastmasters District 42. Rotary and Toastmasters have formed an organizational partnership over the past few years, to develop training programs, leadership training programs, provide service opportunities and general support each other.
We welcomed Bev Le Blanc, Program Quality Director in District 42, Dave Schaaf from Lethbridge and Tom Simpson, the President of local Circle T Toastmasters club in Medicine Hat. Dave Schaaf shared some of the thinking behind the partnership and some recent activity, while Tom shared his Toastmasters experience. All were introduced by Past President Margie Booyens.
Dave spoke about the nature of both organizations, and how the Rotary Learning Center, on MYROTARY, has adopted a number of modules developed by Toastmasters. He also spoke about the Pathways program within Toastmasters, the first major re-write of programing in Toastmasters since it's inception. He described a typical meeting, how it operates and what the objectives are for the participants.
Tom spoke about the usefulness of Toastmaster training and experience in his personal and professional life, and how it helps build confidence and skills in almost everyone who attends. The local club meets each Tuesday from 6:30 - 7:30 via ZOOM. When the pandemic restrictions are lifted, their face to face meetings will be returning to the Anglican church hall at 606 12th ST SW. Any Rotary members are most welcome to drop in, there is no obligation and they can learn about the organization.
The link for the meeting can be obtained by emailing their membership chair Ryan O'Reilly at ryanoreilly@live.ca or himself at tom21@telusplanet.net
A number of questions were asked and answered and more information on Toastmasters is available at http://www.toastmaster.org