Ottawa Toastmasters

Fifty-six years young!

How much has changed in the 56 years since Ottawa Toastmasters was formally constituted?  World superpowers have come and gone.  Global economic activity is now based on knowledge to an extent never seen before.  A constant remains however, the need for efficient communication and leadership in business and everyday life.

That is why April 27 is an important date in the calendar.  Some notable events on that day included:

-       The beginning in 2006 of the construction of the Freedom Tower where the World Trade Centre once stood.

-       Students’ protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989.

-       Prime Minister Lester Pearson lighting a flame to open Expo 67.

-       Toastmasters International granted Ottawa Toastmasters its charter.

Today, Ottawa Toastmasters is still serving its 30-some current members.  Just as Smedley Number One Club in Santa Ana, California founded in 1924 as Club No.1, Ottawa Toastmasters benefits from an unbroken chain of volunteers and members who preceded them and lived up to the ideals of Ralph Smedley, the founder of Toastmasters International.

Dr Smedley knew he had a winning idea when each of his attempts to create Toastmasters clubs at the YMCA locations he worked out attracted and retained young people eager to improve their communication skills.  Unfortunately, these early clubs later failed when he moved to a different town.  That is until Toastmasters International came into being in 1932.

None of the 2011 members were there in 1956 when our Club obtained its birth certificate, the charter we proudly put on display during meetings, but they all share a passion for self-improvement and a commitment to a vibrant Club life.  Just as Smedley learned that succession planning was of paramount importance to clubs’ continued existence, Ottawa Toastmasters members are encouraged to step forward and assume executive roles.  They help the Club ensure its perennity; they live and learn by the motto “Where Leaders Are Made”.

Toastmasters helps with public speaking, but it is about so much more; personal growth in communication and leadership.  That has remained true since 1955 at Ottawa’s first Toastmasters club.

Athena, Goddess of Wisdom

At the beginning of Homer’s Odyssey, Athena disguises herself as a king known as ‘Mentes’ and advises Telemachus to search for his father in Sparta. This sound advice provided by Mentes/Athena is the oldest recorded mentoring relationship and the reason why mentor is defined as a “wise and trusted guide and advisor”.

By joining Ottawa Toastmasters, you have the opportunity to be matched with your own mentor, who unfortunately will not be the goddess of wisdom in disguise. They are however, a more experienced member who can advise you on how to begin your own journey.  Here are some things that they can help you with:

• Explain the Toastmasters educational program (Communication & Leadership Tracks) as well as the structure of the organization
• Show you the Toastmasters International web site and the available educational materials
• Help you to understand and participate in the various meeting roles
• Assist you to complete your first speech and support you as you present it
• Tell you how you can continue to grow through the club officer roles
• Challenge you to set goals and motivate you

Your mentor can help you because they understand what you are going through.  They experienced the same challenges when they were a new member. They gain as well through learning leadership skills and seeing you succeed.

Come out to one of our meetings and take the first step on your own journey to becoming a better communicator and leader.

Happy New Year from your Ottawa Toastmasters Club.

January is a time for resolutions and new beginnings. Why not start off the new year with a bang and develop that skill you’ve been putting off… Public speaking!

Does the thought of speaking at the front of a room make your knees wobble? Are you frustrated you can’t communicate with audiences like you can with individuals? Do you like to challenge yourself and push your boundaries?

If you answered YES to any of these questions (or you just want to check us out), then come to the Sandy Hill Community Centre on any Thursday night at 6:00pm to be a guest at our club.

When you visit us, you will find a warm and friendly atmosphere with speakers of all different abilities. Our goal is to create opportunities for people to practice public speaking in a safe environment where they can develop the skills to become a dynamic communicator.

Come out to one of our meetings where you can see what we do, and what we can offer you.

-Your Ottawa Toastmasters Club