Dear Visitor,
It would be my upmost pleasure to welcome you as a member of London Victorians, London’s finest Toastmasters club!
I still remember my first Toastmasters meeting as if it happened yesterday! On a lovely early spring, March 19th 2013 in a pub in Cheltenham as Cheltenham Speakers warmly welcomed me to their annual International Speech and Evaluation contest!
There were only two speakers that night. But their use of rhymes, vocal variety, strong body language and the passion in their voices convinced me to come back two weeks later. Two weeks after this second meeting I was a fully-fledged member of the club and of Toastmasters International! The rest as they say is history!
I first heard about Toastmasters in some self-help tapes purchased from the US in late 2006; however the lack of a nearby club meant that joining had to wait until that evening in 2013. While I had always been interested in public speaking and was indeed a keen trainer and debater at University. Toastmasters has surpassed my initial expectations in many, many ways!
It was at Toastmasters that I learnt the importance of structuring a speech, the power of using the right words at the right moment. How effective body language can dramatically enhance a speech. How our voices are musical instruments that should be used as such to liven up any speech, talk or even conversation!
But there is more to Toastmasters than just speaking!
Our slogan is “Where Leaders are made!” and just like public speaking, leadership is a skill that can be learn and mastered!
This begins with learning to become an effective listener and feedback giver. Be it as a speech evaluator, grammarian or even Toastmaster of the evening! Any member can become part of the club’s committee and I would urge every single one of you to consider and embrace the opportunity. Later one why not take part in leadership positions beyond the club level?
Whatever you might want to do, learn or improve. Toastmasters likely has it! So make the most of your membership and embrace opportunities as they come!
Welcome to Toastmasters, where speakers and leaders are made!
Florian Bay, DTM