Making a new year resolution may seem like a cliché, but January is always a good time to reflect on the past and the future. Maybe your need to change to a new job, take on a new voluntary role, or maybe you just want to gain confidence to speak to other people in a formal or social setting.
Most of us are fearful of making a speech to a room full of people. But with Worthing Speakers, you will find yourself in a very friendly and supportive environment.
Our club consists of some 30 members – all at varying stages of their progression through the Toastmasters educational plan. This programme is specially designed in 11 different subject areas (or pathways) to guide our members through different levels of speaking and leadership skills.
This all may sound very complicated, but in reality, our meetings are tremendous fun. Although organised formally, everyone has a chance to participate and, with a smile, communicate thoughts and events to other people. During the year the club has themed meetings, a couple of educational meetings and a couple of contest evenings. So, there is a wide variety of activities going on at our twice-monthly gatherings.
At each meeting, members give prepared speeches, receiving positive and encouraging feedback from members and, more specifically, from the evaluator appointed for that particular speech. It is a wonderful way to develop and hone the skills you already have.
The second half of the meeting is usually a Table Topics® session. Table Topics is a Toastmaster term to describe impromptu speaking. The person in charge of this section of the meeting dreams up some interesting questions to pose to several members and guests. With no time to prepare, the speaker devises a speech lasting up to two minutes in a concise and structured way. For example, the question may be “spicy food or plain – which is your preferred option?”
The response doesn’t have to be completely true - it is simply a test of your ability to speak and think on the hoof. It is an ideal way to practise for a job interview.
A grammarian always gives us a word of the day and members try to include it in their speeches and at the end of the meeting an experienced toastmaster evaluates the entire meeting, pointing out areas where the club can make improvements.
Joining Worthing Speakers could be the best thing you ever did in 2022. It only costs £8 per month with a small joining fee for the first pathway of £20. You are most welcome to come along as a guest for a couple of meetings to see if you like what we do. We meet at the Burlington hotel on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month (except December) at 7:15 for 7:30. Why not try us out this January?