When Aeschines spoke, they said, 'How well he speaks', but when Demosthenes spoke, they said 'Let us march against Philip.'
Last week I mentioned that I've been attending Toastmasters the past few months, an organization design to help people improve in their public speaking and leadership skills. In that post I introduced two of the members of our Duluth, Dave Boe and Randine LePage. Here are three more members of our tribe, Duluth Toastmaster Club 1523.
Katy Hursh is currently an administrative assistant for a company here in Duluth.
EN: How long have you been with Toastmasters?
Katy Hursh: I have been in Toastmasters since September 2018. I had been asked to be the main speaker at two separate events and was looking for a way to beef up my public speaking skills. I had never heard of Toastmasters but happened upon it after looking for public speaking on line. I joined Toastmasters for practice and getting some feedback in preparation to speak.
I have gained a great deal of confidence, and how to read an audience and deliver a speech with impact. It's been very rewarding. I appreciate all the roles members are encouraged to be involved in from giving speeches, keeping time, evaluating grammar. All skills add to being a better speaker.
* * * *
Wulf Gar works for St. Louis county in the 911 area, as an administrative person, mainly responsible for time cards and training documents for the 911 dispatchers.
EN: How long have you been with Toastmasters?
Wulf Gar: I started in May of 2019. So it's been 9 months now. Yikes, that doesn't seem like a lot. I think it might seem longer because we pack a bunch of information into every meeting.
EN: What prompted you to join?
WG: A friend of mine kept remarking on my "accidental leadership urges." She pointed out that I can't just participate in something, I have to organize and recruit and lead. And it is accidental. Or at least I'm not intending to do it. She wanted me to explore where this comes from. She wondered if I could hone it and harness it for good. So, she suggested Toastmasters as they advertised Leadership education. The rest is history, as they say.
EN: What have you learned?
WG: Quite a bit. I was the captain of my speech team in high school, so I already had a basic grounding. But in Toastmasters I'm learning timing, tone, and audience engagement. I'm learning how to construct a speech, how to motivate and inspire people, and give and receive proper feedback.
EN: Anything else you would like to add?
WG: I'm having a great time in Toastmasters. The people are awesome, the education is top-notch, and I honestly can't wait to see what happens next.
* * * *
Yana Stockman, a Transition Life Coach whom I interviewed just before Christmas, was born in Ukraine. English is her third language. She is currently club president for Club 1523.
EN: How long have you been with Toastmasters and what prompted you to join?
Yana Stockman: 1 year and 3 months. I joined because of a desire for self-improvement and challenge of being out of my comfort zone. Also, the desire to inspire and empower the audience in order to promote personal development and self-awareness. I believe in consistency and if putting the focus on improvement is the only way to become the best version of ourselves.
EN: What have you learned?
YS: Public speaking is a powerful tool, it could lift you up and bring you down. I am continuously learning and evolving as a speaker meeting after meeting. So far by preparing and delivering speeches, I've learned:
• How powerful it is to deliver the story and how everyone's story is unique.
• Ability in my leadership skills.
• Confidence in public speaking appearance.
• Consistency in improving my speeches.
• Being persuasive as a speaker and team member.
• Not to apologize for my accent. Everyone has an accent when they speak a foreign language, and that is an integral part of who we are.
EN: Tell us more about your career.
YS: I am Transition Life Coach and Motivational Public Speaker. I help people to navigate through life transitions and one of my intentions in joining Toastmasters was to enhance my message with confidence, empower with persuasiveness and share my story.
EN: Anything else you would like to add?
YS: It is very important to explore goals and know how Toastmasters could help you meet them. It starts with the vision of what you want and what is your "why" when it comes to public speaking. The real prize is what we learn and who we become in the process.
Duluth Toastmasters Club 1523 meets on Thursday evenings from 6:15 to 7:30 PM. Guests are always welcome, and tonight we're having a special guest. Come a little early and find out what we are about.
Last week I mentioned that I've been attending Toastmasters the past few months, an organization design to help people improve in their public speaking and leadership skills. In that post I introduced two of the members of our Duluth, Dave Boe and Randine LePage. Here are three more members of our tribe, Duluth Toastmaster Club 1523.
EN: How long have you been with Toastmasters?
Katy Hursh: I have been in Toastmasters since September 2018. I had been asked to be the main speaker at two separate events and was looking for a way to beef up my public speaking skills. I had never heard of Toastmasters but happened upon it after looking for public speaking on line. I joined Toastmasters for practice and getting some feedback in preparation to speak.
I have gained a great deal of confidence, and how to read an audience and deliver a speech with impact. It's been very rewarding. I appreciate all the roles members are encouraged to be involved in from giving speeches, keeping time, evaluating grammar. All skills add to being a better speaker.
* * * *
Wulf Gar works for St. Louis county in the 911 area, as an administrative person, mainly responsible for time cards and training documents for the 911 dispatchers.
EN: How long have you been with Toastmasters?
Wulf Gar: I started in May of 2019. So it's been 9 months now. Yikes, that doesn't seem like a lot. I think it might seem longer because we pack a bunch of information into every meeting.
EN: What prompted you to join?
EN: What have you learned?
WG: Quite a bit. I was the captain of my speech team in high school, so I already had a basic grounding. But in Toastmasters I'm learning timing, tone, and audience engagement. I'm learning how to construct a speech, how to motivate and inspire people, and give and receive proper feedback.
EN: Anything else you would like to add?
WG: I'm having a great time in Toastmasters. The people are awesome, the education is top-notch, and I honestly can't wait to see what happens next.
* * * *
Yana Stockman, a Transition Life Coach whom I interviewed just before Christmas, was born in Ukraine. English is her third language. She is currently club president for Club 1523.
Yana Stockman: 1 year and 3 months. I joined because of a desire for self-improvement and challenge of being out of my comfort zone. Also, the desire to inspire and empower the audience in order to promote personal development and self-awareness. I believe in consistency and if putting the focus on improvement is the only way to become the best version of ourselves.
EN: What have you learned?
YS: Public speaking is a powerful tool, it could lift you up and bring you down. I am continuously learning and evolving as a speaker meeting after meeting. So far by preparing and delivering speeches, I've learned:
• How powerful it is to deliver the story and how everyone's story is unique.
• Ability in my leadership skills.
• Confidence in public speaking appearance.
• Consistency in improving my speeches.
• Being persuasive as a speaker and team member.
• Not to apologize for my accent. Everyone has an accent when they speak a foreign language, and that is an integral part of who we are.
EN: Tell us more about your career.
YS: I am Transition Life Coach and Motivational Public Speaker. I help people to navigate through life transitions and one of my intentions in joining Toastmasters was to enhance my message with confidence, empower with persuasiveness and share my story.
EN: Anything else you would like to add?
YS: It is very important to explore goals and know how Toastmasters could help you meet them. It starts with the vision of what you want and what is your "why" when it comes to public speaking. The real prize is what we learn and who we become in the process.
* * * *
To quote the early 19th century newspaper editor and poet David Everett:
"Tall oaks from little acorns grow."
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