KEY WEST TOASTMASTERS — MORE THAN LEARNING TO SAY ‘CHEERS’

Club Teaches Effective Communication Skills

Have you ever heard about a Toastmaster club and wondered what it was? You aren’t the only one — and what a strange name. But some 280,000 people who belong to about 14,700 clubs in 144 countries do know what Toastmasters is. One of those clubs is in Key West.

A little background…

Ralph Smedley began an organization when he worked at a YMCA in California back in 1924. He realized effective communication skills are directly proportional to success in life and professionally. His first group met in the basement, but everyone was there because they were interested in improving their speaking skills in a supportive, informal environment.

Eventually, they named the group Toastmasters and word spread. Like most service organizations back then, it was only men.

Key West Toastmasters has been around since 1986 and boasts an impressive list of Key West leaders who have been members through the decades.

How does it work?

Specific information is at keywesttoastmasters. org. But most people join because they have a fear of standing in front of people to give a report, speak at a commission meeting, pray at church — any kind of speaking experience that makes them nervous.

The environment is friendly and nurturing, so it doesn’t take long to realize you can overcome this fear.

Members come from all aspects of the community from Key West to Marathon, as well as a reverse snowbird member from Michigan, Carol Prahinski, who is here for the summer and recently served on the Toastmasters International board of directors.

Current president Juan Benitez is from Argentina and works with Keller Williams Real Estate.

“I’ve been a member since September 2021. It’s had a great impact on my confidence towards communication and not just in public speaking, but how I communicated in general,” he said. “I’m very grateful towards the program.”

Grace Epperly, development coordinator at Wesley House, said, “I’ve only been a member of Toastmasters for about a year and a half, but I have already learned so much that has benefited me in my public speaking for Wesley House Family Services.”

Missy Martinez of Key West Hospitality Inns has not even been a member for a year, but jumped right in and is finishing Level 2. “I joined Toastmasters in June 2022. I was petrified of giving a speech or talk in front of people. My first speech had me spinning all day, but with each speech I do I feel more and more comfortable. I didn’t think it was possible to lose my fear so quickly.”

It’s not a formal “course.” Attendance isn’t taken. You get out of it what you put in it. Everything in Toastmasters revolves around the club, which offers a learn-by-doing experience in which members practice speaking, communication and leadership skills in a comfortable atmosphere. There is no “instructor,” but rather members evaluate each other as an integral part of the educational program. Members also assume roles in the meetings, give impromptu talks on assigned topics, conduct meetings and serve as officers in various leadership roles. Hence the tagline, “Where leaders are made.”

The cost is $55 for a six-month membership, with an additional, one-time, new member charge of $20. If you move and join another club, you’re new to that club, not Toastmasters, so you never pay that again. Where can you get that kind of training for that amount?

Contests are held twice a year, starting with club contests. Winners progress to area, division and district finals. The winner of the district international speech contest then progresses to possibly become the world champion of public speaking at the annual international convention in August. Key West member Ben Jaindl competed in the Table Topics and Evaluation contests. Since the pandemic, they have been virtual and he finally got his trophies.

Key West Toastmasters meets on the second and fourth Tuesday for one hour at noon at the Gato Building. Visitors are welcome to observe or participate. For more information visit keywesttoastmasters.org or call 305-295-7501.