My friend, Brendel, recently asked me if there is any humility left in me. And I told her, I admit to not knowing things when I do not know anything and I rarely do things I am not good at. The very next day, I attended a meeting of the Davao Noontime Toastmasters Club.
I though I was a good public speaker. I though wrong. Attending the meeting was a very humbling experience. I was scared out of my wits and stammered and stuttered the entire time. FAIL!
For about two months, my uncle, Rene Lizada has been inviting me to join their Toastmasters meeting. But due to different events, illnesses, and other reasons, I was only able to attend last Friday.
According to their site, Toastmasters is “a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations.” Toastmasters clubs hold regular meetings in which the members are all tasked to speak in one way or another. There is a Toastmaster of the Day, Formal Speakers, a Table Topics Session, a Light Interlude, and Evaluation.
When I attended last Friday, the featured Noonie (Noontime Toastmaster) was Advanced Toastmaster Rene Lizada. He’s an educator, writer and columnist, currently employed as an HR Director, and a professional resource speaker and trainor. He was the resource speaker during our Creative Writing Workshop for Bloggers. In the Noonie Programme, he was described as having three roles in the club: “heckler, mentor and tormentor.” He was also that afternoon’s Table Topics Session Master.
Sa madaling salita, he’s an accomplished writer and public speaker and everyone in the group respected him and is intimidated by him. Ergo, I felt even more pressure and was very much stressed by the situation.
I was petrified when TM DM Baldoza called me to use the Word of the Day in a sentence. The word was “acuity.” I was able to use it properly. I think.
I was even more scared when I was asked to give my feedback of the meeting during the evaluation portion.
It was not just a humbling experience but also a challenging one. The Toastmasters were really good in public speaking. Something which I expected but still surprised me a lot.
I am still thinking if I still have enough energy in me to start out a new thing.
What do you think?
Nice, I know a lot of people who are toastmasters as well and keep inviting me to join them as well…and yes the problem is time since ang daming events ug responsibilities @_@
Thank you, Ria, for this very beautiful write up about our club. Contrary to what you thought that you failed, you did well. But you are right in feeling so inadequate because I also felt that way when I first attended their meeting.
We would love to see you join our club. We will help you maximize what you have in you plus you will learn more. In doing so, we will also learn from you. It is a mutual learning process and most of all, it is fun.
I am so flattered that you posted my picture in your blog. Thank you so much
Thank you Ms. Nem! 🙂
I will try to attend this Friday. I hope I don’t have anything to do.
Iggy, try it. It’s fun! 🙂 But very intimidating.
With your talent, it would be a wasted opportunity if we leave you quiet in one corner. But I promise…we won’t bite you. Hehehe. See ya, Charming Ria.
Thanks for sharing your experience. My husband and I joined toastmaster last June here in our city. To my surprise finding out that most people would rather die than give a speech! The reason I joined toastmasters was not to cheat death… instead I want to overcome my fear in public speaking and gain more confidence. It’s a priceless reward! Please check out our website, it is updated weekly. Hope I could visit your club next time I come home.
Happy toasting!
Rose Paja – Timmons
Afterburners Toastmasters
Club 6191, Area 12, Division A, District 25
Toastmasters International
It is really intimidating to join a Toastmasters Club nowadays. Look at the profile of the members..it intimidates me.