20220708 - What does Toastmaster

What does Toastmaster mean?

Dear Toastmasters, 

Why do you join toastmaster? 

Why do you stay here?  

What does toastmaster mean to you? 

Many people would tell me the slogan,  Toastmasters is where leaders are made. 

But What does a leader mean?  A title, a position in the company, or something else? 

Before answering this question, let me share my story. 

About 10 years ago, in April 2012 I attended a toastmaster club meeting the first time, I was shy at that time so I was nervous since I didn't know anyone in the room and I was totally frustrated on what a toastmaster meeting was going on.  The guy next to saw me was a new comer and introduced me the meeting process and gave me an agenda. Everyone I met smiled to me even we don't know each other.  I felt calm and a little comfortable finally. 

After joining the club, I was assigned a great mentor. She is a good teacher and very kind to me. Before my first speech, she wrote me a 500 words email to guide me how to write a speech, including openning, body and conclusion, etc, Finally she encouraged me and ask me to keep easy because every toastmaster would support no matter what my speech was. 

It is first truth I learnt in toastmaster. Even I was shaking when I was speaking on the stage but I got the highest praise in my life on that meeting.  After 10 years I still clearly remembered my evaluator said I would became Obama one day. Haha, I didn't became Obama but I could speak fluently and confidently  right now.  

Besides, I could get help any time. Everybody are smiled and eager to share with me his/her knowledge/skills. I always can get praise, encouragement, respect here. I promised there is no place you can receive so much help and praise other than toastmaster clubs. 

In 2 years Toastmaster totally changed me from a shy guy to a confident speaker, even won 1st place in division level(above club level) speech contest.  I knew this is due to the help and support from other toastmasters. I knew it was my turn to contribute and to help others grow. 

So I became club president and later became area director to serve more clubs and more toastmaster members. I became a leader. 

Leader doesn't necessarily mean a title, authority and power. Leader means if you can impact or influence others, like the way those did to help me in toastmaster clubs. They didn't just speak, they took action. They listen to me rather than command me, encourage me rather than criticize me, mentor me rather than tell me,  they lead by example rather than simply push.  

Leaders are like a pearl, they connect to another and other, finally they form a pearl chain and make it bigger and bigger. 

Leaders know that the best way to grow is to help others grow, leaders know the best way to accomplish is to rely on team. 

Leaders are around us everywhere. 

as a club member, you can guide others, coach others and even support others. 

As parent,  you can show as your kids example. 

As team member,  you can cooperate with others. 

When you do more and more, you are a leader, you are made.