The Odette School Of Business Toastmasters Club

THE PROBLEM

"So, you mean to tell me that..."

The age is five. Yes, you read it correctly "five". Statistics show that the majority of children are able to speak coherently and be understood clearly by the age of five. With this piece of information it can be concluded that we, as human beings, have been communicating for the majority of our lives. As basic as breathing, eating and feeling pain, the ability to communicate is very deeply ingrained in our subconscious, our very being. If the old adage remains true, that “practice makes perfect”, then the process of communication should be a straightforward almost effortless task for each of us. However, today multiple surveys show that public speaking is ranked as the #1 fear in the world. Even more startling, is that the fear of public speaking is almost unanimously ranked as #1 even above the fear of death. This means that the average individual would prefer to be dead than to deliver a presentation or speech in the front of an audience of people. In my mind, this is a problem that needs a solution.

THE REASON

"Did someone say fear?"

Dale Carnegie was an American writer that developed many famous courses on self improvement, corporate training and public speaking. Mr. Carnegie was regarded as one of the best orators of our time, and before his death he made a statement that was quite compelling. The summarized statement reads:

“Fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind. Thus, you can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so and take action. Inaction breeds more doubt and fear. But action fosters confidence and courage.”

As stated above, the #1 fear in the entire world is public speaking. But, after reading this statistic we need to ask ourselves two simple questions. Firstly, for what reasons do individuals fear public speaking? Secondly, although people fear public speaking why was this fear allowed to become the #1 fear in the world? The answers are simple.

A famous axiom says that “people fear the unknown”. And this same principle holds true for public speaking. The primary reason why individuals fear public speaking is that they lack experience in doing it and because of this they feel as though they will embarrass themselves. This fear continues to develop, and like a cancer, grows into something which ultimately prevents them from ever attempting public speaking or even trying to improve their communiciation ability. This is the major mistake that many people make and this is why pubic speaking is the #1 fear in the world. As stated above, this is a problem that needs a solution.

THE SOLUTION

"The Odette School Of Business Toastmasters Club"

Toastmasters International is an association that assists individuals in the development of public speaking skills and leadership ability. Toastmasters International is the premier authority for public speaking and communication internationally, and presently there are approximately 211,000 members in 10,500 clubs in 90 countries around the world. The Odette School of Business Toastmasters Club is a local chapter of the Toastmasters International Association.

At the Odette School of Business Toastmasters, we help you to overcome your fear of public speaking through the preparation and delivery of many different types of speeches. Our club is a proven way to improve your communication ability. By joining this Toastmasters group, you will become a better speaker and leader and gain personal confidence to succeed in whatever career path you have chosen to pursue. Some additional benefits of membership include:

§ Improving your written communication skills

§ Leading teams and conducting meetings easily

§ Improving your time management skills

§ Giving and receiving constructive evaluations

§ Becoming a more effective listener

§ Sharpening your leadership ability

§ Access to numerous educational materials (books, manuals, magazines etc.)

Developed by Wellington O. Hepburn

July to August 2007