Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

|| High Country Press Newswire

June 5, 2008 issue

Toastmasters Club Forming in Boone/Blowing Rock

Kickoff Meeting June 10

Are your speaking skills rusty? Are you looking to improve those skills or to develop your leadership skills? Toastmasters can help.

Toastmasters is the world’s leading organization devoted to communication and leadership. Weekly meetings provide a supportive environment to improve speaking and listening skills.

Toastmasters are volunteers. Members come from all walks of life and represent a cross-section of the community. Toastmasters clubs have no teachers. Members take turns giving speeches and being evaluated by their peers. The program is self-directed and self-paced. It is a true learn-by-doing program.

Gain self-confidence through the encouragement, support and constructive feedback you receive from fellow members. Polish your public-speaking skills. Develop listening and evaluation skills. Enhance leadership potential. Learn to facilitate effective on-time meetings. Discover how to use visual aids and body language to enhance your presentations. Members are friendly and supportive—you can’t help but become a better speaker!

What do others say about Toastmasters? “For me, it took getting into a formal organization—such as Toastmasters—to understand what communication is all about,” said Peter Coors, CEO of Coors Brewing Company

But what does it cost? Total annual fees are usually less than $100—significantly less than many other communication programs.

A new club is forming in the Boone/Blowing Rock area. The first meeting will be at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock on Tuesday, June 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Attend this kickoff meeting to see a Toastmasters club in action.

For additional information, contact Glenda Teams at 828-310-8491 or glenda@cpadvisorsus.com or Maki Ben-Avari at 828-414-4509 or aloeweepin@hotmail.com.