It is a difficult time for many organizations. Certainly, Toastmasters International is not one of them! Now more than ever people, who learn to speak well and listen to others, share stories and express their vision, have the greatest opportunity to shape our world.

I joined Toastmasters in 2001 immediately after the death of my husband John.  Deeply moved to deliver his eulogy, I realized in that one transformation moment, that I needed to find my voice. My life-long fear of public speaking had silenced me countless times when my contribution would have meant so much to others.

So as one door slammed shut, another cracked open. My Toastmasters club gave me a safe place to overcome my fear of public speaking. In an environment of support and encouragement, I gained the confidence to share my stories and talk about what was important to me.  Taking that step showed me that the voice that I was looking for was always in me. It was just being silenced by a fear that no longer served me.

Toastmasters International is a worldwide organization with over 250,000 members. You can find a club near you by going to www.ToastmastersInternational.org .  Drop in and sample a meeting. Take on the challenge and become a better speaker, leader, and community member. No matter what you think about yourself as a speaker, you have a point of view that only you can share. Speak up and change the world!