Toastmasters International, the world’s largest group dedicated to helping people improve their speaking and leadership skills, is starting a club in Davidson. The new club plans it inaugural meeting Aug. 26, 6-7:15 p.m., at Davidson Parks & Recreation, 416 Armour St. Doors open at 5:45.
This will be the non-profit organization’s fourth new club in the Lake Norman Area in two years. Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, the founder of Toastmasters in 1924 said people learn best when they are having fun. Toastmasters members learn and enjoy the process to benefit personally and professionally.
“Toastmasters has helped millions of people worldwide conquer their fear of public speaking, improve their presentation and leadership skills and even find new talents and careers once they find their voice,” said Anette Powell, North Carolina New Club Chair-West.
Toastmasters continues to thrive in North Carolina during the recession. The state was the organization’s No. 1 district last year for member achievements.
Toastmasters clubs are self-supporting. All members are volunteers and low fees cover costs of supplies, rent and materials.
There are two kinds of Toastmasters clubs: open clubs for the public and closed clubs that operate for employees within individual companies. Davidson will be an open club, Ms. Powell said.
OTHER LAKE NORMAN CLUBS
In 1997, the first area club opened and is now the award winning Lake Norman Toastmasters Club that meets on Monday nights at the Sandler Sales Institute in Cornelius. The Lake Norman Club is going for its ninth year as a President’s Distinguished Club, which is the highest honor a club can achieve.
Due to demand and growth in the Lake Norman area, three new clubs have opened since 2008.
The newest, formed in in June, is Crossroads of the Carolinas Club in Statesville. In June 2008, the Advanced Communicators of Charlotte Club was chartered, and is open to Toastmasters who have completed the first objective – the Competent Communicator Award.
Last September, the lunchtime Toastmasters at the Lake Club began meeting Thursdays at 11:45 a.m. at Alhara International in Mooresville.
For more information, contact Anette Powell at 704-655-7479 or AnettePowell@excellerationpoint.com or visit . www.toastmasters.org
