My Worst Nightmare

LaShawn Carter

The first time I heard about Toastmasters I was in college. An invited speaker at my Marketing Club advised that it was a great way to hone your speaking skills. I was immediately intimidated. My worst nightmare came to mind. All I could picture was a lecture hall of 300 people and having to speak for an hour about something I knew absolutely nothing about. Anyone who knows anything about Toastmasters knows it’s all about timing. I wasn't ready to tackle my fear. It was the wrong time.

Fast forward to last year…I became a charter member of a Toastmasters club at work. What changed between now and then? This time around, I was open to the idea. I saw Toastmasters as a way to polish my rough edges and I hoped it would get me noticed at work. More importantly, Toastmasters would give me the skills to conquer my worst nightmare.

I attended my first Afterburners meeting in mid January 2011 after the club at work disbanded. I was immediately impressed because this club is very well organized and I was welcomed with open arms. Everything fit perfectly. The day, time, and location fit my schedule. The level of expertise and professionalism was exactly what I was looking for. And the demographic makeup was diverse. I was even matched with a mentor.

Toastmasters is developing my speaking skills. I always made eye contact, but now I work the room and pause for dramatic effect. I’m still working on my volume levels and vocal variety. But that will come in time. For me, Afterburners is like therapy, but a whole lot cheaper. I know I can call on anyone in this club for anything, especially my mentor, Pat Quick. I made up my mind that I cannot miss Afterburners on Tuesday nights. It’s like church on Sunday morning...if I miss, I feel that my week just doesn't go right.

My goal for Toastmasters is to conquer my worst nightmare. I want to make an informative, yet entertaining presentation to a group of 300+ people for an extended length of time. I don't want to just do it. I want to do it well. With continued training and guidance from Toastmasters, it's just a matter of time.

Chapter Two

Saraí Garcia Olmos

This fall at Afterburners Toastmasters has been a memorable one! I was finally able to present chapter two of the “novel” that I’ve been working on. Like most aspiring authors I was experiencing writer’s block.  Although I did not physically write anything down, my family here at Afterburners has helped me develop this ongoing tale about a character named Peter. I introduced him earlier this year and had hoped to continue his story throughout a number of subsequent speeches. 

After presenting my story to the club, I received numerous praises. I never imagined that the response would be so great.  It made me proud.  Everyone gave me lots of compliments and encouragement. I was even asked to deliver a part two! This is what ultimately helped me continue developing Peter’s story.

My club members have also helped me focus on wording and delivery so that I can continue to capture the audience. I am so thankful to be able to share my side projects with my club and in return get the feedback I need to polish it. So, come and join the fun! Who knows? You might catch Peter in his next adventure!